Shamrock looked around carefully, trying to understand where he had landed after the sudden fall.
All around him were scattered treasure chests, some small and some large, along with piles of gold and weapons that had been pulled toward the area because of Captain John's Magnet Magnet Fruit.
The influence of the fruit had sucked in anything metallic or attached to metal, which meant weapons, locks, and even entire crates.
Shamrock noticed that one of the larger treasure chests, shaped more like a long rectangular box rather than the usual square ones, was directly in front of him.
His attention immediately shifted to it, and he began crawling in its direction.
Even though he was still in the body of a baby, Shamrock did not find it difficult to move. His body responded much more easily than he expected, and after a few attempts, he managed to push himself upright.
He wobbled for a moment, but he quickly found his balance and began walking as if he already knew how.
His steps were small and uneven, but they carried him forward without hesitation, almost like he was used to moving around as an adult.
He made his way toward the rectangular chest when a figure appeared out of nowhere. The person wore a familiar set of armor and a helmet with curved horns, something that stood out even among the chaos of God Valley.
The armored figure glanced at Shamrock and then at Shanks, both of whom were covered in dirt and dust. It was clear the two babies had just gone through something dangerous.
"What an interesting sight," the armored man said in a calm tone. He took a few steps forward, observing the two infants with both curiosity and concern.
The sound of his voice caused Shanks to fully wake up. Shanks opened his eyes and stared at the man for a moment before giving him a small smile.
The man froze, placing a hand over his own chest as if overwhelmed. Despite his intimidating appearance, he clearly had a soft spot for small children.
Moments later, more figures began to arrive from different directions. They seemed to be gathering in the same location, carrying bags, crates, and various treasures they had collected.
When they noticed the armored man holding two children, they stopped in surprise. The situation was strange, but the group did not react with fear, which made it clear that they were allies.
"Whose children are those, Pine?" one of the newcomers asked. The tone of his voice suggested they were comrades and not hostile toward one another.
"I have no idea," Pine replied honestly. "I just found the two of them here. I decided I should bring them along to the ship. I am sure Roger will not object if we rescue children. What do you think, Nozdon?"
Nozdon stepped forward to get a closer look at the babies. After observing them for a moment, he made the same soft expression Pine had earlier. It seemed that both men found the scene unexpectedly heartwarming.
More members of their crew continued arriving. Many were carrying treasures stacked high in their arms. Soon after, one of their leading figures appeared. It was Gyaban.
Walking behind him was someone unexpected, Gloriossa, a member of the Rocks Pirates who seemed to be sticking close to their group for reasons of her own.
"Why are you two still standing here?" Gyaban shouted the moment he arrived. "Roger said we need to grab everything we can find. So why are you wasting time doing nothing?"
Before anyone could respond, a powerful wave of Conqueror's Haki swept across the island. The pressure spread so widely that it made many weak-willed individuals faint instantly.
However, not a single member of the Roger Pirates collapsed, which said a lot about their strong spirits and determination. Gyaban crossed his arms as if this confirmed his earlier complaint.
"You see what I mean? The situation is getting worse and we do not have time to stand around telling stories," Gyaban said. He finally noticed the two babies in Pine's arms, and his expression shifted into a slightly awkward look.
His crewmates laugh a little, but their reaction was suddenly cut short when another burst of Haki shook the island. The laughter died immediately as they all resumed gathering treasure.
"Put the children inside one of the treasure chests and get ready to return to the Oro Jackson. Gloriossa, you should come with us, too. I believe Shakky and Rayleigh are already on their way to the ship," Gyaban instructed. The crew moved with practiced efficiency.
Shamrock and Shanks were gently placed inside the large rectangular chest that Shamrock had been walking toward earlier.
Within the chest, Shamrock noticed two swords that looked almost completely identical. They appeared to be a matching pair, likely twin blades.
Shamrock thought about the swords for only a moment before focusing on the sensation of movement. Someone had picked up the chest and started running.
He could hear the voices of the crew above him, discussing treasure, regrouping, and the ongoing battle.
With the arrival of Gyaban, Shamrock confirmed what he already suspected. They were in the care of the Roger Pirates.
Although the way he and Shanks boarded the crew was different from how the original history described, Shamrock assumed that this change was simply the effect of ROB altering fate. It reassured him that both he and Shanks were safe for now.
"As long as I get to grow up around the Roger Pirates, I will be satisfied. Maybe I will even get the chance to see what the One Piece is and finally understand what all the excitement is about," Shamrock thought with a small smile forming inside the quiet chest.
------------------
After what felt like hours inside the treasure chest, the lid finally opened. Bright sunlight hit Shamrock's face, and he found himself on the deck of a ship. Pine immediately picked him up, making sure to support him carefully.
Shanks was lifted by someone else, a man Shamrock did not recognize. Their voices began to fill the air.
"Be careful there, Taro. That is a baby you are holding, not a sack of potatoes," Pine said to the man carrying Shanks. His tone sounded like an older brother scolding a friend.
"You should talk. You were the one who was drinking before we even landed on this island," Taro replied, sounding offended.
Their bickering did not last long. Rayleigh appeared on the deck holding a woman in his arms. He set her down gently and began speaking to Roger through the Den Den Mushi.
"You all need to leave the island first. I will catch up later," Roger's voice said through the snail.
Rayleigh tried to question him, but Roger ended the call before he could say anything. Gyaban, who stood beside Rayleigh, looked at him with a serious expression.
The two exchanged a quiet nod, already understanding the next steps they needed to take.
"Where are you going, Rayleigh and Gyaban?" another member of the crew shouted from across the deck.
"Do not follow us. Set sail immediately and head out to sea. Wait for our signal. We will return with Roger," Gyaban shouted back. His words made the entire crew freeze.
They all understood the seriousness of the situation once they heard that Rayleigh, Gyaban, and Roger would be separated from the main group.
The one who had asked the question nodded, then began urging everyone to prepare faster.
Shakky and Gloriossa sat together near the side of the deck. Gloriossa was crying softly while apologizing for not finding Shakky sooner.
Shakky rested a comforting hand on her shoulder, trying to calm her down as the ship prepared to move back into open waters.