Collaborating with Fujitora was a result of the Gorōsei's plan to arrange for Edward Weevil to rise to power. For the sake of Zephyr and more importantly, future arrangements, Rowen had to take action.
Kaido's defeat and retreat were due to Jack's unexpected intrusion into the duel scene. Initially uninterested in dealing with him, Rowen had no choice when Lirisk insisted on fighting.
And this time, the trouble with BIG MOM was prompted by information from Rob Lucci, along with an unexpected Awakening of his own Devil Fruit power that needed venting.
As Rowen had said, Katakuri was a nail driven into BIG MOM's heart after discussions with Fleet Admiral Sengoku, serving as a crucial means to sever the blood ties of the BIG MOM pirate crew.
That's why he wouldn't kill Katakuri.
However...
Who knew Katakuri would be in Alabasta?! I just went out to dig up treasure on my vacation, why would I need to hide my whereabouts? Why investigate beforehand?
Having been excluded from the core circle, Katakuri couldn't gain Big Mom's trust. There was a high possibility of receiving orders to cause trouble for him. It was like throwing down the gauntlet or testing whether Katakuri had any connection with the Marines.
BIG MOM was cold-blooded and ruthless, and her thoughts were easily predictable. And she couldn't just let him go in front of everyone, not to mention that only a few of them knew the plan. How would outsiders perceive it?
Just think about BIG MOM, she would never believe that Rowen couldn't handle Katakuri, and suspicion would surely arise.
In terms of the entire plan, this was completely unfavorable! It's all you guys in the background pushing me forward, making me go downhill, and now why does it seem like I'm the one scheming? I had no idea I was this awesome!
(╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻!
Rowen was quite frustrated and the look in his eyes became even deeper.
Katakuri's scalp tightened as he thought that Rowen was going to refuse him.
Not daring to be careless for a moment, he bowed his head and fully activated his Observation Haki, wary of every move Rowen made.
Was he going to make a move? Did he put his hand in his pocket? Is he going to draw a gun?
Katakuri's lips trembled with fear, and the moment Rowen raised his hand, he almost launched an attack directly.
The reason he didn't was that he recognized what Rowen held in his hand.
Katakuri: "..."
BuruBuruBuru... BuruBuruBuru...
Pā Jī!
"Hey, Fleet Admiral, there's a change in the plan. Katakuri has surrendered to us. Do you want to listen to him?"
Rowen held the Den Den Mushi, looking at Katakuri with a strange expression on his face.
How could he possibly make such an important decision on his own?
But he believed that as long as Sengoku's mind was sound, he would surely make a rational decision.
"Don't you dare call me at this time! Do you know what a mess the New World has become because of you?! Rowen, I'm telling you, your vacation ends this month. When the time's up, come back immediately! Otherwise..."
As soon as the call connected, Sengoku completely ignored Rowen's report and quickly berated him.
Rowen: "..."
Katakuri: "..."
"Or should I just step aside?" Katakuri, sweating profusely, avoided eye contact.
A few minutes later...
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Inside the Fleet Admiral's office, Sengoku crossed his arms, his eyes behind his frog-shaped glasses inscrutable as he weighed the pros and cons of the plan that had just formed in his head.
Finally, he reached for a bag of senbei, unwrapping it and taking a bite.
"Your siblings, they're quite ruthless, Katakuri!"
At Sengoku's words, Katakuri's expression shifted, suppressing the nervousness in his heart as he replied seriously, "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, please rest assured, I understand. As long as I'm given enough time, I will persuade them not to cause trouble."
Nobody understood the bad temper of his siblings better than Katakuri. When the BIG MOM pirate crew ruled over Totto Land, his family didn't have the status they do now. His younger sister Brûlée was even bullied by ordinary children.
But ever since BIG MOM established herself as a Yonko, they became princes and princesses of Totto Land, becoming vastly different from ordinary people. They were the ones who bullied others, and no one dared to bully them.
They got spoiled and pampered, they were nothing like the previous generation of Big Brothers and Big Sisters who had endured hardships.
Some of them were even cowards...
Katakuri believed that he could easily persuade these younger siblings of his.
The real challenge lay with his peers, those Four Sweet Commanders who were close to his age.
There might come a time when a brother would turn against his brother.
But he had to do this! Even if he could save just one more, he couldn't let the Charlotte Family fall completely.
Sengoku fell silent.
Despite the chaos reigning in the New World, which was pushing his hairline further back, it... didn't seem all bad.
"Six months!"
After a long pause, Sengoku spoke slowly, "You have six months, Katakuri."
"I promise you, as Fleet Admiral of the Marines, that during these six months, any Charlotte offspring who defect from the BIG MOM pirate crew and surrender to the Marines will be forgiven, and arrangements will be made for them to live in peace, hidden from the world for the rest of their lives."
Katakuri was overjoyed and was about to speak, but Sengoku interrupted him.
"But remember! If you dare to deceive me, be prepared for a joint pursuit by the person beside you and Admiral Kizaru!"
Rowen and Kizaru were Sengoku's most agile and powerful combination.
Once they set their sights on someone, not even a group of Yonko offspring, let alone a real Yonko, would fare well!
"I understand."
As expected, the hammer came down.
Katakuri understood. They were ultimately blood relatives of the Charlotte Family, and Sengoku couldn't completely trust them.
With the Vivre Card in Sengoku's possession, he held their lives in his hands.
Their fate rested solely on Sengoku's whim.
But he had no choice. If he wanted the Marines to turn a blind eye, this was a price he had to pay.
"Very well!"
With the resolution settled, Sengoku felt quite at ease. "Next, you'll continue to follow Big Mom's orders and set up an ambush. I'll arrange an ambush force at Sabaody Archipelago. When the time comes, we'll reveal a flaw to them, consider it your letter of marque."
"Regarding how to get the people out after I go back, I'll arrange for someone to contact you directly, any issues with that?"
No force could truly be completely unified; pirates could infiltrate the Marines, and Marines could plant spies among pirates. Katakuri knew that once this intention was established, every move he made would be scrutinized by spies, leaving him with no escape route.
"No!" With a bitter shake of his head at the words, he chose to comply.
At least this way, the Charlotte Family still had a chance.
...
Seeing Katakuri off, Rowen twirled his Thunder Dragon crescent-sided halberd in his palm before slinging it over his back. "How many people do you think he can take with him, Fleet Admiral?"
There were plenty of loyalists under Yonko's flag, especially those connected by blood ties like the Charlotte Family. Katakuri's words sounded good, but the implementation would be extremely difficult.
"Probably... 3 to 8 people!" Sengoku also didn't have much faith in Katakuri's efforts. Despite BIG MOM's madness, she was still a Yonko, and going against her would be extremely dangerous. "So our promise must be fulfilled, to show them a glimmer of hope for survival."
"And this matter..."
"Understood! Besides you. me, and Kizaru, there won't be a fourth person involved."
Rowen promptly saluted, making his stance clear.
Many in the Marines couldn't accept this "business-like" sense of justice, particularly those in the War Faction led by Akainu. Even Aokiji might be included.
Kizaru, who simply followed orders like a dead fish, wouldn't bother with the headache of "what is justice?"
So, except for them, secrecy was paramount, with no room for error.
"That's for the best!"
Taking a deep breath, Sengoku spoke with solemnity after a moment. "I know you have many questions, Rowen. There have been many developments within the government, and the situation is complex. For now, lay low in Alabasta. I'll explain everything when you return, understood?"
He hadn't directly ordered Rowen to return after their phone call just now, and Rowen understood the implication. He nodded, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.
"Yes!"
Click!
Hanging up the phone, Rowen stretched lazily.
Hmm? Should I tell the Fleet Admiral about my fallout with Lirisk? After all, unlike in the past when someone could vouch for me, the Nibelung Family has abandoned me, and Rowen must face everything alone.
Hmm... Nah, too much trouble.
With Sengoku's resources, would it be difficult to find out anyway? Definitely not.
With that thought swiftly passing through his mind, Rowen put his hand down, took a step forward, and disappeared from the spot.
(The end of this chapter)
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