Loguetown, Marine Base.
"So, what do you want to do?"
Rowen sat on a large sofa, with his legs crossed and a cigar in his hand.
Although there wasn't the slightest hint of interrogation in his demeanor, and his tone was extremely gentle, the pressure brought by his illustrious battle achievements made the two of them nervously swallow their saliva, not daring to meet his gaze.
After all, they had to remember that this was a man who had slain the monster known as the Yonko Big Mom!!!
Before the news report came out, Koby and Nami didn't even know what a Yonko was.
Smoker only needed a simple comparison to make them understand the terrifying power of a Yonko.
"You know about the highest bounty currently in East Blue, the 'Pirate Admiral' Gin, with a bounty of 40 million, right?"
The two of them nodded.
A bounty of 40 million, which is twice as high as the notorious pirate from two years ago!
Although, as they learned more, they understood that the wicked Dragon's bounty hadn't increased in East Blue due to the protection of Marine Branch 16's Colonel Mouse, to avoid attracting the attention of certain terrifying entities from the Grand Line, so it was not wise to equate bounty with strength.
But with a doubling, the estimation is about right.
The "Pirate Admiral" Gin was a fearsome character comparable to the wicked Dragon!
However…
"In front of a Yonko, he wouldn't even qualify as the lowest-ranking officer."
"In the New World, if a captain's bounty isn't over 100 million, they wouldn't even be given a second glance. Even the Marines wouldn't bother with these small-time pirates."
Small…small-time pirates?!!
The two were struck by thunder.
In East Blue, Gin, who had made a name for himself and left even Vice Admiral Storno Belly, who once cleaved a 300-meter-long super large-scale pirate ship in half with a single sword strike, at a loss, was merely a small-time pirate?!!
But that wasn't all.
"And the Yonko, they stand above all pirates! It's impossible to define their threat by bounty alone!"
"One day, I will also be like him and prove myself!"
The two didn't catch the last part of Smoker's sentence clearly, but they remembered one thing.
"Stand above all pirates!"
Not just in East Blue, but also in West Blue, North Blue, South Blue, the Grand Line's First Half, and the Second Half.
The four monsters to whom all the world's pirates bowed down are called the "Yonko"!
Before, they knew the sky was high.
Now.
They could only *think* that the sky was high.
"Knowing" meant understanding how high the sky was.
"Thinking" meant they could only imagine it.
Without a doubt, the Rowen sitting in front of them now was that terrifying presence that did not "know how high the sky was."
Faced with the inquiry, Koby, who had grown tall and robust, clenched his calloused fists and hesitantly began, "I'm sorry, Vice Admiral, I want to…"
He was too weak!
Koby had originally chosen to stay in East Blue to hone himself and avoid causing trouble, hoping to one day help Vice Admiral Cang Dragon, his great benefactor.
But now, by comparison, Koby realized he was far weaker than he had imagined.
At this moment, Nami spoke up loudly: "We want to go to the Grand Line!"
Koby looked up in surprise and saw that Nami's eyes were still as bright as ever.
Even after learning of the terrifying future ahead, Koby hesitated and retreated, but Nami did not. She still longed for the Grand Line and the broader world beyond.
In contrast, Koby looked down in self-doubt.
Seeing this, Rowen glanced speechlessly at Smoker, who was by the window smoking two cigars at once, giving him a look that said, "How did you let such a promising kid become like this?"
Smoker raised his chin and gestured toward Nami's presence.
"No comparison, no harm."
Koby undoubtedly had talent, but compared to the "genius girl" Nami, the gap between the two was glaringly apparent.
With Nami as his only peer of the same age, it was easy to imagine how much pressure Koby had been living under.
If not for his passionate nature and desire to repay his debt of gratitude, he would have already seen through the world's illusions and become a monk.
"I must find a way to rebuild this child's confidence."
Rowen pondered silently.
---
For the time being, Koby was of no use to him.
But one shouldn't have such short-sighted vision. Looking further ahead, Koby is highly likely to become a key Admiral within the Marines!
Unless he retraces the path of his previous life, having some backup talents while staying in this world long-term can undoubtedly reduce a lot of trouble.
With that thought, Rowen clapped his hands.
"Such ambition. I agree."
Koby, Nami: "..."
Is that easy?!
"Vice Admiral Soryu, aren't you going to ask us for our reasons?"
"Actually, I'm different from this idiot."
Nami fidgeted and rubbed her hands, her cheeks turning red. This shy demeanor from the young girl was something Rowen wasn't used to, as he remembered her assertive presence.
In the original series, every time Nami acted coy like this...
It was always when she was about to trick someone!
If she wasn't going to trick the enemy, she'd trick her allies!
So Rowen decisively refused.
"No, there's no need."
"What's wrong with wanting to see a bigger world? Since you're not afraid of dying, I won't stop you."
"Once Smoker has wrapped up the affairs in East Blue, he'll head back to the Headquarters. You can go with him then."
As for how the Straw Hat Pirates would eventually come together... Rowen felt that it had nothing to do with him.
Like Koby, Rowen didn't see any immediate value in Luffy.
Without Nami, the navigator, to assist him, perhaps facing more setbacks would lead to Luffy becoming a strong ally beneficial to Rowen sooner.
"Huh? Why is it like this..."
Nami wore a disappointed expression and muttered something inaudible under her breath.
Koby clenched his fist, just about to say something, when Rowen interrupted him: "After you've filed your records at the Headquarters, report directly to my G-10 branch. I'll personally arrange your training regimen."
"I..."
After a moment of silence, Koby resolutely lifted his head.
"I understand. Thank you, Vice Admiral Soryu!"
"No problem."
"After all, the pirates of East Blue are too weak. Going out with a large force doesn't give you the chance to fight for your life. What's the point of a battle without any real danger?"
"Rest assured, the Grand Line lacks no Monsters!"
Koby: "..."
Σ(д;)!
Reassure me about what exactly!
Give me back my gratitude, you jerk!
"Alright, let's leave it at that."
Rowen extinguished the cigar he had been smoking in the ashtray and raised his hand slightly: "Smoker, I've got something to attend to, so I'll be off. When you return to the Headquarters, I'll treat you to a meal."
"Vice Admiral Soryu, you're too kind. Considering our positions, how could I possibly let you treat me to a meal!"
Rowen gave him a serious look and smiled: "You've really changed, Smoker Colonel. That's a good thing."
Compared to the Smoker from the second volume of the original series, he now possessed a touch of finesse, making him seem more like a mature Marine with opinions of his own.
The establishment of the Independent Commission Against Corruption and the restructuring of the Marine Assassination Force seemed to have had a significant impact on him.
The reason why the support for War Faction Akainu never surpassed Aokiji's was because Akainu didn't understand human relationships... or perhaps because he refused to associate with cowardly scoundrels.
Yet in this world, true heroes are indeed a minority.
Cowardly scoundrels are the mainstream of the world.
"Maybe. Is it really that easy to distinguish between good and bad?"
Smoker didn't want to delve into the topic any further, so he ended the conversation hastily.
Transitional chapters are still necessary; otherwise, with non-stop battles, aesthetic fatigue sets in. Besides, "rich and noble but never return home, like wearing brocade clothing at night." It's the same with fanfiction: not showing off in front of characters from the original story is a fundamental principle.
(This chapter ends)
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