The Room of Flowers is a unique place. Generally speaking, the Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) blocking device is essentially a sonic weapon. By playing complex combinations of high-frequency and low-frequency sounds continuously, it disrupts "sound" to interfere with Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki).
This applies to all normal Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) users, except for those with special abilities like Katakuri, Apis, or Queen Otohime. Even Rowen's Heavenly Network couldn't penetrate it!
Interestingly, this blocking device affects everyone within its range, regardless of friend or foe. After Rowen's Heart Network ability was exposed, Sengoku commissioned the Scientific Force to develop this device from Vegapunk, and it gradually spread throughout the Holy Land and other critical facilities.
In short, it was highly targeted!
However, in the Room of Flowers, deep within Mary Geoise, Rowen couldn't sense the annoying noise typical of the blocking device. Instead, the air was filled with a strange energy that rendered his Heavenly Network ineffective.
The three stopped in front of a barred iron door entwined with vines. Vic signaled Rowen to step back before he approached the door and lightly pushed it.
*Pop!*
Something like an invisible membrane shattered. Rowen's eyes widened in amazement as the energy that blocked his Heavenly Network instantly vanished. Inside, a powerful and indescribable life force was slowly awakening.
Awakening—Rowen couldn't think of a better word to describe it.
When he first sensed the presence, it felt vast yet undefined, like a tree, a rock, or the ocean. But soon, as the energy began to stir, and a feeling of awe and mystery, like gazing up at the sky, washed over him. It was as if a beast had opened its eyes, and thunder crackled through the darkness.
The terrifying presence, like an abyss, consumed all of Rowen's attention, making him feel as though he were sinking into the sea— vast, lonely, quiet, and dark.
"Vice Admiral Soryu… Vice Admiral Soryu!" Suddenly, Vic's voice broke into his mind.
Rowen snapped back to reality, realizing he was drenched in cold sweat.
"How… How is this possible?!"
Rowen's thoughts raced. In that brief moment, he was certain of what he had witnessed.
The rise and fall of a planet!
At first, it was a scene of sunrises and sunsets, species evolving, tectonic plates shifting, herds of beasts running, and humans in their primitive state.
Then came the rise of kingdoms, armies clashing, rivers of blood, and the ebb and flow of empires. Finally, a grand structure rose from the ground, and a group of people stood beneath golden thrones, raising their fists towards the sun and crown as if making a vow…
Just as Rowen tried to identify those people, the vision abruptly ended.
Because he had awakened.
"I'm fine, just a bit nervous."
Rowen slightly shook his head to signal Vic that he was okay. He then focused his attention on his surroundings, just as he had done when facing Rayleigh's Haki Awakening, careful not to make any offensive moves.
Because he knew that what lay inside…
Whatever was here wasn't a human— it was a god!
"Nervous, are you?"
Vic frowned slightly, sensing that Rowen was hiding something from him. However, he shook his head and said:
"The master is already waiting for us. Let's hurry inside…"
"It's rare! Usually, we wait for Lord Im, not the other way around."
"Perhaps… it's because he's eager to see Roger's surviving son in person."
"Hehe, Vice Admiral Soryu, you really know how to joke."
---
Walking through a corridor adorned with vibrant flowers, a domed structure appeared in view. Unlike a residence, it resembled a grand temple hall— spacious and enigmatic.
Plants stretched their roots and vines along the walls, reaching up to five meters high, decorating the hall with lush greenery. Ethereal blue butterflies fluttered among the flowers, dancing in the sunlight that streamed through the gaps, filling the space with the vitality of life.
This was the Room of Flowers!
True to its name, it was a paradise for plants.
Opposite the entrance, beyond another door, there was an exit. What lay beyond that door was something Rowen dared not speculate. Standing before it, with his back to them, was a tall, slender figure draped in a simple white cloak.
The overwhelming presence that filled Rowen with dread emanated from this figure.
The true leader of the World Government!
Above the Celestial Dragons and the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars), the most exalted person in the world!
Im!
*Thud!*
The weak and exhausted Jason stumbled and fell to the ground, pulled by Rowen. Rowen and Vic knelt on one knee in a gesture of respect.
"Lord Im, Gol D. Jason has been brought here," Vic announced in a voice filled with deep reverence. The fanatical fervor in his eyes made Rowen's skin crawl.
It was the gaze of a zealot!
Silence. A deathly silence filled the air.
After an indeterminate amount of time, a calm, ancient voice, as vast as a mighty river, finally flowed forth.
"He's a fake. Take him away."
"The D family would never lack the courage to face me."
"Yes, sir."
Vic nodded, paying no heed to Jason's weakened state. He grabbed the chains beside Rowen and began dragging Jason away.
In the now empty hall, only Rowen remained.
And a god.
The atmosphere grew tense once more and cold sweat trickled down Rowen's face.
Rowen had never imagined that anyone in this world could exert such overwhelming pressure on him. Even when facing the enraged Kaido or Whitebeard, he had managed to maintain a level of calm.
After what felt like an eternity, the figure across from him slowly turned and spoke: "I want to kill you, but I'm reluctant to do so."
"Do you know why?"
Why?!
Rowen didn't look up. Instead, his thoughts raced, trying to find the answer.
Moments later, a spark of realization flashed in his mind, and he spoke: "Because I broke the balance!"
The moment Rowen saw Im's true form, he realized how laughable his previous fears had been.
He colluded with pirates?
He sought to establish his own kingdom?
He was a traitor?
These were concerns that Sengoku and the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) would undoubtedly care about, but to Im, they were insignificant.
It was like two beggars fighting over scraps, with one beating the other senseless, only to worry that their benefactor might be displeased… utterly ridiculous!
This was not just a difference in status; it was an elevation in the level of existence and mindset—so powerful that they didn't even belong to the same realm.
---
Would a lion care about two ants fighting at its feet?
99% of the time, no!
The only thing that could make Im develop a killing intent towards Rowen was his position— the bond that transforms him from a god into a mere human.
Rule!
Maintaining rule requires balance.
And Rowen's actions disrupted that balance.
Whether it was the balance between pirates and the Marines, the balance of power within the Holy Land, or even the balance between the government and the people— it was all the same.
But...
"No, I'm simply displeased."
Im, with clear eyes, gazed at the young figure cloaked in the Justice cape and spoke slowly: "For hundreds of years, no matter how history unfolded, everything has been within my expectations— Fisher Tiger? Gol D. Roger?"
"They were merely pawns existing to prove my greatness."
"If the era of piracy continued to intensify, without any surprises, the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) would initiate a grand purge within two years at the latest, restoring the broken balance... That is the future I foresaw."
"But now, that future is gone."
"Because of you."
Im's voice turned icy as he questioned,
"The last person to accomplish something like this was Gol D. Roger."
"So tell me, should I kill you?"
*Bang!*
A thunderclap exploded in Rowen's mind. His eyes widened in disbelief as he looked up.
Now he understood.
The problem wasn't about the ruler's need for control.
It was simply dissatisfaction with something escaping his grasp!
Like a regular person getting frustrated after a minor car accident, Im felt irritation when something deviated from his expected outcome.
Rowen was certain that if he were in Im's position for hundreds of years and something uncontrollable happened, he too would develop a killing intent towards that person.
In other words, Im wasn't a god— he was human too!
A person, just like Rowen!
Though he had the power of a god, he still possessed a human heart!
---
You can read ahead up to 90 chapters on my patreon and I've also activated (date to date) subscription model on my patreon https://www.patreon.com/darkshadow6395
As long as I reach 200 dollars on my Patreon, I will post 10 extra bonus chapters per month in batches of 5 for that month. If I reach 300 dollars then I will post 15 extra bonus chapters in batches of 5 for that month. If I reach 400 dollars then I will post 20 extra bonus chapters in batches of 5 for that month. So come and support me.