The competition had already begun the moment Rowen was designated as an Admiral candidate.
During his time of confinement, Chaton and Momousagi had taken on multiple missions to solidify their foundations for future promotions. After that battle, both of them knew that, purely in terms of strength, they were unlikely to match Rowen.
The advantage of the Goro Goro no Mi (Thunder Thunder Fruit) was too significant, and when combined with Rowen's formidable combat talent and his reputation as a Marine practice maniac, surpassing him seemed like an impossible task.
However, the selection of Admirals wasn't solely based on strength rankings decided by Marine for their own amusement. It depended on their influence on the seas, their intrinsic value to the World Government, and most importantly, the balance of gains and losses.
Rowen was undoubtedly powerful, both in terms of strength and personal abilities, making the current Three Admirals wary of him. Yet, Rowen's recklessness often led to a series of unpredictable consequences, whether good or bad.
Becoming an Admiral wasn't just about individual strength but the overall impact they would have. It involved considering what each candidate would gain and lose. Therefore, the decision on who would replace the Admiral had to be carefully evaluated.
Furthermore, although Momousagi and Chaton currently had a significant gap in strength compared to an Admiral, Momousagi was still young! No one could guarantee that she wouldn't take that step in the future, becoming the second swordsman Admiral after Quinn Family's founder.
Chaton's Deceleration Fruit was different from "Silver Fox" Foxy's Slow-Slow Fruit, which emitted slow waves in a straight line. Within the slowed range, even thoughts would be decelerated, but Chaton himself remained unaffected.
Without Rowen's means of suppressing opponents through range, it was nearly impossible to defend against close combat, making his deterrent power more than sufficient.
The three of them were currently at the same starting point, competing to earn more military merit and strengthen their foundations for promotion.
However, Rowen was undeniably stronger, temporarily giving him the upper hand.
Take, for instance, the current New World quest. If Momousagi and Chaton were sent individually, it would be too strenuous for them. After all, their opponents were various Supernovas and pirates from all corners of the sea.
Deploying the "strongest force" Admiral would only raise alarms among the Yonko, as Rowen was one of the few strong figures capable of dueling with them without falling behind.
Therefore, Rowen, stronger than Momousagi and Chaton but weaker than the Three Admirals, was just right.
Moreover, after the various operations last year, there were very few pirates who dared to challenge Rowen within the pirate community, and the Yonko were no exception.
In the end, strength was everything, whether strong or weak.
...
Grand Line, New World.
The Qilin, with no attempt at concealment, completed coating at Sabaody and then descended through the underwater passage beneath the Red Line to reach the New World. For a while, the hearts of the people in the New World were in turmoil.
The Soryu (Azure Dragon) has arrived!
This phrase replaced "Marine has arrived" and spread widely in the New World, giving a sense of impending danger, much like the feeling of the wolf approaching.
Starting from Dressrosa, where Rowen became famous, there were few people in this sea who didn't know Qilin, the flagship of the Marine Soryu (Azure Dragon). Where there was Qilin, there was Rowen.
Rowen's thunder-patterned Qilin and Garp's dog-headed battleship became the two most dazzling battleships of this era in Marine. It was believed that when they retired or were destroyed, two... or perhaps one companion would join the Ox Bell near the Headquarters. After all, how do you explain a dog head?
At this moment, on the deck of the Qilin, Rowen lazily lay on a beach chair, half-dreaming and half-awake.
Now he finally understood why the old asshole liked to lie on the deck and take a big nap when there was no wind and waves. With a beach chair, a parasol, the gentle sea breeze, and the pleasant sunlight, it was too suitable for sleeping.
However, in this New World sky, there were no Skypieans. Gan Fall had told him that the New World's terrifying climate was contrary to common sense. Even at an altitude of several kilometers, it wasn't a safe zone.
Even if there were floating islands, they were bound to be uninhabited, so Rowen couldn't pick up a Marine from there, unlike Garp.
Drip, drip, drip...
At this moment, a series of footsteps echoed, and Rowen weakly raised his head, saying before the newcomer spoke, "Tell the Fleet Admiral that we won't arrive at Punk Hazard for another three days. What's the rush?"
...
Dante, with a face full of black lines, looked at him speechlessly.
After saluting, he turned around and walked away.
"You've got the Heart Network; you're awesome! But since you overheard our conversation, why not just let me answer directly?"
"Huh? Making me run around for nothing, is that what makes you feel better?"
However, this mission was aggressively pursued by Dante. Considering this, Dante chose to report back honestly; otherwise, Rowen would definitely use it as an excuse to send him back.
In just a few minutes, Dante returned once again.
This time, without waiting for Rowen to speak, Dante quickly reported, "Scouts discovered the traces of Germa 66 in the Albert Sea. Fleet Admiral wants us to go and ask them what they're up to."
Without pausing, Dante finished his report in one breath, and under Rowen's twitching gaze, he took a deep breath, "Should we change direction, Vice Admiral?"
"You've said it all, why are you asking me?"
Rowen rolled his eyes unkindly and waved his hand, "Go and make arrangements."
"Yes!"
Afterward, Rowen's eyes slightly narrowed.
Teach's pirate League had actually attracted the group of war mercenaries from Germa 66? Could it be that they were really planning to challenge the Yonko?
In fact, the more the pirate League stirred up trouble, the more confident the Marine became.
They were Marines, so they only needed to consider safety issues. The Yonko would definitely not sit idly by, allowing a force capable of challenging them to take shape in the New World.
The bigger the commotion, the less the Marine needed to intervene. The Yonko who couldn't stand by would take action to resolve the situation.
However, Rowen didn't believe Teach would be so brainless. The Blackbeard pirate group, just like in the original story, before advancing to the City, was far inferior, with only three small and two large kittens, not even comparable to the Straw Hats.
With just this strength and the mysterious pirate League, at most, they would create some trouble for the Yonko. Trying to overthrow them would be too ridiculous.
"I smell the scent of conspiracy!"
Stand users are drawn to each other!
Rowen's lips curled up, slightly resembling Issho.
"Can't you just die honestly? Why do you have to jump out and cause trouble!"
...
New World, the former G-5 branch site, now a large ship called "[The Drifter]."
This was a ship built by folks who treated the Four Seas as their home, appearing like traveling merchants. Calling it a ship would be more accurate to say it was a floating land.
Interwoven wooden planks formed a complex structure, creating a marketplace on the water. Pirates and merchants walked on the planks, negotiating business with the residents of [The Drifter].
Most pirates wouldn't refuse this opportunity to exchange goods and services. Therefore, apart from a few purely passing Pirate Ships docked at the makeshift pier, every ship participating in this marketplace, whether pirate or merchant, would be connected by wooden planks and iron bolts, forming new land, serving as part of the marketplace.
Although the G-5 branch had been sunk, it didn't sink too deep. The climate and environment remained stable, giving [The Drifter] a long time to stay. It was precisely because of this makeshift marketplace, resembling an underground black market, that this sea became a safe zone for pirates.
On the pier, a group of pirate part-timers were unloading cargo when suddenly they felt the sky darken. They looked up.
"This... what is this?!!!"
"It's Germa 66!"
Some seasoned pirates recognized which faction this castle, carried on the back of a giant-scale sea snail, belonged to and screamed.
Pirates with limited access to information stared in astonishment, subconsciously asking, "What? Germa Kingdom? Isn't that the fictional wicked army from the manga?"
"They are a group of war mercenaries active in the North Blue. It's normal for you not to know them since they only interact with high-ranking officials of various countries and have no contact with ordinary people."
An old pirate swallowed his saliva, looking at the open gate of the castle, suddenly realizing something, and looked back.
"Wait a minute, isn't [The Drifter] under the influence of 'Shipping King' Umit? Could it be...!!"
As giants in the Underground World, Vinsmoke Judge and Umit had a dispute over certain interest issues in the North Blue. It ended with Umit's defeat, withdrawing from the North Blue.
Thinking of a certain possibility, the old pirate hurriedly unloaded the cargo.
Regardless of the upcoming pirate League meeting or the grudges between Germa Kingdom and the owner of this place, these were matters that a small fry like him couldn't get involved in.
...
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