"So, this is Roger's son, Gol D. Jason?" Vic's eyes lit up as he approached.
Akainu wanted to intervene, but seeing Sengoku shake his head, he stepped back and let Vic through without a word.
"He does look quite similar!"
"No... I'm not..."
Jason weakly lifted his head and, with dry lips, managed to utter a few words.
"No, you must be."
Vic leaned in close to Jason's ear and whispered in a low voice that only those nearby could hear.
Akainu's expression darkened. As the steward of that esteemed figure, Vic's words often carried the weight of his master's thoughts.
"Must"?
A clever choice of words, wasn't it?
"I... cough cough..."
Jason seemed to realize what was happening, and with a sudden surge of energy, his eyes widened, his face flushed, and he coughed up bloody phlegm.
"Medical team, get over here and check him!"
Akainu shouted as he witnessed this.
"No need! Once you've stepped into the Holy Land, it's not so easy to die."
Vic waved his hand dismissively, then turned to Sengoku: "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, please follow me. The Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) have already prepared a place for the Marines to stay."
"Thank you, Mr. Vic." Sengoku slightly bowed his head in respect.
"No need to be so formal. Please, follow me!"
The white-clad soldiers silently stepped onto the automated floor, which moved forward as countless slaves pushed it from below.
Rowen couldn't help but wonder— given Vegapunk's scientific advancements, wouldn't it be easy to replace this manual labor with machines?
But considering the culture of the Celestial Dragons in the Holy Land, his curiosity quickly turned into self-mockery.
After all, what could be more satisfying for them than asserting their superiority through the labor of others?
As the Marine forces entered the main city of Mary Geoise, the various factions lurking within instantly turned their attention toward them. Most focused on the black-haired Jason, who was about to be executed, while a few whispered among themselves, astonished by the Marines' formidable presence.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku!
Admirals Akainu and Kizaru!
"Undying Vice Admiral" Soryu (Azure Dragon), and "Marine Hero" Garp!
Only Aokiji was absent, having been dispatched to deal with reports of Revolutionary Army activity.
Even so, with these powerhouses guarding the front, center, and rear, any attempts at an ambush felt as futile as trying to divert a river against a cliff— completely hopeless.
"Left side, three streets over, in the alley— seven individuals."
"Nine hundred meters behind us— a spy."
"Second floor on the left— a mother and daughter."
As the group advanced slowly, Rowen's eyes crackled with brilliant electricity, and the mystical "Thunder" character appeared on his forehead.
Each time he identified a location, white-clad figures swiftly moved in. After brief skirmishes, the hidden observers were apprehended one by one.
"What are you doing? I'm the King of Rand Country! I was invited to attend!"
"Oh? Is that so? Why would a King be lurking in a dirty alley like a thief, spying on the escort team?"
"I..."
"Can't explain? Then you'll have to come with me."
The masked figure in the white robe, hiding their true identity, radiated a chilling killing intent. The self-proclaimed king felt this intense aura and gritted his teeth.
"We've been exposed, everyone, attack!"
With that, he drew a weapon from beneath his large cloak and swung it towards his opponent.
But...
"Where are your men?!"
"Don't bother. The CP0 and Marine Assassination Force are working together— no one escapes."
"Your companions are already dead!"
Rob Lucci smirked coldly, effortlessly blocking the weapon with just a finger, then flung the attacker aside.
"You're next!"
*Shigan: Willow Wind!*
In an instant, a wave-like air blade cut through the air. The so-called lord of a small nation froze in place.
A thin red line appeared on his neck, slowly widening as blood sprayed three meters away with a hissing sound.
"Ugh..."
*Thud!*
Without a glance at the fallen man, Rob Lucci pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the blood from his fingers, saying, "Team Two, clean up the scene. Team One, follow me."
A voice came from the Den Den Mushi on his shoulder—it was Rowen's. In the southeast direction, another group of spies was lurking.
Rowen's unique Thunder-Lightning Human physiology, capable of receiving electromagnetic waves, combined with his Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki), had evolved into something far more advanced after his Devil Fruit awakening. Previously, his ability was similar to Enel's, which he called the "Heart Network."
However, after the awakening, Rowen's Heart Network also evolved. Not only could he listen to sounds, but he could also sense hostility from afar and detect the strength of enemies.
He called it the "Heavenly Network."
The Heavenly Network was vast and inescapable. Under Rowen's command, no spy could evade the Assassination Force and CP0's sweep— except for those Celestial Dragon households that had installed Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) jamming devices.
"What a terrifying ability!"
Akainu, walking ahead, felt a chill in his heart. This was his first time witnessing Rowen's Heavenly Network, and he was deeply uneasy about its capabilities.
Others in the know felt the same way.
The omnipresent surveillance, like a heavenly eye watching everything, pressed down on them with immense pressure.
Just like its name suggested.
Heavenly Network!
While their Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) could only vaguely sense disturbances within a hundred meters, Rowen could monitor an entire city as vast as the Holy Land in minute detail. It was simply unbelievable!
"As expected, Vice Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon), your predictions were spot on."
Vic suddenly appeared beside Rowen, nodded, and smiled, "Those non-allied kingdom members who came alone were likely replaced by pirates long ago. If they'd started causing trouble, the consequences would have been disastrous."
"You've done a great service!"
"I owe this to the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) for making it possible."
"If they hadn't agreed to hold the execution in the Holy Land, I wouldn't have had the chance to contribute."
Rowen humbly waved his hand.
The Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) had likely already identified these suspicious individuals but hadn't acted, fearing they might alert them too soon. Rowen's intervention had now eliminated at least half of the hidden threats, making the public execution much safer.
However, there were still those hiding deep within the buildings who hadn't made any moves. Even Rowen couldn't foresee and root them out.
"By the way, when Jason goes to meet that important figure later, how about Vice Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon) accompanies me?"
"After all, it wouldn't look good for an outsider like me to escort him around alone."
*Shua!*
Rowen's pupils constricted sharply.
But he kept his expression calm, "Allow me to request permission from the Fleet Admiral. As a soldier, following orders is my priority."
"Hmm, that's reasonable."
Vic gave him a deep look and nodded.
After passing through the main street of the Holy Land, the Marine forces arrived at another iconic building, the Tri-Force Command Center, where "Steel Bone" Kong was stationed.
After Sengoku officially met with Kong and as the forces were being stationed, Rowen went to find Sengoku and explained Vic's request.
"In that case, you should go."
Sengoku patted him on the shoulder.
Then, in a quiet voice, he said:
"Remember what I told you before, Rowen."
"Don't take sides in the upper-level power struggles. You have the strength to stay neutral."
"I'm well aware..."
Rowen responded with a smile. After all, he knew very well the weight of being a First Grade Honor Medal holder.
That medal granted him the privilege of sneaking into a Celestial Dragon's household and roughing them up without anyone raising an issue, as long as it wasn't made public— a divine gift of immunity!
"That's good. That important figure rarely interferes in the lower-level struggles. It might be beneficial for you to meet him—it ensures your safety."
Sengoku relaxed and smiled.
Little did he know, Rowen was inwardly smiling bitterly.
It was precisely because of this that he wasn't sure if this meeting would bring fortune or disaster.
Because the things he had done couldn't be concealed by a First Grade Glory Medal.
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