Roger, Rocks, they were just Haki Awakening users that Zephyr could reach, belonging to the "modern era."
But what about looking back over the 800 years of history?
Could this be a coincidence?
Whatever made the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) regard it as taboo, like the blank hundred years of history, it definitely wasn't because of Roger and Rocks. The real answer was already very clear...
The high-level power of Haki Awakening.
It was something only the "D" clan, the natural enemies of the gods, could master!
"Even if the bloodline is severed, the flame of inheritance will not be extinguished. There will be people in the future who will bear the same fate and challenge the world!"
"The will of 'D'..."
Rowen closed his eyes in contemplation. After a moment, he opened them again, as if nothing had happened, and asked, "Sensei, I've been stuck in Devil Fruit Awakening for a long time. Is there any solution?"
The future world would be even more exciting, anything could happen.
But whether it was dreamers or rulers, only power was eternal!
That was the unavoidable premise!
"Oh?"
Zephyr glanced at him satisfied, then nodded. "Well, it's about time I told you the trick."
"Really?" Rowen's eyes widened. Was there really a shortcut to Devil Fruit Awakening?!
Then why didn't you tell me before?
The moment his eyes widened, Zephyr knew what he was thinking and rolled his eyes irritably. "That's exactly why I didn't! You're too obsessed with power!"
"I didn't want to tell you before because Kizaru, Aokiji, and even Akainu didn't dare to tell you."
"It's all because they were afraid you would get lost in the pursuit of power..."
Faced with Zephyr's reprimand, Rowen smiled wryly.
He admitted that he was very obsessed with power. The title of "Marine Training Maniac" was still circulating in the recruit camp, serving as an excellent example for generations of recruits.
Zephyr shook his head, speaking seriously.
"Stay calm, Rowen."
"Devil Fruit Awakening isn't like learning Rokushiki or understanding Haki through practice. There's no saying that practice makes perfect, and it's not something you can master through hard work alone. Once you get it, you get it— it's a change in mentality."
"If you don't have the mentality to control that immense power..."
Shua!
Zephyr's eyes sparkled, causing Rowen to glance sideways involuntarily.
"You'll become a vessel for the Devil Fruit, a living fruit!"
Rowen froze.
A vessel for the Devil Fruit?
Monet!!!
Rowen wasn't a fool; he caught on quickly.
He suddenly understood why before, whether he asked Aokiji, Kizaru, or Akainu, they were all evasive.
Being obsessed with power wasn't a problem; the world of strong individuals didn't care much about character. But if, as Zephyr said, this happened to be a drawback...
If you didn't have the mentality to control that immense power that could eternally change the climate, your fate would be the same as Monet, the user of the Yuki Yuki No Mi (Snow-Snow Fruit), who became an incarnation of "Yukionna"—neither human nor ghost.
"What you need to do now isn't to pursue even greater power, but to reflect on yourself, and on what the Goro Goro no Mi (Thunder Thunder Fruit) truly means to you."
"You don't need to understand the essence of the fruit's power; you just need to find your own place."
Getting to the root of things wasn't the stepping stone to reaching the Devil Fruit Awakening stage. The technology tree in this world was so skewed that it was touching, and it wasn't possible to analyze the power of the fruit scientifically and then try to master it.
"You're putting too much pressure on yourself, Rowen."
"Since you stepped out of the recruit camp, for a full three years, have you ever really rested?"
Zephyr took a sip of tea. "I'll have Ain take care of G-10 for you. Take some time off and go out to relax."
"But..." Rowen wanted to say that he had rested enough during the six-month confinement, but then he thought, what kind of rest was that? That half-year was entirely a period of hibernation, like compressing a spring, waiting to explode.
Even steel suffers from metal fatigue, let alone a person?
"When you truly achieve peace of mind and face everything you have, including your shortcomings, I believe you will have mastered Devil Fruit Awakening."
"Understood, Sensei!"
Abandoning any defense, Rowen bowed respectfully to Zephyr.
...
Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral's office.
"What? Rowen is taking leave?!"
Kizaru looked incredulous as he stared at Sengoku, his eyelids fluttering rapidly.
He had to stay back in Garfield to assist Bald Zero due to his duties as an Admiral, so he ended up returning a few days late, which just happened to coincide with Rowen's absence.
"Yeah, quite strange, isn't it?" Garp muttered, taking a bite of his donut. "I thought that brat was always on the go, never a moment's rest... Turns out, even he gets tired!"
The changes Rowen had brought to the Marines in recent years were so significant that they hit every weak spot precisely, and they were inseparable from the effort he put in.
The hardships, like being chased by some fierce beast or a flood, made him dare not stop for a moment, even Garp felt tired just looking at it.
But...
"Hmph! Some people never get tired, but that's not necessarily a good thing!" Sengoku snorted, glaring at Garp with displeasure.
Garp: "..."
Talk about Rowen if you're going to talk about Rowen; don't beat around the bush, asshole!
With half a donut in hand, Garp glared with his bull-like eyes, staring straight at Sengoku.
Ignoring Garp's resentful gaze, Sengoku cleared his throat, paying no heed to the high-ranking officials around him trying to suppress their laughter, and continued.
"I believe you've all seen the documents. Now, I'll arrange the search missions for each of you..."
The most likely culprit was still Dragon, so the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) had issued a death order to the Marines to retrieve the lost data.
"Heh, Rowen!" Kizaru grinned. "Looks like you ran fast enough!"
...
Grand Line, First Half.
A regular merchant ship sailed through the winds and waves, like a pair of scissors, slowly tearing through the heavy curtain of the Blue Sea towards the unknown Sea.
The passengers on [The Euro] were quite curious lately. Ever since they passed by the Marine G-10 branch to exchange goods, the Captain had given up the best room on board and retreated to the deck to live with the sailors.
Those were guests of the White Gull Chamber of Commerce big boss! That was the answer the inquiring passengers got, and compared to the big boss of the White Gull Chamber of Commerce, the mere Captain naturally didn't dare to act presumptuously.
At this moment, in the cabin where the original Captain resided, a young man with an imposing figure and a dignified face, his deep eyes as profound as the sea, dressed in a well-tailored grayish-blue suit, sank into a soft sofa, holding a cigar between his fingers.
Faint fragrance wafted as white smoke rose.
"No, there are no arrangements at all. I'm really on vacation."
"...," Den Den Mushi perfectly mimicked the dumbfounded expression of the person opposite, then opened its mouth after a moment. "Okay, I understand."
"Oh, and warn Law to be careful recently. The Marines are going to make a big move, so don't cause any trouble and attract Dragon."
"Understood!"
After bidding farewell to Fujitora, Rowen took a puff of his cigar, looking rather annoyed. "Is it really that surprising that I'm taking a vacation? Everyone's coming one after another to ask... Seriously!"
Then he pressed the button beside him, and a crisp bell rang out.
Ding Ding Ding!
Soon, a young attendant knocked on the door and entered after being given permission.
"What can I do for you, Vice Admiral Rowen?"
"Please prepare a map of Alabasta for me, as detailed as possible."
"Yes!" The attendant replied excitedly, bowing deeply, then stood up and couldn't help but ask, "Vice Admiral Rowen, are you going to catch pirates?"
"I heard that Alabasta has become a haven for many pirates in the past two years. If it weren't for commercial transactions, the Captain wouldn't dare to approach."
Rowen: "..."
"Get lost!"
The attendant's expression froze for a moment, then he broke into a cold sweat and hurriedly ran out.
Before long, just as Rowen was studying the topographic map to compare routes, he felt the ship gradually slowing down and stopping. Soon, a hearty laughter rang out outside the door.
"Hahaha! Rowen, who are you going to deal with? Count me in!"
"Hiss... How did this asshole get here?" Rowen's face was filled with black lines.
(End of this chapter)
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