"One Piece: I, the Strongest Intern of the Roger Pirates"

"Yi-ge, is that Marine named Garp out of his mind or something? He's been chasing us for days! Don't they need to resupply or rest at all?"

On the deck of the Oro Jackson, Shanks asked Fang Yi in an exhausted tone.

Fang Yi, putting down his telescope, replied with a weary expression:

"Now I finally get why that guy wears a dog head on his cap... He's just like a dog—once he locks onto prey, he never lets go."

"Woof! Woof!"

Wangzai barked twice beside him, though no one could tell if it was in agreement or protest.

"I can't take this anymore. If that guy keeps chasing us like this, I'm gonna collapse!"

Buggy lay flat on the deck like a dead fish, whining weakly.

At the bow, Rayleigh turned to Roger and said,

"This can't go on. The crew's getting worn out. Roger, we need to come up with a plan."

Roger rubbed his forehead in frustration.

"You know Garp. Normal tricks don't work on him at all."

"Then... how about we head directly for God Valley?" Jaba suddenly suggested.

"Hmm?"

Both Roger and Rayleigh turned to him, confused.

Wouldn't bringing Garp along just bolster the Marines' strength at God Valley? That wouldn't exactly help the pirates already headed there.

"If God Valley comes under attack, Garp will be summoned there for reinforcements. That gives us a chance to intervene and persuade those guys to back off. And maybe, when they see the Navy reinforcements, they'll reconsider their plans altogether," Jaba explained with a smile.

"It's worth a try," Rayleigh nodded after thinking it through, then looked toward Roger.

"Alright! Let's head for God Valley!"

Roger didn't hesitate. The Oro Jackson turned course and headed straight for God Valley.

Meanwhile, noticing the sudden change in direction, Garp and his crew were surprised.

"Sir, could it be a trap?"

Pokato asked warily, staring at Oro Jackson's sudden turn.

"Heh! Doesn't matter where he runs—he's not getting away this time!"

Garp grinned widely. "After all these days, I'm not letting him escape again!"

And so, in this bizarre chase, both sides sped toward God Valley.

At the same time, not far from God Valley, many pirate crews had already begun gathering.

"This time... we'll wipe those scum out completely!"

The leader, a burly man wrapped tightly in clothing, stood at the front of the assembly.

He always dressed like this to hide the hoof-shaped Celestial Dragon brand burned into his flesh—something that could never be removed, only concealed.

"Yeah!!!"

The crowd of pirates roared in unison.

Some had once been slaves. Others had lost family to the Celestial Dragons. Every last one of them had a grudge.

On God Valley itself, the man in charge of security was Vice Admiral Solari—a hardened, ruthless Marine veteran, even older than Garp and Zephyr, and infamous for his iron-fisted hatred of pirates.

Once a prominent hardliner in the Marines, Solari had committed serious offenses in the past. Instead of being locked up in Impel Down, the World Government chose to pardon him and assign him to God Valley to protect the Celestial Dragons.

"Sir, intelligence reports the pirates have gathered nearby."

A Marine officer reported to the towering Vice Admiral Solari.

"Heh… A bunch of suicidal idiots. But fine, this place is too peaceful anyway—it could use some blood to liven it up."

Solari let out a twisted smile.

"Tell the troops to prepare for battle. The moment the pirates show up—sink them all!"

Already extreme in temperament, Solari had only grown more violent during his years stationed at God Valley, especially under the twisted atmosphere of serving the Celestial Dragons.

"Yes, sir! Also… should we notify the Celestial Dragons to evacuate?"

The officer asked hesitantly.

"No need. But tell them there's going to be a good show soon. If they're not too scared, they're welcome to watch."

Solari licked his lips with a blood-red tongue.

"Yes, sir."

The officer saluted and quickly left—he had served under Solari long enough to feel the oppressive madness radiating from him.

While both the pirate alliance and the Navy thought everything was unfolding according to plan, the battle erupted sooner than anyone expected.

"Why the hell did they start the attack?!"

The leader of the pirate alliance looked dumbfounded and furious as several pirate ships suddenly launched an assault.

"Boss! The brothers up front said the Marines discovered them, so they had no choice but to attack. And when the others saw them charging, they just followed suit!"

The liaison officer reported in a panic, drenched in sweat.

"Bunch of damn idiots!"

With half their forces already engaged, the alliance leader had no choice but to raise the banner and order a full-scale attack.

His original plan was to wait for the Rocks Pirates before launching the assault. That was what he'd agreed on with them.

All he wanted was to liberate the slaves from God Valley—the treasure could go to Rocks.

It was only with Rocks' backing that they had dared to set their sights on God Valley at all.

What he didn't know was: not far away, the Rocks Pirates had already arrived—but were deliberately holding their position.

"Captain… those fools have already launched their attack on God Valley, just like we planned,"

John said with a smirk, putting down his telescope.

"Gahhahahaha! A mob of rabble, just as expected. Once they break into God Valley, the Navy will be forced to act. Newgate, Linlin—go get ready."

Rocks grinned sinisterly.

"Mama~~ Got it, Captain…"

Charlotte Linlin swayed her hips as she prepared to leave with Whitebeard. But just then, Shiki and Silver Axe remained unmoved.

"Hmm? Something wrong?"

Rocks frowned at the two of them.

"Kehahaha… No problem at all. Just that… Captain hasn't told us how the spoils will be divided this time."

Shiki chuckled, puffing on his cigar.

"Same as always," Rocks waved dismissively.

That meant: Half goes to him, and the rest is split however the others see fit.

"In that case… we're off,"

Shiki's eyes flashed as he responded softly.

Once the four left, Wang Zhi finally spoke:

"Captain… think they'll cause trouble?"

"Hmph! They've long been unhappy with the split."

John replied angrily.

"They think they're strong enough to deserve more!"

"It doesn't matter,"

Rocks smirked confidently.

"After this is over, I'll deal with them myself. If they've got complaints, then I'll beat them into obedience!"

In terms of strength, not even Whitebeard was his equal, let alone Linlin or Shiki.

Elsewhere, after leaving the captain's quarters, Shiki turned to the others and said:

"Fifty-fifty split. Any objections?"

"Even if I did, what could I do? You didn't bring it up in front of Rocks either,"

Silver Axe snapped back.

Like Shiki, he valued treasure above all else—and was pissed.

"Mama~ If you're unhappy, just withhold some of your share."

Linlin giggled.

"Withhold? This time, we're being used to draw the Navy's fire. We're not even sure we'll get any treasure. And you want to talk about keeping more?"

Shiki scoffed.

"So what now?"

Whitebeard finally spoke, expressionless.

His words struck right to the heart of the issue.

Even though they were dissatisfied, none of them had dared raise it to Rocks directly.

No matter who it was among them, none stood a chance one-on-one against Rocks. And trust among the four? Practically nonexistent.

That was how the Rocks Pirates operated.

Even crewmates on the same ship couldn't trust one another.

All it took was one opportunity, and they'd stab you in the back over treasure or power.

It was exactly the kind of environment Rocks had intentionally cultivated, so no one would ever unite against him.

So in response to Whitebeard's question, the other three all fell silent.

Whitebeard let out a chuckle and walked away.

He had no interest in wasting words with them.

The rest, seeing him leave, quietly dispersed as well.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

With the pirate alliance's sudden assault, the Navy's sea defenses near God Valley began to crumble.

The pirates had unexpectedly advanced weaponry, and sheer numbers gave them overwhelming firepower that suppressed the Navy forces at sea.

"Sir! According to the plan, our naval units are pulling back—but the attack was so sudden, we've taken heavy losses. Also, the defenses at the port and city are not fully prepared yet!"

A Marine liaison officer reported to Vice Admiral Solari.

"Then tell them to hold the port at all costs. Buy time for the city defenses to get ready. Also—activate all defensive weaponry at the port!"

Solari replied coldly, eyes fixed on the surveillance screen.

"Yes, sir!"

The officer saluted and turned to leave.

"Also… notify the Special Operations Unit. Once those pirates make landfall—it's their time to perform."

Solari added just before the officer exited.

The liaison paused for a moment, then nodded,

"Yes, sir."

He hesitated, but obeyed.

Even he—an officer under Solari—felt uneasy about what was to come.