You can read ahead up to 90 chapters on my patreon, and I've also activated a (date-to-date) subscription model on my patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darkshadow6395
Wano Country is special. If in the past it was beyond the reach of the Marines due to its natural defenses, after the official deployment of the Aircraft Force, they had long had the capability to launch a full-scale invasion and eliminate this unstable threat.
However, they did not.
As the Supreme Commander of the Aircraft Force, Rowen confirmed that he had not received a single report of aircraft being dispatched to patrol Wano Country.
Everyone, whether intentionally or unintentionally, avoided that place. The reason… was that the government did not want others to know that their weapons were provided by pirates.
This was far more serious than ordinary political corruption scandals!
The Marines and pirates, the World Government, and non-Allied Kingdom Members— no matter how you looked at it, were two entities that should never be connected. If there were any ties between them, the uproar would be no less than the public execution two years ago.
So even though Akainu harbored immense hatred, he had no choice but to turn a blind eye, pretending as if Rowen's defeat and killing of Hundred Beasts Conflagration King had never happened, keeping it concealed.
Fortunately, Rowen did not care about fame.
In the housing arranged by Smoker for Rowen at G-11 Base.
"Oh? You're saying the Straw Hat Pirates have regrouped?"
While waiting for Kanjuro and the others at the Totto Land, Rowen suddenly received a notification from Dante one day.
Hearing this, Dante looked serious and said solemnly, "That's right!"
"Originally, I thought Law's slight inferiority in the sword technique duel with Roronoa Zoro was because he was holding back since Franky knew what we were planning. But now it seems…"
At this point, Dante subtly gripped the hilt of his sword. "Admiral, we must take them more seriously!"
These guys are no longer the brats who could be easily pushed around two years ago. They have grown into full-fledged pirates, capable of competing for supremacy in the New World!
The reason…
"So you got beaten by them, right? You definitely got beaten, right? Hahahahaha!!!" Rowen slammed the table, laughing hysterically.
The Straw Hat crew's style is well-known— reckless, unreasonable, and with dogshit luck.
Most importantly, they get back up wherever they fall.
In the original story, they stumbled in Sabaody, so they decided to regroup in Sabaody. This time, they stumbled in G-10, so naturally, they would regroup in G-10.
"Truly dogshit luck!" Rowen couldn't help but sigh.
After the Summit War, Sengoku's resignation was inevitable, and the Fleet Admiral competition between Akainu and Aokiji was also inevitable. The vacant Admiral position was an opportunity Rowen would not miss, which was also inevitable.
Thus, G-10, once an impenetrable fortress and a notorious pirate nightmare on the fourth route, had become what it was now.
It was still the strongest Marine base in the Grand Line, maintaining its high salary and high combat power, but without its soul figure, the difficulty had dropped from "Hell mode" to "Difficult mode."
Dante: "…"
Damn it! (▼皿▼メ;)
'Don't hit someone's face when you fight, and don't expose someone's weaknesses when you scold them! Do you believe I'll report you to the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars), you asshole!!'
With such a senior official, Dante thought, 'What can I do? I'm also in despair!'
(╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
"Well, then? What do you plan to do?" After laughing for a long time, Rowen composed himself and asked.
"What do I plan to do? Isn't that why I came to you…" Dante looked speechless. "I want to chase them, but G-10 can't be left unattended!"
"Oh right, I almost forgot, you're also a Vice Admiral now." Rowen clapped his hands as if suddenly realizing something.
Dante: "…"
'Should I rebel?'
'I should definitely rebel!!'
'This is too humiliating!'
But Rowen wasn't deliberately targeting him. Over the past two years, although the Straw Hats had disappeared to train on their own, Rowen had been busy with many things.
From the Fleet Admiral competition onwards, he had almost no time to rest.
So much so that he had almost forgotten that the world still had the original protagonist of Destiny, Monkey D. Luffy.
If Dante hadn't brought it up today, Rowen wouldn't have bothered.
After calming down and thinking for a moment, Rowen slowly said, "Indeed, it's unrealistic for you to leave G-10 unattended to chase the Straw Hats… Pluton is already under construction in Century City, and I need you in the First Half to feel at ease."
"Should I say thank you?" Dante rolled his eyes, looking unimpressed.
"If you're willing… feel free to do so!" Rowen shrugged and continued, "But it's also unrealistic to just ignore the Straw Hats. They managed to give you a hard time, so they must be formidable, at least among the New World pirates. They might cause some trouble."
After pondering for a while…
Suddenly, Rowen slapped his palm.
"Wait, why are we worrying about this? Isn't this something the Fleet Admiral should be concerned about?"
He was just an Admiral; if the sky fell, there would be someone taller to hold it up!
Dante: "…"
'Indeed, those who play tactics have dirty hearts! What do you mean "the Fleet Admiral should worry"?'
'The responsibility for pirate bounties and how to arrange arrests is something all Marines share. As an Admiral, he should help Akainu with this matter, which is also a crucial aspect of an Admiral's value.'
But leaving it to the Fleet Admiral…
There's no problem with that.
A pirate who caused chaos during the Summit War and broke into G-10 deserves Akainu's personal attention, both logically and emotionally.
"That's settled then! Don't forget, Dante, as the Base Head, you report directly to the Fleet Admiral! We can't overstep our authority…"
Rowen lectured him sternly.
Dante: "…"
'Can I resign from the Assassination Force commander position?'
'As a member of the Assassination Force, I report directly to you; has this matter been eaten by a dog in your mind, you asshole?!'
(╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
With a helpless sigh, Dante waved his hand. "Fine, I knew it would end up like this."
"Wait a minute!"
At this moment, Rowen stopped him. "Don't look so aggrieved. I heard your weapon is just a decent sword, right?"
Dante, confused, instinctively retorted, "Don't just hear things!!"
"My sword was snatched from a pirate during a mission with you; don't tell me you forgot!"
"That's not important!"
Rowen picked his nose, completely ignoring the retort, and continued, "I have information on three swords, one of which is in my possession. Do you want it?"
"Information on famed blades?"
Dante's eyes lit up. No swordsman could resist the temptation of a famed blade unless they already had their beloved sword.
However, Dante's sword, merely comparable to a decent sword in quality, could not satisfy his pursuit of power.
So, he eagerly asked, "What are they? Just so you know, don't bring out any ordinary swords; I'm quite picky."
"Don't worry, would I dare to scam you?"
Rowen shamelessly said something that made Dante grit his teeth: "One of the 21 Ō Wazamono, Nidai Kitetsu; the 'Flame Blade' Blazing Concubine, one of the twelve Saijō Ō Wazamono; and the 'monstrous blade' Seven Star Sword, which is comparable in quality to Saijō Ō Wazamono. Choose one!"
Saijō Ō Wazamono and Ō Wazamono are both legendary famed blades!
Dante gulped, suddenly feeling something was off, and looked horrified at Den Den Mushi.
"Wait a minute!"
"Why are they all monstrous blades?! Kitetsu? Seven Star Sword? Blazing Concubine? Isn't that Conflagration King's sword? Don't you have a normal one?!"
'What a scam! Are you trying to take my life?!'
"What's there to fear? At worst, just melt them down and reforge them."
Rowen waved his hand nonchalantly and said, "Don't forget, my Thunder Dragon crescent-sided halberd was also reforged from one of the Saijō Ō Wazamono, the Dragon Sword: Thunder Cloud!"
"To be precise, it's one of the 21 Ō Wazamono because Thunder Cloud has been broken since its appearance… well, but it's true that reforging is an option."
Dante thought for a moment and nodded in satisfaction. "That works. Just give me all the information; I want to reclaim them all and forge my own weapon!"
"By the way, let me tell you some news you'll want to hear!"
"Oh? What is it?"
"We found the Mera-Mera Fruit, Seal-Seal Fruit, and Castle-Castle Fruit. How about that? All abilities of those who died at your hands!"
Dante laughed proudly, looking very pleased.
Rowen: " …"
This guy is getting too cocky!
(End of Chapter)