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"Rowen, did something happen?" On the deck, Vice Admiral Momonga looked at Rowen in shock.
He had borne the brunt of that intense Haki surge just now and had felt its effects most strongly. That's why he knew better than anyone that power was different.
Unlike ordinary Haoshoku Haki, which usually overwhelms others with sheer force, this immense wave of Haki swept across Marineford Headquarters, and yet no one passed out.
Those with weak minds simply collapsed limply into a seated position or knelt to the ground with vacant eyes. No one lost consciousness from the impact, yet everyone felt a powerful urge to kneel and worship.
This kind of Haoshoku Haki was utterly unheard of!
Rowen walked out of the cabin, momentarily startled by the question. Then he smiled and said, "Nothing much. I just figured something out, that's all."
"Oh? Must've been something important then?" Vice Admiral Momonga raised an eyebrow, displeased.
As the instructor who had overseen Rowen's recruitment assessment, he had always had a good relationship with him. Now that Rowen was brushing him off so casually, of course Momonga wasn't happy.
In response, Rowen chuckled and pulled out a cigar, lighting it for the Vice Admiral.
"Don't be so petty, Vice Admiral Momonga-senpai! Honestly, I don't really know how to explain it myself… I just came to understand who I am, and what I'm supposed to do in this chaotic turning point of an era."
Taking a puff of the cigar, Momonga narrowed his eyes at Rowen. After a moment, he sighed.
"Being able to understand that is already impressive."
He paused for a moment, then gestured with his chin before Rowen could reply.
"Alright, if nothing else, you can head out. I'm about to set off."
"Oh, right, the Fleet Admiral just sent someone to ask for you. Since you're out now, go see him yourself."
"Alright, I won't disturb you then." Rowen nodded, then leapt off the deck with a single bound.
As he watched the battleship leave the port, Rowen silently bit down on his cigar. After a moment, the corners of his mouth curved upward.
"Still… in the end, this world only listens to strength. Without power, no matter how lofty your ideals, you're just a speck of dust that people will feel sorry for, and then forget."
Thinking of Im in the Holy Land, Rowen took a deep breath, removed the cigar, and exhaled slowly.
"The 'World Alterer'? Let's win this war first."
…
New World – Unknown Sea
Aboard a colossal ship shaped like an island, Orrick strolled into the main hall and suddenly froze in surprise.
"Didn't expect you'd actually join forces with someone! That's not like you at all, Mr. Red."
Seeing the man seated calmly on the sofa, sipping tea in a crimson formal cape, Orrick couldn't help but halt in his tracks, standing at the doorway. As someone who had once been part of that era, Orrick knew exactly how terrifying this monster was. One misstep and he might really suffer a devastating defeat.
Yet Patrick Redfield, "Red the Aloof," "The Crimson Count," a peak powerhouse of the previous era who once stood shoulder to shoulder with Roger and Whitebeard, remained calm and composed. He lifted his teacup and took a sip.
"Heh, I didn't."
His expression remained serene as a still pond. He regarded Orrick's wariness with total indifference, exuding absolute confidence.
Glancing at the burly man standing beside Orrick, Redfield said slowly, "I just happened to run into Byrnndi World San on the way. Since we're heading to the same destination, I hitched a ride."
At that, Redfield frowned slightly.
"But you… The Tyrant among Celestial Dragons, appearing here? So the rumors are true — this massive ship of World's is indeed funded by you."
To that, Orrick smiled faintly.
"World San and I are both avengers. It's only natural I help where I can."
"Enough with the formalities!"
Just then, the long-silent World walked heavily past Orrick and sat across from Redfield with a thud.
"No one here truly trusts anyone, so talking about alliances is pointless. We're just using each other for our own ends. You funded me to build my revenge weapon. But it's only because you wanted me to test the Marines for you, didn't you?" World narrowed his eyes slightly as he spoke and a menacing aura began to spread.
"You'll regret this, Orrick… because once I make my move, there'll be nothing left for you to do."
"Is that so? Let's hope so." Orrick replied with a calm smile, but his eyes turned cold.
"But I must remind you, never underestimate the Marines… they are not the same as they were 30 years ago."
Buzz!
A terrifying surge of Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki) trembled through the air, accompanied by a loud buzzing resonance.
World suddenly clenched his fists, his voice cold: "You mocking me?"
"That's not my intention at all. I'm simply stating a fact."
"Oh? Is that so?"
World's expression darkened further. His hand drifted toward the firearms on the table before him, a sudden sense of danger filled the air.
"He's not wrong, World." Suddenly, Redfield spoke softly.
"Don't forget the brat we saw back in Impel Down, Level 6. The current Marines, capable of ushering in this so-called 'Year One of the Marine Era,' are on a completely different level from the past."
Upon hearing this, World's expression calmed a bit.
"Hmph. Those losers still aren't worth mentioning… It's time for the Marines to remember how terrifying real pirates can be."
A tense moment dissolved into nothingness. Redfield remained calm as ever and turned his head, asking: "But what about you, Orrick… I heard Wano Country ran into a bit of trouble. Some vengeful spirit showed up. Aren't you in a hurry to return?"
"Heh, I was just about to do that… But when I heard the famous Red Count had regained his youth, I figured I should drop by for a visit. After all, you're a respected elder."
Since Redfield remained silent, Orrick simply grinned and continued: "With such unreliable allies, I truly feel helpless… I suppose now I understand why you two prefer to work alone."
To this, the two men, one closing his eyes in thought, the other calmly sipping tea still didn't respond.
Orrick shrugged, gave a nobleman's bow, then turned and left. After sending him off, Redfield rose to his feet and said: "That brat must be left to me, World. This is between me and him… it's our agreement."
"And why's that?! I want to test myself against the strongest of the new Marine generation too."
But after snapping back, World simply shrugged:
"Whatever. It's all the same. My grudge is with all the old Marine geezers — unlike you, who only holds a grudge against Garp."
Redfield didn't refute this. He merely tightened his grip on his custom-made umbrella, a cold glint in his eyes.
A storm was brewing, and the Marines were none the wiser. As the days passed, the atmosphere at Marine Headquarters grew heavier by the day...
This was now the 45th day since Aokiji's injury, yet the latest news from the Holy Land remained grim.
…
Marine Headquarters – Fleet Admiral's Office
"With Law's help, they successfully removed all bone fragments that had shattered and embedded into Admiral Aokiji's internal organs and muscle tissue… but his heart and lungs still haven't resumed normal function. His heartbeat and breathing have to be maintained by a machine."
Rowen stood up and reported the situation to Akainu and the other officers, his expression grave.
"Vegapunk has begun studying Caesar's Universal Gene Solution, hoping to use my cells' regenerative capabilities to help Aokiji recover."
"Caesar's Universal Gene Solution? Isn't that what wiped out the Celestial Dragons?!"
Tsuru drew in a sharp breath. Everyone present was among the upper echelon, fully aware of the truth behind the Celestial Dragons' extermination — and naturally, they all knew the cause.
And that cause… was precisely the Universal Gene Solution, created by Caesar.
To this, Rowen nodded.
"In fact, the original intent of the Universal Gene Solution was good. Human trials showed the results perfectly met experimental standards."
"But… Aokiji's current condition is just too fragile. I'm worried he won't survive the procedure."
Kizaru clicked his tongue and offered a reminder:
"That stuff isn't gradual… It's more like an energy steroid."
Everyone fell silent upon hearing that.
Indeed, Aokiji's current state was like a shattered porcelain vase held together with glue, and the Universal Gene Solution was like blasting it with a high-pressure hose — violent and forceful.
No matter how well-intentioned it was, if the patient couldn't handle it, it was nothing more than a super steroid.
(End of Chapter)