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On the day of Jason's public execution, Lirisk had shown great deference to Vic. At the time, Rowen hadn't understood why, but after a brief exchange and some discreet inquiries, he discovered that Vic was no ordinary man.
Though he served as Imu's butler, Vic treated all Celestial Dragons with equal care— even the disgraced Nibelung Family, an act that was unheard of in their elitist ranks.
In a society where bloodline dictated status, such impartiality was beyond comprehension. The Celestial Dragons had no concept of political correctness— their whims were absolute law, and anyone who challenged them was cast out as an outsider.
The Nibelung Family was the most notorious of these outsiders. Unlike the other so-called "descendants of the gods," they adhered to a Spartan-like code of discipline, an anomaly among the self-indulgent Celestial Dragons.
But now, it was clear that Lirisk's reverence wasn't just about Vic's mannerisms—he must have known the truth about Vic's identity.
What shocked Rowen most was that one of the Gorōsei he had toppled— Nibelung Family Ferrick— had a younger brother.
How had he never heard of this?
With his current status, there was little the World Government could hide from him— except for the secrets of the Void Century and those buried deep by Imu.
Unless…
This was by Imu's command!
Perhaps the order wasn't directed specifically at him, but Imu had ensured that Vic's very existence was erased from history.
As if reading his thoughts, Vic sighed after confirming the agreement was in place. "A lot happened back then— so much that, like the prisoners of Impel Down's Level 6, Imu Sama wiped my existence from memory. The younger generation hardly knows me, so it's no surprise you find this strange."
Rowen was silent for a moment before nodding. "I meant no offense."
So it really was Imu's doing…
For Imu to erase him so completely, to the point where only the Nibelung Family still remembered him, the truth behind it all was something Rowen dared not pry into.
Vic was momentarily stunned before shaking his head with a bitter smile. He chose to say no more.
---
Outside the Holy Land, by the bubble elevator.
"What kind of sick joke is this? We can't touch him for a whole year?!" Akainu's fist crashed into a stone pillar, shattering it in a furious outburst.
"I understand your frustration, Fleet Admiral, but this isn't about fearing Orrick." Rowen had anticipated this reaction and quickly moved to explain.
Akainu took a deep breath, reigning in his rage. He knew Rowen was privy to secrets few others were. Though officially a Marine Admiral under his command, Rowen had been personally recommended by Im as a candidate for the Gorōsei.
Suppressing his fury, Akainu asked, "Then tell me, what's our next move?"
Rowen's expression turned serious. "Orrick is using this year to prepare. When that time is up, there will be war."
"But this is also our chance to prepare. He controls the Ancient Weapon Poseidon— just that alone is enough to tip the balance."
The power of the Ancient Weapons was terrifying. Even the Marines' vast elite forces, the newly developed air fleets, and the advanced weaponry they had cultivated over the years wouldn't be enough to counteract their destructive potential.
If they couldn't neutralize the threat of Poseidon within a year, then a direct confrontation would be inevitable.
They had little time to waste.
"Rowen is right, Sakazuki."
Aokiji, who had been leaning nearby, crossed his arms. "A single Sea King, aside from the truly colossal ones, isn't a threat to us. But an army of them? If they gather in force, even we would have no choice but to retreat. The Navy alone couldn't stop them."
"The Gorōsei agreed to these terms because they had no other choice. And let's be honest— it concerns us directly."
"Tch."
Akainu ground his teeth in frustration, but he couldn't argue.
A 'threat' was always relative. A bird was a predator to a caterpillar, yet to a human, it was nothing more than a pleasant sight in the morning.
If the Marines— or rather, the World Government— had enough military might to dominate even the Sea Kings themselves, then this wouldn't be an issue in the first place.
"Let's go. We're heading back."
After a brief pause, Akainu waved his hand.
"Rowen, as Fleet Admiral, I'm personally authorizing a 100 Billion Belly requisition to upgrade our forces. Any objections?"
"As long as the government foots the bill…"
Rowen shrugged and smirked. "You won't hear any complaints from me."
…
New World, the Golden City 'Gran Tesoro.'
"It's been a while, Fujitora San. Please, come in and have a seat!"
Gild Tesoro greeted with a grin, his slicked-back green hair adding to his untamed yet refined demeanor.
The two entered a high-rise, secluded chamber, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then Fujitora reached into his coat, withdrawing a scroll. With solemn care, he placed it on the table.
"So this is it... the legendary Ancient Weapon, Pluton!"
Tesoro's breath caught in his throat as he beheld the ancient parchment, his pulse quickening.
An Ancient Weapon!
A force spoken of only in myths!
And now, it lay right before him.
For all his years, he had never imagined he'd one day have the chance to possess it. He had long dreamt of gathering the three Ancient Weapons to exact vengeance upon the Celestial Dragons.
Now, after pledging allegiance to Rowen's League, that dream was within reach.
With the utmost care, Tesoro picked up the scroll, gingerly untying the leather cord securing the blueprint, as if afraid any sudden movement might destroy it.
Watching him, Fujitora scratched the back of his head.
"Actually... we've already made a copy of this blueprint, so you don't have to be so careful."
Tesoro: "..."
"That's not the point!"
"Just look at these marks of time. Even without considering what's written here, this is a historical artifact!"
As the master of Gran Tesoro, custodian of the world's greatest treasures, and the most renowned collector alive, Tesoro would not let such significance be ignored.
To this, Fujitora awkwardly scratched his head again. "Uh... sorry, I'm blind."
Tesoro: "..."
Sensing Tesoro's frustration, Fujitora paused, then inclined his head slightly. "My apologies."
"Don't be. That just makes me feel worse."
With an exasperated sigh, Tesoro unrolled the scroll and began scrutinizing it.
"Seventeen thousand meters in length? Are you sure this thing can even float?!"
Even Gran Tesoro itself was only about ten thousand meters long, and it relied on two massive island turtles to stay afloat. Given the density of gold, maneuvering something even larger seemed nearly impossible.
"Probably... it can?" Fujitora replied uncertainly.
"But the real problem isn't its size— it's hiding something this enormous. Anyone would notice if it were simply built in plain sight, which is why Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon) entrusted this mission to us."
As the heads of the world's most famous entertainment havens, they could undertake grand construction projects without raising suspicion. The precedent set by Gran Tesoro made them the perfect candidates for this task.
"I see... so we're left to solve all the problems on our own, huh?"
"Precisely!"
Fujitora nodded seriously.
"Also, I just received word from Dante San— Orrick has secured another Ancient Weapon, Poseidon. We must proceed with caution! Even if we complete construction, we may not be able to overcome him."
"Poseidon?!!"
Tesoro's eyes widened in shock, and he took a sharp breath.
Pluton, Poseidon... and with rumors circulating that the World Government had already obtained Uranus, were they heading toward a climactic battle between all three Ancient Weapons?!
This was beyond anything he had ever imagined!
Tesoro felt dizzy. How had the world shifted from mere pirate raids and Marine skirmishes into something of this magnitude?
(End of Chapter)