...
Looking at the blatant betrayal by John and Ganju on the light screen, Rocks' face showed no trace of surprise or anger.
As the captain of the Rocks Pirates, no one understood the true nature of these "comrades" better than he did.
The so-called "unity" was merely superficial; behind the scenes, they schemed against each other, fought over territory, and even came to blows over treasure—it was all routine.
Rocks knew all this, but he never stopped it, nor did he bother to care.
In his eyes, these so-called great pirates—criminals with bounties over 100 million—were nothing more than "tools" to realize his ambitions.
He only needed their strength and infamy; as for how they plotted and betrayed each other in private… who the hell cared?
"As long as they can fight…"
Rocks had once said this to Whitebeard: "As for what kind of people they are… I don't care."
This near-ruthless pragmatism was the core reason the Rocks Pirates could gather so many unruly figures in such a short time—yet was also destined to be short-lived.
"Alright, alright, Shiki, calm down first—don't scare the kids!"
Seeing that Golden Lion Shiki was on the verge of losing control from the "future" betrayal, with more and more floating rubble and weapons swirling around him, Roger stepped forward at the right moment.
He casually waved at Shiki with a calm expression, his tone as light as if he were soothing a tantruming child.
Roger truly had no interest in the infighting of the Rocks Pirates; he was only intervening out of concern that Shiki's out-of-control power might affect those around them—
Especially Gloriosa and the two infants in Eris' arms.
Little Shanks and Shamrock had already been frightened to tears once by the earlier shouts and roars.
Shiki's movements paused. He turned to look at Roger, then glanced at the infants being gently soothed over there, and his furious expression eased slightly.
"Hmph..."
Shiki let out a cold snort, and the floating objects around him slowly descended: "Fine, Roger… I'll give you this face. We'll put this matter aside for now."
Though his words said that, the look he gave Ganju remained ice-cold and merciless.
He had recorded this debt.
Whitebeard watched the farce from the side, merely shaking his head slightly.
He had never had any real "feelings" toward the Rocks Pirates to begin with; joining back then was simply mutual benefit.
In his view, John and Ganju's betrayal was just the norm in the pirate world…
The law of the jungle, interests above all—where was there any true "comrade"?
The light screen switched again, focusing on the battlefield on the other side.
Garp, like an unleashed wild beast, was charging full speed toward the monster that Saint Saturn had transformed into!
"No way! Vice Admiral Garp! That's one of the highest authorities of the World Government!"
The Marine Rear Admiral from earlier was now clinging desperately to Garp's waist, his entire body nearly being dragged along the ground.
His face flushed red as he exerted every ounce of strength to hold him back, shouting hoarsely: "We can't attack a Five Elder! This is rebellion! It's a capital offense!"
"Vice Admiral Garp! Calm down! Think of your family! Think of the Marines' position!"
"Vice Admiral! Stop!!!"
It wasn't just him. Dozens of surrounding Marine soldiers also rushed up—some grabbing legs, others pulling arms.
More than a dozen people hung on Garp like accessories, trying to use their weight and numbers to halt this Vice Admiral's mad actions.
But Garp's strength far exceeded their imagination.
"You mean that maggot?!"
Garp snorted coldly. Then his muscles bulged violently, and a terrifying raw power exploded!
The dozen-plus Marine soldiers hanging on him couldn't budge him at all; Garp shook them off effortlessly.
And Garp himself barely slowed down, still charging madly toward the monster!
The scene cut back to the main battlefield.
Rocks was locked in fierce combat with the monster controlled by Imu.
Sword energy and venom clashed endlessly, annihilating each other, with shockwaves rippling out in rings, plowing the surrounding ground over and over.
Kaido, in his Azure Dragon form, hovered at the edge of the battlefield, his massive dragon eyes flashing with excitement and eagerness to join.
He could feel the new power surging within him—the terrifying vitality, defense, and destructive force granted by the Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon—roaring and thirsting for release.
"Let me join the fight too and help you out! Rocks…"
Kaido rumbled in his deep voice, hot steam puffing from his dragon maw with each word.
His massive body lowered slightly, muscles tensing, ready to dive into the fray.
However, at that very instant…
"Wait a damn minute!!! Kaido, you bastard!!!"
A shrill, ear-piercing roar of fury came from the side!
Charlotte Linlin—right now with a pink bandana on her head, her face twisted in rage.
She was riding the snarling thundercloud Zeus, wielding the giant sword Napoleon, charging forward like a berserk lioness!
Her target was none other than Kaido!
"That's my Azure Dragon Fruit!!! I was the one who wanted it first!!!"
Big Mom's eyes practically blazed with fire.
She had originally planned to seize that long-dreamed-of Mythical Zoan Fruit during this God Valley operation, even making extensive preparations in advance.
But that bastard Kaido had ambushed from behind and swallowed the fruit first!
This feeling of being stabbed in the back by "one of her own" infuriated her even more than being defeated by an enemy!
...