Chapter 630 A Change in Attitude, A Roaring Ambition

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"Nani? You killed Mihawk?!!"

In the G-10 Branch Fortress, inside the Base Head's office.

Bald Zero stared at Rowen in utter shock, hoping to hear a denial. Standing a half-step behind him, Rob Lucci's face was equally filled with disbelief and amazement.

But…

'Clink, Clink.'

With a clear clatter, the legendary Black Blade— a symbol of a swordsman's ultimate honor— was tossed to the ground before them.

The cracked blade and broken hilt spoke volumes to Zero and Lucci about what it had been through, and the profound significance of its presence here.

"Mihawk was a government Shichibukai, Soryu (Azure Dragon)… Do you understand that by killing him, you're openly defying the government?" Zero took a deep breath, forcing himself to tear his gaze away from the Black Blade as he asked this sternly.

Even a dog is protected by its master, and the Marines are, after all, part of the "pack."

To this, Rowen merely smirked, feeling amused.

"A mere Shichibukai. If he's dead, he's dead."

The "Marines" may be dogs, but "Soryu (Azure Dragon)" Rowen wasn't.

"He came looking for a fight, challenging me as an individual. Did you expect me to back down?" Rowen continued. "Where would that leave the Marines' reputation?"

"How can we claim to represent the government and guard the Four Seas and the Grand Line if we can't even kill an enemy who comes knocking?"

With that, Rowen calmly put out his cigar in the ashtray, exhaling a cloud of smoke.

"Or do you intend to rely on the incompetent CP0?" He added.

"You…!!" 

Zero was both shocked and furious, hardly able to believe his ears. 

What angered him was that this Marine Vice Admiral, Rowen, dared to speak to the head of CP0, directly under the Celestial Dragons, with such disrespect. What shocked him was Rowen's complete shift from cooperation to aggressive defiance.

Masked Zero had once told him Rowen was an ambitious man who knew how to be patient, the type who wouldn't challenge established order until he was fully prepared. Zero had assumed Rowen still had a long way to go before he was ready to spread his wings.

But the current situation allowed Rowen to show his ambition openly, brazenly communicating to those above him what he wanted.

And the reason was simple.

He, "Soryu (Azure Dragon)" Rowen, wielded the power to change the global landscape! Especially now, with the former CP0 Chief retired and the new Chief blundering, Bald Zero was beginning to realize that he truly had nothing he could use to threaten Rowen.

If Rowen didn't respect him or the government's authority?

What could he do?

Disrespecting authority didn't mean Rowen wouldn't defend the government's rule.

After all, hadn't the Marines always had someone rebellious like him among their ranks? This time, it was Zero's own missteps that had allowed this situation to escalate, and it was only thanks to Soryu (Azure Dragon)'s "foresight" that the damage was minimized.

How would the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) see a report like this? Given Soryu (Azure Dragon)'s ability, why not entrust such missions to the Assassination Force in the future? After all, they're all on the same team— if someone else is more capable, why should the Five Elders play favorites?

Yes, CP0 served the Celestial Dragons directly… but even that wasn't absolute.

The original intent behind CP0's creation was merely to serve the Celestial Dragons, carrying out their will— not to act as a rival power competing with the Marines for duties.

"You… you're impressive," Zero said, his handsome, ageless face twisting with malice, his white robe fluttering as an overwhelming wave of Haoshoku Haki surged out, filling the office with intense pressure.

Rowen remained unfazed, lazily lighting another cigar and blowing out a smoke ring.

"Rather than trying to intimidate me, I suggest you focus on securing the transport operation," He said coolly. "Originally, this mission was supposed to be handled by my fellow Vice Admirals in Marine Headquarters, but I agreed to pass it on to you all since your recent mishaps have been… well, embarrassing. But if anything goes wrong, don't come crying to me."

"Sir…" Rob Lucci, caught in the tense standoff, saw a glimmer of hope in Rowen's words and spoke up cautiously.

'Shua!'

The oppressive Haki retracted instantly as Bald Zero took a deep breath, steadying himself.

"I understand."

"However…"

He looked at Rowen intently, making no effort to hide his displeasure. "I will report this matter to the Gorōsei exactly as it happened. I suggest that you be prepared for what comes next!"

"No need to see me out."

In response, Rowen had only one thing to say.

...

'Bang!'

The door slammed shut, and shortly after, through his Heart Network, Rowen "saw" the combined forces of battleships and aircraft escorting the mission setting off.

"Tch, boring old man," Rowen scoffed with a cold smile and shook his head.

What Bald Zero despised most about Rowen was his disregard for status, and his audacity to speak to him however he pleased. However, given Rowen's First Grade Glory Medal, such matters were hardly worth dissecting. 

The honor of this highest rank, which even allowed him to hit a Celestial Dragon without consequence, meant bullying a "dog" could be seen as a courtesy to that "dog."

Zero naturally understood this; all he wanted was Rowen's stance.

Would he retreat or meet the challenge head-on? Both he and the Gorōsei needed to know Rowen's attitude on this.

The government's bottom line is rebellion; as long as one doesn't cross that, and continues to fight to maintain order, they don't care if you act recklessly—as Garp had proven time and again. 

The only complication was that, with two Shichibukai having issues one after another, there was no contingency plan for reorganizing their positions within the government.

And since Rowen had inconvenienced them, a necessary show of suppression was in order.

But compared to what Rowen had gained, all of that was trivial.

"You agree with me, don't you? Issho, Tesoro, Law?"

They weren't alone in the office. Two of the Oka Shichibukai, "Fujitora" Issho and the "Surgeon of Death" Trafalgar Law, were also present, along with the influential "Gold Emperor" Tesoro, who wielded sway even before the Celestial Dragons.

With such a powerful lineup in support of Rowen, it was easy to understand Zero's reluctance. Rowen was no longer just spreading his wings— he had become a monumental force!

With the wealth of Century City and Golden City, combined with the top-tier combat strength of Soryu (Azure Dragon) and Fujitora, even the mightiest rival groups would barely match them. The strength he represented was on par with half the Marine Headquarters.

But there was one unavoidable question.

"Will doing this create trouble for our plan?"

Ever the gentleman, Fujitora seemed uneasy with such strong-arm tactics. He looked concerned, fidgeting in his usual honest manner.

And besides, going head-to-head with CP0 as soon as this went public… wasn't that a bit too daring?

What happened to "building strength in silence, taking power slowly"?

"Don't worry, Issho," Rowen reassured him, smiling, "the timing is perfect. Right now, neither the Gorōsei nor the Fleet Admiral have the resourses to monitor me forming my own team. In fact, they've probably been expecting this for a while."

"After all…"

Rowen let the words trail off, smiling. The fact was, back when he was just a newly commissioned Rear Admiral at Gourmet City on Pucci Island, he'd made a deal with Masked Zero— a deal that the Gorōsei and Sengoku surely knew about. 

A guy who could hit a Celestial Dragon and still carry on unscathed? Not having ambition would be the real shocker.

Now that Rowen's ambition was out in the open, he was certain that the Gorōsei and Sengoku were actually relieved. You can't watch your back every day for a thief. A Rowen who was upfront about his intentions was far easier to manage than one who kept them hidden.

It's called…

Setting the price sky-high, and then bargaining down. First, he'd thrown in cards that no one could accept to set the stage, then he held back just enough to give a glimmer of hope while keeping his best cards close.

A classic move!

(End Of Chapter)