Chapter Sixteen: Roya's Ecstasy! An Endless Stream of Visitors!
At this moment, chaos reigned on God’s Island.
The native inhabitants and the slaves the Celestial Dragons had released—sent because the original population was too small to satisfy their cruel amusement—had all become prey, like rabbits hunted by predators.
“Help! Someone, please help me!”
“My God, are we really still in the human world?”
“Why do this? How far must human dignity be trampled upon?”
Fearful cries for rescue, desperate wails, furious accusations—all these voices mingled into a symphony of torment that sent shivers of excitement down the Celestial Dragons’ spines.
Gunshots rang out. “Ha! First blood!”
Blades sliced through the air. “Hey, kid, back off! Don’t waste your worthless body on my sword!”
Cannons roared. “Hahaha! This guy’s got some fight in him!”
The island had become a hell on earth.
But at this very moment, on the eastern side of the island—
Boom!
Amidst a violent explosion, several warships suddenly shattered.
Through the horrified eyes of the navy, on the distant sea surface, a massive fleet, black as a storm cloud, thundered forward with unstoppable momentum.
On the sails of those ships was written: Rocks!
“It’s the Rocks Pirates!! The massive fleet of the Rocks Pirates is attacking from the east!”
“Estimated forces exceed one hundred thousand!”
“That’s God’s Island, isn’t it?”
Roya stood atop the mast of a pirate ship, holding a telescope as he gazed toward the island. He swallowed hard, unable to help himself. “Looks delicious!”
His ability to transform into a Qiongqi beast was not a Devil Fruit power, so even without transforming, Roya could still harness a fraction of his strength.
Spotting and devouring the savory black mist was naturally effortless.
He saw clearly that the island in the distance was almost entirely engulfed by a black fog.
The greatest feast of his life lay before him.
He wanted to go!
He wanted to go!
Right now, he wanted to gorge himself!
Lightly jumping down from the mast, he landed on the deck. “Dylan.”
“I’m here, Lord Roya,” his loyal subordinate replied calmly.
“When everyone charges forward later, you take this ship away from God’s Valley,” Roya said. “I’ll come find you once it’s all over.”
“Yes.”
Dylan didn’t ask any questions, despite his burning curiosity.
He just needed to follow orders.
Roya had made all preparations in advance. Everything was aboard this ship—the treasure amassed over recent years, the crew, and the legion of ghosts.
After all, when the officers returned to Hive Island after the battle, there would surely be another fierce struggle to seize the legacy of the Rocks Pirates. Roya had no intention of getting involved.
He was just waiting for this battle to end so he could make off with the loot.
Having given Dylan his instructions, Roya spread his wings and flew to the flagship of the fleet, where the officers were gathered.
Golden Lion and Charlotte Linlin floated in the sky, Whitebeard leaned on his nodachi, stubborn Stussy stood by his side, Kaido carried his spiked club, Gloriosa gripped her bow, Silver Axe held his weapon, Wang Zhi adjusted his hat, and Captain John sipped his drink.
Everyone awaited the final command.
“Well then, Rocks Pirates, let’s go!” Roya pointed his long sword toward the distant island. “Newgate, Shiki, lead the way!”
“Don’t order me around!” came a gruff reply.
Whitebeard snorted coldly but obediently raised his nodachi high, gathering a white shockwave.
“Hah!”
The great blade came down, instantly turning the world upside down.
The roaring shockwave tore through the sea, destroying every warship in its path, carving out a wide channel.
Meanwhile, Golden Lion swooped down to the sea surface, plunging his hand into the water.
“Jahahahaha! Ever heard the voice of the sea?”
Boom!
A massive wave surged forth, riding the crest of the ocean, carrying the entire Rocks Pirates fleet forward with unstoppable force.
Despairing navy voices soon echoed from the island.
“Unstoppable! The Rocks Pirates are landing!”
Somewhere on the island, Figarland Gellinger glanced eastward, frowning. “The Rocks Pirates? What a pain. Looks like the competition will have to be paused for now.”
He pulled out a den-den mushi. “Notify everyone to gather in the island’s center for shelter. Navy will land to repel the pirates. Also, the Knights of God, prepare to deploy!”
Roaring waves crashed against the rocky shore, shattering into countless droplets.
Roya took a deep breath. The dense black mist surged into his nostrils like a tidal wave.
“Waaah!”
The boy’s face flushed a drunken red as he instinctively grabbed Kaido’s calf beside him. “Oh no, I’m getting drunk…”
The concentration of the black mist was too high. His body’s digestion speed couldn’t keep up.
“Jahahahaha! Is it really that delicious?” Golden Lion laughed loudly. “Roya, for you, this place must be heaven, right?”
“Haha.”
Roya laughed awkwardly but politely, breathing deeply.
Though his body’s capacity to digest the black mist was limited, it was undeniably delicious!
Whitebeard frowned and looked toward the captain who had remained silent.
“Hey, Rocks, what should we do next—”
*Whoosh!*
Rocks darted out like a shadow, swiftly launching forward.
“Hey!”
Caught off guard, Whitebeard cursed through gritted teeth, “That bastard!”
“Mommy, mommy! The treasure belongs to whoever grabs it first! That’s our rule!” Aunt Linlin laughed heartily, driving her thundercloud Zeus forward at speed.
“The treasure’s in the center of the island, right?” Golden Lion also surged ahead.
“Uncle Shiki, wait for me!” Roya flapped his wings frantically, chasing after them.
The great battle was about to erupt. With numerous monsters on the island, Roya didn’t think his small frame could safely retreat alone.
But the Celestial Dragons’ treasure was too tempting.
The captain was bound to exit soon, so he stuck close to Uncle Shiki.
“Damn bastards!” Whitebeard was furious but charged forward.
Flying behind Golden Lion, Roya finally took in the island’s grim scene.
Everywhere were corpses, screams and wails never ceasing.
“Oh, what a hell on earth,” Roya muttered in awe.
“Tone down that smile,” Golden Lion said casually.
“Haha.”
Roya’s smile was awkward yet polite.
When tasting something delicious, the body secretes dopamine, bringing happiness. It was physiological, unstoppable.
“Hm?”
Golden Lion suddenly halted, looking up sharply. “That scent!”
Not only him—Whitebeard, running below and slashing an unlucky Celestial Dragon aside, raised his brows. “Roger!”
The navy’s terrified voice again reached the Celestial Dragons on the island.
“The Roger Pirates are attacking from the east! Unstoppable! Prepare yourselves!”
At the center of the island, where the treasure was stored—
A Celestial Dragon among Celestial Dragons, the Five Elders’ Jigoroshi Satan Sant, sporting a thick beard, a small black hat, and leaning on a cane, frowned.
“After the Rocks Pirates, now the Roger Pirates? The Knights of God alone may not suffice.”
“Very well. Should the situation become dire, I will summon you immediately.”
He seemed to be communicating with someone.
To the east of the island—
“Hahahaha! Don’t block my way! God evade! Where’s that Rocks bastard!”
Roger brandished his beloved sword, his overwhelming Conqueror’s Haki slashing across everything ahead.
Almost simultaneously—
“Where’s Roger!”
A massive warship crashed into the island’s shore like a battering ram, the arriving navy soared into the sky.
“Reinforcements have arrived! It’s Vice Admiral Garp!”
Monsters appeared en masse.
At the same time—
“Roger!!”
Uncle Golden Lion howled monstrously, accelerating so fast he vanished before Roya’s eyes.
“Hey! Uncle Shiki! You left me behind!”
Roya stared in disbelief.
Uncle Shiki, do you still remember our goal is the Celestial Dragons’ treasure?
It’s all Roger’s fault!
What now?
“Roger!!”
A roar came from below.
Roya paused.
“Big Brother Kaido! Let’s act together!”
He descended swiftly, landing directly on Kaido’s shoulder as he charged forward.
“I’m coming! Roger!!”
Kaido ignored everything else, shouting only Roger’s name.
Roger, you truly are a sinner.
How many have you doomed?
Your punishment is to usher in a new era of great piracy to atone for your sins!