Chapter 677 Set Off! Searching!
The brighter the light, the more convincing its authenticity, and the more convincing it appeared, and the more attention it would attract from the powers above.
Exactly!
No matter what Orrick was planning or scheming, Rowen intended to use "Pure Gold" to shake up the current World Government.
In the original story, after the treasure-obsessed man failed, CP0 reported the situation to Rob Lucci and asked if they should send people to continue the search. Lucci's response was, "There's no need, for the sake of maintaining balance."
The focus then shifted to the "Gold Emperor" Tesoro, who had hired the treasure hunter in the first place.
This showed how well they understood the disruptive influence Pure Gold's emergence could have on the world. While its ability to "buy the world" was a mere rhetorical exaggeration, Pure Gold's ability to indefinitely slow all forms of aging, granting near-immortality, was enough to drive people insane!
Even at the cost of upsetting the Celestial Dragons, Lucci decisively abandoned the pursuit of Pure Gold, diverting attention to Tesoro and hiding the truth.
The public only saw the immortality-granting aspect of Pure Gold, but Rowen had uncovered the deeper truth behind its suppression - an element capable of destabilizing the government itself.
"Then... as the director, I declare the performance to be officially begun!"
---
The next day, Rob Lucci approached Rowen with a rare expression of surprise.
"Admiral Soryu, is it true? You've found a clue regarding Pure Gold?"
At this point, Rob Lucci had no knowledge of the original events. CP0 had been working tirelessly, chasing down leads, hoping to track down Orrick's whereabouts.
Had Rowen not suddenly ordered the 'Qilin' to prepare for a journey, Lucci would not have bothered to approach him.
"It's just a legend - not exactly a lead," Rowen said, slowly exhaling a puff of smoke.
"But staying here indefinitely won't accomplish much either.
I intend to take a look for myself. If I can discover something like Chief Zero did, wouldn't that be wonderful?"
Lucci: "..."
Are those two at odds?
It wasn't an unreasonable conclusion.
Zero's discoveries had caused a massive uproar within the government. The already mobilized 'Gorōsei' (Five Elder Stars) had even sent the Vegapunk modified 'Ark Maxim' and placed it completely under Zero's command.
To sum it up their action in four words: "Turn up the pressure!"
As the leader of the rival Assassination Force, Rowen had been stuck in Colkla Island with no progress in his mission.
Watching Zero receive praise and work diligently, moving from one location to another, Rowen couldn't remain idle.
After all, the alternative was to be overshadowed by the competition - a humiliation worse than when G-10 had faced Kuma's invasion.
But this time, the competition was Zero and CP0.
Understanding this, Lucci immediately dismissed the "lead" as a mere excuse.
Rowen needed to act, to demonstrate his own abilities - not sit back and wait for information to trickle in before reacting.
"If that's the case then I wish Admiral Soryu great fortune in battle!"
Unaware of the coming storm, Rob Lucci felt rather pleased at that moment.
With Admiral Soryu gone and Chief Zero out chasing clues, Colkla Town was left under his authority, along with five Vice Admirals from Headquarters who had joined after the Buster Call.
As CP0's senior officer, Lucci outranked Onigumo and the others in rank, freeing him from having to endure their whims.
With that in mind, Lucci was all the more eager for Rowen to leave as soon as possible.
---
In the harbor, the fully prepared 'Qilin' began to move, its engines rumbling as the crew went about their duties on deck.
"You're really not taking anyone with you, Rowen?"
Veteran Vice Admiral Momonga frowned. Thanks to his involvement in Rowen's survival training during recruitment, he could speak more candidly.
"If the legend is true then what kind of colossus are we dealing with?"
"Just one battleship, without any support? That's way too dangerous!"
This legend wasn't recorded in any official documents; rather, it was a story that Rowen deliberately arranged to be told by an elder in the city. His intention was to spread an extraordinary tale that sounded almost too fantastic to believe.
According to the story, shortly after the disappearance of Alchemi Island, a fisherman (yes, 'another' fisherman!) spotted a strange beam of light at sea.
The light, shining under the setting sun, was so mesmerizing and brilliant that he unconsciously steered his boat in its direction.
But suddenly the light began to move!
Beneath the golden glow on the sea's surface, a massive shadow was emerging. It had two huge eyes, bigger than palaces, and a mouth so wide that it seemed like a never-ending abyss.
Terrified, the fisherman fled in haste, abandoning all thoughts of marveling at the light.
When he had sailed far enough away, he looked back and was shocked to discover that the light came from an unimaginably large anglerfish.
Its dorsal fin pierced the clouds, and a single scale was larger than a house. It howled incessantly in the dim water, the light from the lantern on its forehead casting an eerie glow.
This was a story that no one could verify as true or false.
The world of "One Piece" is full of wonders. Legends told of super-giant Sea Kings in the depths of the Calm Belt, creatures so huge they could rival entire land masses and effortlessly smash through the Red Line.
No one could say for sure whether such a colossal anglerfish existed.
But it was the only lead they had. To give up would be to return home empty-handed.
---
Vice Admiral Momonga, known for his level-headed nature, wasn't keen on Rowen taking such a risk. At the very least, he thought Rowen should bring others along for backup.
"Rest assured, Vice Admiral Momonga," Rowen said with a smile. "Do you think I'm someone who acts recklessly without a plan?"
"The 'Qilin' was modified at my request when I was still a Rear Admiral. Its internal metal passageways are completely under my control. Even if we encounter a sea monster, it won't be easy to sink this ship."
"Besides," Rowen continued, "With my current strength, what Sea King could pose a threat to me?"
As a Logia-type, mere physical collisions were meaningless against Rowen.
As the Thunder-Lightning Human, his Electromagnetic Barrier allowed him to navigate through seawater effortlessly.
As the newly appointed Navy Admiral with a stellar track record and unrivaled power, any encounter with a Sea King would likely end with the predator becoming the prey.
Seeing Rowen's determination, Momonga relented. After a moment of reflection, he sighed and said, "Very well. Be careful out there."
"Don't worry," Rowen replied with a wink. "Who knows? I might come back empty-handed."
Then he looked at the other Vice Admirals and added, "While I'm gone, make sure the soldiers stay disciplined. Don't let anything happen that would bring shame on me."
"If there is an emergency and you can't reach me... Vice Admiral Momonga!"
"Here!"
Rowen pulled out a glimmering golden Den Den Mushi from his pocket and handed it to the stunned Vice Admiral Momonga.
"I authorize you to initiate a Buster Call if necessary!"
This was an extraordinary display of trust.
As a seasoned veteran, Momonga understood the gravity of receiving a Den Mushi tied to a Buster Call. The survival of Colkla Island would rest entirely in his hands.
One command could reduce everything to ashes.
If possible, Momonga would have preferred not to bear such a heavy burden. But he had no choice.
Looking at the officers behind him, Momonga knew that giving the Buster Call Den Den Mushi to war-hardened figures like Onigumo would lead to the complete eradication of "survival" and "hope" for Colkla Island.
To maintain secrecy, the War Faction's standard practice was the wholesale elimination of witnesses.
Taking the Den Den Mushi with solemnity, Momonga declared loudly, "Please rest assured, Admiral! I will not tarnish the name of the Marines or the Government!"
If things truly escalated to that point, Momonga was pragmatic enough to pull the trigger on a Buster Call.
"I trust you…"
Satisfied, Rowen nodded and straightened his posture.
"Well then, everyone, I leave the rest to you!"
"Yes, sir!"
The five Vice Admirals saluted in unison, bidding farewell as Rowen boarded the ship.
'(Chapter Ends)'
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