(From here on out, I will release 1 extra chapter if I receive 10 new reviews and 100 Power Stones.)
During the previous battle, Rowen had sensed a peculiar uneasiness that he initially attributed to the threat posed by Doflamingo. However, he now realizes the true cause— a revelation that leaves him in utter dismay.
It's because his money is gone!!
There's nothing sadder in this world than being alive, but without money.
The G-10 Branch, in particular, finds itself in dire need of a substantial amount of money to repair the fortress, reconstruct the harbor, and address other necessary expenses.
The extensive destruction caused by the devastating Meteor Shower and the Awakening of the String-String Fruit has left the Port in ruins, with only a small section near the aircraft port remaining intact.
The rest of the port lies submerged in the unforgiving depths of the sea, presenting a monumental challenge for any reconstruction efforts.
To compound their troubles, the Aircraft Force has suffered severe losses that exceed the reimbursement capabilities of Headquarters. Rebuilding the force is contingent on securing additional funds.
When all these factors are taken into account, it becomes apparent that without at least 2-3 Billion Belly, any meaningful progress will remain elusive.
Once upon a time, Rowen had amassed great wealth by plundering the Black Market on Jaya Island. At that juncture, he could confidently assert that the Marine faction might not possess more assets than his personal fortune alone. Alas, that is no longer the case!…
The wealth that had been discreetly accumulated on Jaya Island over several decades, conservatively estimated to exceed 10 Billion Belly, has been reduced to a mere fraction…
Only approximately One Billion remains in the form of cash, while the rest is comprised of resources stored within the Black Market treasury— gold, jewelry, valuable paintings, and rare gemstones.!
And now… it was all gone!
Faced with Rowen's Meteor Shower Attack and Doflamingo's Awakening Assimilation, no treasury could withstand it, and nothing was left behind, not even a trace or a small drop of gold was left behind.
At present, Rowen has only around One Billion Belly… Oh, no, including the initial funds he had invested in the Fortress, he has about 700 Million Belly left.
The sudden realization of his dwindling wealth sends him spiraling into a state of near desperation.
"I didn't want this either…" Rowen leaned back in his chair, sinking into the soft fur, with a look of indifference towards life in his eyes as he spoke. "I thought we would have a quick resolution, and then I could at least demand war reparations from Dressrosa. But the discussion on how to deal with Doflamingo at Headquarters has been dragging on without a conclusion… They're not in a hurry, but I certainly am!"
"But there's no need to go plundering for that!" Dante rolled his eyes and retorted, "I admit you're powerful, but are you sure you can go unnoticed? I won't stop you if you want to go but if the Fleet Admiral finds out that you have sneaked into Dressrosa to plunder it, Vice Admiral… just tell me this before you go, which level of the Impel Down would you prefer to be stationed in?"
Rowen: "…"
'This guy and his face are annoying! Why are you speaking the harsh truth like that?!' Rowen gave Dante a silent glare as he thought in his heart. 'Isn't it because of this that I formulated such a detailed plan?! Why are you spraying water on my cleverly crafted plans, you bastard.'
At this moment, Dante suddenly had an epiphany and he looked at Rowen in shock, and asked, "Wait! Are you suggesting that Doflamingo will be released?!"
If Doflamingo is released without being completely imprisoned and stripped of his Shichibukai status, then he naturally cannot serve as the King of Dressrosa, and there would be no talk of reparations.
It is similar to post-war reparations between nations, a legitimate reason must be established for there to be any talks about reparations. Without his status as King, Doflamingo would merely be a pirate, absolving Dressrosa of any obligation to pay for the transgressions committed by a pirate.
"So…" Rowen lifts his eyelids and gazes at Dante with a faint smile, his mouth slightly agape, enveloped in wisps of smoke. "Do you find it incredulous?" he asks.
Dante falls silent, realizing the implications of Rowen's plan.
Knock, knock, knock!
A series of knocks interrupts the solemn atmosphere, and Rowen shifts his gaze toward the door.
"Come in," He says calmly.
A messenger enters, standing tall and delivering the report. "Report! Vice Admiral Rowen, there's a document from the Marine Headquarters for you!"
"I wager it concerns Doflamingo," Rowen remarks, observing Dante approach and place the folder in front of him and a faint smile graces his lips.
Dante remains silent, awaiting further information.
Rowen casually opens the folder and swiftly peruses its contents and a chuckle escapes his lips as he finishes reading.
"So that's the plan… The Fleet Admiral has put quite some thought into this!"
Curiosity tinged with unease prompts Dante to inquire about it, "What does the Fleet Admiral propose?"
"See for yourself," Rowen responds, rotating the folder and pushing it toward Dante. The latter immediately delve into the document, his countenance growing serious.
As expected, after enduring a lengthy wait, the plan for dealing with Doflamingo has finally materialized.
True to their speculation, Doflamingo has been released.
While not entirely surprising, the World Government still recognizes him as a member of the Allied Kingdom and as the King of Dressrosa.
This made people unable to help but be curious about what exactly had happened.
A hint of surprise flashed in Dante's eyes, and he continued to read without showing any emotion. Soon, he understood and relaxed his expression.
"It seems… you don't have to sneakily plunder Dressrosa's Black Market."
"Yeah, the Fleet Admiral really knows me well!" Rowen shrugged, biting his cigar and grinning. It can be foreseen that this is a result of compromise from all parties involved.
The other Allied Kingdom members' nation lords don't want to consider the issue of Doflamingo being a pirate. The only thing they care about is what the Marines will do to the "Allied Kingdom Member Kings" and whether their rights will be interfered with by the Marines.
"We contribute so much Heavenly Tribute every year to the Celestial Dragons, we can't just let it go to waste, right?" This was the collective thought of every Allied Kingdom Member King.
Because of this, Sengoku and the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) had to handle the matter cautiously to avoid causing collective resistance among the Allied Kingdom members.
Now is not the time when there are other choices for them to choose. They can only do whatever they can to minimize the fallout.
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