"Hmph, the world's most beautiful woman? Just empty praise from ignorant fools. I refuse to believe anyone in this world could surpass my beauty!" A female Celestial Dragon with striking features sneered arrogantly.
"I've seen her photo. She's truly beautiful—worthy of being collected." A Celestial Dragon with triangular eyes licked his lips, Shakky's image flashing in his mind as his eyes filled with lust.
"Enough! I declare Shakky belongs to me. No one is allowed to compete with me!"
"Ha! You think you can claim her just like that? What gives you the right? How laughless! Talk after you've won first place!"
Amid the arguments, Saint Garling, who had remained silent until now, suddenly stood up. His gaze swept across the crowd, radiating domineering authority as he loudly proclaimed:
"Everyone, cease your squabbling. As a personal favor to me—Shakky is the wife I've chosen. I will have her! Anyone who dares compete with me shall become my enemy!!"
"Enemy? Who's afraid of you?! I'll gladly oppose you! That woman—I'll turn her into a common whore available to all! Hahahaha..."
"Guards! Bring me my rifle. The hunt begins now!"
"Hehehe, I hope we can enjoy ourselves thoroughly this time."
"Let's see who bags the first prey!"
Hundreds of Celestial Dragons eagerly streamed out of their palace, commencing this bloody hunting expedition.
The slaughter begins!
...
Chaos descended.
A single gunshot inaugurated the day's bloody massacre.
"Wahahaha! The first prey is mine!"
"Damn it! You stole my kill! I spotted them first!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Amid echoing gunfire and whistling arrows, civilians fell one after another into pools of blood, their breathing ceasing entirely.
"They're killing people! Run!"
"Can someone explain what's happening? Where did these damned demons come from?!"
The island's residents stood frozen in terror, unable to comprehend why these nobly-dressed figures slaughtered everyone they saw, or why the self-proclaimed righteous Marines protected these executioners.
Faced with life and death, only one thought consumed their minds:
Run!
The farther the better!
Escape this island!
Those who ran too slowly already lay in congealing blood.
Soon, the island became littered with corpses while anguished wails filled the air.
Thus, under the protection of CP Agents and Marines, the Celestial Dragons launched a grand hunt against the island's civilians—you flee, they pursue, leaving the residents with no possible escape.
Witnessing the scene, Charlie clenched his fists, fury burning in his heart, yet he never intervened.
He kept taking deep breaths, forcing himself to remain calm and avoid impulsive actions.
It wasn't that Charlie didn't want to act—he simply lacked the capability. At his current strength level, he could save no one, and would only pointlessly sacrifice his own life.
Charlie didn't consider himself a saint, nor some paragon of virtue. His original purpose for coming to the Valley of the Gods was the Azure Dragon Fruit, not rescue missions.
Despite his seething anger, Charlie wouldn't create complications or reveal his presence before obtaining the Azure Dragon Fruit.
"Ivankov..."
Charlie's gaze remained fixed intently on Ivankov and his companions.
In the beginning, Ivankov and several companions, including Ginny and Kuma, stuck together, but they were quickly separated by the chaotic crowd.
Now only Ivankov and Kuma remained, hiding in a foul-smelling ditch to evade the pursuit of the Celestial Dragons.
During their escape, Kuma was struck in the back by an arrow shot by a Celestial Dragon while protecting Ginny. The arrow remained embedded, and blood flowed incessantly.
Fortunately, Kuma possessed an extraordinary physique and showed no serious ill effects in the short term.
...
Time passed.
After an unknown period, an overwhelmingly powerful Conqueror's Haki swept across the entire island, causing numerous civilians to collapse on the spot and all Surveillance Transponder Snails to fall unconscious.
On his end, Charlie's head throbbed violently as if struck by a hammer, leaving him dizzy and nearly fainting.
"Damn, even from this far, the impact is insane. As expected of the most daring man among pirates—Rocks!"
After saying this, Charlie looked up at the sky, where two figures—one golden and one pink—floated in the air.
The golden figure had flowing golden hair, a cigar in his mouth, and held a sword in each hand. His face was wild and arrogant, exuding an overbearing and utterly insolent aura.
The pink figure had an incredible physique, with two large watermelons for breasts and long legs that could crush a man. She wore a bicorne hat, stood atop a thundercloud, and wielded a massive sword wreathed in flames, radiating a formidable presence.
Charlie instantly recognized their identities. "Shiki and... the younger version of Charlotte Linlin!"
"Gyahahaha! How dare you hold a Hunting Tournament without inviting me? You're looking down on me! Let me give you a welcoming gift—Lion's Valley Sever!"
"Mom, Mom! Let me greet you too—Motherland!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Shiki and Charlotte Linlin struck first, sending several dozen-meter-long slashes crashing down from the sky. Multiple warships were split in two, countless marines aboard were killed or injured, and the survivors fell into the water.
This single blow tore a gap in the naval encirclement.
The Rocks Pirates seized the opportunity to charge through the breach and land!
"Whoo~ For the treasures on the island, charge!"
"Hahaha, Shakky, I'm coming for you!"
"Shakky, hold on!"
The members of the Rocks Pirates had varied motives—some for their families on the island, some to play the hero and save a beauty, some out of loyalty, but most were there for the treasure.
Gazing into the distance, Charlie revealed a joyful smile on his pale face and said, "I've been waiting for you, Rocks!"
...
At the same time, the sudden intrusion of the Rocks Pirates threw the marines and CP Agents into panic.
"Quick, protect the esteemed ones! We must not let them come to harm!"
"Evacuate, everyone evacuate!"
"Call for reinforcements! Notify the World Government and the Marines immediately—send support right now!"
While shielding the Celestial Dragons during the evacuation, the CP Agents shouted urgently.
A few Celestial Dragons complained, "Hey, what are you doing? Can't you see I'm in the middle of a killing spree?"
"Exactly! What's this Rocks Pirates? Tell them to get lost!"
"Uhahaha! Prey delivering themselves to our doorstep? How many points are their heads worth?"
"Enough! If you value your lives, retreat now. I'll go deal with them." Saint Garling looked grimly into the distance and, after speaking, led several God Knights members sprinting toward the Rocks Pirates.
The already chaotic Valley of the Gods descended into further turmoil with the arrival of the Rocks Pirates, bringing the entire island to the brink of an explosive battle.
Charlie's long-awaited opportunity had finally arrived. Hidden in a foul-smelling drainage ditch, Ivankov and Kuma suddenly sprang into action. With inexplicable courage, they began stealthily making their way toward the elevated platform.
Seeing this, ripples of excitement stirred in Charlie's heart. Without hesitation, he immediately followed them.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Battles erupted across various locations on the island. The sudden appearance of the Rocks Pirates had disrupted the World Government's carefully laid plans.
The powerful Rocks Pirates immediately gained the upper hand upon arrival, relentlessly pushing back the World Government forces.
However, instead of pressing their advantage, several crew members quietly slipped away to plunder treasures—Charlotte Linlin prominently among them.
Though the Rocks Pirates were formidable, they fought as individuals rather than a cohesive unit. Their members were a motley crew with divergent agendas and personal calculations.
This ultimately predetermined the fate that awaited the Rocks Pirates.
...
Charlie followed Ivankov's trail, witnessing firsthand as the two took advantage of the chaos to seize several treasure chests before making a dash toward a temporary storage warehouse.
"Hurry!"
Seeing this, Charlie quickened his pace. He was certain Charlotte Linlin must be nearby—he couldn't let that woman get there first.
"Excellent, we got them!"
Ivankov danced excitedly while carrying two treasure chests on his shoulders.
Kuma followed close behind, bearing four chests on his own shoulders.
The moment the two entered the warehouse and let their guard down, Charlie—who had arrived first—struck without warning.
Catching Ivankov by surprise, Charlie kicked him flying and swiftly seized the two chests from his grasp.
Ignoring the stunned Kuma beside them, Charlie rapidly opened the chests.
The next moment, a Devil Fruit resembling a custard apple came into view—twin stems like dragon horns, covered in blue scales.
"Mythical Zoan-Type Fish-Fish Fruit: Azure Dragon!"
Charlie's heart surged with exhilaration. Without a moment's delay, he grabbed the Azure Dragon Fruit and shoved it into his mouth.
Charlotte Linlin was nearby—he had to eat it quickly to secure its power!
"Guh—"
Charlie's face turned ashen. This was undoubtedly the most disgusting thing he had ever tasted across two lifetimes!
"Disgusting... but worth it!"
Feeling the emerging power coursing through his body, Charlie's lips curled into an uncontrollable grin, an impulse to roar with laughter rising within him.
Simultaneously, the instant Charlie swallowed the Azure Dragon Fruit, an enraged voice shouted from behind him: "Stop eating that, you brat!"