Chapter 153: Landing at God Valley’s Shadow

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

Far from God Valley, some thirty or forty nautical miles away,

The Oro Jackson was slowly drawing closer to God Valley.

Roger stood at the bow, his gaze deep and focused, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.

“Looks like the fight’s already started.” Roger stared toward God Valley, where flashes and thunderous explosions split the sky—a fierce battle was clearly raging.

“Jabba, take us around the island. Approach from the back.” Roger gave his command, deciding to avoid the front lines and make landfall from the island’s rear.

Jabba, not wasting a second, spun the helm and steered toward God Valley’s far side.

“Huh?” Rayleigh stepped up beside Roger, puzzled. “Aren’t we here to stop the Rocks Pirates? Why the roundabout?”

“Hahaha!” Roger clapped Rayleigh on the shoulder, a mischievous glint in his voice.

“We came all this way. No sense in leaving empty-handed, right?”

“There’s got to be a treasure trove of good stuff hidden on God Valley.”

Roger knew full well God Valley was a Celestial Dragons’ holy island—an old sacrificial site rumored to hide countless secrets and treasures, maybe even the ancient text they’d been chasing.

That was the key to the final compass. A year ago, they reached Water Guide Star Island, but the log pose spun wildly with no fixed direction. So they concluded that wasn’t the true last island.

They’d have to retrace their steps, starting from the source, to find the real final island.

Along the way, they’d discovered the historical texts. Roger felt the secret lay somewhere in the red stone transcripts, so he never gave up searching.

“Plus, something about that place… it’s like it’s pulling me in.”

A strange light flickered in Roger’s eyes. Deep inside God Valley, a mysterious force beckoned, tugging at his heart, scratching at him with a cat’s persistence—completely irresistible.

The Oro Jackson crept along, aiming for the rear of God Valley.

“Alright, you call the shots.” Rayleigh crossed his arms. He didn’t care either way—front or back, they’d clash with the Rocks Pirates eventually. It was just a matter of time.

But right now, they all had to be ready for battle at any moment.

Landing at God Valley, a fight could erupt in the very next second. They needed to stay on guard.

Judging by the ruckus, there must be several admiral-level powerhouses up there. But on their own ship, they only had four of that caliber.

Still, their strength would surely tip the balance before it was over.

Jabba listened to the nonstop thunder from the island, eyes wide with excitement and anticipation.

“Man, things sound wild up there!”

After steering the ship to the rear, he joined Roger at the bow.

Most of Roger’s crew were young, fiery men in their twenties, overflowing with energy. With everyone on the same side, they rarely got a shot at a real brawl—true wars were a luxury.

Roger stared off at the horizon, wisdom flashing in his eyes.

“A messy fight is good for us—we can slip in and out during the chaos.”

“Hahaha!” His laughter brimmed with confidence.

He knew only in chaos could they find the perfect moment to step in and stop the Rocks Pirates.

Most importantly, they couldn’t let Rocks carry out his plan. If Rocks massacred all the Celestial Dragons on God Valley and walked away unscathed, it would send shockwaves across the world.

The whole sea would plunge into chaos, and the time wasn’t right for that—at least, not yet.

Rayleigh remembered Whitebeard’s words well. Thankfully, over the past three years, they’d managed to avoid a direct clash with Karl.

“So, when do we make our move?” He raised the critical question. Timing their entry could change everything.

If they stepped in too soon, a direct showdown with Karl was unavoidable. Too late, and they’d miss their shot—there’d be no point in coming at all.

Roger and Rayleigh understood: they had to pick their moment in battle, steer clear of a head-on fight with Karl, and make sure to stop the Rocks Pirates.

“Whatever—we’re fighting no matter what!” Spencer sat on deck, playing mahjong with the others.

His tone was laid-back, almost dismissive, as if he didn’t care a bit about the brewing storm.

But really, they were the Roger Pirates. Their reputation stretched across the entire sea.

In the New World, there was only one crew they truly avoided clashing with—the Rocks Pirates. Anyone else, they could handle.

After three years in the New World, they’d seen everything. As long as it wasn’t the full force of the Rocks Pirates, the Roger Pirates had nothing to fear.

“Honestly,” Sunbell chimed in, respect lighting up his face.

“If it weren’t for Karl, who knows how much longer our people would be stuck in the dark depths of the sea?”

Karl’s rise, while making it harder for ships to leave Fishman Island for the New World,

also brought a better future to the Fishmen.

With Karl in charge, the Fishmen finally earned a place in the world. Their lives improved beyond recognition.

No longer exiles hiding in the deep sea, and thanks to Karl’s protection, slave markets that once trafficked Fishmen were dwindling. Few dared capture them now.

Of course, that bumped up their price in the black market. Only Celestial Dragons’ thugs still tried snatching a few, but Karl answered those with blood-soaked revenge.

Sunbell, a Fishman from the island, felt nothing but gratitude and admiration for Karl.

It was Karl who freed his family, and even some of his kin, from the shackles of the deep so they could finally see the sun.

Spencer and the rest seemed moved by Sunbell’s words. Many respected Karl, but the battle ahead would allow no distractions or divided loyalty.

“Thud, thud, thud!”

Noston emerged from below deck, his hulking form nearly five meters tall, each step sending dull tremors through the planks.

He was a giant among men—his every step seemed to shake the whole ship.

“We’re here.” Noston’s voice rang out, loud as a bell.

Everyone fell silent, turning to where he pointed.

There it was—the back side of God Valley.

Turns out, while they were deep in conversation, the ship had already drifted to God Valley’s hidden rear.

“Go!”

“All of you, move out!” Roger shouted with infectious excitement, leading the charge as he leapt from the ship onto the island.

He landed light on his feet and sprinted into the trees without hesitation.

Rayleigh just shook his head, half exasperated.

That was their captain for you—once Roger decided on something, nothing could change his mind.

He knew Roger’s stubborn streak all too well.

“Let’s move. Into the valley.” Rayleigh ordered, and the crew sprang to action, setting foot on God Valley’s mysterious soil.

They had one goal here—to stop Rocks.