Somewhere on the vast ocean, at the Intelligence Department of the CP Agents.
"Incredible intelligence? You birdman, what are you up to this time?"
The agent responsible for receiving intelligence from around the world listened with an impatient look at the raspy voice coming from the den den mushi.
"Gah gah gah! Stop playing dumb, there's no way you haven't received it! Come on, pay up quickly. Don't you want to shut me up? If you don't pay, don't blame me for publishing this earth-shattering news in my newspaper and selling it to the whole world!"
The den den mushi faithfully mimicked a bird's head cackling with laughter.
The agents in the communications room looked at each other.
Someone quickly flipped through the incoming intelligence, and after reading it, their expression changed drastically.
One agent slammed the table with a bang and roared in anger:
"Damn it! A local newspaper run by an unknown brat—I really don't know where he gets such strong intelligence-gathering capabilities! To actually know about God Valley... What happens there must absolutely not be leaked! Someone! Send CP9 immediately! Go capture this lawless birdman who dares to blackmail the World Government!"
The birdman on the line was startled, "Nani? You're coming to catch me? That's not good. Bye-bye, I'm making my escape first."
Click, the den den mushi was hung up.
The agent who had been on the line saw the furious glares from his colleagues and gave an awkward smile.
"Sorry, I forgot to hang up..."
Hachinosu.
The Rocks Pirates' meeting hall.
All high-ranking members of the Rocks Pirates, including Commodore Rocks, were gathered here.
Byrnndi World, who was in charge of intelligence, tossed a fresh newspaper onto the table and looked at Carlo, who was sitting on the sofa, with some surprise.
"After waiting for a few days, Carlo's intelligence regarding Shakky and God Valley in the West Blue has finally been officially confirmed."
"The news published in this paper was supposedly obtained from a prison ship heading to God Valley. The guarantor of the news is Morgans, the president of this news agency. He swore on his reputation to guarantee the authenticity of the news. The source of the information should be reliable."
"However, I'm very curious, Carlo—how did you know this important intelligence, which should have been strictly kept secret by the World Government, several days in advance?"
She looked at Carlo with great interest.
Many people around also looked over with doubt.
But Carlo had no intention of answering at all.
Seeing that he didn't want to answer, Stussy could only rub her nose and stop questioning.
The current Carlo was no longer the unestablished Fourth Division Captain from a few years ago.
His status within the Rocks Pirates was already enough to stand on equal footing with Whitebeard and Golden Lion.
Even Rocks couldn't force him to explain things he didn't want to.
And in fact, Rocks didn't care about this at all.
He tightly gripped the newspaper in his hand, reading the news on it.
"The Celestial Dragons' triennial hunting game is about to begin in God Valley of the West Blue."
They intend to treat all the residents of God Valley as prey for the Celestial Dragons to hunt and kill at will.
Every prey has corresponding 'points'; the more noble the status and the more unique the race, the higher the points.
The person who hunts the most points in the end will receive the grand prize of the tournament—the world's number one beauty, Shakky."
The further he read, the uglier Rocks' expression became.
By the end, a terrifying aura even began to uncontrollably emanate from his body, making everyone else in the meeting hall feel uncomfortable.
"These damn Celestial Dragon beasts! How can guys who treat human lives as nothing be the rulers of this world? And yet, fools like Garp are still working for these animals! I really don't know what they're thinking!"
Whitebeard sighed and shook his head, "To treat the hunting of others as a game... it's just too cruel. I always thought such things were just rumors, I didn't expect..."
However, not everyone cared about the Celestial Dragons' affairs.
Most pirates in the Rocks Pirates still only cared about their own interests.
For instance, Linlin and Kaido were excitedly looking at the prizes described in the news.
"Mamamama! Besides the grand prize of Shakky, there are actually precious Devil Fruit prizes. Not only Mythical Zoans but also Logias. Aren't these prizes a bit too generous? When are we going over to snatch them?"
Kaido looked excited, rubbing his hands together, "Worororo! Mythical Zoan? Is it an ability like the one Carlo has? Great! This time I'm going to get that kind of ability too! Rocks! Carlo! Don't hesitate, let's do this! Let's head for the West Blue!"
Golden Lion looked at Shakky in the newspaper and grinned widely, "That's right! The Celestial Dragons' hunting tournament is starting, and I'm going to have a hand in it this time too! Save little Shakky and snatch some from those filthy rich Celestial Dragons while I'm at it! I want the beauty, and I want the treasure!"
Rocks crumpled the newspaper into a ball and looked at Carlo, who hadn't spoken the whole time.
"Carlo, what do you say?"
Carlo stood up and said calmly, "Since no one has any objections, then let's set out. It just so happens I have matters to resolve there as well."
Rocks was overjoyed and stood up abruptly, waving his hand, "Good! Then let's set out! Those who want to come, follow me! To God Valley in the West Blue! This time, we're going to pull off something big!!"
At the same time.
In a certain sea area of the New World.
On the sailing oro jackson.
Roger waved the newspaper in his hand, his voice roaring like thunder.
"Jabba! Where is God Valley? The Celestial Dragons' hunting tournament is about to start; can we make it in time? Shakky... nothing must happen to her!"
Jabba, who was checking the nautical chart, looked confident, "Leave it to me! We must arrive before the tournament starts!"
Roger nodded and turned to look at the other pirates on the ship.
"Boys! This time... we have to go, right? Not just for Shakky, but for the Celestial Dragons' treasure!"
"Of course!!" Rayleigh's face was flushed as he was the first to roar out.
East Blue, Foosha Village.
Garp, who was leisurely lying by the seaside sunbathing, was woken up by Kong's den den mushi.
"The Celestial Dragons' field trip? Why are those idiots going to the West Blue to do that kind of stuff? As trash, isn't it better for them to stay in that trash can called the 'Holy Land'?"
"Garp! Shut up! You have no filter! I'm telling you, your vacation is over! You must head there immediately! Do you hear me?"
Garp looked reluctant, "Let Sengoku or Zephyr go. You know I hate dealing with those pieces of trash the most."
"Roger is going too..."
"What? Roger?" Garp stood up instantly from his beach chair, not even putting on his shoes, and ran barefoot toward the warship at the harbor.
"Why didn't you say so earlier? I'm heading for the West Blue right now!!"