While Law went to meet Sengoku, Rowen ran to the family town to find Zephyr.
He didn't care much about what Sengoku would talk to Law about. The decision was in Sengoku's hands, and if he didn't want to tell Rowen, there was no way Rowen could eavesdrop.
It was better to find Zephyr and ask him to help persuade Ain to come back.
However...
"Zephyr-sensei is out?!"
Staring at the empty courtyard, Rowen was dumbfounded.
"Huh? You didn't know?"
Admiral Aokiji walked over, rubbing his eyes groggily. "The practical training for this year has started. Considering that this is the first time Binz and Shuzo are leading the recruit camp for practical training on their own, Zephyr-sensei couldn't rest assured and decided to go with them."
The current three Admirals were all students of Zephyr from the first and second generations, so they owed him a debt of gratitude. Moreover, Aokiji was not like Kizaru; he had a very good relationship with Zephyr, hence the casual use of "Sensei".
In the year 1519 of the Sea Calendar, even though Zephyr was old, his influence was still formidable. Apart from the three Vice Admirals, could any other Vice Admirals at Marine Headquarters guarantee victory against him?
Not to mention Shuzo and Binz, who were only Rear Admirals and Commodores.
Considering that these were his two disciples' first time leading a team, Zephyr, who couldn't rest assured, felt that he should lend a hand and went with them. And he took Ain with him.
Took Ain with him!
That was the key point!
"Oh... I see now!"
Rowen sucked in a breath of cold air, his teeth aching.
He had been away from the recruit camp for so long that he almost forgot about the annual practical training.
"But... Admiral Aokiji, why are you here?"
Putting aside this thought, Rowen looked at Aokiji in confusion.
Although the family town was adjacent to the headquarters fortress, and Marine officers often came to relax, Aokiji was not that type of person. Most of the time when he didn't have a quest, he was either at home, in his office, or sleeping in the meeting room.
"I'm here to find you."
Aokiji squinted, rubbing his afro head. "Well, it's too complicated to explain. Just follow me."
Rowen frowned silently.
What kind of matter could be so important that it required Aokiji to personally deliver the message?!
Walking along the street back to the headquarters fortress, Aokiji led Rowen to the lower level of the fortress, even deeper than the warehouse area, into an underground chamber.
Aokiji gave a slight cough in front of a metal door, then placed his finger on a semi-transparent panel.
Kā cā...
As the airlock contracted, the metal door slowly opened to reveal a metallic corridor, illuminated by white lights on the ceiling, making it as bright as day.
Rowen noticed that both the outer door and this inner corridor were equipped with surveillance Den Den Mushis in the corners.
It was clear that even if someone could pass the fingerprint detection device outside, if the person was not an authorized individual or if there was a problem with the surveillance Den Den Mushis, the door would not open.
"What's here? A secret Marine research project?"
As Rowen followed Aokiji through the winding and complex underground passage, his Observation Haki spread out. He was surprised to find that this was actually a labyrinth of underground passages, not much smaller than the surface fortress!
And there were layers upon layers, with at least three levels!
If this kind of building appeared elsewhere, Rowen wouldn't be surprised, but this was Marine Headquarters. As a Vice Admiral candidate, he was even surprised to learn that there was another secret place beneath the fortress!
"Well... how should I put it?"
Aokiji scratched his head, emitting a strong smell of salted fish. "Just consider it as a refuge... To be honest, I haven't seen them researching anything here, but it's filled with food and weapons."
Food and weapons?
Rowen's mouth twitched.
So Marine also has a sense of a Doomsday crisis, hence they built such a refuge?
But rather than a shelter like an air raid shelter, Rowen would prefer to believe that this was a place where Marineford hid some secrets.
After being led by Aokiji, the two quickly passed through the maze-like area used to block pursuers, crossed two flights of stairs, and arrived at a large door made of Seastone at the bottom.
Aokiji walked up to stand within the range of the surveillance Den Den Mushi's vision and took out a golden-like badge from his pocket.
This scene made Rowen furrow his brows tightly because it meant that Aokiji's Admiral shoulder insignia was meaningless. To enter here, one had to pass through this internal badge recognition system.
"Could it be a contingency plan left behind by the government at Marine Headquarters, or perhaps a security mechanism similar to a last line of defense?"
Whatever it was, it was definitely not a normal Marine organization!
As he was thinking, Aokiji suddenly turned to face Rowen, his lazy demeanor instantly tightening, and he spoke seriously, "Rowen, from this moment on, no matter what you see or learn inside, you cannot breathe a word of it to anyone, including me. Understood?"
"I understand the need for secrecy."
Rowen nodded. Anything involving Admirals surely required confidentiality!
As for the consequences of leaking information, Aokiji didn't mention them.
After all... was it necessary?
At that moment, the person behind the door seemed to confirm the identity of the visitors. With a grating "zhī ya" sound, the door slowly swung open.
Contrary to the anticipated dimness of an underground secret society, the room beyond the door was bustling with activity, as bright as daylight.
It was a huge conference room, with thirteen positions in total along the central conference table. Nine officers dressed in Marine uniforms occupied the seats, leaving four positions empty.
At the forefront was the amiable Vice Admiral Momonga, flanked by Admiral candidates Momousagi and Chaton.
Seeing this scene, Rowen couldn't help but gasp in surprise.
Headquarters Vice Admirals!
Including himself, ten out of the sixteen Headquarter Vice Admirals were gathered here!
And behind them was none other than Admiral Aokiji, hailed as the strongest force!
What were these guys up to?
Rowen nervously swallowed his saliva.
Did Sengoku know about this?
If he did, it was fine, but if he didn't... this amount of power was enough to overturn Marine Headquarters, right?
"Cough cough, everyone, we have a newcomer!"
The others seemed to be excitedly discussing something and hadn't noticed the door opening. It was Vice Admiral Momonga, sitting in the middle facing the door, who saw the two newcomers. He coughed to get everyone's attention.
Shuā!
Suddenly, all eyes turned to Rowen, making even the experienced Rowen tremble involuntarily.
Then, Chaton's eyes lit up, and with a speed imperceptible to others, he quickly approached Rowen with a smile, "Welcome, welcome, Vice Admiral Rowen. We've been eagerly awaiting your arrival!"
Seeing Chaton approaching with his Deceleration Domain open, Rowen instinctively activated his Thunder God Seal to prevent being ambushed and nodded, "Uh, yeah!"
Then he hesitated and asked, "Were you... waiting for me?"
"Yes and no!"
Aokiji walked over at this point, sat down at a vacant seat at the corner of the conference table, and pulled down his eye mask to catch some sleep. "The one next to you seems to be on a losing streak lately and wants to find someone to team up with. I suggest you keep your distance from him."
Losing streak?
Teaming up?
Rowen had an ominous premonition.
There was something strange about this place!
"Cough cough, Aokiji, Admiral, don't be so direct. I've just been having some bad luck lately."
Chaton coughed awkwardly, then suddenly realized that Rowen was staring at him with a strange look, making his scalp tingle.
"Well, it seems Vice Admiral Rowen doesn't know what this place is for."
Vice Admiral Momonga observed the scene and stood up, saying, "Before we begin, let me briefly explain."
After hesitating for three seconds, Vice Admiral Momonga nodded and succinctly stated, "Yes! Just think of this as Marine's internal Black Market."
Rowen: "Huh???"
Marine's internal Black Market?!!!
(End of this chapter)
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