After leaving Rocks, Bai Ye felt a great sense of relief.
Perhaps at first, he had felt a sense of guilt towards Rocks.
It could be said that his Haki and some of his Devil Fruit development were taught by Rocks.
Yet, deep down, he had always intended to leave the Rocks Pirates.
But after confronting Rocks, Bai Ye felt as if he had overthought everything; the suppressed weight in his heart seemed to lighten considerably, and he was surprised to find that his Conqueror's Haki had grown stronger!
"Golden Lion, gather all the crew, then have the ship ascend. We'll fly there!"
"Gyahahahahaha, is it finally time to act?!"
Upon receiving Rocks' command, Golden Lion immediately arranged for all the pirates to board the ship.
This time, to avoid exposing their movements, they chose to travel by air.
In the sky, even the spies within the Rocks Pirates had no idea where they were headed.
However, the departure of the entire Rocks Pirates, with the exception of some minor pirates, meant that the entire Rocks Pirates left Hachinosu Island. Such a massive movement naturally attracted the attention of the Marines.
"What in the world is that bastard Rocks up to?!"
Kong, who was currently the Fleet Admiral, looked at the intelligence report in his hand with a headache.
He had already received intelligence about Rocks' intentions even before he left.
The entire New World was now stirred up by Rocks. The once loosely organized New World was now unified under Rocks' call, with countless great pirates following him. Rocks' disappearance today seemed to foreshadow a major event!
"Can we determine the exact direction?"
Sengoku asked curiously.
He believed that the most important thing to understand now was the direction Rocks had taken.
"They're heading towards the Grand Line."
According to the intelligence, they had left the New World, but whether it was the Four Blues or the Grand Line, Kong had no way of knowing the exact destination.
Moreover, the most crucial point was that all the key facilities of the Marines and the World Government were currently located in the Four Blues and the first half of the Grand Line.
"Enies Lobby? Marineford? Or Impel Down?"
Tsuru lowered her head, pondering the purpose of Rocks' trip.
"Could it be Mary Geoise?"
Sengoku didn't believe Rocks intended to attack these three locations.
Firstly, Rocks had gathered so many pirates to act together just to attack these three places?
From a profit perspective, the other pirates wouldn't agree.
First, Enies Lobby was merely a judicial facility of the World Government. While it represented justice and the dignity of the World Government, Rocks had no reason, nor did the other pirates in his crew have any need, to destroy Enies Lobby. It would be a thankless effort.
Then there was Impel Down, which held many powerful pirates, but no one on Rocks' side needed to be rescued from Impel Down. Similarly, other pirates would not follow Rocks without any clear benefit.
By the same logic, unless the pirates were insane, why would they attack Marineford?
They wouldn't gain any benefits and might even die there. In Sengoku's view, unless there were extremely significant profits involved, it would be impossible for such a large number of pirates to gather.
However, Mary Geoise was the residence of the Celestial Dragons, and it actually seemed not impossible for it to be Rocks' target.
"Those guys are going to attack Mary Geoise."
Garp munched on a senbei, disagreeing with Sengoku's speculation and even refuting it: "Really? I don't believe it!"
"Garp, you bastard, shut up!"
Sengoku punched Garp directly in the face. That old bastard was eating his senbei again!
He had never seen Garp buy any, yet Garp was always eating them. When did that old bastard steal them? He had clearly locked them up tightly!
"It's hard to judge, but once Rocks and his crew decide to act, it must be for some significant gain."
Tsuru also leaned towards Sengoku's view. The other places were unlikely, but it couldn't be guaranteed. Only Rocks and a few of his Captains probably knew what Rocks was thinking at this moment.
This operation was too sudden; they were somewhat caught off guard.
"It's a shame we can't infiltrate them. They don't even know what they're doing right now; only the executives probably know!"
Kong felt a bit frustrated. He felt very passive in this situation where he couldn't figure out what the enemy intended to do.
Buruburuburuburu...
Just as Kong was feeling troubled, a special Den Den Mushi on his desk rang.
Holy Land Mary Geoise.
The Five Elders sat around a table, quietly looking at the Den Den Mushi and announcing: "One of the Three Admirals will go to Impel Down, one to Enies Lobby, and the other will remain at Marineford!"
Saint Jeygarsia Saturn relayed their agreed-upon arrangements to Kong.
Even their CP had not managed to gather intelligence, so the Five Elders did not expect the Marines to have any intelligence.
"What about the Holy Land?"
Kong was actually quite conflicted.
Based on their previous analysis, it didn't seem like they were attacking these three places. Didn't they need an Admiral there?
"No need!"
Perhaps it was the arrogance of the Celestial Dragons, or perhaps they believed Rocks wouldn't dare to attack here, given that no one had dared to cause trouble in the Holy Land for eight hundred years.
So, in the Five Elders's view, the Marine Admirals only needed to protect those three places.
As for the Holy Land, with them there, if Rocks and his crew dared to come, they would ensure they never returned!
"I understand."
Since the Holy Land didn't require him to send anyone, Kong naturally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Garp, where are you going?"
"Don't forget it's my vacation now!"
He had been chasing Roger and his crew for a while, so his warship also needed repairs.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Garp decided to take some time off.
"Hey?! You bastard, get back here!"
Just as Kong finished speaking, he heard a bang as Garp slammed the door shut, clearly having no intention of listening to him.
That old bastard!
He just ran off when the Marines desperately needed manpower?
"What in the world does that bastard Rocks want to do?"
Pite Saint rubbed his forehead in annoyance, looking at the world map. He couldn't see Rocks' destination on it at all.
"He gathered so many pirates; it can't just be for plunder, can it? I doubt he'd come to the Holy Land either. That guy isn't an idiot; would he really dare to come to the Holy Land to die?"
Nasjuro Saint wiped the hilt of his sword, his glasses gleaming. He was actually quite looking forward to the arrival of Rocks and his crew, as it would be a perfect opportunity to eliminate the Rocks Pirates in one fell swoop.
However, before that, they needed to hide the Celestial Dragons and intercept the enemy before they reached the Holy Land to prevent damage to the Holy Land, and then eliminate Rocks and his crew.
"But there's no suitable place on the entire map!"
If it were other pirates, there wouldn't be much to worry about, but this was Rocks, the Rocks Pirates!
"That place hasn't been exposed, has it?"
Saint Jeygarsia Saturn suddenly thought of a place, his gaze fixed on a small island in the West Blue.
That was where their Celestial Dragons had always enjoyed their hunting games.
This time, not only had members of the God's Knights gone there, but also many Celestial Dragons with little strength.
If Rocks' destination was there, it would indeed not be good news.
That place was quite a distance from Marineford and the Holy Land, so providing reinforcements would not be an easy task.
"Impossible. That place hasn't been discovered for hundreds of years. Everyone on that island has been silenced by us, and the island of God Valley doesn't even appear on maps. How could Rocks and his crew know about it?!"
Pite Saint immediately interrupted Saint Jeygarsia Saturn. This was simply impossible, as that location was top secret, known only to the World Government's internal members and high-ranking Marines. Others had no knowledge of it whatsoever.
Not to mention the Rocks Pirates. Normally, it was just a small island, and there was CP0 surveillance around it to prevent any leaks. Furthermore, because God Valley was located in the West Blue, the pirates there were not strong, and if any pirates approached, CP0 would not hesitate to eliminate them.
So, it was naturally impossible for others to know about it.
"Then there's nowhere else to go!"
Saint Jeygarsia Saturn said calmly. If it wasn't God Valley, then he couldn't think of any place worth Rocks' visit.
It couldn't possibly be Holy Land Mary Geoise, could it?
"In any case, let's all guard here and see. If Rocks and his crew really come to the Holy Land, then we'll deal with these pirates!"
"Alright!"
The few of them discussed it and finally decided. Anyway, the other places had the Marines, and the Holy Land had them watching, so there wouldn't be any major surprises. A secret place like God Valley wouldn't be known to pirates, so they would just wait and see what Rocks would do.
The Rocks Pirates had only this one chance. Its members were all ambitious individuals who couldn't stay in one pirate crew forever. Once this operation failed, the Rocks Pirates would fall apart.
"No matter what happens next, Rocks must die."
"What about the others?"
"There's no need to deliberately eliminate them. Just let them escape if they can, and let them fight among themselves in the New World!"
What they wanted was balance.
The World Government had witnessed too many geniuses over the past eight hundred years.
And what was the result?
Not a single one had shaken the World Government's rule.
And everything happening now was also intentionally orchestrated by them.
They wanted an unstable New World where great pirates would fight among themselves, not a New World ruled by Rocks. If the New World were unified, the spearhead would be pointed at them.
If there were no conflicts, they could create them; otherwise, they would become the source of conflict.
Moreover, this world could not be peaceful.
What would they, the World Government, do if it were peaceful?
If everything was peaceful, there would be no pirates.
And if there were no pirates, these countries wouldn't need the Marines' protection, nor would they join the World Government as affiliated nations. When all countries had no conflicts, and the celestial tribute ceased to exist, the spearhead would also be pointed at them.
So, this world needed pirates, but it didn't need someone who could unite most of them.
This world needed chaos; chaos served their interests.
"Rocks is not a concern. The most crucial thing is to find that Devil Fruit. If we find that Devil Fruit, then the entire world can be as chaotic as they want, as long as we maintain control over the Four Blues and the first half of the Grand Line!"
Saint Jeygarsia Saturn said calmly. No matter how much the pirates caused trouble, they didn't care, but there was one thing that the World Government feared.
For eight hundred years, they had been searching, but it seemed to be hiding, completely beyond their reach.
"That Devil Fruit has its own will, or perhaps all Zoan-type Devil Fruits are like that."
Nika, ah...
Eight hundred years, and still not found; it truly was unsettling.
However, since Nika was defeated once eight hundred years ago, even if he returned again, they could defeat Nika once more!
"Roger, Rocks has left Hachinosu Island. What do you say?"
Roger Pirates.
Rayleigh's eyes gleamed as he spoke about a newly acquired intelligence report concerning Rocks.
"That guy really beat me up badly last time!"
Roger touched his chest, where it still throbbed faintly.
Last time he sailed into the New World, he encountered Rocks. After refusing Rocks' invitation, the two sides fought fiercely. If Garp hadn't happened to chase them down later, and Rocks saw him as a talent and decided to give him more time to think, Roger would have almost died in the New World that time.
Because of that incident, Roger realized his own lack of strength and decided to temporarily leave the New World and sail in the Four Blues.
"What are those guys up to?"
Gaban pondered. Rocks' purpose for leaving wouldn't be that simple.
"Didn't we receive a secret radio wave before?"
Roger's lips curved into a smile, thinking of an unknown radio wave they had received earlier.
From the intelligence, they learned that there was an island called God Valley in the West Blue, and it was actually a hunting ground for the Celestial Dragons.
Also, this time there was a Devil Fruit as a treasure, and combined with the recent information that the Rocks Pirates' treasure had been stolen by those guys from the World Government, he guessed that guy was probably heading to God Valley, right?
"If it's those guys, it wouldn't be surprising!"
Rayleigh adjusted his spectacles. He also strongly agreed with Roger's statement.
Now, combining it with the disappearance of the Rocks Pirates, it was likely that the previous intelligence about God Valley was not wrong either.
"How about it? Interested in going together?"
As Roger spoke, he suddenly thought of something very interesting, and at the same time, he knew that his chance to resolve this great mountain pressing on his heart had come!
If he didn't take this opportunity to eliminate Rocks, then he would never have another chance.
So, this time, he wanted to go to God Valley!
"What a reckless Captain!"
"Let's go! I haven't had enough fighting with that bastard Golden Lion yet!"
They definitely had to go!
It wasn't just Captain Roger's order; it was also because both of them wanted to continue competing with the Rocks Pirates' members. Last time, they lost quite badly!
Moreover, they were well aware of Roger's objective.
If Rocks wasn't dealt with, the conflict between them would remain, and they would eventually have to become enemies with Rocks!
Although it felt a bit like kicking someone when they were down, wasn't that the pirate way?!
They had never claimed to be noble!