met free Chapter 120: Desolation
Chapter 120: Desolation
Chapter 121: Desolation
At the same time, on the Grand Line, in Elbaf.
Rocks stood at the window of the cabin, looking out at the view of the giant village.
After several months of recuperation, his health has largely recovered.
Although he is still some distance from his peak condition, at least he can move freely now and use his domineering aura normally.
The bandages on his body had been removed, leaving only some dark scars, the marks left by the blond kid's gold and Conqueror's Haki.
Lockes looked down at his chest, where there was a pale gold line on his skin, like the mark of metal cooling after smelting.
He raised his hand and touched the pattern, feeling the subtle bumps under his fingertips.
"That damn blond brat—"
Lockes muttered a curse under his breath, but there wasn't much hatred in his voice; instead, there was a complex sense of emotion.
He walked to the table in the center of the cabin and sat down.
On the table lay a nautical chart, something he always carried with him, marking the seas he had explored, the outposts he had established, and the treasures he had buried over the years.
The location of Beehive Island has been crossed out.
That was his base, which he had built up over many years, and it has now been destroyed by the World Government.
Although Wang Zhi and John escaped with a portion of their crew, the fleet suffered a 70% loss, almost all of their supplies were lost, and most of the wealth they had accumulated over the years sank to the bottom of the sea.
It can be said that the Rocks Pirates, as a whole, are now defunct.
Rocks' finger moved across the nautical chart, from the Grand Line to the New World, and then back to Paradise Sea.
There's trouble everywhere.
The World Government went mad after the attack on Mary Geoise, with CP and the Navy searching everywhere for suspicious individuals. Although the Ten-Day Trial has ended, the high-pressure situation continues.
In the waters of the New World, the World Government's fleet is wiping out his remaining forces, or rather, all ships flying the Rocks Pirates' flag.
And the amusement park's sea area —
Rocks' finger stopped at the location of Jaya Island.
That blond kid's kingdom is expanding rapidly.
The Tianhai Trading Company's fleet almost monopolized the first half of the trade, and the influence of the Gold Grand Fleet was expanding every day.
What's even more troublesome is that the new Navy formed by Zephyr and Garp's defection is known to everyone to have the support of the Golden Emperor.
"Being attacked from both sides—"
Lockes leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
He was thinking about the next step.
Should we stay on the Grand Line?
Too dangerous.
The World Government won't let him go, and that blond kid might take advantage of the situation.
Although that guy said he wouldn't harm him before overthrowing the World Government, Rocks never placed his hopes on other people's promises.
To travel the world?
The East China Sea is too barren, the South China Sea too chaotic, the North China Sea has a key World Government defense presence, and the West China Sea...
Lox opened his eyes.
His gaze fell on the western sea area of the nautical chart.
In the Western Sea lies the Valley of the Gods.
His hometown.
Rocks tapped his fingers lightly on the table. Returning to the Valley of the Gods was a good choice; it was his roots, his people, and the legacy left by Davy Jones.
In the Valley of the Gods, he can find protection and time to recuperate.
But going back also means that his trip was a failure.
The expectations of the clan.
The ancestors' last wish.
The mission of the D clan.
All of these plans have fallen through for now.
Lox took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. He took out a pocket watch from his pocket, a gift from his father when he left God Valley many years ago.
The back of the pocket watch is engraved with a line of small words: "Remember where you come from."
Lox stared at that line of text for a long time.
Finally, he put away his pocket watch, stood up, picked up his meager belongings, pushed open the door of the cabin, and the cold wind outside rushed in.
Winter in Elbaf is not completely over yet; there is still snow on the distant mountain ridges.
Several giant children were playing in the village open space when they saw Rocks come out. They stopped what they were doing and looked at the human who had lived in their village for several months with curiosity.
Locke ignored the children and walked toward the edge of the village on his own.
On his way out of the giant village, he encountered several familiar giant warriors, and they nodded to each other in greeting.
These giants weren't too hostile towards him; after all, he was a guest of the blond kid and Harald, and he hadn't caused any trouble in the past few months.
By the time we reached the shore, it was almost dark.
Rocks stood on the reef, looking at the sea before him.
The waves crashed against the rocks on the shore, splashing up white foam.
In the distance, the setting sun was sinking below the horizon, turning the sky a dark red.
The scenery was desolate, much like his current predicament.
He pulled a small Den Den Mushi from his pocket and dialed the number.
The Den Den Mushi rang a few times before being answered, mimicking John's gaunt face.
"Boss?"
John's voice sounded somewhat tired.
"it's me."
"Where are you now?" Locke asked.
"The boundary between the New World and the Calm Belt is safe for now."
John's voice also sounded tired: "Wang Zhi went to find boats, and we'll need a few more days to gather enough."
"No need to collect anymore."
Lox said calmly, "Disband."
There was a long silence on the other end of the phone.
"—What?"
John's voice sounded somewhat uncertain.
"I said, disband."
Rocks calmly repeated, "The Rocks Pirates, that's all for now."
"But the eldest is number one."
"Let me finish."
Rocks interrupted him: "The World Government is watching us now. If you continue to fly the Rocks Pirates flag, you won't live much longer."
"Divide the boats among yourselves. Those who want to go back to their hometowns can go back to their hometowns, and those who want to live in anonymity can go to the four seas and find a place to hide."
"Once things calm down, if we still want to do it, we can get together again."
John remained silent for a while.
"And what about you, boss?"
"I have some things to take care of."
"----Understood.
"6
John's voice was low, and Lockes could hear the resentment and helplessness in it.
"Then, boss—take care."
The Den Den Mushi (transparent telephone snippet) hung up.
Instead of putting away the Den Den Mushi, Rocks made another call.
A few minutes later, a small boat appeared on the sea.
It was a single-masted sailing ship, its hull pitch black, without any markings.
The boat docked, and there was only one person on board, wearing a hood and trying to conceal himself. This person did not say a word.
Lockes ignored him and went into the cabin, which was simply furnished but clean and tidy.
The ship set sail, and through the porthole, he could see the silhouette of Elbaf gradually disappearing into the twilight.
Rocks closed his eyes.
He knew that this departure might mean he wouldn't return to the Grand Line for a long time.
His dream may have to come to an end for now.
"Orikum Oro————"
He murmured the name.
"Let me quietly observe from the West Sea, to see just how big a wave you're going to stir up, and to see what surprises you can give me—"