After crossing the Calm Belt and entering the West Blue…
"This time, I'm skipping the Flanders Kingdom!"
"While I'm gone, Fang Huo is in charge of the Rocks Pirates."
"I'll wait for you lot in Mafia territory!"
Aboard the floating Gibeck's Sword, Rocks suddenly announced a temporary departure.
Fang Huo's brow twitched; he knew the man was definitely heading back to his West Blue hometown—God Valley.
In the original timeline, the Captain Rocks often acted alone.
He'd visited the Lulusia Kingdom in the Grand Line's paradise, fallen in love with Alice, and fathered Teach.
After Teach was born, Rocks personally escorted Alice and the baby to God Valley, introducing them to the Davy Clan.
All of it was kept secret from the Rocks Pirates.
Whether Wang Zhi had sold every scrap of intel on Rocks's disappearances to the World Government… who could say?
—"What! Rocks, where are you going?"
"Why should Fang Huo be in charge—are you really making him first mate?"
The Executives of the Rocks Pirates erupted; they hadn't expected Rocks to leave the moment they reached the West Blue.
"Do I report my whereabouts to you?"
"It's settled. Fang Huo, keep the crew alive while I'm gone—don't let the World Government wipe you out."
"And you two—Kyo and Shiki—if you're unhappy, duel Fang Huo for it."
"Whoever wins can be the temporary boss."
Rocks slammed the decision, already packing loot and rare supplies onto a waiting skiff.
"Tsk, off to bury treasure, Captain?"
"Be sure to draw us a map!"
Ganzi watched the skiff brim with riches, greed written across his face.
He figured the world's worst pirate would hide his fortune on some secret isle, just like the legends.
Newgate watched the busy Rocks with sudden empathy—it felt like his own habit of sending every coin home.
Was Rocks hauling this treasure back to his hometown?
"Looks like he's shipping it home, doesn't it?"
The perceptive Stussy caught the micro-expression on Rocks's face.
It was the look of a wanderer finally returning home.
This brutal man actually had family—and missed them?
"Rocks, your hometown's in the West Blue?"
Shiki and Kyo asked, intrigued.
"Shut it!"
"Fang Huo, they're yours for now!"
Ignoring them, Rocks loaded the last crate, shoved off, and vanished beyond the Calm Belt.
—"Bahahaha, now the first mate is the real first mate!"
Babel, Sanbel, Kiel Bastard, Long Bread, and Stussy had all been calling Fang Huo "first mate."
Even Bolo Gram joined in.
Newgate and Linlin accepted the fact silently, never saying it aloud.
Only Shiki, Kyo, and Ganzi still nursed objections.
"Let's move! Fang Huo, we're off to Flanders to steal the emperor blade napoleon!"
Charlotte Linlin urged, now that Fang Huo commanded the ship.
Once they grabbed the famed blade, they'd head to Mafia turf and subdue the West Blue underworld's newly crowned king—Maron.
If Rocks didn't return in time, they'd simply crush Maron themselves.
A mere Mafia boss.
With this many Executives, squashing the West Blue's so-called big-shot would be child's play.
Great Pirates from the New World scarcely bothered with "kings" of the four Blues.
"Then sail!"
Fang Huo drew the seven star demon sword and swung it in formal salute, officially taking command.
From this moment, he was the man in charge.
"Hmph!"
Only Kyo snorted; Shiki and Ganzi stayed silent, tacitly accepting the pseudo-first mate.
—Gibeck's Sword resumed course, heading for the Flanders Kingdom.
Fang Huo stared toward where Rocks had vanished, a faint frown creasing his brow.
Had the future Celestial Dragons Knight, Figarland Garling, really stumbled upon God Valley by chance?
Could the heavenly tribute treasure leaking from God Valley have exposed the island?
—