...
Watching the pirates below reignite their fighting spirit and show undisguised hostility toward the World Government, the Five Elders' faces showed no major change.
Anger, humiliation, killing intent… these emotions had long since settled from the successive blows earlier, transforming into an even colder, deeper suppression.
Though the five of them appeared motionless on the surface, faint glimmers flickered in the depths of their eyes…
They were engaged in consciousness communication with "that person" far away in Mary Geoise Pangea Castle, transcending distance.
"Lord Imu…"
Saint Nusjuro whispered in his mind: "The light screen continues to expose secrets, taboo names are spreading, Rocks' future is revealed… the situation is spiraling out of control…"
A long silence followed, as if crossing the barriers of space, until an icy, hollow consciousness replied directly in their minds: "I… do not wish to appear in the public eye."
"Wait."
Concise, cold, yet carrying an unquestionable will.
Though stifled, the Five Elders could only accept it.
Lord Imu had its own considerations. Its "unwillingness to appear" might not stem from fear, but from deeper reasons they could not fully comprehend.
Regardless, since Lord Imu had decided to endure for the time being, they could only suppress all impulses and wait for the moment this damned light screen dissipated on its own.
Yet watching the pirates below—who had picked up their weapons again and glared provocatively—watching the distant Marines whose faces showed shock and wavering faith…
The killing intent and irritation in the Five Elders' hearts burned like a suppressed volcano, growing ever fiercer.
The light screen did not pause for the disturbances in reality. It continued to display that cruel "original future."
The chaos in God Valley had reached its peak.
The Rocks Pirates were torn by infighting over treasure—John's betrayal, Ganju's sneak attack on Shiki—the powerhouses fought each for themselves.
And in the center of the battlefield, Whitebeard poured out all his strength yet still could not fully hold back that terrifying, fully demonized figure whose power had surged explosively.
Demon Rocks withstood the tremors head-on, tearing through vibrating sword energy like a Demon King returned from hell, finally breaking through Whitebeard's defense!
His target was clear: the depths of the forest, the figure desperately fleeing while clutching a child.
When Demon Rocks' massive, black-smoke-wreathed body appeared behind Eris, she froze.
She did not scream, did not collapse.
She simply raised her head and gazed up at that face—once so familiar, now twisted like a fiend.
"Xebec…"
Eris' voice was soft, trembling, yet exceptionally clear: "In that state of yours… you've lost, haven't you…"
Tears fell like broken strings of pearls, sliding silently from her eyes.
In those tears were the shock and fear of seeing her loved one turned into a monster, the complicated feelings toward his plight…
But above all, a bottomless, heart-rending pain.
She understood better than anyone just how proud, how powerful her husband truly was.
Yet now, he had fallen to this state.
"I'm sorry…"
Eris clutched Teach tightly, tears dripping onto the infant's cheek: "To save us, you ended up facing that thing so soon… indeed… it was still too early…"
Her words revealed a shocking truth: Rocks had come to God Valley primarily to rescue her and Teach after they were taken by the Celestial Dragons!
In his original plan, he likely had not intended to confront an existence on Imu's level so soon.
Hearing his wife's words, something flickered violently for a moment in Demon Rocks' hollow eye sockets.
His massive body began to tremble uncontrollably, pained whimpers like those of a wounded beast issuing from deep in his throat.
His remaining consciousness was struggling!
But the power of black domination was too strong.
The whimper lasted only a few seconds before Demon Rocks' movements turned cold and resolute once more.
He raised the demonic blade wreathed in destructive black flames and slowly swung it down toward Eris and Teach!
"Teach!"
A resolute light flashed in Eris' eyes. She spun around and ran with all her strength toward the nearby coast: "We're heading into the sea! We can only swim now!
Mama won't let you die! The bloodline of Davy… must not be extinguished!!!"
A woman is weak by nature, but becomes strong as a mother.
For the child in her arms, for the bloodline her husband had defended with his life, Eris now erupted with astonishing strength and tenacity!
Clutching the infant, she darted through the rugged woodland toward the sea—that symbol of the unknown and danger, yet perhaps their only path to survival!
"You must live… no matter what!!!"
The coastline was right in front of her!
However, just as Eris was about to plunge into the water…
"Woo!!!"
A piercing cannon alert sounded!
Several Marine warships anchored offshore had clearly noticed this "suspicious target" fleeing from the core of the battlefield.
They may not have known Eris' identity, but they still turned their dark cannon muzzles toward the tiny figure on the shore clutching an infant.
This scene enraged the crowds outside God Valley who were watching the light screen even more!
"Marines… screw you! Is this your justice?!"
"Firing cannons at a mother and child—are you beasts?!"
"Get out of our country! Are you planning to bomb us too?!"
Many civilians began resisting. Marine officers dared not open fire and could only desperately try to calm the crowds… but it was clearly useless.
At this moment on the light screen…
Cannon fire ahead, demonic slash behind!
Truly no way to heaven, no path to earth—Eris had been driven into absolute desperation!
Inside and outside God Valley, everyone who saw this scene had their hearts in their throats!
Gloriosa covered her mouth, Buckingham closed her eyes, Eris felt ice-cold all over…
Just then…
"Pop!" ×2
Two light popping sounds—like bursting bubbles—rang out abruptly!
A small figure suddenly burst out from the side amid the cannon smoke!
It was Bartholomew Kuma!
The young man who had only recently gained the Paw-Paw Fruit ability ignored the cannonballs whistling overhead!
Ignoring the terrifying pressure from Demon Rocks behind him, his eyes held only the mother and child about to be swallowed by cannon fire!
Kuma's massive palms moved with astonishing speed. In the instant before Eris was about to be hit by the shells, he gently pressed them against her and Teach!
"Bo!!!"
With a strange sound, Eris and Teach's figures turned into two streaks of light—like bubbles popped outward—
Shooting off at an unbelievable speed and trajectory toward the distant sea horizon!
In the final instant before propelling Eris and her son away, Kuma turned his head and took a deep look at Demon Rocks, who was swinging his blade toward him.
There was no fear in that gaze. Then he raised his palm toward his own chest…
"Pop!"
Another light sound—Kuma's figure vanished as well!
Almost in the same instant he disappeared, Demon Rocks' demonic blade came slashing down!
"Boom!!!!"
The terrifying attack tore open the earth and cleaved the warship that had just fired—anchored at the shore—clean in two from the middle!
Explosive flames intertwined with black energy, completely engulfing Demon Rocks' figure!
""Ahhh!!!""
Inside and outside God Valley, earth-shaking exclamations erupted! Everyone was stunned by this lightning-fast reversal!
All eyes turned to that little guy—no one had expected it would be him who saved Eris and her son…
"Huh? Was… was that me who saved them?"
In reality, Kuma stared at his decisive and brave "future self" in the light screen.
He scratched his head a little embarrassedly, a pure smile spreading across his honest face: "Hehe… as long as they're okay, that's good. That's good."
His tone was so light, as though he had merely done something trivial.
"Kuma!!!"
Ginny burst into tears from fright. She rushed over and clung tightly to Kuma's thick arm, sobbing uncontrollably.
She knew Kuma too well—this quiet, gentle-hearted young man always put others' safety above his own.
Just now, in such danger, he had still dared to charge forward—she had nearly been scared to death…
"Thank you… thank you!!"
Eris, holding little Teach, staggered over to Kuma.
Without the slightest hesitation, she dropped to her knees with a "thud," pressing her forehead heavily against the hard ground!
"Thank you for saving my son and me… thank you for saving Teach… thank you for saving Xebec's hope… truly… truly, thank you so much!!!"
Her voice choked with sobs, yet filled with heartfelt gratitude.
This kneel was not only for the debt of life saved, but also the highest respect for that pure kindness that reached out in absolute desperation.
"No, no, no! You're being too polite! Please get up! Get up!"
Kuma was flustered, his face flushing red. He awkwardly tried to help Eris up but didn't dare use much force: "We were all captured by these people—we have to help each other!
And you're carrying a child—how could I possibly just stand by!"
Kuma's explanation was plain and simple, yet it spoke of the most fundamental kindness:
Mutual aid among those suffering together, and the instinctive protection of vulnerable life.
If Kuma had lacked the ability, he might have stood by—but now that he had gained a Devil Fruit power, he absolutely could not sit idly by!
"Thud, thud, thud."
Heavy footsteps approached.
Rocks D. Xebec—the overlord of the seas—walked up in front of Kuma.
The shadow cast by his tall figure nearly enveloped Kuma completely.
The atmosphere froze instantly. Ginny and Ivankov held their breath, instinctively edging closer to Kuma.
Roger, Garp, Whitebeard, Big Mom, Kaido… all the powerhouses stopped talking; even Shiki wisely shut his mouth.
Marines and pirates alike stared wide-eyed at what was about to happen.
Rocks' face showed no expression—only complex emotions in his eyes as he looked at the slightly nervous young man before him.
Then…
"Thud!"
His sword was planted heavily into the ground.
Immediately after came a "thud!"—just like his wife!
Rocks D. Xebec—this man so arrogant he viewed the heroes of the world as nothing, this ambitious figure who aspired to become King of the World—before Kuma…
Kneeled straight down!
The entire scene fell deathly silent; one could have heard a pin drop.
"Thank you."
Rocks' voice was low and hoarse, yet carried unprecedented sincerity and weight.
"Thank you for saving Eris."
"Thank you for saving Teach."
"Thank you…"
With each phrase, Rocks bowed his head deeply.
This was not a performance, not a ploy to win hearts—it was the most direct gratitude and respect from a man proud to his very bones toward his life-saving benefactor.
Roger watched the scene, unable to hide the smile at the corners of his mouth—a silent approval of Rocks' action.
Rayleigh gently held Shakky; the two exchanged a glance and a smile, sharing the same emotion.
Whitebeard nodded slightly, a gratified smile on his face.
Garp crossed his arms and muttered, "At least he's got some humanity…"
But in the complex emotion in his eyes toward Rocks, there was indeed a genuine trace of… acknowledgment.
The kneeling of the sea's overlord shocked everyone—yet it also showed them that even a man as supremely evil as Rocks!
Still possessed in the depths of his heart something sacred that could not be desecrated, along with a bottom line of repaying kindness.
And perhaps… that bottom line was proof that humanity had not been completely extinguished within him.
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