Dressrosa, the Royal Highland.
"Vice Admiral Rowen, here are the financial statements of Dressrosa for the past few years. You can review them on your own," Diamante, a high-ranking member of the Diamonds Army, said as he handed over some documents to Rowen. It was the first item for Risk Assessment.
Although "Risk Assessment" was a policy born out of an abnormal environment, the World Government's objective to maintain control remained unchanged. Even if they wanted to whitewash the situation, they wouldn't allow anything that posed a threat to their existence. Therefore, there was a set process for evaluation, and only when all the criteria were met and deemed acceptable could they consider complete whitewashing.
The first item was the financial statements.
Whether they were forged or genuine, they couldn't exceed the limits allowed by the government. It was an unwritten rule with no clear indicators, depending on the specific circumstances.
After all, if an impoverished Allied Kingdom Member suddenly possessed a shockingly large amount of funds, the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) wouldn't be able to rest easy.
As an Allied Kingdom Member, if you didn't pay the Heavenly Tribute that was required of you, what were you thinking? Were you planning a rebellion?
Naturally, Dressrosa's true wealth would definitely surpass the established limits. That's when the second evaluation procedure would come into play.
The second item was the payment of fines.
Risk Assessment was a policy designed to whitewash influential pirates, just like the backup plan prepared by the Pucci Pirate United Army. Without paying a price, how could they expect to be whitewashed?
If the amount on the financial statements differed significantly from the unwritten rule, whether it was more or less, the difference had to be made up. The specific amount depended on the "sincerity" of the pirate.
At the same time, if there were any criminals with bounties within the country, if they wanted to be whitewashed, all of their bounties had to be paid in full.
Doflamingo, who became a Shichibukai at a young age and had the legitimate right to plunder, didn't have many members of the Donquixote Family with bounties. Furthermore, his own bounty didn't exceed one billion.
One Billion was definitely not enough to satisfy Rowen. It wouldn't be enough to make Dressrosa break a sweat, and he wouldn't be able to complete his mission upon returning.
Doflamingo was aware of this as well. After all, he was a Celestial Dragon. Therefore, he showed enough "sincerity" when it came to the fines…
"Vice Admiral, the total is 6,370,000,000 Belly (Six Billion Three Hundred Seventy Million))."
After calculating, Dante whispered to Rowen, "The Fleet Admiral's intention is 5,000,000,000 (Five Billion) Belly. That should be enough."
"Yes, I understand." Rowen took out a pen and signed the fine receipt prepared by the Marines, and then a copy was handed over to Doflamingo by Diamante.
"Hahaha! Vice Admiral Rowen is so straightforward. Aren't you afraid that I won't pay after signing?"
Suddenly, Doflamingo spoke, seemingly lost in thought.
"If the Donquixote Family and your own freedom are only worth 6,400,000,000 (Six Billion Four Hundred Million), you can give it a try…"
"Huh? Wasn't it 6,370,000,000 (Six Billion Three Hundred Seventy Million)?"
Clutching the document that represented their humiliation, Diamante felt his heart bleeding. This was the wealth they had accumulated painstakingly over the years, and now, because of a single statement from the Marines, they had to hand it all over.
Upon hearing Rowen's report, Diamante was the first one unable to bear it and questioned, "The number 7 has some mysticism to it, and I don't like it, so I changed it…"
Rowen calmly looked at him, tilting his head and giving a sidelong glance. "What? Do you have a problem with this?"
Opening the document, Diamante looked at the striking "6,400,000,000 (6.4 Billion)" that remained in the amount column after it had been crossed out. The iron cloak behind Diamante transformed into long swords that intertwined, pointing directly at Rowen.
"You Bastard! How dare you!!!"
"Insolence!"
Dante glared at him, unsheathing his sword. The icy cold killing intent emanated from Dante was like that of a wild beast choosing its prey.
Although they knew this was the best way to maintain peace, the "Risk Assessment" system constantly challenged Dante's concept of "Justice."
The higher the position and authority, the more doubts arise.
Who dares to say that the Marines who become scoundrels and traitors every year were not once individuals who upheld justice?
They all chose to abandon themselves after realizing the "truth."
Dante was fortunate to have Rowen, a senior official who was neither good nor wicked, suppressing him, and allowing him to have a choice that did not lead to complete darkness.
Diamante dared to reveal his killing intentions to Rowen. Whether it was to maintain the crumbling justice in his heart or as the duty of a Vice-Captain, Diamante had to die!
Moonlike Stream Murdering Sword · Three Days Dance of the Moon!
Buzz!
The sound of swords resonated as the cold moon appeared and without giving Diamante any room for regret, at the moment Dante's words fell, a majestic Sword Energy burst forth.
"This Justice Loving Bastard!" Diamante never expected Dante to be so bold, casually making a move in such a situation, aiming to take lives! Without much time to think, he drew the Western sword from his waist and swung it down from above, cleaving with force!
"Half Moon Sends for Burial!"
Swish!
Swish!
Two swords followed by two crescent-shaped Sword Energy collided at the critical point, and then exploded with a bang!!
Bang!!
Fragmented Sword Energy scattered densely, shooting in all directions. The members of the Donquixote Family who served in the vicinity were filled with fear. The aftermath of a battle between the strong was unimaginable, and ordinary people had no means of escape.
However, in contrast to the Donquixote Family, the white-clad Marines behind Rowen remained unfazed as they faced the Sword Energy that easily pierced through the floor without fear.
Compared to the Donquixote Family soldiers who cowered and fled, the difference between the two sides was clear!
"I didn't expect you to become this strong already. Indeed, a battle is the best catalyst to grow strong." Rowen said calmly as a Thunder God symbol appeared on his forehead. A current surged, forming a blue curtain in front of the soldiers, blocking the fragments of Sword Energy. It dissipated instantly, as if ice meeting hot coals, leaving no trace.
"It's this ability again!" Doflamingo's mind shook as he stared at the blue symbol on Rowen's forehead, clenching his fist.
He couldn't understand why Rowen, who hadn't even Awakened his Devil Fruit, possessed such terrifying control. The stronger the power of a Logia, the more difficult it was to control. This should have been a normal occurrence, stabilizing gradually only after Awakening of the Devil Fruit.
(End of this chapter)
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