There is a story,
Once upon a time, there was a family with two sisters.
Every morning, their mother would boil one egg for each of them to provide nutrition.
But the elder sister didn't like eggs, so she would secretly give her egg to the younger sister, letting her eat it.
Day after day, year after year, the younger sister got used to eating two eggs every morning. However, one day, as usual, the younger sister reached out to take the egg from her elder sister's bowl,
Only to be stopped by the elder sister.
"That's mine!"
The younger sister was furious. You don't even like eggs!
What should have been a warm breakfast ended on a sour note.
If I'm willing to give, you may take. If I'm not willing to give, you cannot snatch it.
Taking kindness for granted is nothing but laughable...
That's the truth.
…
Holy Land, World Government Headquarters, Office of the Five Elder Stars
The long-mustached Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) held a Den Den Mushi in hand, his tone cold:
"Are you sure that's what she said?"
"T-Terribly sorry, Gorōsei Sama… she, she really did say that."
"Trash!!"
The long-mustached Gorōsei smashed the receiver in rage, both hands pressing on the desk:
"They've grown too comfortable these years. Seems they've forgotten just how terrifying the World Government is!"
"How dare she? Why dare she?!"
This was unprecedented. It was a resounding slap in the face to the World Government. If they let this go unpunished, what standing would they have left to continue ruling?
The other three Gorōsei in the room wore equally grim expressions.
It was clear, this wasn't an end, but rather, a beginning. Even if they used overwhelming force to suppress the uproar, where there's one rebel, a second will surely follow. Those who raise the banner of resistance will only increase without end.
"There's no choice. Officially cancel this year's Levely." The sword-bearing Gorōsei held his sword in his arms and sighed deeply: "It's been delayed for so long, some Allied Kingdom Members have already begun grumbling. But in these urgent times, that person will understand."
The threat of Orrick extended not only to them but to all nations. Neither side fully trusted the other. Add to that the destruction of Fish-Man Island, and the Levely of 1522, originally meant to be held months ago, had been indefinitely postponed.
The Allied Kingdoms, well-aware of the turbulence across the seas, weren't even that surprised by this unprecedented move.
They knew full well: If Orrick suddenly launched an attack, aiming to wipe them all out,
Then Levely would be the perfect opportunity.
Hearing this, the blond Gorōsei in a red suit sipped from his wine glass and spoke slowly: "Levely is a minor issue. It's been postponed before… but this time, the delay must be backed by a convincing reason."
"The enemy's deep within the Calm Belt. Unless we dispatch a massive Aircraft Force and risk it, it's difficult to reach them. But if too many battleships are lost, it would damage the government's authority!"
"No! The Revolutionary Army has officially declared war and is watching our every move. We don't even know if that first rebel matters enough for them to send reinforcements, but the Aircraft Force itself carries important duties of patrolling the seas. If the fleet sets out, it may give the enemy a perfect chance to strike."
"That's very possible. Maybe she publicly made such a grand declaration under Revolutionary Army orders, to divert our forces."
"Not to mention, it's the Calm Belt. Even aircraft can't safely cross it with 100% certainty."
Due to the Calm Belt's unique climate, aircraft required extra fuel just to stay airborne.
Add to that the monstrous Sea Kings, and sending a fleet was practically a suicide mission.
Now that the enemy had openly declared confrontation with the government…
How should they strike back with thunderous force?
A heavy silence fell over the room.
"More and more… it feels like we can't do this without that guy..."
The Mediterranean-looking elder, known for his fiery temper, let out a deep sigh and pursed his lips in frustration.
"Looking on the bright side, at least we still have Kizaru to use."
The long-mustached Gorōsei tried to console them but shook his head anyway:
"But his personality means he'll only ever be a tool… and that's the survival path he chose himself."
"Put Garp's death aside for now. As long as Imu Sama is around, he won't be able to cause any real trouble."
"Now then… shall we inform Akainu?"
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
…
Marine Headquarters, Marineford
"Hey, did you hear? Someone got influenced by the Revolutionary Army and actually stood up to the World Government!"
"What?! Are they out of their minds?!"
"Who knows? Maybe they've been planning this for a long time… Either way, it's gonna be another brutal battle. And here I was hoping to go home and get married after the New Year."
"But how wicked… just how much more does that bunch of useless government officials plan to ruin this world before they're satisfied?! The times were clearly getting better!"
"Shh, watch your words!"
A soldier tugged on his companion's sleeve, glanced around to make sure no one overheard, then finally exhaled in relief and pulled him along to continue their patrol.
…
Top floor of the fortress, Fleet Admiral's Office
Rowen had been listening in on the conversation below, but kept his composure. With a smile, he said: "Is this really a good idea, Fleet Admiral? I'm still grounded, aren't I? Why not just leave it to Admiral Kizaru?"
"He's busy helping Vegapunk with the final phase of the experiment. He's unavailable."
Akainu shook his head with his usual stern expression: "Besides, this is also an opportunity for you."
Rowen furrowed his brows silently.
"What do you mean?"
"I don't blame you for Garp's death. Putting you under house arrest was just to help you avoid the storm of public opinion. You and I both know that."
Rowen fell silent.
Indeed, if Akainu had truly believed Rowen had betrayed them and caused Garp's death, then with his zero-tolerance, black-and-white worldview, house arrest would've been the least of his punishments.
After all, in the original story, Fujitora merely knelt to King Riku in the name of virtue and allowed the Hero Straw Hats to escape after saving Dressrosa, and even that led to Akainu ordering him never to return.
By comparison, wasn't Rowen's case far more serious?
"As you said, it's all a bit too coincidental." Akainu took out a cigar and tossed one to Rowen. One lit it with magma, the other with electricity, no words exchanged.
He exhaled a slow stream of smoke.
"That's exactly why I don't believe it!" Akainu fixed his eyes on Rowen, speaking seriously: "I don't believe that you didn't understand how serious it would be to kill Garp. But for you to make that choice and then keep it from me, I believe you had your reasons. I haven't forgotten what you once asked me at Sabaody. If, one day, the shackles above us were gone… could you still stay true to yourself?"
Rowen gave a faint, sardonic chuckle.
"…If Zephyr-sensei trusted me like you do, maybe I'd have seen him by now."
"He and Garp went through decades of storms together… Their bond doesn't need words. Kuzan too, he only cares about his own ideals, pure emotion and nothing more."
Akainu's eyes, under his baseball cap, were deep and distant:
"But I'm not like them! If you want a reason… maybe it's because I'm the Fleet Admiral."
From a higher position, the way one views and acts on the same issue naturally differs.
Rowen was silent for a moment, then spoke:
"What do you want me to do?"
Akainu didn't waste words. He pulled out a prepared document and tossed it to Rowen.
Seeing what was logged on it, Rowen narrowed his eyes slightly.
Akainu remained calm.
"Don't think that just because you have your own Assassination Force, the Marines' intelligence network is worthless. People out there are whispering that you're at odds with the Marines and the Government. So let's just go with the flow, and give them exactly what they want."
It was a Marine deployment map!
It detailed the current patrol routes of Marine forces across the seas, and even showed potential loopholes in the defenses.
"I only want one answer, Rowen!"
Akainu bit down on his cigar and stared at him.
"Tell me, you're on our side!"
(End of Chapter)
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