You can read ahead up to 90 chapters on my patreon and I've also activated (date to date) subscription model on my patreon https://www.patreon.com/darkshadow6395
"Do you really not know what's going on with Ain?"
Inside the office, a special interrogation was underway.
After being asked this question for the fifth time, Henry looked innocent. "Vice Admiral, I went on the last mission with you all! Do you think I'd dare to keep an eye on Colonel Ain?"
She's the boss everyone respects!
Who in their right mind would dare to bother her?
Without even mentioning Marine's Soryu, just the fact that Zephyr's flag is raised, all the heads of the Headquarters will stand up for Ain.
"That's strange..."
Rowen looked puzzled.
"Could it be something Zephyr Sensei said?"
A woman's heart is as deep as the ocean.
Rowen could understand the most complex martial arts techniques but couldn't fathom a woman's mind.
Woman, your name is "secret"!
"If you were Dante, that would be much better. He would definitely find out everything for me."
Rowen suddenly looked at Henry with disdain.
Henry is a very practical person. Without strength or talent, the only thing worth noting is his diligence. As long as Rowen remains in power, he is the most steadfast supporter of the G-10 Branch.
Henry: "..."
'I'm really sorry I'm not Rear Admiral Dante!!!'
Meanwhile, in the officer's courtyard mimicking Marineford behind the fortress, Ain returned to her home and the first thing she did upon entering was to activate a certain shielding device.
"I'm back!"
If Rowen were here, he would surely look horrified, as everyone knows, Ain lives alone.
However, as a response to her call, a cold voice came from the room, "Welcome back."
Each word was icy, not only lacking any emotion, but also as cold as a machine, and with the sound came a chill that spread through the room, causing the temperature to drop sharply.
Ain wasn't surprised by the change in the room. She calmly took off her cloak and hung it on a hanger, then went to the guest room and complained as she opened the door, "Monet, you should go out more. Staying in the room all the time isn't good for your health."
"Okay."
In response to Ain's concerned reproach, "Yukionna" Monet only replied with a single word.
Ain was used to this, sighed helplessly, and walked into the room to pick up the frozen paintings on the floor, arranging them one by one.
"I know you're worried about causing me trouble by showing your face. Tomorrow, Rowen will go to the New World for a quest. How about I take you out to buy some clothes?"
G-10 Gaya Island is entirely a Marine base, with no commercial activities.
But above is Angel Island, at an altitude of ten thousand meters, with the help of aircraft, going out is almost the same as taking a walk.
"Okay." Monet's response was still so brief.
So indifferent, Ain had no reason to cause trouble for Monet just because Rowen was hiding her.
Because in Ain's mind, Monet wasn't even a competitor!
...
New World, New World Frontline.
Centered around the rebuilt G-5 Branch by Marine, a frontline stretching hundreds of kilometers was like an insurmountable wall, blocking the crazed onslaught of pirates.
At this stage of the war, not only were the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) getting tired of it, but the combatants on both sides were as well, driven solely by an unyielding belief.
If we count Rowen's solo encounter with Big Mom, including the counterattack, this war has been going on for a full four months!
And there's reason to believe that as long as the core figures of both sides, Big Mom and Aokiji-Garp, don't do anything foolish and get surrounded and defeated, they could keep fighting for another year!
But as two major forces in the Grand Line, Marine, and the Yonko, if they were to fight for a year, the impact on the world situation during the process would be many times worse than if one side were to simply lose.
The Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) underestimated Big Mom's hatred for Rowen, so from the start of the war, it was forced into a stalemate, with neither side able to do anything to the other.
That's also why Sengoku agreed to adopt the Katakuri plan.
After all, if it were to reach that point, he as Fleet Admiral would be hard-pressed to escape blame.
At this moment, within the temporary Dictate department of the G-5 Branch, Aokiji remained extremely calm as he listened to the data being relayed by the personnel below.
"Vice Admiral Mozambia's stationed island was besieged by a large force of tens of thousands. Vice Admiral Garp arrived and routed the enemy, but Vice Admiral Mozambia's losses were severe, making it impossible to continue the defense mission."
"Hmm, have him reassigned to the eastern front to maintain logistical support."
As the current Base Head of G-5, Mozambia commanded a force of over ten thousand. The fact that he made the judgment that they could no longer continue the defense quest indicated the severity of the losses.
However, faced with such serious losses, Aokiji did not panic. He calmly made arrangements.
"Yes, sir!"
War is the best training for leadership.
As the overall commander, Aokiji felt immense pressure at the beginning.
He admitted to himself that he didn't have the same level of intelligence as Tsuru or Sengoku to anticipate the enemy's moves.
So, he took a straightforward approach, personally overseeing everything, constructing the most complete picture of the battlefield in his mind, striving to do his best.
Such exertion was something even an Admiral couldn't sustain.
There were several times when he fell asleep in his chair from exhaustion, but after just a few minutes, he would immediately wake up and continue coordinating the battle.
Now, as the situation gradually stabilized, Aokiji had fewer things to worry about, and he could finally relax a bit.
But compared to before, he now exuded a sense of calmness and dignity.
After more than a decade since the last major war, Aokiji felt as if he had returned to the era of Roger when battles were fierce. He was still lazy, but the way he presented himself was completely different.
Before, he seemed like a worldly monk who had seen through the illusions of life.
Now, he was like a dangerous brown bear taking a nap!
After dealing with the frontline reports, Aokiji waved his hand, indicating the others to leave, and prepared to sleep with a yawn.
However, at that moment, a messenger knocked on the door once again.
"Report!"
"Come in!"
Aokiji lifted his eye mask, feeling somewhat exasperated as he rubbed his temples.
"Aokiji Admiral, this is a secret order from the Fleet Admiral!"
The messenger entered the room, locking eyes with Aokiji with fervent admiration. After a loud salute, he presented a sealed envelope labeled "Top Secret."
"A secret order? What mischief is Rowen up to again?!"
Aokiji immediately sensed that something was amiss.
Given that the Gorōsei had publicly ordered Rowen to come and support the battlefield, and considering the timing, he found it hard to believe that this order from Sengoku had nothing to do with Rowen.
After confirming the integrity of the envelope, Aokiji gestured for the messenger to leave before breaking the seal.
"Incredible!"
After a moment, Aokiji's pupils suddenly contracted.
It took him a while before his expression gradually returned to normal.
"Ah, no wonder the resistance from Big Mom's pirate group has been weakening lately. So, this is the card you've been hiding."
After a moment of thought, Aokiji picked up the Den Den Mushi with determination. "Help me get in touch with Vice Admiral Garp, quickly!"
Time waits for no one, and Aokiji has to make all necessary preparations before Rowen arrives with his troops.
Meanwhile, at an altitude of ten thousand meters, inside a war aircraft.
"Report, the main force has crossed the Red Line and is advancing towards the target!"
"Report, intelligence agents have reported that the movements of the other Yonko, except for Kaido, are normal, with no signs of convergence!"
"Report, information from the New World frontline has been delivered!"
Sitting in the Dictate seat, Rowen crossed his legs and waved his hand, indicating the person speaking last to hand over the information.
"Oh? Admiral Aokiji did a good job! He actually came up with the idea of using Icebergs to control the enemy's invasion route."
"Mozambia suffered heavy losses in this wave, almost being completely defeated!"
"Well then, this calls for my intervention even more."
With a slight smile, Rowen issued orders to the entire aircraft. "All aircraft, attention! Full speed ahead to the target, Cake Island!"
The Gorōsei wanted him to end the chaos in the New World as soon as possible, so naturally Rowen had to take it seriously.
At this moment, the Marine Aircraft Force, accompanied by the destruction of the Revolutionary Army's headquarters, was unstoppable. With morale high, why not make a big fuss?
(End of Chapter)