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At the same time, the clash between Golden Lion Shiki and Charlotte Linlin ended in a draw, with both collapsing into unconsciousness.
The ship they had used was destroyed, leaving them without a means to sail back.
With Shiki and Linlin both unconscious—and no longer able to rely on Shiki's Fuwa Fuwa no Mi to levitate them—Ayr, Whitebeard, and Kaido had no choice but to wait for them to regain consciousness before returning to the Rocks Pirates.
In that delay, precious time was lost.
"Captain Rocks, we were just having a friendly spar," Golden Lion said quickly, raising his voice in explanation.
He knew full well the rules of the Rocks crew: internal conflict between the top cadres was strictly forbidden. Now, he was clearly worried that Rocks might seize this moment to punish them for the violation.
"Yes, Captain Rocks, it wasn't really a fight," Linlin added quickly, her voice almost singsong. "Just a… mutual display of strength."
"I won't pursue this," Rocks replied coldly. "You two should rest aboard the ship. Because next… we sail for the Valley of the Gods!"
Indeed, he had made it clear from the beginning: infighting among the main officers was forbidden.
But this time was different.
Despite their foolish squabble, Shiki and Linlin had returned alive—and brought back the Eternal Pose to the Valley of the Gods.
Rocks saw no need to waste time with discipline now.
All he could focus on was the device in his possession—the eternal pointer leading to the island shrouded in legend.
There lay Uranus—the last of the Ancient Weapons—and the key to dominating the world.
As Rocks turned away to leave the deck, Whitebeard suddenly stepped forward.
"Captain Rocks," he called out, his eyes sharp. "Aside from retrieving the Eternal Pose, there's something else important to report."
Rocks stopped, glancing back with interest.
"What is it?"
"We've obtained the Eternal Pose to the Valley of the Gods," Whitebeard began, "but… our mission may have been compromised."
He paused, eyes narrowing.
"The World Government and Marine Headquarters likely know our objective now. They know we're after Uranus, hidden in the Valley of the Gods."
Rocks' eyes narrowed slightly, his brow furrowed.
"So… we've been exposed?"
If that were true, then the element of surprise was gone.
It also meant the Marines and the Celestial Dragons might move Uranus—or worse, use it against them.
"Yes," Whitebeard confirmed. "It's almost certain."
Rocks turned away again, his expression darkening further.
The weight of the situation had suddenly increased tenfold.
"What will you do now, Captain?" Ayr asked, a gleam of curiosity in his eyes.
If the World Government remained unaware, Rocks would have already ordered them to set sail.
But with their purpose revealed—to claim Uranus—then advancing would mean war.
War against the full might of the Marines, the Celestial Dragons, the Gorosei, and perhaps even the ancient guardians of Uranus itself.
A war that could decide the fate of the world.
Rocks said nothing for a moment.
Then, without turning, he tossed the Eternal Pose to the helmsman and roared:
"Set sail! To the Valley of the Gods!"
"Aye, Captain Rocks!"
The helmsman caught the Eternal Pose and immediately turned the wheel. The ship pivoted with the wind, its course locked in.
"To the Valley of the Gods it is," Ayr murmured to himself, a satisfied smile forming.
That was exactly what he'd hoped for.
He knew the Marines would commit everything to stopping Rocks. A great battle was inevitable.
And when the dust settled—win or lose—the Rocks Pirates would be no more.
And he, like several others aboard, would be free.
"Whether it's the Marines or the World Government," Rocks declared, turning to face his top officers, "we'll wipe them out at the Valley of the Gods!"
The crew fell silent.
His voice was resolute, even knowing the cost.
He wasn't blind to the dangers. In fact, Rocks knew that this battle might be his last.
But if he didn't act now, time would turn against him.
If Ayr, Kaido, Whitebeard, and the others were allowed to continue maturing, there would come a point where even Rocks could no longer command them.
And the Rocks Pirates would eventually crumble—not in battle, but through mutiny and ambition.
No—better to risk everything now. While he still held power.
This was his final gamble.
Either they would seize Uranus and usher in an era of absolute dominion over the world…
…or they would fall, right there on the blood-soaked shores of the Valley of the Gods.
"Ayr. Shiki. Edward Newgate. Linlin. Kaido. Silver Axe. Ochoku. John…" he said slowly, letting each name hang in the air.
"This battle will decide everything. Don't disappoint me."
These were the individuals Rocks trusted—or rather, depended on—the most.
If any of them wavered, the dream of world domination would vanish.
But if they fought with all their strength, even the World Government might fall.
"Of course, Captain Rocks," Shiki replied, grinning with folded arms. "We'll go all-out in the Valley of the Gods."
"Ma~mamama… Rocks, don't worry," Linlin laughed wickedly. "You can count on me."
But behind the mirth in her eyes, there was calculation.
Shiki and Linlin had no intention of dying for Rocks.
If they obtained Uranus, they might still follow him.
But if Rocks failed—or looked vulnerable—they would not hesitate to take Uranus for themselves.
"Tch. Shiki. Linlin. Your loyalties have always been conditional," John sneered, folding his arms.
"Exactly," Silver Axe agreed. "Anyone with a brain knows you're not in this for Rocks."
"Oi! John, Silver Axe—don't go throwing dirt on our names!" Shiki snapped, fury flashing in his eyes.
"You want to provoke Captain Rocks by questioning our loyalty?!" Linlin barked.
"We found the Eternal Pose, didn't we? Isn't that enough proof?"
Rocks watched the tension between them quietly, arms folded.
He knew full well what games they were playing.
They were all ambitious. All waiting for the right moment.
But for now—he still needed them.
"Enough," Rocks finally said, his voice calm. "You've done well on this mission. Rest. The final war is about to begin."
None of them replied. But the air was thick with both anticipation… and betrayal.
Rocks' gaze lingered on each of them before finally settling on Ayr.
He said one last thing, quiet and sharp:
"Don't forget our agreement, Ayr."
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