Chapter 24: Island of Fate

——The captain never reveals his next objective or actions until the last possible moment.

It’s partly to prevent leaks, but even so, the crew is usually only told which island they’re heading to—never what they’ll be doing there, or what the mission truly means. Those details only come right before the operation begins… or sometimes, not until it’s already over.

So when the crew was called together that day, I assumed it would be the same as always—just another set of orders for whatever came next.

——

"Alright… business as usual. We’re about to raid an island…"

On the deck of the ship, Captain Rocks addressed the assembled members of the Rocks Pirates, his voice calm. Most of the crew probably thought it was just another routine mission—I certainly did.

…But that day was different.

"However… today’s a little special! Consider it an anniversary of sorts…! It’s been five years—almost six—since I first told you lot about that big score back in Hachinosu… And if today’s operation succeeds, that dream of ours will finally be within reach…!!"

"!!"

The crew gasped in shock. What the hell is he planning? Though no one spoke, the tension in the air was palpable.

Amidst the silence, one of the officers standing near the captain—Whitebeard—furrowed his brow and spoke up, voicing the question on everyone’s mind.

"…Just what are you planning, Captain?"

"Gyahahahaha…! Yeah, I figured you’d ask. But hold on—let me finish. Right now, I just wanna give credit where it’s due. You’ve all followed me this far, worked hard… and I wanna acknowledge that."

Dismissing Whitebeard’s question with a smirk, Rocks continued at his own pace.

"We’ve done a lot to get here… Raided World Government-affiliated nations, crushed Marine bases, absorbed pirate crews under our banner, and wiped out anyone who stood in our way. Thanks to that, the Government’s strength and influence have weakened… while we’ve amassed a force of 30,000 strong! Even just the thousand of you on this ship—every last one of you is a hardened criminal, more than capable of handling what’s coming…!"

He spoke as if reminiscing about their past exploits. And indeed, looking back, it had been nothing but endless battles—each one a victory, each one another atrocity so infamous that even the Government couldn’t fully suppress the rumors.

But the road hadn’t been easy. Some fights were trivial, others grueling. While Rocks himself, along with officers like Whitebeard, Linlin, and Shiki, had crushed their enemies without fail, even the most battle-hardened members of the crew had fallen to Government assassins or Marine fleets.

And then there was the infighting. Killing among crewmates was rampant—so much so that it never stopped, not even for a day. It was commonplace for someone who’d been alive yesterday to simply vanish the next morning. Even those like Whitebeard, who despised the bloodshed, couldn’t stop it. The weak died, and only the strongest remained—replenished by new recruits who caught the captain’s eye.

That was why the pirates standing here now were the worst of the worst. Every one of them was a monster in their own right—a gathering of the most ruthless, most dangerous individuals.

This was the strongest pirate crew in the world. An era where the name Rocks alone struck fear into the hearts of men.

And at the center of it all stood him—the so-called "Demon of the Sea," the most feared pirate in the world. Placing a hand on a certain object resting on the deck, he addressed his crew once more.

"And on top of that… Gyahahaha!! We’ve even managed to snag a few of the Government’s worst nightmares…! This stone here? Just one of ‘em…!!"

A red stone tablet, etched with ancient script—the "Road Poneglyph."

A Poneglyph so dangerous that the World Government forbade even researching it, punishable by imprisonment—one of the rarest artifacts in existence, on par with the fabled "Rio Poneglyph" said to reveal the world's true history.

…Yet most of the crew still had no idea what it actually was. Case in point—Linlin was the one who asked.

"…So what is that rock, anyway?"

"Gyahahahaha!! Let’s just say… it’s one of the keys to claiming a kingdom—no, the world itself! But that’s just one piece of the puzzle. What we’re about to do next…? That’s something else entirely…!!"

"…………"

Most of the crew still didn’t grasp the full meaning of his words. But some could feel it—the weight of something monumental. Even those who didn’t understand knew one thing: Rocks wasn’t lying. Whatever this was, it was crucial to their goal of ruling the world. That much, they accepted.

Which only made the next question burn even brighter—What are we about to do? Given the buildup, it had to be something different… or something on an unprecedented scale.

Shiki was the one who voiced it, a grin spreading across his face as he locked eyes with the captain.

"So, Boss—what’s the plan? Which island, which country are we hitting this time?"

"Gyahahahaha…! You wanna know? Fine—I’ll tell ya…"

Rocks paused for a moment. Then, with a grin even more wicked than usual, he delivered the answer.

"The island’s name is— God Valley. Our targets? The Celestial Dragons there… and reclaiming what they stole from us…!!!"

---

The West Blue — A Certain Sea.

"The treasure we're after is on that island up ahead, right?!"

"...Yeah, seems so. So calm down, Roger. We’ll make our move once we land."

A pirate ship drifted across calm waters. On its deck, two men exchanged casual words—Gol D. Roger, captain of the Roger Pirates, and his first mate, Silvers Rayleigh. A few other crew members listened in, but their focus was on the island ahead. Roger, brimming with confidence, addressed them loudly.

"If that intel’s right, there’s real treasure there!! And even if there ain’t, we’ve gotta check it out ourselves!! No way to know unless we go!!"

"True enough. That loot was stolen from Hachinosu. If we’re gonna grab it, now’s our only shot."

"But the folks we’re dealing with… This is gonna get ugly."

While Roger’s voice practically vibrated with excitement, crewmembers Gaban and Rayleigh responded with a mix of amusement and wariness.

Two years had passed since the Roger Pirates arrived at Lodestar Island, only to realize it wasn’t the true end of the Grand Line. Since then, they’d reset their course, sailing across the world in search of clues. And now, a tip had led them to an island where a certain treasure was said to be hidden.

The name of that island—God Valley.

Currently, even approaching its waters was forbidden. Government patrol ships roamed the area, enforcing the blockade. But after catching wind of the treasure’s location, Roger had immediately set course for the island, studying maps with his crew as they debated their next move.

Then—

"—Captain!! Pirate ship spotted!!"

"A pirate ship?! Alright, let’s kick things off with a fight!!"

"There he goes again, raring for a scrap..."

One of the crew sighed at Roger’s predictable enthusiasm. Still, the moment an enemy vessel was sighted, everyone snapped into battle prep. Not every encounter led to bloodshed, but it never hurt to be ready.

As they closed in on the ship, however, the pirates aboard shouted a warning the second they spotted the Roger Pirates.

"Hey, you bastards!! Get the hell outta these waters now!! Stick around, and we’ll slaughter ya!!"

"Wahaha!! No thanks!!"

"This ain’t a damn joke, you grinning idiot!! Our big boss said nobody gets close!!"

"...Big boss? Hey, you guys… Don’t tell me you’re under someone’s flag?"

Rayleigh’s sharp eyes narrowed as the enemy pirates sneered, puffing up with pride.

"Gyaha-ha!! Damn right we are!! We’re the Nowhere Pirates—subordinates of the great Rocks Pirates!! So if ya value yer lives, scram before—"

"—Huh. So you’re calling yourselves ‘No-Nothings’? That’s just sad."

"We ain’t!! It’s Nowhere, not ‘No-Nothings’!! You little—!! Screw this, men!! ATTACK!!"

"Ooooh!!"

Despite the enemy’s aggression, Roger remained eerily calm, listening as Rayleigh processed the revelation.

"The Rocks Pirates… So they’re up ahead. What’s the play, Roger?"

"—The hell kinda question is that, partner?! This is our chance to pay ‘em back for last time!! Let’s move, boys!!"

"Tch… Still as reckless as ever. Not that we’re any better."

"Ooooh!!"

The crew roared in unison, grins spreading across their faces as they locked onto the presence of their old rivals.

Two years ago, they’d suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Rocks Pirates. The humiliation, the sheer power of that crew—none of them had forgotten.

But those two years had changed them. That loss had fueled them. Through hardship, unshakable bonds, and sheer will, they’d grown stronger—strong enough to weather any storm.

None of them said it aloud, but they’d all sworn the same thing: Next time, we won’t lose.

And Roger himself?

"I’m gonna make this crew the greatest in the world!! And if the Rocks Pirates stand in our way—we’ll crush ‘em too!!! If they wanna be enemies again—BRING IT ON!!!"

"Wha—?! R-Roger?! You’re seriously gonna—?!"

With Roger’s declaration, the battle erupted. Within minutes, the enemy ship was sinking beneath the waves.

And so, with their captain’s defiant laughter ringing across the deck, the Roger Pirates turned their prow toward the island—toward God Valley.

...Unbeknownst to them, they were about to set foot into what would later become one of the most infamous incidents in history—the God Valley Incident.

And now—it was beginning.

---

That mission would go on to become one of the worst memories of his entire career in the Navy.

“—You’ve got to be kidding me!! Why me?!”

“Sorry, Garp! But I need you! We cannot afford any risks!!”

“A Celestial Dragon field trip? I told you not to mess with Hachinosu! You’re underestimating it!”

Despite his protests, the higher-ups begged and pleaded with him. It was almost like a threat—but Garp recalled a note of desperation in their voices.

“That’s the treasure of Pirate Island!! Of course they’re gonna come take it back!”

“How the hell did the info even leak…?!”

“You assigned enough guards, didn’t you? Why so nervous?”

“Well, uh… we didn’t think Roger would move too…”

“—You should’ve led with that!! I’m going!!”

It wasn’t concern for his fellow soldiers, or a sense of duty as a Marine, that made him abandon his vacation and rush to the island.

It was the fact that that pirate—Roger—was making a move.

And yet… upon reaching the island, Garp would come to deeply regret it.

“Thank you all for waiting!! It’s that time again—once every three years—the Grand Test of Might!! The Indigenous Purge Tournament!!”

A triumphant voice boomed out, met with deafening cheers.

It had the air of a festival—no, to them, this was a festival.

A grotesque celebration for the privileged elite. Their twisted pleasure took the form of a massacre so vile, the word itself didn’t do it justice. Once every three years, it was held in secret... and nothing thrilled the Celestial Dragons more.

“This time’s venue is a non-member nation of the World Government—welcome to God Valley!!”

“Wooooooaaahhh!!”

“Shamelessly named ‘Valley of the Gods,’ this island is rich in natural resources!!”

And so it was that the nation chosen for this misfortune was the island of God Valley.

Non-member nations had no human rights. As if to prove that point, the Celestial Dragons deemed the name offensive, and the land resource-rich—more than enough reason for their cruel festivities.

“As per tradition, we’ll now commence the Human Hunt—and this island will become official property of the World Government!!”

“This is madness!! Killing our people for a game?! Have you lost your minds?! This is our homeland!!”

“Your Majesty!!”

Naturally, any sane king would object.

Even a tyrant might draw the line here. No human being could accept such madness.

But reason and humanity had no sway over their enemy—these were the Celestial Dragons.

“!!!”

“Kyaaa—!! Your Majesty!!”

The one who had just cut down the protesting king—without a shred of mercy—was no ordinary Celestial Dragon.

He belonged to an elite group within them, marked by his wild, spiked hair.

“Oho! Hold up a moment! Lord Garling!! Bit of a foul there! You’ve just taken down the tribal king!! A top contender like you is starting at minus 10,000 points!!”

“That handicap makes it more fun.”

—Saint Figarland Garling, of the “God Knights.”

Among the Celestial Dragons—and even within the God Knights—he was seen as an ace, a rising star.

Calm and ruthless, he accepted the penalty as he wiped the king from existence.

For the reigning champion of the last tournament, this kind of handicap was the only way to keep things interesting.

“This year’s targets include not only the natives, but also troublesome slaves!! A fine lineup of criminals and undesirables—”

The natives were the prey. Alongside them, slaves had been brought in—locked in cages or shackled—left to await the slaughter.

There was no hope for them. Only despair. Resignation. Or a silent prayer to anyone who might listen.

As always, the Celestial Dragons were perfectly prepared. The massacre was about to begin.

“A runaway child was caught. One of the Buccaneers…”

“…What?”

And yet, just as the blood-soaked festivities were about to begin, a small hiccup emerged.

Upon hearing the report, one of the Five Elders—the supreme authority of the World Government, Saint Jaygarcia Saturn—calmly ordered the slave be recaptured.

But moments later, they received another, more urgent report.

“Lord Saturn!!”

“…What is it?”

“Pirates! The Rocks Pirates have appeared—alongside a number of infamous names!! They’ve landed on the island!!!”

“…What did you say?!”

At the time, none of them realized—

That this would trigger one of the greatest blunders in Celestial Dragon history.

---

"So it’s finally begun…" I mused, feeling an indescribable mix of exhilaration and nostalgia.

"Hyaah!!"

"Gh—! A kid?! W-wha—?!"

"Ease up just ‘cause I’m a kid, and you’re dead. Oh… wait, you already are."

I drove my trident, hardened with Armament Haki, straight through the marine’s body. Then, with a swing of my weapon, I flung the impaled corpse toward the sea. Sometimes, if the angle’s bad, it gets stuck—like a sausage skewered on a fork. Well, maybe that’s just a skill issue on my part.

"Y-you bastard…!!"

"Left or right?"

"?! Wha—GYAAAAHHH?!"

I dodged the attack from behind with Observation Haki. Hmm. Honestly, when the enemy can’t use Haki or keep up physically, it’s just too easy. At this rate, I won’t grow stronger—just end up finding twisted joy in stomping weaklings. Kinda disappointing.

Grabbing a barely breathing marine by the head, I called out to my partner nearby. Something like—

"Kaido! Toss-up!"

"WORORORO! Bring it!!"

Kaido, already anticipating my move, raised his club. So without hesitation, I hurled the marine straight at him.

"Pitcher’s first throw—here it comes!"

"WORORORORO!!"

"Guh—!"

"Whoa! Home run!! Nice batting~!"

Kaido sent the marine flying with a home-run swing, the body splashing into the sea. Impressive distance. He’s gotten stronger too—not just physically, but his Haki’s sharper now.

"Any survivors left? Don’t hear any screams… Oh, and—UFOs, retract."

"Tch. No fight in ‘em. Over already?"

Scanning the deck littered with marine corpses, I confirmed no lingering presences with Observation Haki. Then I recalled (well, dispelled) the seven UFOs I’d deployed for combat. Seven’s my current limit. Their numbers, firepower, and durability are improving, but… gradually.

As Kaido planted his club on the deck and sighed in boredom, I chimed in.

"Nah, nah. The fun’s just starting, right? Cap’n made it sound big."

"Hope so."

With that, Kaido and I flew back to the ship. Honestly, a single marine vessel like this is child’s play. If it’s just fodder, the two of us are enough—just like the captain predicted.

And when we returned to our ship, now close enough to see clearly—the captain was there, grinning like a demon as he barked orders.

"—We’re back!"

"GEHAHA! How’d it go?"

"Weaklings."

"Too damn boring."

"MAMAMAMA… To think they’d lose to two rookies. But this time, the numbers might make it worthwhile…!!"

"Hm… That phrasing kinda bugs me…"

Lingering on Rocks’ reply, Linlin’s remark struck a nerve. Not that I’m hung up on the past or anything. But still—letting it slide would leave a bad taste. And honestly, putting arrogant pricks in their place sounds fun.

"…Alright!! Time to get serious! Let’s go—Rocks Pirates!!"

"Who said the rookies get the front, dumbass?! Stay in the back where you belong!"

"Ow!?"

Pumped for the day’s festivities, I raised my fist and charged ahead—only to be stopped by Whitebeard’s light knuckle sandwich. I puffed my cheeks.

"C’mon, what’s the harm?! It’s a party—let the kids have their moment!"

"MAMAMAMA! Spirited as ever! But Whitebeard’s right! You rookies hang back!"

"Shut it, Linlin! First blood’s our job!"

"Yeah, yeah—!"

I grumbled at Whitebeard, but Linlin shoved past, ordering us to stay put. Kaido, of all people, backed me up—a rare moment of agreement. As the apprentices, torture squad, and vanguard, this was our chance to go wild—er, gain experience. Floating beside Kaido, I steadied my trident.

"First come, first served! JEHAHA! I’ll blast ‘em all away!!"

"Hey, Newgate! Don’t leave me behind—that’s cold!"

"Playing Whitebeard’s pet, Stussy? Pathetic."

"Bite me, Gloriosa!"

"FUFUFU! With Celestial Dragons here, the loot’s gotta be good. It’s all mine."

"Like hell!"

"My turn!"

One after another—Shiki, Stussy, Gloriosa, John, "Silver Axe," and Wang Zhi—the Rocks Pirates’ heavy hitters stormed the island.

Nothing could stop our rampage. Marines, government dogs—we’d slaughter them all for fun. All part of Captain Rocks’ "big score."

"GEHAHAHA!! Move out!! Follow my lead—Rocks Pirates!! Celestial Dragons, Gorosei, even the shadow-king of the world—line ‘em up and sink ‘em all!! We’re this close to our payday!! The next to rule this world—is ME!! GEHAHAHA!!!"

In an instant, Rocks rallied the crew and charged.

Whatever his words stirred in us, one thing was certain—the bloodlust was boiling.

And as the battle loomed, I—like Kaido and the others—couldn’t help but thrill at what was coming.

—Well then… how’s this gonna end? Gotta see it through, no matter what!

Whatever the outcome, I’d savor it. Watching Captain Rocks’ back, I steeled my resolve—

And so began the Rocks Pirates’ final battle… the "God Valley Incident."