Half a month later, after one final sweep of the West Blue pirates, Rowan boarded a warship heading to Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
The moment this news spread from Loguetown across the West Blue, those who had been too afraid to set sail because of the "Executioner" finally erupted in celebration.
That bastard was finally gone.
The West Blue had long been mocked as the weakest sea after the East Blue, and all of it was because of that man blocking Reverse Mountain.
Even the Hero of the Marines, Garp, had to stay at headquarters most of the time, only occasionally returning to the East Blue on leave. But Rowan had been stationed in the West Blue for two straight years without leaving.
Not only did he guard Reverse Mountain, he also set traps from time to time.
Any pirate who had harmed civilians never survived.
Even those who had not yet raised a pirate flag were not spared. Bandits, thugs, it didn't matter. If they were guilty, they died.
And now he was gone.
Gone to Marine Headquarters.
Gone for good.
Was this not worth celebrating?
Of course it was.
Drink first, then set sail.
Head straight for Reverse Mountain.
As for the Marine base at Loguetown, the commander there was said to be nothing special. Killing him to raise the pirate flag would be perfect.
"Clink."
Cups collided, and cheers filled the air.
Across the entire West Blue, every tavern was more lively than ever before. The scum who had been suppressed for nearly three years finally let loose.
"Boss, more drinks, or do you want me to split your head open?"
"Hahaha, a place like the Grand Line, even someone like Executioner Rowan would get killed by real pirates."
"That's right. Maybe we'll hear news of his death as soon as we set sail."
"Everyone, for One Piece, for the treasure of Pirate King Gol D. Roger, cheers!"
"For treasure, cheers!"
"Old man, are you trying to die? Where's the booze?"
Behind the bar, an elderly man trembled with anger.
All his stored alcohol had been drunk dry, and not a single berry had been paid.
This kind of thing would have been impossible before.
Under that Marine's watch, it didn't matter whether you were a pirate or not. Bandits, gangsters, tyrants, anyone guilty would be killed. Those who truly set sail for dreams were often spared.
Back then, the old man never imagined things would return to this.
"I… I'm out of alcohol…"
His voice shook, but before he could finish, a hand slammed into him.
"Bang."
He was sent flying into the back of the bar. Glass shattered across the floor, blood dripping from his mouth.
So this was how it ended.
Without his stock, he had no way to survive anyway.
Shaking, he stood up, gripping his cane and pointing it forward.
"One day, that Marine will return, or you'll meet him on the Grand Line, and when that day comes, everything you've done will be repaid."
"You bastards, be afraid."
"The sea will swallow you all."
A gun was raised toward him.
"Old man, what are you saying? Want a minute to rethink your last words?"
The finger tightened on the trigger.
But it would not move.
No matter how hard he tried, it would not move.
A voice sounded from behind.
"I think he's right, because if you don't even have the courage to face me, then going out to sea will only end with you feeding the fish."
Rowan's finger pressed against the trigger, then twisted the man's wrist.
"Crack."
"AHHH!"
The scream cut through the tavern.
All laughter stopped.
Fear spread instantly.
"It's the Executioner!"
"That bastard didn't leave?"
"He tricked us. Run!"
A young pirate wearing a headscarf pulled out a pistol. "He's alone, what are you afraid of? Just focus fire and ki—"
Before he could finish, a middle-aged man smacked him on the back of the head. "Run, idiot, do you want to die?"
Some still turned and fired.
Gunpowder filled the air.
Not a single shot hit.
Under Observation Haki, every attack was seen. Under the prison's special vision, the crime values above their heads made Rowan almost excited.
He had deliberately spread the news before leaving, then doubled back after the warship set sail, returning to sweep the major islands of the West Blue.
"Bang."
He grabbed one by the face and slammed him into the ground, killing him instantly.
"Whoosh."
Using Soru from the Six Powers, Rowan moved effortlessly, even controlling direction mid-step.
In the next moment, he appeared behind a middle-aged pirate.
Crime value: 560.
"Three years ago, you wiped out a village and tortured over a dozen people to death. I looked for you several times over the past two years, but you kept hiding."
"And now you show up again, thinking of changing careers? For someone like you, death is not the end. Pain is."
Before the man could react, Rowan struck.
His head twisted unnaturally, his spine shattered.
One by one, those marked by high crime values were hunted down and killed.
Every desperate counterattack failed.
Some had their wrists crushed, their own blades used to sever their heads.
Fresh blood ignited pure terror.
Over the past two years, especially the last six months, this man had become a monster.
So why was he still in the West Blue?
Wasn't he supposed to have gone to the Grand Line?
After a minute, nearly ninety percent of the young pirates, blinded by dreams of treasure, fled in terror.
The remaining ten percent, former bandits, gang members, and underworld thugs, were all executed, their souls extracted.
Two days later, the three largest pirate gathering points in the West Blue became forbidden zones.
No one knew when that monster might return.
The massacres had shattered the courage of many young men who once dreamed of treasure.
The 80th Marine Branch carried out cleanup as usual.
Bounties were used to compensate civilians who had suffered losses.
The rest were distributed as rewards.
That was Captain Lomi's rule in the West Blue.
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