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Chapter 12 - Chapter 12 - Arrival

The ship cut through the waves like a beast loosed from its cage. The morning mist clung to the ocean as the black sails of the Rocks Pirates rose high, casting long shadows across the water.

On the main deck, Kaido stood with arms crossed, staring at the faint silhouette of God Valley in the distance. "So that's where the Celestials hide their playground," he growled. "Doesn't look like much."

"It's never the island," Whitebeard said beside him. "It's what's buried underneath."

"Buried?" Kaido asked, frowning.

Whitebeard nodded. "There's something wrong about that place. The sea feels… angry."

Ada approached them, her long coat fluttering in the wind. "Angry seas mean secrets," she said simply. "And secrets mean leverage."

Shiki landed nearby, his golden mane glinting. "Heh. You sound just like Rocks."

"I learned from the best," Ada replied flatly.

From the upper deck, Rocks D. Xebec barked orders, his voice booming. "Ready the landing party! The world's eyes are blind today, and by nightfall, they'll open to a new age!"

The crew roared in response. Big Mom's laughter echoed across the waves, Kaido smashed a barrel with his fist, and even Captain John shouted curses to the gods.

But not everyone cheered.

Near the stern, Newgate sat quietly, cleaning his Naginta. His eyes gleamed — not with anticipation, but calculation. When Ada passed him, his smile was faint, too faint.

"Ready for war, Ada?" he asked, voice smooth.

"I was born ready," she replied, her tone unreadable.

As she walked past, Newgate's gaze followed her. "Good," he murmured. "Something big will happen here."

Marine Headquarters – Marineford

In Marineford, the air buzzed with urgency. Officers ran across the decks, couriers delivered sealed orders, and the fleet mobilized toward a single point in the New World. God Valley.

In his office, Fleet Admiral Kong stared at a large map pinned to the wall. "The nobles are hosting some sort of festival on God Valley," he said, his tone grave. "They're calling it a 'World Celebration.' Every Celestial Dragon within reach will be there. We can't risk any pirate interference."

"Festival, huh?" Sengoku muttered, leaning back in his chair, a rice cracker between his teeth. "Strange how every time they 'celebrate,' someone else ends up suffering."

Kong glanced at him. "You don't like this mission?"

"I don't like politics," Sengoku said bluntly. "You want me to guard nobles who'd shoot me for breathing too loud. That's not why I wear this uniform."

"This is worse than we thought," Kong muttered. "Rocks' forces are everywhere… and the Celestial Dragons—dammit, they're still on the island!"

A messenger stumbled forward. "Sir! The nobles refuse evacuation—they're demanding protection! They say the 'festival' cannot be interrupted!"

Kong slammed his fist into the railing, cracking the steel. "They're calling this slaughter a festival?!"

He turned sharply. "Where's Garp?!"

"Still en route, sir!"

Kong grabbed the den den mushi and barked, "Garp! Get your ass here now! If we lose this island, the entire world order collapses!"

Static crackled, then Garp's gruff voice came through. "Why should I? Im enjoying my vocation right now."

"This isn't the time for your damn jokes, Garp!" Kong snapped. "Rocks is out of control! Even the Celestials are panicking! I don't care what it takes — you will stop him!"

Kong was silent for a moment. Then, more said " Reports also came in that Roger is en route to God Valley!"

Garp blinked and shouted. "WHAT? You should have said that in the first place!"

And with that, the line went dead.

Kong slammed his fist again. "Damn that man…"

As the call ended, Tsuru entered, carrying a stack of reports. "Fleet Admiral, reconnaissance confirms Rocks' fleet is already nearing towards God Valley."

Kong's jaw tightened. "Then we'll be there first."

Tsuru hesitated before adding, "Sir, our sources say the 'festival' might be… more than it appears. Something about slaves, and nobles hunting—"

Kong cut her off sharply. "Enough. That kind of talk will get you executed. We serve the Celestial Dragons. We don't question them."

But Tsuru's eyes said what they both knew, the truth always hid beneath ceremony.

By midday, the Rocks fleet loomed over the island, cloaked by storm clouds. The distant chime of bells and faint music drifted from the island — the nobles' "festival" had begun.

From her spyglass, Ada saw the shining towers, the moving figures in white coats, and something else—dark shapes chained along the beach. She frowned.

"Slaves," she muttered. "They're not celebrating. They're hunting."

Whitebeard stepped up beside her, expression grim. "So that's the truth of their paradise."

Rocks joined them, his grin wide, eyes burning. "Then we'll show them what hell looks like."

Ada lowered her spyglass. "And what about the Marines?"

"They'll come," Rocks said. "They always come when the gods call."

Far across the sea, a single ship with a jolly roger bearing a smiling mustachioed skull cut through the fog.

The Oro Jackson.

Gol D. Roger stood at the bow, wind whipping through his coat. "So that's where they're gathering, huh?" he said with a grin. "The gods and devils of the world all in one place."

Rayleigh stepped beside him. "You sure about this, Roger? Rocks' will be on that island by now."

Roger's grin widened. "That's why it's perfect."

The first cannon fired just as the Celestial trumpets sounded.

The Marines never saw it coming — black ships bursting through the mist, sails bearing the mark of the Rocks Pirates. Cannon fire tore through the shorelines, explosions echoing across the valley. Nobles screamed, slaves fled, and chaos erupted.

Kaido emerged first, landing on the ground with a crash that shook the dirt. His kanabo thumped against the wood, echoing like a drum of doom.

"Finally! Real fun's about to begin!" he roared, laughing as his eyes glinted with the thrill of battle. A wave of power radiated from him, making even the sailors flinch.

Linlin followed, her massive presence dwarfing even Kaido. She stretched and cracked her fingers, sending crates tumbling across the deck.

"Where's the treasures?!" she demanded, eyes gleaming like a predator. Even in her hunger, her aura radiated authority.

Whitebeard appeared next, stepping through a thick haze of smoke from the ship's chimneys. His spear rested against his shoulder. Calm yet intimidating, he surveyed the crew and nodded at Ada briefly. "Make sure no one surprises me," he muttered, voice steady as a cliff in a storm.

Shiki the Golden Lion leapt from the rigging, spinning his golden blades with a flourish that split the morning air. "Heh. Looks like God Valley's going to be fun after all!" He landed elegantly beside Kaido, blade glinting, ready for chaos.

Captain John, massive and silent, emerged from below decks, cracking his neck. His armor gleamed, and a simple growl shook the air. Kaido chuckled at the intimidation factor.

Silver Axe swung into view from the rigging, his signature double-axe reflecting sunlight. "I've been itching for a fight," he growled, planting his feet firmly on deck.

Barbel, a hulking brute with a scar across his face, slammed a barrel into the deck, sending splinters flying. "Let's see whose teeth are sharper!" he bellowed, eyes wild with excitement.

Gloriosa moved with quiet grace, stepping onto the deck like a shadow in motion. Her eyes scanned the horizon. "Ada," she said softly, placing a hand on her shoulder, "remember what we fight for."

Stussy, ever elegant and flirty, descended from the rigging, her smile dangerous. She ran a hand along Whitebeard's arm, teasing. "Ready to show them who's really in charge, big guy?"

Ada observed all of them with cool detachment, her coat catching the rising sun. She reloaded one of her pistols, pistols gleaming. "Every single one of you is dangerous," she whispered, almost to herself. "Good. I like it that way."

Rocks leapt from the ship, landing with a shockwave that shattered stone. He then raised his voice, booming across the decks and across the waves. "To all Celestial Dragons!" he roared. "The age of gods ends today!"

Ada landed beside him, twin pistols drawn. "You've got a talent for subtlety," she muttered.

"Subtlety's for cowards," Rocks grinned.

The entire crew cheered. Kaido bellowed, Linlin laughed, Shiki twirled his blades, and even Silver Axe and Barbel roared in unison.

Xebec's eyes settled on Ada for a moment. "Prepare yourselves. God Valley awaits. And the world will remember our names."

Ada's lips curved faintly. "It will," she whispered.

As they pushed inland, Ada's eyes scanned the chaos — then froze.

A group of young Marines was herding survivors toward the cliffs. Among them was a man with sharp eyes and a bandana flapping on his arm in the smoke — Monkey D. Dragon, not yet a legend, but already carrying a fire that burned against injustice.

He turned, meeting her gaze across the chaos.

For an instant, the battle noise faded.

He didn't know her, and she didn't know him — not yet. But there was something in his eyes. The same conviction that burned in hers.

Then a cannon roared, and they were torn apart by the smoke.

As the battle raged, Ochoku watched from the ridge, hand on his blade.

Behind him, a den den mushi crackled to life.

A voice whispered through the receiver. "Report."

Ochoku smirked. "They've landed. It's chaos — perfect timing."

"And Xebec?"

"Still alive," Ochoku said. "But not for long."

He looked toward the valley, where Rocks and Ada fought side by side, their shadows framed by fire.

"I'll kill the old man," he said quietly. "And sell the rest to the Celestials."

The voice on the line chuckled darkly. "Then history will remember you as the man who ended Rocks."

Ochoku grinned. "No," he whispered. "History won't remember me. It'll forget them."

On the shore, Garp's fleet finally arrived, cannons blazing. "There they are!" a Marine shouted. "It's Rocks' fleet!"

Garp stepped to the bow, cracking his knuckles. "Heh. Finally. Let's see if the rumors about Ada Wong and her captain are true."

Kong's voice came through the den den mushi: "Garp! Secure the nobles and protect the festival!"

"Festival?" Garp snorted, watching the fires consume the island. "You call that a festival? This is hell."

He leapt into the air, fist ready — straight into the heart of the battlefield.

Far above it all, lightning forked through the clouds.

Rocks' laughter echoed through the valley, shaking heaven itself.

Ada reloaded her pistols, eyes narrowing on the horizon where the Marines and Roger's crew approached.

"Here it comes," she said quietly.

"The day the world breaks."

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