The keen perception of Rocks and his crew caught the faintest disturbance instantly. The four figures, including Lloyd, peeking from the alley, were immediately spotted.
Seeing only a few children, the Rocks Pirates' attention faltered.
Linlin chuckled lightly, "Mama, so they're just little brats. Were even brats like these ever captured as prey?"
Rocks, however, pinched his chin thoughtfully, scanning Lloyd with a spark of interest.
"That brat… he's intriguing. That fighting spirit just now… he still dares to challenge me after seeing my strength?"
Lloyd was entirely unaware of the attention. His hand clutched his chest while he muttered under his breath, a sharp edge to his voice.
"Damn it… why is this happening? Slow down, come on!"
Ivan and the others exchanged worried glances, thinking Lloyd was having a breakdown. Yet, Lloyd felt no weakness. An odd thrill coursed through him. In truth, he wanted nothing more than to snatch a brick and confront Rocks head-on.
Even more bizarrely, his strength felt heightened. One hand pressed against his chest, the other gripped the wall ledge, and he realized the stone was giving way under his grip.
This surge of power was unprecedented. Lloyd's mind raced. Could this be a final burst before… no, who the fuck do I think I am.
Rocks had turned his attention away, showing only slight curiosity. Meanwhile, Saint Garin, leading the God's Knights, and Saint Saturn watched with calculated interest.
Rocks stretched his neck casually and said, "Newgate, why don't you give the Celestial Dragons a proper welcoming gift?"
Golden-haired Newgate stepped forward, fist clenched. A translucent white halo surrounded it, then he punched outward with explosive force.
"Crack!"
The sound of shattering glass echoed, spreading cracks from Newgate's fist. God Valley trembled, buildings collapsing under the blow.
This was the full might of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, Paramecia-type. In Newgate's hands, youthful and unrestrained, the power unleashed devastation with precision.
Behind them, Kuma had already shielded Lloyd and the others with his massive form, taking the brunt of falling debris. Yet the earthquake reshaped the ground itself, and eventually, Kuma rolled with Lloyd and the others in his arms, only to be buried beneath a pile of stones.
At the Royal Palace, Saint Garin directed several God's Knights to evacuate the Celestial Dragons.
Newgate's strike didn't rival Rocks' initial punch, yet it wreaked far more havoc. That single attack alone had likely eradicated countless weaker Celestial Dragons.
Saint Saturn held back, buying time. He knew that without distraction, the God's Knights alone could not contend with the Rocks Pirates. He had to wait for the Navy's arrival.
Finally, Fleet Admiral Kong and the Navy arrived. Garp shouted, "Where's that Roger!?"
He had been relaxing. Had Sengoku not warned him about Roger's possible appearance, he wouldn't have intervened in Celestial Dragon matters.
Sengoku, still an Admiral, pulled him aside, voice deep, "Forget Roger for now. Look, the Rocks Pirates are all here. This is worse than we expected."
Admiral Zephyr surveyed the ruins, frowning. "That was Newgate's ability just now… the destructive power is terrifying."
Rocks, unimpressed, addressed the Navy mockingly. "As expected of the Celestial Dragons' dogs. Come to protect your Master?"
The Navy bristled but said nothing at first, for Rocks' words were painfully accurate.
Garp's temper erupted. His fists glimmered with black Armament Haki as he vanished from his spot, reappearing above Rocks in an instant.
Descending like a comet, his iron fists carried overwhelming force. "Fist Bone, Meteor!"
Rocks remained composed, arms crossed. Newgate leapt beside him, fist enveloped in crackling shockwaves, colliding with Garp midair.
Boom!
The roar and shattering resounded across the sky. Their collision scattered clouds, sunlight dazzling the land below. Rocks grinned brightly.
After separating, Newgate and Garp returned to their positions.
Kuma's head emerged from the rubble, revealing Lloyd and the others safely in his massive arms.
Lloyd's pupils narrowed slightly.
The Rocks Pirates faced attacks from both the Navy and the God's Knights, yet Rocks remained utterly confident. Lloyd saw no arrogance—only lethal assurance. A single strike had forced Saint Saturn to unleash his ultimate technique. Even factoring in the need to protect the Celestial Dragons, the strength displayed was extraordinary.
And then there was Rocks' crew: young Newgate, Linlin, Kaido, and Golden Lion Shiki without his ship's rudder. A nightmare lineup.
Swish, swish, swish!
Saint Saturn and the God's Knights descended to coordinate with the Navy. Hidden observers also revealed themselves, all dressed in black suits, forming a silent wall behind Satan Saint.
Rocks ignored them, lowering his arms, his gaze locked on Satan Saint. "World Government, you have nerve. You dare steal Rocks' treasure? Today, I reclaim what is mine and show the world who the true Master is!"
Saint Saturn remained calm, expression unyielding. "The Celestial Dragons are the Masters of the world. Everything belongs to them. You are merely a lowly Pirate."
The Rocks Pirates scowled, the Navy grimaced. Only the God's Knights accepted it as law.
Rocks' disgust turned to rage. "Go! Today, I wipe out every Celestial Dragon here!"
Before the conflict erupted fully, Lloyd, ever stoic and calculating, whispered to Ivan and the others, then silently moved forward. They were not bystanders.
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