The evening sea breeze stirred one sparkling wave after another, as they crashed onto the beach. The pirate flag adorned with a blood-red skull fluttered in the wind, making a rustling sound.
On the deck, silence reigned, and not even the sound of a needle dropping could be heard in this scene.
Everyone stared in astonishment at the tall figure that had suddenly appeared in their midst. The impact of this sight was beyond words.
After all, this was no ordinary figure.
This was a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral!
In the Grand Line, few hadn't heard of the fearsome Vice Admirals from the Marine Headquarters.
While they might not be universally recognized as the world's top combatants like the Three Admirals, they could effortlessly apprehend pirates with bounties in the Hundreds of Millions or even Billion, making them the crucial backbone of the Marines.
The Garrote Pirates knew that their Captain was desperate to escape due to the appearance of the Marines, but they had no idea…
That their opponent was a Vice Admiral from the Marine Headquarters!!!
How could they possibly fight this battle?!
Even if all of them combined their bounties, it probably wouldn't be enough to match even one hand of his!
"Who are you…!!!"
Struggling to lift his head, Garrote, who had imprinted a humanoid silhouette onto the deck, stared at Rowen's face, his expression filled with shock.
"Undying Vice Admiral, Rowen!!" Someone suddenly exclaimed to the Captain's inquiry.
Hua La La!
Hearing this name, the pirates were in an uproar, and even Issho, standing motionless in the distance, was somewhat surprised when he heard that name and he furrowed his brows in thought.
"Oh? So, you actually recognize me?"
Zi Zi!
Rowen pulled a cigar from his pocket, lit it, and put it in his mouth. "I never thought my fame had grown this big. Even the little pirate groups that hide in remote corners have heard of my name. It seems I've become quite the celebrity!"
╮(￣▽￣)╭
After speaking, Rowen exhaled a puff of smoke. Without waiting for Garrote to reply, he suddenly shook his head and said. "Never mind, it's not that important…"
"Would you be interested in having a chat, Issho-San…? Considering I helped you protect the hostages." Rowen looked up and extended an invitation to Issho while ignoring all the pirates standing in front of him.
The latter naturally harbored distrust toward the Marines. Otherwise, it couldn't explain why he had spent decades wandering the seas without getting entangled with the Marines. He wouldn't have come up with a friendly demeanor when confronting Rowen.
Issho became an Admiral because he saw an opportunity to change the Marines and uphold his virtuous value, it was not because he was willing to become the government's lackey in exchange for fame and success.
Regarding this, Issho remained silent for a moment and then asked, "Were you the spies from the Marines who secretly filmed me a few days ago on Navé Island?"
"Indeed… Well, although I'm not surprised that you discovered them, it's still a bit embarrassing to admit…" Rowen nodded openly, then his expression changed, and he looked at Issho meaningfully.
"However, it's not 'The Marines.' It's just my G-10 Marine Branch, operating under my name!"
Not Marines, but Rowen?
A hint of surprise flickered in Issho's mind, and then he seemed to grasp something.
"In that case…"
Zi… Clang!
With a graceful flourish, Issho collected the beautiful Blade and smoothly sheathed his small dagger.
"In that case, I'm willing to hear what business Undying Vice Admiral has with me…"
"Thank you! Just wait a moment…"
Hearing Issho's response, Rowen nodded, then lowered his head and hid his hand beneath him, inserting gunpowder into the flintlock pistol held by Garrote.
"Hey hey, are you joking by making these little moves right in front of the enemy?"
"You?!!"
Garrote, who was about to launch a sneak attack, paled upon hearing the words and he quickly raised his gun.
Buzz!
The Thunder Cloud Sword suddenly appeared in Rowen's hand, followed by a casual slash, that split Garrote along with his gun into two.
Bang… Crack!!
This single slash not only ended Garrote's life but also split the pirate ship open. However, it left the dragon bones under the ship's hull intact, as if it were opening a coconut shell.
The villagers who had been confined in the cabin looked up in shock at the deck above, their eyes filled with disbelief as they gazed at Rowen, who was holding a cigar.
"You're safe now, go back home…"
…
A few minutes later, illuminated by the light of the burning pirate ship, Rowen and Issho sat on the beach, with several large barrels of strong liquor set before them.
Issho fully fetched a kettle of warm wine and held a wine cup in both hands, sipping it slowly in small sips. The heavily wrinkled face of the aged man was filled with enjoyment as he did so…
For Issho, who was currently "Down on his luck," the fine wine collected by Garrote was indeed a rare luxury.
Rowen wasn't fond of alcohol, and he mainly indulged in some of it because Issho was drinking.
After a few cups of wine, Rowen spoke slowly, "Issho San doesn't seem surprised at all about why a person who conceals their identity like yourself would be sought out by the Marines."
"No, I'm quite curious!" Setting down his wine cup, Issho shook his head, then chuckled, "But those things are all irrelevant… Since Vice Admiral Rowen has appeared before me, it means that Vice Admiral Rowen is completely confident in this matter."
"If that's the case, then the initial cause is not important at all."
Speaking thus, Issho implied something.
"To be frank, I must thank Vice Admiral Rowen for ordering the soldiers not to disturb me. Otherwise, I would have had a headache for a few days."
"Hā Hā Hā, I was a bit impulsive with that! For that, I apologize!"
"You don't need to apologize, Vice Admiral Rowen, please, let's just enjoy the wine!"
With a clink!
After the cups met and the liquor was downed, Rowen continued, "Since Issho San is so open-minded, I won't hold back either."
With that said Rowen placed the wine cup down and looked at Issho solemnly.
"I've come here today to ask Issho San for a favor!"
Issho slightly furrowed his brows, before he looked up, and asked inquisitively, "Is there really something that Vice Admiral Rowen, with your current authority and position, can't accomplish?"
...
(End of this chapter)
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