Listening to Vice Admiral Toller's command and the righteous declarations of the two Rear Admirals, the guard captain froze, the CP0 agents froze, and Cavendish froze.
What on earth was happening?
Did these sea soldiers not understand the current situation?
Hey! Hey!
Weren't you ordered by the Five Elders to assist the World Noble in apprehending a rebel? Why are you treating the World Noble like the criminal?!
And further—why were they showing such absolute, bone-deep respect to that old man named Rowan?! Who exactly was he?!
In fact, the moment the massive swarm of Marines surrounded the area, Vaskeriel-sei had stopped his kowtowing. But the tiny spark of hope that had just ignited was instantly snuffed out by the cold, resolute voices of the officers.
Why are these Marines so deferential to the old man who clearly wants me dead?
Vaskeriel-sei watched the Rear Admirals salute Toller and the Old Man, then turn their gaze toward him. Their expressions shifted—the look was one of icy solemnity. They were truly treating him as the villain!
"Vice Admiral Toller, Rear Admiral Creich, Rear Admiral Capo... do you have any idea what you are doing right now?!" The CP0 agent, who had been repelled by Toller, scanned the muzzles pointed at him and the thousands of battle-ready soldiers. His voice was frigid.
However, Vice Admiral Toller acted as if he hadn't heard a single word the agent said. He moved to Rowan's side with a vigilant stance and said in a low voice, "Mr. Rowan, all troops are prepared. We can strike at your command!"
On the rooftop, Cavendish was completely dumbfounded. Does this man, retired for decades, really possess such terrifying influence in the Navy? The Marines sent by the World Government didn't just refuse to touch him—they're ready to arrest a Celestial Dragon for him!
Did I work too hard today and start hallucinating? Is the guy who looks, dresses, and is named like a Celestial Dragon actually a fake, and this old man Rowan is the real World Noble?
Even Dark King Rayleigh felt a jolt of surprise. It seemed he had not only misjudged Rowan's strength but had also vastly underestimated his status within the Navy. These Marines were actually willing to arrest a mangled Celestial Dragon just for him.
Luffy and Zoro, meanwhile, didn't think too much of it. They didn't even fully grasp what a "Celestial Dragon" was; they only knew the guy had started the fight. Momousagi, having forced back her own CP0 opponent, remained composed, though her eyes flashed with undisguised disgust whenever she glanced at the Noble.
At the back, Ain let out a silent sigh. The scale of this incident was ballooning by the minute. However, she was becoming accustomed to the chaos; her heart barely skipped a beat anymore. What's the use in overthinking it now? It's already happened.
Rowan scanned the surrounding soldiers and smiled at Toller. "You boys shouldn't meddle in this. This fellow is a piece of work, but his status is specialized. It's enough that you didn't help him; if you actually lay hands on him, the World Government might use it as an excuse to pull some dirty tricks on you."
"For Mr. Rowan, and for Justice, we would walk through fire and water without hesitation!" Toller laughed heartily, showing zero fear.
"FOR JUSTICE!" the Marines roared in unison, their voices shaking the very air.
Seeing this, the expressions behind the CP0 masks turned extremely ugly. The situation had spiraled completely out of their control. This was the "Will of the People." Rowan, a man retired for decades, held the hearts of these Marines firmly in his hand.
Rowan sighed and patted Toller's shoulder with a smile. "Alright, that's enough. Stop meddling and head back. I'll settle this matter myself. If I'm not mistaken, someone should be arriving soon to pick this guy up."
Though he wasn't sure who, Rowan knew the Five Elders wouldn't let the face of the World Government rot here forever. But he also knew Sengoku's character—even if the Elders called him, Sengoku would never send men to arrest his master; he'd likely get into a shouting match and hang up. As for Garp, if the Elders told him to arrest Rowan, Garp wouldn't even give them the time of day.
Unless the Elders sent the top-tier powerhouses of CP0, they would have to call the three Admirals.
Among them, Akainu Sakazuki would surely refuse. In Akainu's eyes, Celestial Dragons were just another type of scum; the only reason he didn't kill them himself was out of respect for the system. He'd never mobilize for one.
Kizaru, the old slacker, might show up just to see the show, but would he actually confront Rowan?
Aokiji was the most likely to come, but probably just to play the role of the mediator.
Regardless of who it was, Rowan didn't care. He looked at the Celestial Dragon, who had resumed his frantic kowtowing, and took a slow puff of his pipe. He had felt a killing intent earlier, but he didn't truly plan on finishing the guy here. Killing a Celestial Dragon would bring the World Government down on his head; while his strength and status would protect him, it would likely strip him of the chance to attend the Reverie.
That was the only reason Vaskeriel-sei was still breathing. Besides, the killing intent Rowan had just projected had likely shattered the man's courage forever. Even if he let him go, the Noble wouldn't dare pull any tricks behind his back.
"Since Mr. Rowan has spoken," Toller said, casting one final look of contempt at the Noble, "we shall withdraw."
"But Mr. Rowan, if you have need, we remain at your disposal!"
With a wide wave of his hand, Toller shouted to the troops, "Brothers, withdraw!"
At the command of the highly-regarded Toller, the Marines sheathed their weapons and marched away without a single moment of hesitation. In Toller's heart, Rowan's status was unshakeable. But in the hearts of these soldiers, Toller's word was law.
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