In fact, Baro really fell off the deck.
This burly man, who acted without much regard for formality, certainly didn't hold back his words or actions, and frankly expressed his feelings.
— He was shocked.
And it was precisely because of his shock that Baro, who had been standing up straight, stiffened his neck and fell off the deck into the sea.
Fortunately, Baro was not a Devil Fruit user, and he was a proficient swimmer in the Marines.
So after the seawater cooled his head for a few seconds, Baro exerted power from his waist and abdomen, and then leaped out of the sea like a flying fish, landing steadily on the deck.
"Whew..."
Baro took a deep breath and exclaimed with a laugh, "Hahaha, a refreshing sea bath after some exercise feels quite nice!"
"Oh, right, right..."
Baro scratched his head and grinned, "Mr. Rowan, what were you just saying?"
Rowan smiled and calmly repeated, "I plan to temporarily shut down the G-T branch."
As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere on the entire warship visibly changed.
It was a situation where extreme emotional changes infected those around them.
For example, "sadness spreading through people's hearts," "fear spreading through people's hearts," and so on...
The atmosphere now was probably "disappointment spreading through people's hearts."
At this moment, the entire warship was plunged into a deep sense of loss, an atmosphere of extreme strangeness.
In fact, the other G-T branch Marine soldiers hadn't heard Rowan's words.
They had only seen their "big brother" Baro, who was happily talking to Mr. Rowan, and then the smile on his face froze.
After that, Baro, with his frozen smile, tumbled straight into the sea.
A few seconds later, Baro "whooshed" and jumped back onto the deck from the sea.
He exchanged a few more words with Rowan, then continued to maintain that stiff smile and went to a nearby corner, squatting on the ground drawing circles.
That extreme sense of loss then emanated from Baro's body, and with its strong infectiousness, it made others unable to ignore the situation.
"It's over, I've disappointed my teacher..."
Baro's face was turned towards the corner, so others couldn't see it clearly, but his voice seemed to tremble slightly.
This strong man, smelling of blood, was probably... crying.
Even Rowan was a bit surprised by this, and the rest of what he had prepared to say got stuck in his throat and he couldn't speak it.
...
If Crocodile himself were here, facing such a spectacular scene, he would surely clap his hands and laugh heartily.
Who exactly was Ryan Rowan, the dignified [Golden Dawn]?
He could chat and laugh with Marine Headquarters Chief of Staff Tsuru; he could go toe-to-toe with [Strategy Master] Sengoku in terms of strategy; he could pressure Germa 66's commander Vinsmoke Judge to the point of breathlessness during negotiations!
To talk with Ryan Rowan, one had to be prepared to be "one-upped' by him at any moment, which was a rather unpleasant feeling.
Rowan always had a habit of throwing out some shocking statements first, and then when the other party's emotions were in flux, he would find their vulnerabilities to "cut in."
When a person's emotions fluctuate, whether positive or negative, it is the moment when "breakthroughs" are most likely to be found.
In this way, Rowan would always be the one in control during conversations.
This was a terrifying "skill."
Crocodile had been pondering how to "snatch" the initiative in conversations with Rowan.
Unfortunately, Crocodile tried his best, but failed.
The final result was that Crocodile gave up thinking.
If he couldn't deal with Ryan Rowan, couldn't he deal with "himself"?
Therefore, when talking with Rowan, Crocodile simply "abandoned" the emotion called "discomfort."
As long as I don't care, you can't make me uncomfortable!
From then on, Crocodile became very happy.
...
In a sense, Crocodile was very lucky.
Because if he saw what was happening on the warship at this moment, he would have been even more upset.
A problem that had troubled him for so long had been easily solved by someone else—especially after he had given up thinking.
Anyone would surely feel extremely annoyed.
...
Baro had found the "method" to win back the initiative in the conversation from Rowan.
It was actually very simple, just "take" everything Rowan said "seriously."
As long as "I" don't have any thoughts of refuting or doubting in my heart, then Ryan Rowan can't find any openings!
Thus, it was like a bronze wall and iron battlements, impenetrable and leakproof!
...
So, the actual initiative in the conversation was now with Baro.
Rowan's gentle smile remained, but a few barely noticeable beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
Hmm.
Given the situation, he should have explained the reason first.
So now, how should he continue...
Rowan pondered for a long time and finally thought of a solution.
He opened his mouth and softly uttered two words—
"Temporarily."
Baro was, after all, one of the many experts at sea, and his hearing was naturally sharp.
Therefore, after Rowan said those two words, a ray of sunshine suddenly appeared on Baro's previously dejected face.
His eyes began to gleam, and he became incredibly excited.
"Mr. Rowan, you speak, I'm listening!"
Baro was a simple and honest person, not someone who missed implied meanings, but his mind wasn't slow.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to advance to the rank of Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral.
Therefore, Baro immediately grasped Rowan's meaning.
The latter did not intend to shut down or relocate the G-T Marine branch out of the Four Seas Alliance.
The so-called "temporary" pause likely meant that Rowan had other arrangements for the G-T branch, thus requiring the main base of the G-T branch "located in Alabasta" to be temporarily shut down for a period.
In that case, Baro became curious.
"What do you need us to do? Why does everyone have to go?"
To be honest, with the progress made during this period, combined with the inherent advantages of the Fish-Men and the abandoned, the overall combat strength of the G-T Marine branch had been raised to an astonishing level.
Coupled with the support and supply line guarantees of the Four Seas Alliance, the G-T Marine branch's strength was no weaker than that of other long-established branches!
To have G-T mobilize entirely? Just what kind of major event could that be!
Rowan pointed behind them with his thumb, where the "special weapon" captured from the pirate ship was placed.
"Help me investigate the origin of this thing in the underworld."
Baro understood, but couldn't help but wonder, "In the underworld, those people probably won't let us investigate freely."
Rowan nodded in agreement, "So you can try to persuade them. If you can't, the G-T branch should be able to."
"I see."
Baro understood, patted his chest, and grinned, "My brothers and I will do our best to persuade them!"
---
You can read 50+ more chapter on patreon com/JYouyi