Chapter 709 ONE PIECE?

Leaving the laboratory, the group returned to the government headquarters.

After Rowen presented his proposal, the Gorosei (Five Elder Stars) displayed a variety of reactions. Eventually, the swordsman Gorosei spoke after a moment's thought.

"Are you suggesting… the Sea Train?!"

"That's just one method," Rowen replied. "Aircraft, cargo ships— these can all be introduced and repurposed for civilian use. The goal is to bridge the gap between islands, strengthening their ties to the government."

"That's absurd!"

If anyone but Rowen had made such a suggestion, the hot-tempered balding Gorosei would have likely exploded in rage.

"Your idea has merit, but it also gives pirates more options. For the government, this is a major risk!"

Strengthening connections between islands undeniably held potential. Under Rowen's vision of centralized authority, the Gorosei could see a promising future.

Take a simple example:

Was humanity's obsession with mermaid girls truly about their beauty?

Naturally, the answer was no.

It stemmed from the novelty of mermaids— creatures so different from themselves, living unseen beneath the sea. Their rarity fueled the fascination.

But to the residents of Fish-Man Island, those same mermaids— so coveted by human nobles— were commonplace and unremarkable.

With the Celestial Dragons' survival now uncertain, if the day came when they could no longer dominate through fear, transforming from tyrants to benevolent rulers would be their only option.

But reality was unforgiving.

The world had long grown accustomed to the idea of "setting sail." Changing this deeply ingrained mindset would require more than a few alternative travel options.

Easier travel would not only benefit ordinary citizens but also provide pirates with more ways to wreak havoc.

"That's why we need to prepare in advance— take it slow!"

Rowen countered with reason. "Time is a slow-acting remedy. It can be used to make the world forget its past. If the catastrophic day suddenly arrives, do you think you'll have enough time to solve these problems then?"

"I…"

The balding Gorosei fell silent. Looking for support, he turned to the others, only to find them all deep in thought, seemingly moved by Rowen's argument.

"You… you're not seriously…!"

"Everyone, calm down!"

The long-mustached Gorosei clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention.

"Rowen makes a valid point, but your concerns shouldn't be ignored either."

"So… does anyone have suggestions? Let's hear them!"

He turned his sharp gaze to Rowen, who had one hand resting on the table. "Surely, with your intellect, you've already considered these potential flaws, haven't you?"

For someone as cunning as the Soryu (Azure Dragon), missing such an obvious vulnerability seemed implausible. If it had truly slipped by him, and the Gorosei had successfully pointed it out, the long-mustached elder wouldn't be pleased.

That could only mean one thing: even this criticism might have been part of Rowen's plan.

"You flatter me!"

Rowen was unfazed, offering a calm smile in response.

Under the Gorosei's watchful eyes, he continued:

"As I said, this is a long-term plan designed to gradually strengthen the bond between ordinary citizens and the government."

"Likewise, the plan doesn't need to be implemented all at once. We can start with existing Marine bases."

"I'm sure you're all aware of the immense strength our Marine branches possess on the seas today. Even the most fearsome outlaws emerging from the New World rarely dare to provoke them— and doing so is a guaranteed death sentence!"

"We can use these bases as hubs, gradually expanding to nearby islands. Step by step, we'll lay the foundation for a spiderweb-like transportation network."

"First, it would give the people time to adapt and believe that the government truly has their best interests at heart. Second, it would minimize both internal and external threats. Third, it would further compress the pirates' space for survival, leaving them nowhere to hide!"

Watching the four most powerful figures in the world stunned into silence, Rowen smiled faintly.

"People always yearn for a better life. Pirates set sail for the same reason— whether it's for plunder or chasing dreams, risking their lives at sea is the life they aspire to."

"But the number of pirates is nothing compared to the number of ordinary people who just want a stable life. As long as life improves day by day, we won't even have to lift a finger— they'll be swallowed by the overwhelming tide of the people and capsized by the waves of anger!"

"And these branches, which currently serve purely as military outposts, will become the future political, economic, and— most importantly— military hubs of the seas!"

"We may not be able to personally oversee every island, but can we not directly manage each branch? Once the centralized hierarchy of power is solidified, what's stopping us from forging an unbreakable world order?"

As he met their stunned gazes, Rowen grinned.

"At that point, whether or not the Celestial Dragons exist… how would it even matter to the government's control?"

This statement, which brazenly toppled the Celestial Dragons from their pedestal, would ordinarily be considered blasphemous— even if uttered by the Gorosei themselves.

However, in the wake of the recent experimental failure, it became a logical deduction based on the facts.

"So… was this the real reason behind your proposal to establish the Independent Commission Against Corruption all those years ago?!"

Suddenly, the long-mustached Gorosei seemed to have an epiphany and gasped.

Such an expansive vision would require an equally massive bureaucracy to manage it. But given the government's bloated structure at the time, rife with corruption and Marines turned warlords, decentralization would have only made the problem worse.

However, with the creation of the Independent Commission Against Corruption— staffed primarily by the unyielding officers of the War Faction in every sea except East Blue and the Grand Line— the corrupt elements within the government were purged, greatly reducing internal decay.

The long-mustached Gorosei felt a chill in his heart. From that moment on, Rowen had already been constructing this vision.

"That's correct!"

Rowen didn't hide his intentions in the face of the question.

"I'm tired of the cyclical tide of history. I've studied your method of governance— it's nothing more than letting history repeat itself endlessly, like a wheel spinning in place."

"But the Pirate Era is an unprecedented challenge for the government— a time of monumental change!"

"Someone has already come to break the stalemate, skewing the course of history. If we remain stuck in our old ways, we'll only march further into the abyss!"

"The times have changed, gentlemen!"

"And so must we!"

"But you don't understand one thing, Rowen!"

Abruptly, the swordsman Gorosei stood up, his expression grave. "You don't know the secret we are guarding. You don't understand the impact your plans could have on it!"

"The Great Treasure, ONE PIECE?"

Hearing this, Rowen glanced over, his tone calm. "Would its existence truly disrupt my plans? Don't forget— pirates, in front of me, are incapable of causing a storm!"

"You…!!"

"Indeed, not for now."

The long-mustached Gorosei frowned at the rising tension and intervened, silencing the argument.

After a brief moment of contemplation, he answered calmly.

"That secret, which Lord Imu has not permitted us to reveal, cannot be fully disclosed to you… but I can share some information."

Meeting Rowen's serious gaze, the long-mustached Gorosei spoke slowly.

"The secret we are guarding is real and must never be discovered by pirates."

"But most importantly… even after 800 years, we have not yet completed it!"

"Completed"?

Not "found," "controlled," or "discovered"?!!!

In that moment, Rowen gained a startling realization.

No wonder the swordsman Gorosei had reacted so strongly. If it was about "completion"… his grand vision would indeed have enormous implications!

(End of Chapter)

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