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That Kaido was defeated?
And even lost an arm?!
While the Marines were busy deciphering and finding doctors to treat Aokiji, Morgans, under warning from Tsuru, dared not slack off. He mobilized all his contacts and spread the news of Kaido's defeat across the seas.
In an instant, the whole world was shaken!
Some older folks were already used to Kaido suffering setbacks at the hands of the Marines. Even though he always escaped in the end, further enhancing his fearsome reputation, it had long become a consensus across the sea that "Kaido is no match for the Marines."
However, this time was different, this time…
Kaido suffered a devastating defeat!
He was nearly beaten to death and had to sever his own arm just to survive! According to Rowen's account, Kizaru finally understood what had happened back then.
That arm wasn't broken by Rowen; he wasn't interested in attacking non-vital areas like limbs or torsos while leaving the head alone.
Instead, Kaido had chosen to mutilate his own arm to break free from Rowen's restraints. By forcefully reversing the blood and energy flow along his meridians, he poured all his power into that one arm to temporarily ignore the paralyzing effects of the lightning and unleash his full strength.
Just like how Luffy would shrink when using Third Gear "Bone Balloon," it was a powerful move with severe side effects and a toll on his lifespan!
Even Kaido himself was at risk of permanent disability if he wasn't extremely careful afterward.
It was like the Marines' Rokushiki ultimate secret technique, "Momentary Magnificence" from Life Return, a desperate final move!
However, what he hadn't anticipated was that as he mobilized his blood and energy, the external electric charge spread across his body also gathered in that very arm.
Combined with the overcharged, limit-pushing nature of the move, the two forces stacked, and that's what caused his arm to explode.
However, he did manage to completely break free from the restraints and was no longer at risk of being paralyzed.
"Damn… if he hadn't chosen to escape back then, wouldn't you have been in real danger?" Kizaru gasped.
After being blown away, Rowen finally released the breath he was holding in his chest and passed out from total exhaustion, remaining unconscious for a full seven days. If Kaido had chosen to continue the fight at that moment, Rowen would've almost certainly died!
In response, Rowen simply gave a faint smile.
"Logically, yes, but did he dare?"
There was no hint of relief from having escaped death in his eyes. Instead, they were filled with boundless confidence, domineering spirit, and ferocity. He wasn't gambling, he knew the result with certainty and believed in it completely!
Kizaru was momentarily stunned into silence.
Indeed…
At that time, did Kaido dare?
With his body eroded by lightning, powerless to resist, the despair… Under Rowen's storm-like barrage, the fear of death… Growing weaker with each second, while Rowen fought more fiercely with every blow…
All of these factors and negative emotions piled together, causing Kaido to lose the most important trump card in battle,
Courage!
Just look at the five Heat Breaths he spewed out as he escaped…
That level of explosive power was a huge burden even for Kaido. It was akin to a normal person stabbing themselves in the thigh with a knife, psychologically overwhelming!
Yet Kaido still did it.
Like a crazed beast in its death throes, desperately fleeing, ignoring everything just to survive.
So no, he didn't dare!
And that was only natural.
…
As the news spread, the world waited for a response.
Because based on past experience, being humiliated this publicly by the Marines, the Beasts Pirates would never let it slide.
This had become part of Kaido's usual post-defeat ritual, he'd always do something to prove he was still as mighty as a dragon or tiger.
However…
A week passed, and the seas were utterly calm.
In an instant, the whole world erupted!
Only now did people truly understand, this time, that "strongest creature" Kaido had genuinely been scared witless by the Marines!
So much so that he didn't even dare retaliate.
…
New World – [The Red Force]
"Kaido, oh Kaido… who would've thought you'd see a day like this!" Shanks wore a mocking smile, his face flushed red with laughter as he held up his wine glass.
The news had been public for a full week with zero movement from Kaido's side. All in all, it had been half a month, proof enough that Kaido had been thoroughly cowed. As one of the former Four Emperors, Shanks had clashed with Kaido for over a decade and knew his personality very well.
If he wasn't truly afraid, he'd never back off.
Though not a complete and utter defeat, for Kaido to "endure humiliation" and "play it safe," the psychological blow was clearly immense.
"Speaking of which… Captain, some interesting folks arrived at Zou Island, the one you told us to keep an eye on."
"Oh? Who?"
Shanks turned his head in curiosity.
He had ordered Yasopp and the others to watch Zou Island for the Road Poneglyph. His original intention was to make it public knowledge and help guide Luffy and the others forward. But the Marines had gotten there first and taken it for themselves.
So, Shanks was one of the very few, outside of the people of Zou, who knew that the Road Poneglyph had fallen into Marine hands.
"It's the Straw Hat crew." Yasopp didn't keep him in suspense.
Seeing Shanks's surprised and intrigued expression, he smiled and continued: "You might not believe it, but remember how the Beasts Pirates sent a massive force to ambush Smoker's battleship? They were planning to raid them?"
In the original timeline, just one "Drought" Jack was enough to destroy the country of Zou. But this time, with Kaido personally leading the charge, they didn't even need to send the entire army…
Those scattered forces had long since been deployed. Upon learning that Smoker had stolen the Road Poneglyph before them, they quickly set up ambushes along his route, ready to strike at any moment.
"I know that. And then?"
Shanks scratched the back of his head in confusion. "But Zou isn't an island you can just sail to. The Log Pose doesn't point there."
"But the Beasts Pirates can! Their squads each carry Vivre Cards to help regroup."
Upon hearing that, Shanks waved his hand, his mouth twitching.
"Alright, say no more. I think I get the picture now."
Letting out a helpless sigh, he suddenly grinned and muttered to himself:
"So that's how it is... Even without my guidance, he still walked the path of destiny... huh?"
"Captain Roger, it seems I didn't pick the wrong person after all!"
As Shanks stared off into the sea in deep thought, Yasopp didn't disturb him. He simply smiled, turned around, and walked away, leaving Shanks alone, dazing on the ship's railing.
…
Grand Line – Marine Headquarters
This was over ten meters below the surface of Marine Headquarters, a forbidden zone that every Marine feared.
The Marine Assassination Force's base!
Previously, what Marines feared was military discipline, armies needed order. Later came the Independent Commission Against Corruption, but to be honest, their deterrence mainly targeted corrupt officers in upper ranks and had little impact on regular soldiers.
Until... they encountered the Assassination Force!
These masked and hooded operatives came and went in secrecy, vanishing into crowds afterward. They were shadowy figures constantly monitoring everyone's movements, like an invisible spiderweb draped over the hearts of all Marines.
They weren't deliberately targeting anyone; they were just doing their job, hiding in the dark.
From this, it's clear why the original Assassination Force was disbanded; even their own side couldn't stand them.
But now, they were both feared and respected, and much of that was because of Rowen, the visible Commander-in-Chief of the Assassination Force.
The youngest Admiral in Marine history! The "Thunder God," Soryu (Azure Dragon)!
At this moment, deep underground…
In a secret chamber surrounded by flowing magma, Akainu pulled down the brim of his baseball cap, frowning.
"What's the likelihood of a leak?"
Directly ahead, on a magma-ringed platform, a red stone tablet glowed ominously under the firelight, like it had been forged in fresh blood.
Rowen thought for a moment before answering:
"100 percent."
"What?!"
"While I trust Smoker and the soldiers involved, we're not the only ones who know about this Poneglyph. Kaido knows too... and what Kaido knows, Kurozumi Orochi and Orrick surely know as well."
"If you want to keep something secret, the only way is not to do it at all. Once something is done, discovery becomes inevitable... Even if we deny it outright, the Five Elder Stars (Gorōsei) won't change their minds."
"For people like us, sometimes just the phrase 'I believe' is all it takes."
Akainu fell silent for a moment.
"What do you think the Five Elders will do?"
"Nothing."
"Why?"
Akainu frowned. In the past, he would never have dared to commit such a blatant betrayal of the World Government.
Because the wrath of the Five Elders… was not something to be taken lightly.
"Fleet Admiral, the Government isn't obsessed with collecting relics. And the Five Elders know full well what it means if all four Red Poneglyphs are gathered." Rowen chuckled lightly. "All they care about is that no one becomes the second Roger and finds Raftel. That's enough for them."
"And by acting like this, we're essentially showing we don't trust them, even hinting that we suspect they have the other Road Poneglyphs… Under these conditions, neither they nor we would ever give up the Red Stone."
"By taking a stand against cooperation, we ironically prevent anyone from uniting the pieces."
"And that, in turn, perfectly aligns with their true objective."
A mature and lazy voice echoed behind them. Vice Admiral Momousagi (Pink Rabbit) rested her hand on the hilt of her sword, Kinpira, her expression serious.
"Am I right, Rowen?"
"Yep, that's exactly it."
Rowen nodded with a smile.
Akainu frowned and turned around. "Didn't I tell you not to involve yourself unless it was urgent? Did you forget?"
"Are you underestimating us women, Fleet Admiral? I'm also… a MarineAdmiral Candidate who's prepared for anything!"
Momousagi looked him straight in the eyes, her gaze unwavering.
After a moment of looking at her, Akainu shook his head.
"Fine. As long as you know what you're doing... Speak. What did you come to report?"
"Yes, sir!" Momousagi saluted, then gave her report: "Just now, I received word from Fujitora (Issho), the Ancient Weapon, Pluton, has been confirmed completed!"
At those words, both Rowen and Akainu immediately raised their heads, eyes flashing with light.
They exchanged a glance, and Rowen's lips curled into a smile.
"At last... it's done?!"
(End of Chapter)