Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
"Huh? Rowen, what are you doing here?"
On the thirteenth floor of the fortress, Aokiji stretched lazily as he walked out of his office. He happened to see Rowen passing by the corridor and, after asking, he immediately realized, teasingly saying, "What? Is life in Impel Down getting boring?"
Everyone might find Rowen's actions in Impel Down cruel, but actions speak louder than words. Being able to completely eliminate the threat posed by the Level 5 and Level 6 criminals, Aokiji also thought it was well done.
No one in the higher echelons of the Marines is a saint. Even Vice-Admiral Momonga, who is known as the "Marine benchmark for righteous," has thousands of lives in his hands. While their perspectives on Justice may differ, their attitude towards pirates is the same.
The only good pirate is a dead pirate!
However, the prisoner issue involves many complexities, and everyone is unable to take direct action. Rowen, being bold and resourceful, was able to put his ideas into action.
To Aokiji's teasing, Rowen responded with a "hehe."
These guys weren't up to any good. They passed the buck to each other, and now they want him to write a self-criticism for the trouble he caused. It's just shameless!
Everyone in Impel Down is well aware of Rowen's actions, and it was only after tacit approval from various parties that he took action. But to effectively deter pirates, some information must be actively promoted.
On the surface, it seemed fine.
However, to maintain the "glorious and righteous" image of the Marines, Sengoku, in the last "passive" interview, sorrowfully stated that Rowen's actions were personal, condemning Rowen for dehumanizing pirates. He promised severe punishment, ensuring that such a situation would not happen again.
This manipulation was simply brilliant!
He tacitly approved Rowen's actions and promoted the information, and now, he was playing the role of the good guy criticizing Rowen!
Maybe he even invited the reporters!
Taking shamelessness to the extreme.
Considering that the outcome of assassinating the Marine Fleet Admiral would be very miserable, Rowen decided to let it go.
However, this move had a significant effect. The number of pirates sent to Impel Down, who had been locked up for decades, was terrifying. After the scenes of the "revealing" were broadcast in the news, ordinary people could only lament the cruelty of Vice Admiral Soryu, while criminals empathized with their fellow offenders.
According to intelligence reports, even the thriving human trafficking business on the Black Market experienced a cliff-like decline during this period. Any criminal activities that could potentially lead to being sent to Impel Down were effectively curbed.
Sengoku, therefore, gained a more stable sea situation, and Rowen resolved the potential trouble of Level 6 escapees in the original story. Apart from being used as a negative example and having to write a self-criticism, everyone was pleased with the outcome.
Seeing Rowen silent with a smile, profanity almost written all over his face, Aokiji remained silent for two seconds before turning away.
He left!
This matter was already tricky enough, it's better not to provoke Rowen.
Arriving at the Fleet Admiral's office, Sengoku, wearing his toad-shaped glasses, raised his head. Without even glancing at the self-criticism, he said,
"The New World G-5 branch has been destroyed for some time now. It's time to choose a new location for rebuilding."
Rowen: "Huh?"
Because of the duel with Lirisk, he had fought Jack, and as a result, the G-5 branch was retaliated against. The newly assigned crew and Mozambia were critically injured and dying within a few months. In the end, it was sunk in battle just before the official war with the Hundred Beasts Pirates began.
Rowen, being a firsthand participant, was naturally aware of these events.
But why tell me this now?
"G-1 to G-10, each branch has strategic value. We didn't have time to rebuild them earlier, and that sea has become a gathering place for non-Yonko pirates. If left unchecked, something troublesome might happen."
Sengoku ignored Rowen's confusion and continued speaking, handing a document to Rowen.
"... There are known to be over a hundred Supernovas throughout history, with over a dozen having bounties exceeding 50 million Berries. The pirate 'Blackbeard' Teach is currently lurking there, seemingly attempting to establish a pirate league."
Teach?
Rowen furrowed his brows and picked up the document.
The New World is the Yonko's territory, an area that even the Marines cannot control. They rule over vast seas like kings, leaving most islands unaware of the World Government, knowing only the Yonko.
So, apart from the Yonko's power, the remaining pirates in the New World have only two choices to survive.
One, hide like a bereaved dog, evading both Marine searches and Yonko pursuits, surviving in the midst of adversity.
Two, join a Yonko's power and become a vassal.
Many ambitious individuals who proclaimed to become Pirate King in the first half of the Grand Line willingly submitted after witnessing the unmatched power of the Yonko. They became the primary source of new recruits for the Yonko groups.
Due to the geographical location of the G-5 branch right on the front line between Yonko and Marine territories, there were almost no pirates who could survive there.
Previously, although Vice Admiral Vergo was a member of the Donquixote household, he dared not have too much involvement with pirates. He had to do what needed to be done.
Subsequently, Mozambia took over, intensifying the confiscation efforts according to Rowen's orders, making pirates who were hiding and evading in the East and West go into a frenzy.
As a result, a major battle led to the entire island of the G-5 branch sinking.
Without this stronghold in the New World, a large number of pirates who were neither willing to submit to Yonko nor daring to take direct action chose it as a place to settle.
Simultaneously, due to its proximity to the Yonko and the risk of sparking unnecessary wars, the Marines didn't dare to openly station troops there. With tacit approval from all parties, it became a rare safe zone in the New World.
A safe zone for pirates!
"So, what is my mission? Driving away those pirates, or responsible for the G-5 reconstruction? Or..."
"It's all your mission!"
Sengoku cast a sidelong glance at Rowen and said, "Do you think rebuilding the branch there won't attract pirate attacks?"
Rowen: "..."
Okay, I asked a stupid question.
Just think about the establishment process of G-10, and you'll know that the G-series branches are extensions of the headquarters, having a huge impact on a sea area. Not to mention pirates, even the Underground World would not willingly let them take it easily.
"But considering the geographical location, the new location cannot be too close to the Yonko. Otherwise, timely support will be difficult to maintain."
Sengoku took out a sea map and placed it on the desk, pointing to a marked location, saying, "This is Punk Hazard. It's closer to the Red Line than the original G-5, making it easier to support. At the same time, it's currently the farthest marine-controlled sea area, capable of both offense and defense. We've decided to rebuild there."
Punk Hazard?
That's a familiar name!
Rowen raised his chin, rubbing the stubble that had grown since he didn't have access to grooming supplies in confinement.
If he remembered correctly, it was not only the farthest marine-controlled sea area in the New World but also Vegapunk's secret research base. In the original story, Caesar Clown created the deadly gas bomb there, followed by the Aokiji vs. Akainu battle, and the Straw Hats' routine monster hunting. It was a crucial plot point.
Moreover, at that time, Vegapunk and Caesar were not researching the Pacifista for peace, but rather creating artificial Devil Fruits.
Now, with the plot changed so much, the replacement of the Pacifista is faster than before, already updated to PX-5, while Caesar is holed up in G-10 developing electromagnetic firearms.
So the question arises.
Is Vegapunk still working on creating artificial Devil Fruits there?
What is the Devil Fruit that Momonosuke, who will appear in 1522, will consume?
Rowen, that mysterious guy, hasn't received any messages from Vegapunk since their last meeting on the Ark.
Sengoku didn't know what Rowen was thinking. He tapped the desk with his fingers and said solemnly, "Teach's goal in establishing the Pirate League is definitely not as simple as it seems. Find out exactly what he is up to. At the same time, establishing the G-5 branch poses many challenges. Pay attention to safety..."
"Wait a minute!"
At this point, Rowen raised his hand to interrupt Sengoku, widening his eyes. "What about my vacation? And what about my G-10?"
In response, Sengoku glanced at him, giving a chuckle.
"Do you know how many people within the government want to deal with you because of the Impel Down incident? Sending you to the New World is for your own good, conveniently allowing the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) to reorganize their style and order."
"As for G-10, don't worry. That Quinn kid can handle things on his own. Also, don't forget, that your G-10 has the largest number of aircraft among the branches, second only to the Holy Land and the Headquarters. Who would dare to mess with G-10? You don't need to worry about it."
Is this even a human language?
So, I worked hard, broke my back, and in the end, I should be grateful to you?
Rowen was dumbfounded, gaining a new understanding of Sengoku's shamelessness.
(End of this chapter)
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