At the Marine Headquarters, in Fleet Admiral Sengoku's office.
"What?! Rowen lost control, what's going on?!!" Sengoku stood up, his voice full of shock.
Many could see that Rowen wasn't in a good state right now, so he agreed to take a break when everyone else was busy. But despite all the calculations, Rowen still lost control?!
"Yes, that's what happened." In the desert camp, a CP0 Agent spoke without a hint of the authority usually associated with Celestial Dragons, recounting everything that had happened today.
Normally, he wouldn't address Sengoku with such subordinate language, but now... there was no time for politicking; they could only pray that Rowen wouldn't cause a major disaster!
A Logia Ability user out of control is a world-ending catastrophe!
"Ssss!!!" After hearing the account, Sengoku cursed inwardly.
"These #&@!s!" Sengoku could guess one or two of Lirisk's thoughts. After all, there weren't many pieces of information he couldn't get his hands on in his position.
Orrick recently convicted and detained an official leaning towards the Gorosei during a government meeting, showing his influence and backing to the Gorosei in a subtle way. He had signaled the start of a war.
And Rowen was the first pawn he had prepared.
Handled by Lirisk, tempted by Awakening power.
Rowen's pursuit of power was never hidden, and in this event, both parties were willing participants.
If the irrational Rowen caused any trouble, Orrick could rely on Gorosei's subsequent handling to prepare for the next step of the plan.
"Wait!" Suddenly, Sengoku snapped awake. "You said Rowen retained consciousness?"
A Logia Ability user lost in Awakening would only act on instinct, a part of which is largely determined by the properties of the fruit.
Sengoku didn't have time to delve into the properties of lightning, but it definitely didn't include communication and conversation.
This was the voice of experience!
"Yes, Vice Admiral Soryu didn't completely lose consciousness," The CP0 agent said after a moment of silence, recounting what happened in the middle, then added, "It felt like being drunk for an ordinary person, a bit manic, but still able to communicate."
"There's still hope!" Sengoku's eyes lit up. "Do you know where he went?"
The CP0 agent looked up at Lirisk not far away, who was waiting anxiously for an answer, and asked in a low voice, "It's... how should I put it, Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
"If Vice Admiral Soryu says he's going to kill BIG MOM, do you really think it will happen?"
Pā Jī!
Seeing the Den Den Mushi being hung up directly, Lirisk's expression became even more worried.
This matter is really getting out of hand!
At this stage, going to war with a Yonko doesn't align with anyone's interests, including Rowen's own.
However, you can never wake someone pretending to sleep, or a drunkard.
In the sky above Alabasta, Zipper Thunder streaked across, leaving behind rolling thunder.
Rowen felt incredibly sharp-minded at the moment. After completely letting go and deciding to cause a scene, many past concerns were completely disregarded, and he didn't feel any problems whatsoever.
It was like the innocent boy at school being approached by his crush, or an adult waiting in a hotel room for a certain university beauty to come out of the shower. Different perceptions of the same event.
His body and mind were unprecedentedly relaxed, wanting to do something, so he just needed to do it, and if someone disagreed, he'd do it anyway.
"Huh? Lots of pirates."
At this moment, Rowen looked down and saw a large group of pirates attacking a town.
Cannon fire had already destroyed the town's feeble defenses, and the fierce-looking pirates were engaged in street battles with the defending soldiers. Everywhere there was the sound of fighting, begging for mercy, and crying.
This scene was commonplace in Alabasta, and following Cobra could only be considered unlucky for them. Butchers are always moved less by saints because butchers live a more tiring life than saints.
Commonly known as: One can't fill one's stomach without eating enough!
"However, who said I'm in a good mood?" Rowen grinned, lightning dancing around him as he moved quickly. Thunderbolts as thick as water buckets fell like pesticides from an airplane, and rain-like thunder poured down at an oblique angle toward the ground.
Bang! Kā chā!
Below, a figure familiar to Rowen was riding on the back of a desert camel, his expression as dark as ink.
"I know, MAMA, even if it's death this time, I won't disgrace the Charlotte Family!"
As Rob Lucci had speculated, Rowen, who had never hidden his whereabouts, came to Alabasta, and many people received the news.
Among them was one of the masterminds behind this event, the "Yonko" BIG MOM.
Being a formidable Yonko, retreating just because of Rowen's appearance wasn't in the cards. Even ordinary dark forces wouldn't show such weakness, at most they would temporarily halt their actions.
But leaving things unchecked was definitely not an option. The intimidation of the name "Vice Admiral Soryu" was enough to make even a Yonko tread carefully.
So, Katakuri, who found it difficult to return to the Whole Cake Island, was given strict orders by Charlotte Linlin to closely monitor Rowen's every move.
It was a rather dangerous mission; once discovered, the consequences would be immeasurable. But Katakuri had no choice. After all, he knew the reason why Rowen had let him go in the first place.
"Even if it means death, we must not let the Marines' conspiracy succeed!" Katakuri thought firmly.
"Hā hā hā, I trust you, Katakuri. But you also need to watch out for your own safety!" The Den Den Mushi's "heavy makeup" emitted a wicked glint from its disproportionately large eyes, painted with purple eyeshadow.
Katakuri nodded and was about to hang up the phone to urge the troops to speed up their looting.
At that moment, a thunderclap rang out from the sky, causing Katakuri to tremble in fear.
Thunder in the desert?
Looking up, Katakuri noticed the streaks of Zipper Thunder in the sky, breaking out in a cold sweat in an instant.
"Vice Admiral Soryu!!!" However, that bolt of lightning didn't linger for a moment because of his presence. In the moment of Katakuri's confusion, it disappeared into the horizon.
Katakuri: ...
Silence, a deathly silence filled the air.
But for some reason, Katakuri suddenly felt relieved. With difficulty, he opened his mouth and said, "MAMA."
"Hmm? Is there something else?" BIG MOM asked.
"Vice Admiral Soryu has left Alabasta right before my eyes."
BIG MOM: ...
Are you kidding me?!!!
BuruBuruBuruBuruBuruBuru
"Yes, report your findings directly!"
"What? The King's army was wiped out in the thunder? Don't you dare bullshit me!"
"Report! The G-3 branch has received news that Vice Admiral Soryu passed over their airspace!"
At the Marine Headquarters, in the hastily convened Operations Command Room, a group of people were fervently searching for Rowen's whereabouts.
It was happening too quickly!
Even if his consciousness was unclear and his personality drastically changed, the power of Awakening remained undiminished.
Rowen's supercharged travel speed was once again enhanced. In just over an hour, he had already left Alabasta, disappearing into the vast sea.
"Immediately follow this line of investigation, notify all Allied Kingdom members and Marine branches along the way to steer clear, then confirm BIG MOM's current location!"
In the Command Room, Sengoku roared hoarsely.
Then, he slumped back into his seat, his face contorted in anger. "Damn Celestial Dragons! If Rowen becomes the second catastrophe, I won't let you get away with it!"
(End of Chapter)
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