"Would Rowen hold back simply because his opponent was Shanks – the Shanks whose murky relationship with the government is hard to discern?
The answer was clear to everyone. Even to Shanks himself.
So the moment The Red Force appeared, Rowen immediately understood Shanks' purpose in this mission: 'Pure Gold'.
But unlike the other pirates who sought to seize it for selfish reasons, Shanks was motivated by a desire to maintain balance on the seas. This was not a situation Rowen wanted to see unfold.
Thus, Rowen provoked Shanks into action, confident that even if he couldn't win outright, he would not lose. As long as Shanks' plans were thwarted, Rowen would claim victory.
Beckman's instincts hadn't been wrong – Rowen indeed knew their intentions. But he hadn't learned it through intelligence channels. Instead, he deduced it from the timing of their arrival.
However, what Rowen hadn't anticipated was that the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) had also figured this out! Faced with the same dilemma, Rowen's choice and that of the Gorōsei naturally diverged.
But…"
"I Refuse"
"Nani?!"
Rowen ignored the Gorōsei's shock, staring directly at Shanks' back. His voice was chilling. "Pirates – one comes, one dies. A group comes, and a group perishes. Kill one man, and you're a demon. Kill ten thousand, and you're a hero."
"This is the oath I, 'Soryu (Azure Dragon)' Rowen, once swore!"
"Do you intend to make me break my word, Gorōsei Sama? What would that do to my reputation?!"
"You insolent fool!"
The long-mustached Gorōsei roared in fury. "Don't forget who you are, Rowen! In the face of government security, your reputation means nothing!"
"You are a Marine – part of the government's military force!"
"You will obey orders!!"
"I am a Marine. But I still refuse!!!" Rowen declared firmly, his tone unyielding. "A pirate of Shanks' caliber poses a far greater threat to the government's rule than the pirate coalition currently besieging Sabaody."
"Do you not see the disparity?!"
The Gorōsei were momentarily stunned into silence. It was true. Who was Shanks? The Yonko of the New World in his prime! A monarch of the seas who shook the world! The threat of letting him live far outweighed the potential harm posed by the greedy pirate coalition.
But the issue wasn't so straightforward. The Gorōsei's relationship with Shanks ran far deeper than Rowen imagined. Their actions weren't just about distracting the pirates – they were also about preserving their own standing.
Thus, Shanks could not die in such a meaningless conflict. He still had greater value to them. But admitting this to Rowen? That was impossible. It would be utterly humiliating!
As the highest decision-makers, they relied on a pirate's strength to maintain rule. Unlike the Shichibukai, who at least nominally submitted to the government, Shanks' involvement was an outright reliance on pirate power.
Such an unsavory reality… How could they possibly admit it?
"I exist to safeguard the government's rule – not your egos, Gorōsei!" Rowen's voice turned colder as he saw the truth laid bare. "I've met that person. I know what I fight for. Don't conflate your personal status with the stability of the government."
"In this world, apart from that person, no one is indispensable."
These words changed the atmosphere in the Holy Land office. All five Gorōsei's faces darkened.
The long-mustached Gorōsei, his expression gloomy, asked grimly: "Are you planning a rebellion, Soryu (Azure Dragon)?!"
"We are the ones chosen by that person to govern. To defy us is to stand against that person!"
"Don't pin that label on me!" Rowen retorted fearlessly. "When that person chose you, they never foresaw things turning out like this."
"The Era of Pirates sparked by Roger, the Yonko splitting up the New World, and now the Pure Gold debacle – weren't all of these born after you were chosen?!"
"If that person knew what would happen later, what do you think would've become of you?!"
"You – cough, cough! Cough, cough, cough!"
From the Den Den Mushi, the sound of coughing echoed. The Gorōsei's lips quivered with rage, but they had no rebuttal.
As chosen administrators, the threats they faced far exceeded those of their predecessors. If blame was to be placed, it could only fall on the era itself – they hadn't been lucky enough to inherit peaceful times.
"We Marines fight and bleed on the front lines, while you repeatedly stab us in the back! Hiding behind the banner of preserving government rule, you only act to save your own faces as rulers – stirring chaos across the seas time and again. I ask you, what are your true intentions?!"
"You have no right to ask! You're not qualified to know, understand?!" The Gorōsei roared, their voices trembling with frustration.
"Oh? Is that so…" Rowen's tone turned calm, his demeanor unnervingly composed. This sudden shift sent a wave of foreboding through the Gorōsei.
Sure enough, after a brief pause, Rowen spoke lightly: "Then let's have that person come forward to arbitrate this matter. If they agree with your views, I will willingly stand trial before the military court."
"I believe that someone who knows everything will certainly provide me with a fair answer."
Bald Zero, standing nearby, had been frozen in shock since Rowen first began verbally sparring with the Gorōsei. His incredulous gaze remained fixed on Rowen.
But when Rowen mentioned escalating the matter to that person, Zero snapped out of his daze. "Gorōsei, you've fallen into his trap!"
As a holder of the First Grade Glory Medal, Rowen even had the right to request an audience with Imu directly. This honor, bestowed by Imu personally, was something the Gorōsei had no authority to deny.
However, did the Gorōsei truly wish for this incident to reach Imu's ears? Absolutely not!
Such an outcome would be a stark testament to their incompetence. Over the past few decades, whether through bad luck or mismanagement, the chaos they presided over far surpassed any turmoil in the prior 800 years of history. These repeated crises had already provoked Imu's dissatisfaction more than once.
No eternal monarch would tolerate subordinates who consistently created trouble. And now, this matter threatened to be the spark that ignited the powder keg.
Especially now… With the Celestial Dragons facing existential peril and the specter of their downfall looming, any disturbance could unleash Im's wrath.
Rowen's move appeared as a retreat, but it was a calculated strike to the heart. The Gorōsei – the supreme decision-makers of the government – were about to pay a heavy price!
The long-mustached Gorōsei, his expression dark, spoke with a voice laced with killing intent. "And if we refuse?"
"Then don't blame me for showing no mercy! Don't forget, dear sirs – besides being a Marine, I am also an Honored Noble!"
In addition to his rank as a Marine Admiral, Rowen's status as an Honored Noble was his true source of power. This title granted him immunity, even against the Celestial Dragons themselves. If Rowen struck a World Noble, not only would he remain unpunished, but mediators would emerge to resolve the conflict in his favor.
This was a privilege the Gorōsei could not ignore.
Rowen rarely exercised this authority, but the Gorōsei were fully aware that they could prevent Marine Admiral Rowen from taking the matter to Imu, but they had no power to stop Honored Noble Rowen.
In other words… The Gorōsei would have to pay the price! They would face Imu's wrath!
Shanks lay on the ground, breathing heavily. Struggling to lift his head, he wanted to speak. He wanted to suggest that it would be better if he died here. After all, he had already lost. Even if it were declared to the world that he took the Pure Gold, it wouldn't sustain him for long.
But neither side would agree to this outcome.
That's right – neither side.
Both the Gorōsei and Rowen.
Shanks had realized something. Rowen's true target wasn't him at all! Rowen's ultimate goal was to seize power amidst the chaos caused by the Pure Gold incident.
Even if he couldn't take it directly, he aimed to ensure the Gorōsei's status plummeted.
This was the real catastrophe for the world!
Because if Rowen succeeded, he might intervene in the World Government itself, claiming its core authority.
(End of Chapter)
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