Rowen had been looking for an opportunity to introduce the "Nether River Virus" into the Holy Land.
After Lirisk's betrayal was exposed and the Nibelung Family abandoned him, Rowen's original plan was to gradually undermine the Celestial Dragons through Orrick's ambition.
Ambition, once inflated, becomes uncontrollable.
So a situation like the current one was bound to arise, giving him ample room to maneuver.
The unexpected discovery of the Nether River Virus revealed another route for poisoning.
But then came the problem: with a target and poison in hand, how to make the target ingest it?
After poisoning, how to shift the blame and remove oneself from the situation?
Now, the opportunity had arrived!
"Do I need you to advise me on what to do, Kuma?"
Rowen's voice was cold, his gaze indifferent as he looked at him: "Where is Uranus now?"
The government had hidden Uranus very securely; he had no chance of knowing its exact location.
Unlike the Oka Shichibukai, who were directly managed by the government and had access to the Holy Land, Kuma, as the infamous "pirate scum," was trusted by the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) and thus had a high chance of knowing Uranus's whereabouts.
This information was crucial. Kuma's eyes showed a hint of struggle before he finally spoke: "It's in the underground laboratory of the government headquarters, on the third level, where only a few personnel are allowed to enter."
"That's all I know. However, Vegapunk might have some samples of Uranus, as he is the world's top scientist and is involved in the research of Ancient Weapons."
"Very well!"
That ruled out the "underground third level" option.
Rowen was not a fool; he remembered what the Revolutionary Army's leaders were capable of. After the data theft, the underground third level was under complete lockdown and could not be accessed.
Could Kuma not see this?
No, he could see it.
That's why he deliberately mixed truth with lies to lure Rowen in.
But unfortunately!
The information gap was too wide!
After a deep look at him, Rowen did not clarify but said: "I hope everything you said is true. Otherwise…"
Kuma, expressionless, nodded and suddenly asked: "Is Vice Admiral Soryu leaving?"
"Yes... Do you have any questions?"
Two questions, two gifts.
Rowen adhered to this unwritten rule.
But if Kuma wanted to know something, he would have to pay a price.
"The Log was damaged and requires a reasonable explanation. I'd like Vice Admiral Soryu to help with a favor…"
Rowen: "…"
The first time in his life he'd heard such a request!
Please call me a helpful living saint!
A few minutes later, at Baterilla Island, outside the Marine surveillance facility.
"Kuma, what's going on?!"
The senior official of the facility looked in shock at the Robust Man who had pushed open the door, his clothes torn and various mechanical parts exposed, with weak currents flowing across his body, making Kuma's movements appear rusty and stiff like a robot.
Even if they didn't like him, he was still a monster among the Shichibukai, the "Tyrant" Kuma!
Who could have beaten him into this state?
Walking through the door, Kuma knelt on one knee with a "thud."
"Quickly notify higher-ups. Pirates have entered the sea near Baterilla Island. It's likely they came to rescue someone I captured."
"Even you lost?!"
The senior official gasped and then remembered something, his face showing joy: "Wait, if pirates are coming to rescue, doesn't that mean…"
Generally speaking, there isn't much connection between pirates, and meeting them would usually end in a fight.
But if the identity of the rescuers were Roger's heir, it would be different!
It could even mean that those coming to rescue were likely former members of Roger's pirate crew!
…
Half a month later, in East Blue, Loguetown.
"You can't escape, Luffy!"
"I'll use my Iron Fist of Love to change your mind!"
"Stop blabbering! Who would go back, you old fart!"
Hearing the words "Iron Fist of Love," Luffy shivered and then turned to roar angrily.
On the wide, turbulent current, the Sheep Head… oh no, the Golden Merry crashed through the sea currents, straight up the Upside Down Mountain.
In such a massive tempest, the chance of survival was halved, nearing complete wipeout.
However, this was the only escape route for the Merry.
Behind them, the battleship force led by "Marine Hero" and "Iron Fist" Garp was blocked by the current, forming a net of encirclement.
If they did not head this way, their fate could be imagined.
"So… why am I being made an accomplice! Let me go, you wicked pirates!"
Nami was on the verge of tears.
I was really foolish, truly.
If I had recognized that this clueless little guy was a pirate earlier, I definitely wouldn't have bothered with him.
If I hadn't bothered with him, I wouldn't have ended up on a pirate ship.
If I hadn't ended up on a pirate ship, Smoker wouldn't have looked at me with such disappointment.
I'm not one of them!!
The Loguetown prison riot has nothing to do with me!!
"Stop with the nonsense, woman! Find a way to get us up there, or we're all dead! As long as we're alive, there's hope!"
A green seaweed-haired Santoryu swordsman roared, his face flushed red, the veins in his arm bulging as he struggled to control the sail against the strong wind, uttering words that cut through the darkness in Nami's mind.
"Aren't you the navigator?!"
I am… the navigator…
Nami froze for a moment, then her bright eyes sparkled with determination, and an astonishing aura of authority surrounded her.
Yes!
I am the navigator!
The course of this ship is under my control!
Closing her eyes, she collected her focus.
She placed her hand on the wheel, took a deep breath, and said: "If we die, don't blame me, you pirate trash!"
"Will I die with Nami-san…?"
Sanji bit his cigarette, trying several times to light it but failing, then put it down. His expression turned lecherous as he thought of something, and blood flowed from his nose to his lower lip.
"That would be so blissful!!!!"
*Slap* *Slap* *Slap*!
Usopp, with tears and snot mixing with the rain, grabbed Sanji by the collar and roared: "Wake up, Sanji! I haven't become a brave sea warrior yet, and I don't want to die!!"
"Hehehe, everyone's getting along well!"
Noticing this scene, Luffy set aside the fear Garp had instilled in him and stood at the bow of the ship, raising his arm.
"Everyone, onward! Our goal is the Grand Line!"
"Oh!!!"
"I told you I'm not your crew member! Drop me off at the next island!"
"Let's survive first!"
Amid the noise, the Golden Merry climbed steadily with the rapidly surging current and finally disappeared into the clouds.
"Colonel, please let me go after them!"
Koby, with a determined gaze, approached Smoker. Even in the rainstorm, Smoker kept two cigars lit, with thin clouds of white smoke continuously dissipating into the rain, keeping the cigars' red tips from extinguishing.
"I believe Nami is not that kind of person. She must have her own reasons."
"I need to catch up and ask her directly!"
Noticing Koby's resolute gaze, Smoker took off his cigar and exhaled a puff of white smoke: "That's indifferent."
Cocoyasi Village, which had suffered for years, was finally saved.
If Nami were such a bad person, she wouldn't have shouldered the blame alone and supported the village in such a heartbreaking manner.
But that doesn't change the fact.
During the prison riot, Nami was present and was referred to as Aneki by the prisoners.
"Next time you meet her, she will be your enemy, understand, Koby!"
"Colonel!"
Koby looked at him in disbelief, but Smoker's eyes were equally firm. Koby lowered his head, nodding weakly: "Understood!"
Koby gritted his teeth, vowing in his heart.
No matter what, he would get an answer!
"All a bunch of idiots!"
Watching Luffy enter the Grand Line, Garp stood on the dog-head battleship, his face showing anger. Then he seemed to remember something and grinned widely.
"Don't catch a cold tonight, Luffy."
One to speak harshly but act kindly!
Trane rolled his eyes helplessly but had grown accustomed to Garp's shocking statements. After saluting, he said: "Report! There's a call from Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
"What? He found out that quickly?!"
Garp looked shocked.
If his second grandson had also become a pirate, Garp could already imagine Sengoku spitting saliva at him.
"No, I don't think it's possible for him to know so quickly."
Trane sighed, pulling out the Den Den Mushi: "It is said that the Marines stationed on South Blue's Baterilla Island found Pirate King Roger's heir. Orders from above have commanded all headquarters officers to return and discuss the issue of public execution."
Garp: "..."
Wait!
What did you just say?!!!
(End of Chapter)
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
As long as I reach 200 dollars on my Patreon, I will post 10 extra bonus chapters per month in batches of 5 for that month. If I reach 300 dollars then I will post 15 extra bonus chapters in batches of 5 for that month. If I reach 400 dollars then I will post 20 extra bonus chapters in batches of 5 for that month. So come and support me.