The atmosphere around was somewhat strange. Workers in the distance heard the commotion, looked up, and saw Rowen, and their expressions turning peculiar.
A Marine!
Furthermore, it was "Undying Vice Admiral" Rowen, a prominent figure within the Marine, often rumored to be the next Admiral.
This was a formidable character; why had he suddenly appeared in Century City?!
"I see… Are you in charge of the decorations here?" Rowen didn't linger on this matter and pointed to the palace's layout, inquiring.
He was highly satisfied with this unconventional yet luxurious simplicity. He was certain that Fujitora, that slob, would never have come up with it. You couldn't expect someone who dressed in casual attire like it was pajamas to have any sense of aesthetics, right?
Being locked in Rowen's subtle gaze, Koala let out an awkward smile. "Y-Yes!"
"You've done well. Keep it up!"
"Yes! I'll keep it up!"
Rowen patted the stiff worker on the shoulder and then turned to look at Fujitora.
"So, the busy man finally decides to see me?"
Deep within the palace, Fujitora, still wearing rough hemp clothing, remained unfazed. He closed his eyes, facing Rowen, and nodded.
"Vice Admiral Rowen is Century City's second-largest shareholder. I apologize for not coming out to greet you earlier."
"Please, this way. I've prepared some tea. I hope Vice Admiral Rowen won't mind."
"Not at all. What's there to mind?"
Rowen shrugged and cast a sidelong glance at Koala before striding toward Fujitora.
"Being regarded as an esteemed guest by the renowned Shichibukai Fujitora Issho is a rare honor indeed."
As Rowen and Fujitora disappeared into the depths of the staircase, Koala let out a relieved breath. A cool breeze brushed against her, and her back was soaked with cold sweat.
Several workers cautiously approached Koala and whispered, "Aneki, what should we do?"
"Undying Vice Admiral" Rowen was Century City's second-largest shareholder!!!
No one had told them this!
They only knew that Fujitora had dealings with Marine Headquarters, which was why the Marine was responsible for port security.
And Rowen himself wasn't comparable to the typical Marine soldiers who occasionally caused minor disturbances near the port!
Koala thought for a moment and clenched her teeth. "He might not know yet. Be careful not to expose anything, and I'll contact the Leader!"
As she said this, Koala rubbed her ears, feeling like she had experienced an auditory hallucination just now.
"This is my second gift to Dragon…"
The voice that had seemingly materialized out of thin air beside her ear made Koala's heart grow cold.
On the second floor of the palace, this was the designated VIP area. Only guests with a certain level of wealth and status were qualified to come up here. Currently, this area is still empty, with most of the workers and Fujitora residing here.
It was noon, and the others had left the tent to work. Fujitora led Rowen to his tent, setting up a table and teapot, and inviting Rowen to sit down.
"It's hard to imagine that you're living such a simple life…"
The table was a small wooden one, and the teapot was a simple ceramic one costing a mere hundred Belly. Alongside Fujitora's hemp clothing, his living standards were evident.
"By enduring solitude, you stay true to yourself."
Fujitora, a kindly soul, smiled gently as he poured tea into Rowen's cup. The tea's inferior quality assaulted the nostrils with an unpleasant smell, but Rowen still drank it in one gulp.
"I've learned from that. However, I still believe that involving the Revolutionary Army in Century City may not be a good idea."
"Perhaps you can endure solitude, but I'm certain Dragon can't."
Kuang Lang…
As the tea cup's lid, just lifted, fell back onto the tea, Fujitora's face revealed a shocked expression, and he exclaimed, "You…?!"
Fujitora had always assumed that he had never contacted them, simply ignoring certain small actions during the construction of Century City. There was no direct connection. How could Rowen see through it?
Why?
Because I read the original work, old cutie!
Rowen knew what Fujitora was thinking and poured his teacup full, saying calmly, "To avoid arousing Marine's suspicion, drawing a clear line between us and the Revolutionary Army is the only way."
"Once the construction of Century City is completed, we can let them leave. You should be aware of your current reputation in the Sea. If you join the Revolutionary Army, it would severely damage the government's credibility!"
Even Sea's acknowledged "Virtuous Man," "Fujitora" Issho, didn't subscribe to the World Government's ideology. The waves he could stir among ordinary people were far more significant than what a simple evildoer could manage.
Fujitora remained silent for a moment and then sighed.
"Well, I'll be honest with you. I did have some contact with them. But that was before I became a Shichibukai. In the future, I just want to protect the people here and not get involved in your wars."
"But Fleet Admiral won't see it that way…"
Rowen smirked mischievously. "And neither will Dragon!"
It didn't require Fujitora's stance; Dragon's stance was what mattered.
Rowen believed that Dragon would have some unexpected tricks up his sleeve.
If Rowen had already achieved his next plan, he might be interested in playing with him. But not now; he needed Fujitora firmly on his side.
Fujitora wasn't a fool. Rowen had undoubtedly shattered his last glimmer of hope. He wore a wry smile and shook his head.
"They invested heavily in Century City initially, and now we're burning their bridges. I can't bring myself to open my mouth about it."
"Even if you can't, we will. Calculate the cost of various supplies and tell me. I'll cover it for you."
"Naturally, you're the largest shareholder. No one can deny that."
Rowen exuded the arrogance unique to wealthy tycoons, leaving Fujitora stunned.
After a while, Fujitora nodded in silence. "Understood, and thank you, Vice Admiral Rowen."
"You're welcome. I came to you today with something to ask."
Fujitora's expression turned serious, and he put down his teacup, preparing to listen.
"Vice Admiral Rowen, please go ahead."
"I wonder, Issho-San, what are your thoughts on the recent news?"
Suddenly, Fujitora's eyes widened in disbelief.
"The Yonko… you mean?"
—
In the New World, on an unnamed island…
The Hundred Beasts Pirates, unlike the other three pirate crews, didn't have a fixed base. This was because their Old Boss was a Monster who liked to roam around alone, seeking death.
So, the Hundred Beasts Pirates didn't have a stronghold. They claimed whatever sea they happened to be in at the time, with the only difference being the duration of their stay.
Now, in a cave on a certain part of the island, a giant, menacing man cried like a child.
"Waaah!! Jack, my Jack!!"
"Why did you have to die?!"
This man had shoulder-length disheveled black hair, two horns protruding from his head, and a long, Dragon-like beard on his mouth. A Dragon scale tattoo adorned his left arm, and he stood there like an ancient, monstrous god, exuding immense ferocity.
He was the Hundred Beasts Pirates' Captain, known worldwide as the "Strongest in Duels" and "Hundred Beasts" Kaido!
In front of Kaido's massive figure, tears fell like small cannonballs, scattering the crew members who ran in all directions. After a long while, a crew member peeked out from behind a rock, holding a piece of tattered brown paper.
"Captain, the ship… Jack-Sama is still alive!"
"Jack-Sama was just thrown into the sea. King Sama has already set off to rescue him!"
Kaido sniffled, picked up a giant jug of sake even larger than the ones Whitebeard often used, and took a sip.
"Huh? Really?"
"It's true, Jack-sama was just thrown into the sea. King Sama has already set off to rescue him!"
"But… damn it!"
Suddenly, Kaido, inebriated, erupted in anger, and his massive spiked club, which appeared from nowhere, smashed ruthlessly into the ground.
Bang!!!
Rocks flew, and the earth trembled. When the dust settled, a deep chasm had appeared in the cave, winding its way through the entire island!
"Jack, you worthless piece of crap!"
"Let him solve this by himself! Otherwise, tell him to not bother coming back to see me!"
Kaido's crew members were used to his erratic moods when drunk. They wiped their foreheads with cold sweat and nodded fearfully.
(End of this chapter)
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