Marine Headquarters, Family Town.
"Can't you let this old man retire in peace?"
In the courtyard of Zephyr's house, the now much older Zephyr glared at the uninvited evil guest in his house.
"Vice Admiral Chaton will be in charge of the regular training of the Assassination Squad. He knows the procedure better than any of us. Sensei, you only need to help identify and guide promising talents. No need to report every day."
"Hiss… this is really spicy!"
Rowen lifted his head, took a breath, picked up the wine glass on the table, thought for a moment, then put it down and went into the kitchen to get a bottle of juice.
"Sensei, you're out of milk in the fridge. I'll order some for you when I go out later. Make sure you get it."
"Isn't it enough for me to enjoy my retirement, go fishing, and play cards every day? Why should I work?" Zephyr looked at him resentfully and continued to speak, "Where are you going to order it from?
Headquarters is out of milk these days... the supplier's ship from Sabaody was wrecked at sea, so no one has had milk lately."
"Oh? Was it pirates?"
"No, it was a storm."
Zephyr instinctively explained, then slammed the table: "Enough with the digression! If you don't give me a reasonable explanation today, don't even think about leaving!"
Gulp, Gulp, Gulp…
After downing an entire bottle of juice, Rowen let out a satisfied sigh, then smiled bitterly: "Starting something is difficult, Sensei. The Assassination Force is a foundation I fought for to plan my future. It's extremely important to me."
"Otherwise, why would I bother you to supervise it?"
In the Navy, the most influential factions are the War Faction and the Peace Faction.
To gain their support, you must share their ideals and become like them.
Akainu's "Absolute Justice" and Aokiji's "Lazy Justice" do not conflict with either faction, so they are highly respected among the Marines.
Rowen had to either join them or, as he now does, form his own faction.
In the Marine, military merit is everything!
It's not only a promise and a guarantee, but also a fast track to the top.
With enough merit, Rowen is confident that in 3-5 years, he can make the Assassination Force his ace in the hole, helping him step into the center of power like Kong.
The greatest gain from his trip to the Holy Land was not the First Grade Glory Medal, but the realization of the vast resources of the world government.
In front of the Heart Network, the powerful presence stationed all over Mary Geoise made him realize that it was impossible to overthrow the government by sheer force alone.
Defeating a Yonko required risky tactics; Rowen would not foolishly raise a flag of rebellion. Of course, he had to follow the established rules.
"Besides, I've heard from Shuzo Nii San several times that you often go to the recruit camp and tell the trainees that his training program is flawed, causing him to lose face."
"You really can't let go, can you?"
Rowen teased, causing Zephyr's old face to blush.
"Two annoying brats!"
Zephyr muttered unnaturally, then sighed deeply.
"How can I let them..."
"I've been the chief instructor at the recruit camp for almost forty years, forty years... how many forties are there in a lifetime?"
"Well, good!"
Zephyr took a sip of his wine, his eyes slightly misty, "Since a student needs Sensei's help, what reason does Sensei have to refuse?"
Rowen knew the matter was settled.
Only when you run a household do you realize how expensive things are.
Starting from scratch to build a force, even with the strong support of Sengoku, brought countless challenges.
The most critical was that the Assassination Force had been disbanded for years. The original instructors were either dead or retired, leaving only Chaton.
The Assassination Force is not like a recruit camp, where trainees are sent to the battlefield as soon as they qualify. Here, they need senior members to guide them.
To prepare for high-risk missions, experienced instructors are essential; without them, it's impossible to form a capable unit!
If it were just a matter of gathering intelligence or carrying out assassination missions, any random selection from the G-10 branch could muster a thousand men.
The Marine Assassination Force, once feared by all, could not be so simple. Their infiltration, intelligence gathering, and assassination skills were impressive even to the Five Elder Stars.
After reviewing the training program written by Chaton, Rowen immediately understood.
He needed instructors!
Many, many instructors!
He also needed a large amount of resources, equipment, and weapons to carry out missions, provide logistical support, maintain a secure information network, and set up a headquarters.
The Air Force was derisively referred to as not an independent force because it was built with financial support from the government and headquarters, with a politically correct agenda, and enjoyed smooth sailing all the way.
Without obstacles, there is no honing.
It's like a city being built on sand, it looks shiny but is fragile.
Any great storm could bring it down.
And the Scientific Force, like the former Assassination Force, is an independent entity, forged through countless trials, slowly building a steely military soul.
Waves can capsize ships and battleships, but how can they topple an island?
A tsunami might, but not a mere wave!
In short, Rowen has a lot of work to do for the Assassination Force. Zephyr is his prepared sea-calming divine needle, but not the only one.
...
Rowen has been extremely busy with the establishment of the Assassination Force, but the sea never revolves around just one person.
New world, unknown sea.
With the annihilation of the BIG MOM pirate crew and the Marines establishing a foothold in Totto Land, the influence of the Marines in the New World has soared to unprecedented heights!
The Thunder-Lightning Stimulation Device has brought a large number of energetic but directionless junior officers into the Marines. Previously, the efforts of the Independent Commission Against Corruption had been a drop in the bucket, far from solving the urgent needs.
So thousands of soldiers were sent to the New World, a sea that had been out of the government's embrace for twenty years, its waves high and its undercurrents strong.
Want to get promoted, get a raise, become a CEO, and marry a rich, beautiful woman?
If you want it, you can have it all. Go and find it!
It is all hidden in the New World.
Many soldiers began to strive for promotions and raises, forming what became known with a wry smile as the "Sea Army Era."
At that moment, on an island inhabited by ancient creatures and dinosaurs, two forces faced each other.
"The Whitebeard Pirates... huh?"
"This is a bit annoying!"
Bastille, the current Rear Admiral of Headquarters, carried a serrated shark-killing sword on his shoulder, wore a skull mask, and pursed his lips slightly.
Clashing with the Whitebeard Pirates is a big deal!
With the prospect of promotion to Vice Admiral looming, Bastille did not want to make a mistake at such a critical time.
But...
A direct retreat was certainly not an option.
"Rear Admiral, Ensign Dewey is not going to make it!"
Beside him, a corporal with a bandaged head ran over with red eyes, bowing his head and crying uncontrollably.
"It's all my fault. If it wasn't for my uselessness, the Ensign wouldn't have to..."
"Shut up, asshole!"
"Don't underestimate Dewey's will!"
Bastille pressed the back of his sword against the corporal's shoulder, having made up his mind: "If you're still a man, take this gift calmly, then carry his share on your shoulders and live well!"
"Yes, sir!"
"And then..."
Bastille raised the great sword, faced dozens of enemies, and stepped forward: "Give me an explanation, pirates!"
"Killing our marine, you should know the consequences, right?" Bastille's voice was soft, but to the pirates it sounded like thunder.
At this point, it was too late to blame their companion for being too ruthless. Trained in wolf pack tactics, the naval reinforcements were undoubtedly on their way. If they dragged this out, they would not only lose the Devil's Fruit, they wouldn't survive.
"Fight them, break through!"
"Follow me, don't let any of them escape!"
Both sides erupted in deafening battle cries at the same time, and a brutal melee began immediately.
This proved once again that pirates are organized but undisciplined groups.
For everyone understood that in the current situation, where the Marines were riding the momentum of capturing Dragon and destroying the remnants of Big Mom, fighting the Marines was an extremely wrong decision.
New World, the storm is gathering again!
(End of this chapter)
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