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After the meeting, Sengoku, with a gloomy expression on his face, returned to inform the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) of the situation.
Everyone understood that regardless of Jason's true identity, he must now be Gol D. Jason!
The news had already made their actions public, drawing widespread attention from the Sea.
At this moment, admitting they had captured the wrong person would place an unbearable burden on the Marines.
The Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) couldn't afford to lose face and retract their statements, as such a revelation would be an unprecedented blow to the government's authority!
Sengoku needed to devise a plan to prevent those who knew the truth from spreading rumors and defaming the government.
Shepherd was finished!
With such a major blunder, even his extensive connections wouldn't help him. Perhaps suicide would be the most merciful option.
As the despondent Shepherd left, Rowen suddenly turned to Aokiji and asked, "Admiral Aokiji , may I ask you a question?"
"Please go ahead…"
Aokiji feeling weary, rubbed his brow and nodded.
"The deaths of the Anthony couple… were they related to you?"
Shuā!
Aokiji's tired eyes suddenly sparked with light. He stopped his movements, looked at Rowen seriously, and said quietly, "Why do you say that?"
Rowen felt a tightening in his chest as he faced Aokiji's imposing presence. He braced himself against the Thunder Cloud Dragon's power within him, maintaining his composure.
"As far as I know, the search for the Pirate King's illegitimate child on Baterilla island was a high-priority quest for Headquarters. Historical records clearly state that Headquarters had sent people to act several times for this purpose."
"And the Assassination Force was responsible for handling such dirty work."
Aokiji's pupils slowly constricted into pinpricks.
After a moment, he lowered his head, saying, "So, the Fleet Admiral actually knew all along?"
The Assassination Force members were the ones sent to assassinate the Anthony couple, and only the Fleet Admiral or the Chief Dictator could issue such orders.
"No, what was issued was a list of names, and the order was to 'err on the side of killing rather than letting anyone escape.'"
"So, regarding individuals, the Fleet Admiral probably didn't have the time to focus on them."
Rowen nodded slightly.
Indeed, he had guessed correctly.
The reason for the Anthony couple's sudden death was actually quite simple.
Their son, Anthony Jason, matched the age of the potential illegitimate child of Pirate King Roger. Adding to the couple's reclusive nature and minimal external connections, they were placed on the suspect list.
There were many names on the list, not only from Baterilla island but also from surrounding kingdoms, uninhabited areas, and every island Roger passed on his way back to South Blue.
The Assassination Force's role was that of a killing machine, a group of emotionless executioners.
"Err on the side of killing rather than letting anyone escape!"
These words are far bloodier than one might imagine.
The mission proceeded smoothly, with others on the list being eliminated one after another, creating no waves in the Sea, and it was as if they had never existed.
Until it came to Anthony Jason, the mission encountered an unexpected obstacle.
Someone had stopped them.
To be precise, it wasn't so much a stoppage as someone else had completed the assassination mission ahead of them.
The final result was that Anthony Jason was cleared of suspicion, but as a consequence, the Anthony couple's eyes were forever closed.
That person was…
Aokiji!
"Ah, I see, you even kept this on record?"
Aokiji rubbed his afro and said, "Thank you for the trouble, Rowen. So, what do you want to say?"
"Do you want to report me to Fleet Admiral? Accuse me of being connected to the Pirate King?"
"No, it's precisely because it was you who acted that I believe they had no connection to Roger."
To Aokiji's surprise, Rowen had no such intention.
"You are a principled man, Admiral Aokiji ."
"But your kindness might ruin you."
When Justice and kindness conflict, Aokiji would choose the latter.
With that, Rowen glanced at the old man appearing behind Aokiji, nodded, and then turned to leave.
"This kid is becoming more and more impressive!"
Garp clicked his tongue and sighed.
"The Assassination Force needs this kind of presence, right?"
Aokiji chuckled and turned back, "Garp San, are you here to see me?"
"Yes, and no."
Garp, looking around furtively, suddenly hooked his hand on Aokiji's shoulder, bending his tall, upright figure.
Aokiji, unable to assert his Admiral's demeanor with his old superior, had no choice but to stoop and allow the action.
Leaning his mouth close to Aokiji's ear, Garp whispered, "I have something to ask of you, Aokiji."
"Garp San, please speak."
"I know you have a mission and can't participate in the public execution, so…"
And so forth, and so on.
After a moment, Aokiji straightened up, his mouth twitching. "Vice Admiral Garp, do you really think… this can fool the Fleet Admiral?"
"How would you know unless you tried?" Do you want to see me get scolded?!"
Yes, I do.
But Aokiji wouldn't say that, only replying, "Alright, I'll keep an eye on it."
"Thanks for that, Aokiji!"
Garp patted Aokiji's shoulder, grinning widely.
Aokiji: "…"
Hey, take it easy!
You're almost making me lose my Elementalization!
---
After leaving the Fleet Admiral's office, Rowen didn't go far.
He slipped away and arrived at a very hidden door on the first floor of the Headquarters fortress. He reached out and touched the door.
zī zī!
A faint electrical current flowed through the metal door, triggering a mechanism. A slot popped out from the door.
Rowen inserted his key into the slot and twisted it slightly.
Ka…
The alloy door slid open to reveal a clean, white corridor behind it.
Following the maze-like passage to its deepest point and verifying his identity once more, the door finally opened.
"Chief Dictator!"
A tall, slightly thin man with short hair and wearing a mask approached Rowen and saluted.
Members of the Assassination Force, when not on a mission, were required to wear masks strictly, except for a few senior officials like the ever-visible Zephyr and Rowen. Other than them, all members adhered to this rule.
Moreover, members were not allowed to inquire about each other's identities. Violators were treated as traitors.
Looking at him, Rowen nodded. "How is the information I asked you to prepare?"
"It has all been collected."
"Bring it to my office."
"Understood!"
Passing through the hall where the auction was once held, the underground second floor was a complex space. Few people in Headquarters knew that, aside from the various emergency underground ports, there was such a space.
Layer upon layer, rooms for training, rest, storage, and documentation filled the space like a beehive. The personnel moving about wore animal masks and white uniforms, appearing like silent, ghostly figures.
Only when they saw Rowen did they stop, nod, or salute in respect.
This was the reformed Assassination Force!
A group of intimidating white ghosts!
And also the most powerful force under Rowen's command.
The lighting in the underground space wasn't dim; it was almost as bright as daylight. Yet, standing here, gazing at the silent and methodically functioning white-clad figures, a profound sense of oppression gripped the mind, making it hard to breathe.
Entering his office through a complex passage and sitting on the sofa, Rowen lit a cigar.
Here, where it was absolutely safe, the masked person removed the eerie fox mask with a sigh of relief.
"Ah, I was suffocating."
"Vice Admiral, the comfort of the mask could use some improvement. Could you report it to Vegapunk San?"
Wearing the mask for a short while was fine, but over time, Dante felt a suffocating sensation.
"CP organizations haven't made any comments for hundreds of years, and you can't handle a few days?"
Rowen shot him an impatient glance and waved his hand. "Give me the information."
"Yes!"
Shrugging, Dante pulled out a stack of A4 papers and placed them on the coffee table in front of Rowen, then stepped back and said,
"'Fire Fist' Ace, originally named Portgas D. Ace, is currently 20 years old. His mother has been confirmed as Portgas D. Rouge, from South Blue. Father unknown… He was taken in by Vice Admiral Garp on January 2, 1501, for unknown reasons, went to sea three years ago, was rescued by Red Hair Shanks after being captured on Gaya Island, then challenged Whitebeard and failed, becoming Whitebeard's Second Division Commander."
Considering how much had been uncovered, even involving Yonko, the Assassination Force's information capabilities were evident.
But the focus wasn't on this detail; it was on the conclusion.
"Therefore!"
Dante exuded a visible dark aura, his cold, piercing eyes radiating immense killing intent, causing the sword at his waist to tremble continuously.
"We have sufficient reason to suspect that 'Fire Fist' Ace is indeed the illegitimate child of Pirate King Roger!"
"And that Vice Admiral Garp knowingly harbored and adopted this Marine adversary with wicked bloodlines!!"
"This can be seen as treason!!"
(End of Chapter)