Chapter 145: Storm Gathering Over God Valley

“News from the Capone Family in West Blue—looks like the God Valley ritual is about to begin.”

Linlin and Karl sat facing each other in the top-floor conference room of the Cake Castle.

This room was built just for the two of them, a private space for their conversations.

Linlin had already guessed as much, but hearing Karl confirm it made her even more excited.

She quickly grabbed one of the pastries from the table, trying to calm her nerves as she ate.

After finishing her dessert she leaned back on the sofa, lost in thought.

So that means… the Rocks Pirates are on the verge of breaking up. The realization left her feeling a bit down.

Even though she didn’t care much for the Rocks Pirates, it was still the first crew she’d joined—there was always a twinge of nostalgia.

“Mamamama!”

“So, what do we do next?”

Karl kicked back on the other sofa, casually crossing his legs.

He still looked pretty relaxed, popping grapes from the table into his mouth one by one.

“The real question isn’t what we should do—it’s what Rocks will do next.”

“No way this news slips past Shakky.”

Linlin thought about it and had to agree. Over the years, Shakky’s intel network had reached every corner of the seas.

No one really knew how she built that information web, but her intel was always spot-on.

In these three years, clashes between the Navy and the Rocks Pirates had broken out more than a hundred times.

But since all the real fighting happened in the New World, the Navy hadn’t gained much ground.

That’s why, these days, the Navy and the Rocks Pirates drew a clear line in the sand.

The Four Seas and the first half of the Grand Line were fortified under the Navy’s watch.

But in the New World, the Navy kept trying to wedge in, only to come back empty-handed each time.

“I bet Captain Rocks is going to call us together any time now.”

Karl’s eyes darkened. He’d been waiting for this moment for a long, long time.

Beehive Island.

Rocks sat in the grand hall, facing Shakky.

“Captain Rocks, it’s confirmed—God Valley’s ritual will take place ten days from now.”

“Here are the time and location details.”

Shakky walked over and handed a file to Rocks.

A rare smile broke across Rocks’s usually somber face—a face that always looked clouded with gloom.

“Hahaha! Well done, Shakky.”

A moment later, Rocks began to murmur to himself.

“The forces on the island…”

Shakky rattled off information without missing a beat.

“Based on intel, this God Valley event will draw Fleet Admiral Hill, Admiral Zephyr, Kong, Sengoku, and many others from the Navy—plus over a dozen Vice Admirals led by Garp.”

“Army Commander Viske, Army Generals Tock, Lia, Sair, as well as Air Force Commander Skor and Air Force Generals Koses and Kasauti, will all be present.”

Shakky paused, swallowing hard. She hadn’t realized just how terrifying the World Government’s forces were until now. She glanced cautiously at Rocks, then continued.

“The intel also says CP0 is sending two to three admiral-level fighters, and then there’s the mysterious Holy Knights—no telling how strong they really are.”

“So, in short, nearly twenty top-tier fighters will be at God Valley.”

When Shakky finished, she stepped aside, quietly waiting for Rocks to respond.

Rocks tapped the armrest with his index finger—tap, tap, tap—creating a steady rhythm.

“Looks like it’s time to give them something to keep them busy.”

……

“Any movement from Rocks’s side?”

“Our scouts say Rocks is gearing up for war at God Valley.”

Navy Headquarters’ main conference room.

“Bang!”

Sengoku slammed the table, making everyone in the room jump.

He spoke through gritted teeth, clearly furious.

“Can’t they change the place, or at least the date?”

Some of the other officers were quietly thinking the same, not that anyone dared to say it.

After all, we’re talking about the Celestial Dragons here—not just any group.

“Ahem…”

Fleet Admiral Hill covered his mouth and gave a light cough.

“Sengoku, don’t let your emotions rule you.”

“The Celestial Dragons have already been contacted. They won’t change a thing.”

“They’ve ordered us to send every admiral-level officer to God Valley as escorts.”

Garp expected this. He pulled a doughnut out of his pocket.

“Crunch!”

Sengoku turned to look at Garp and shook his head, half-exasperated.

“Garp!”

Seeing Fleet Admiral Hill’s stern glare, Garp forced a sheepish smile and stuffed the doughnut back in his clothes.

He’d brought the doughnut out just to distract everyone, hoping to loosen the tense mood.

Next, Fleet Admiral Hill stood up.

“Kong, Zephyr, Sengoku—you three are coming to God Valley with me.”

“Garp, you take charge. Bring every Vice Admiral stationed here at headquarters.”

“That’s it. Meeting adjourned.”

With that, Fleet Admiral Hill sank down into his chair, waving everyone off.

Kong was the first to stand,

“Yes, Admiral.”

The Navy officers got to their feet, saluted Fleet Admiral Hill, and then filed out one after another.

…

World Government—Mariejois.

Inside a lavish conference room, the Scarred Five Elder leaned on his long sword, watching the other four.

This meeting was all about what to do with God Valley and Rocks.

“How’s the plan coming along?”

“We didn’t leave any loose ends, did we?”

The Long-Bearded Five Elder stroked his beard, speaking calmly.

“Everything went perfectly. It all looks real.”

“Now we just wait for Rocks to take the bait.”

“Let’s just hope this battle doesn’t attract Lord Im’s attention.”

The Middle-Aged Five Elder was more concerned about whether they’d used enough bait.

If there wasn’t enough, and the plan failed, everything would go to waste.

“What about the bait?”

The Tall Thin Five Elder had set the bait himself—no way it would fail.

“Relax, it’s all in place.”

…

West Blue.

“Captain Baruch, is this really where you grew up?”

After dozens of battles in the latter half of the New World, Baruch’s crew realized what they lacked—Haki—and learned how vital it truly was.

So they returned to West Blue to train for a few years. Once everyone had mastered Haki, they set out for the New World again.

Now, with everything ready, Baruch wanted to visit his homeland before heading out.

Baruch gazed into the distance at the Kingdom of Kroya—the nation that raised him.

“Yeah, this is where I’m from. Once we’ve recovered here, we’ll head straight for the New World.”

“Viske, I’ll leave things to you.”

He patted his vice-captain Viske on the shoulder, then led the way off the ship.

Viske just shook his head, helpless.

“Just looking for a break, aren’t you?”

He knew exactly what Baruch meant—the captain wanted him to stay behind and watch the ship.

There’d been rumors for years now that the biggest underground mafia in West Blue—the Capone Family—was based right here in Kroya.

So they had no choice but to leave someone strong to guard the ship, just in case the mafia tried to steal it.