Before this, Rowan had never imagined Kuzan would turn into someone like this.
The Kuzan he remembered, whether it was the hot-blooded one before the Ohara incident who wanted to join the hunt for Roger, or the one after Ohara who spent his days either sleeping or half-asleep, was far better than this nonstop talker.
After the Sabaody Archipelago incident, perhaps because of the World Government's distrust, among the three Admiral candidates, aside from Sakazuki, the other two were kept at headquarters on standby.
And during this period, Kuzan began what could only be described as mental bombardment against Rowan.
A week later, that bombardment became even more direct.
"When I first joined the Marines, my dream was to wipe out all pirates. But later, the World Government told me pirates cannot be completely eliminated. Because if they are, no one will be willing to pay Heavenly Tribute."
"Do you know about the moving walkway in Mary Geoise? It's powered by slaves pushing it from below. Some of those slaves are just children."
"I'm an orphan too. When I was young, I survived with a broken fishing net. I had a friend, about the same age as those kids."
"Rowan, if one day you become an Admiral candidate, don't go any further. Because then you'll face countless choices, and those choices will only bring you pain."
Rowan, who had been practicing his swings, suddenly turned and leveled his blade at Kuzan.
"Do you know that if what you just said gets out, you'll face even harsher investigation and interrogation than Borsalino?"
Kuzan casually pushed the blade aside.
"Are you going to report me to Spandine? I don't believe someone Lomi trusted would obey the Celestial Dragons."
Colonel Lomi…
Rowan fell silent for a moment. So the problem lies with that former superior?
"Did you forget about the South Blue incident?"
Kuzan replied, "That was just Spandine needing someone to take the blame. And I just happened to be recalled by Fleet Admiral Sengoku because of my personality. It was simply coincidence."
He got smarter?
Rowan looked at him. "Even so, why are you telling me all this? What, you want me to defect with you and overthrow the Celestial Dragons? I'm not insane."
Hearing that, Kuzan quickly looked around, his Observation Haki already active.
After a moment, he sighed.
"You're underestimating yourself, Rowan. The fourth monster of the training camp. Unless something unexpected happens, you're basically destined to become an Admiral-level powerhouse."
As he spoke, Kuzan glanced at the book in his arms.
At some point, his stance had completely changed.
And with that change, so had his choices.
He had already begun to piece together the identity of the cloaked man halfway through reading this book. Combined with how the Revolutionary Army had now entered the World Government's attention, the conclusion was obvious.
Based on his understanding of Lomi, and Rowan's earlier explanation of his goals, Kuzan believed Rowan had drawn close to the World Government only to rise quickly within the Marines, in order to eventually eliminate pirates.
So he believed their positions were the same.
After a long pause, Kuzan took out the book.
"This book has had a huge impact on me. I think someone like you, who went through hardship as a child and was acknowledged by Lomi, will also find the true path in it."
Rowan stared at the thick book he had originally given away and now received back, his eyelid twitching uncontrollably.
This guy must have seriously misunderstood something.
His persona had always been solid. The entire Marine Headquarters saw him as a disgrace, a lackey of the World Government.
So why did it completely fail when it came to Kuzan? Just because of Lomi?
Even after the South Blue incident, Kuzan never got angry, and right after the training camp, he even personally brought Rowan under his command.
This book really is powerful…
Find a chance to make contact with the Revolutionary Army's Spark identity. Also, Borsalino's attitude back at Sabaody was ambiguous. Maybe I can slip him a copy too.
If that works, two out of the three Admirals would be on my side. Then I just need to find an opportunity to deal with Sakazuki, climb higher within the Marines…
Yeah, this can be arranged.
Rowan accepted the thick book. After a full week of nonstop talking, Kuzan finally ended his "harassment" with a meaningful look.
One month later.
Sabaody Archipelago, Area 13.
Inside the Shakky's Rip-Off Bar, Shakky was wiping a glass.
The place rarely had customers. After all, a single drink cost hundreds of thousands of berries. With a name like "Rip-Off Bar," few people were willing to come here just to drink.
Those who did come were usually big clients, trading information. Except for one idiot who kept bowing nonstop.
"Thud! Thud! Thud!"
At the counter, a man was kneeling on the ground, repeatedly smashing his forehead against the floor. It was Shimotsuki Hikogoro, whom Rowan had left in Area 13 for nearly three years.
"The three years that Lord Spark mentioned are almost up. Although I have not returned to Wano, Lord Oden's situation is likely already dire. I… I must… no matter what…"
Rayleigh, holding a glass, found that his drink no longer tasted good. He looked at the samurai from Wano in front of him with a troubled expression.
Kozuki Oden had been his companion. Personally, Rayleigh wanted to help.
But the Roger Pirates had long since disbanded. His old comrades had each settled into their own lives. He neither wanted to disturb them nor could he.
The discovery of Laugh Tale had the potential to overturn the world. The captain's surrender had not been solely due to illness. It was also part of a plan for the future and a way to protect his crew.
As for the Whitebeard Pirates…
Even setting aside the difficulty of going alone to the New World, with his identity as the former vice captain of the Roger Pirates, he would never ask for help. That was a matter of principle.
Three years ago, the cloaked man who appeared with Kuzan's face had said he would help Wano. But now, it seemed he had no intention of seeking Whitebeard either.
"You should understand that with just Rayleigh alone, it's impossible to defeat the Beasts Pirates."
Shakky looked at Hikogoro outside the counter.
"In these three years, you've awakened Haki. Your Armament and Observation are both decent. But with just that level of strength, you might not even be able to break that man's defense."
Hikogoro knelt on the ground, forehead pressed to the floor, tears filling his eyes.
He hated his own weakness. Three years of growth had only brought him this far. From being weak, he had only become a slightly stronger nobody.
And the cloaked man who had once brought him here had still not come back for him.
A month ago, the battle in Area 1 of Sabaody had been covered up. But Rayleigh had managed to learn that it was that same man fighting the World Government.
The exact details were unknown, but the cloaked man's bounty still existed, and it had risen to 2.6 billion berries.
Clearly, he had caused the World Government serious trouble.
At this moment, Rayleigh, who had been quietly drinking, finally spoke.
"Oden was once my companion. But with the strength we have now, going to Wano won't change much. During this time, I'll pay closer attention to the cloaked man's movements. If he appears at Sabaody again…"
He stopped mid-sentence.
His gaze shifted toward the entrance of the bar.
Shakky did the same.
Both of their Observation Haki had sensed it. Two presences were approaching.
"Get up first."
"We'll talk later."
Just as Hikogoro stood up, not even having time to wipe away his tears and snot, the bar door was pushed open.
"Hahaha! Rayleigh, I didn't expect you to sell yourself like this. Scamming food and drinks, then knocking people out. Is it really that fun?"
The newcomers already knew the situation inside before stepping in.
Two cloaked figures entered one after the other, both carrying swords, but wearing different masks.
The familiar voice made Rayleigh's pupils shrink instantly, and the glass in his hand slipped and hit the counter.
In his mind, that man from decades ago appeared again. The one who wore a straw hat, carried a small bundle, and dared to ask him to turn the world upside down together.
Shakky wasn't as familiar with Roger, but when she saw Rowan, she also let out a quiet sigh of relief.
He finally showed up. If he hadn't, she wouldn't have known how to deal with this samurai from Wano.
"You… you bastard!"
Rayleigh's eyes turned slightly red, but in the next moment, he raised his blade and pointed it at Roger. His gaze, however, shifted toward Rowan.
"So your ability to change into other people can even be used on others. But you shouldn't be using tricks like this on me."
The sudden tension caused the atmosphere in the bar to drop to freezing point.
Shakky quietly set down the glass she was wiping, her hand already gripping a weapon beneath the counter.
Shimotsuki Hikogoro, who had just been excited that his benefactor had finally arrived, was now completely stunned.
Under the mask, Rowan sighed.
"You don't even understand your own crewmate? His brain is far better than yours. Without the ability to hear the Voice of All Things, I doubt you could've even become Pirate King."
The man being pointed at showed no fear at all. He casually removed his mask, revealing a face with cracks and ghost-like pupils.
"Hahaha… you're right, sir. Without a group of reliable companions, I wouldn't have been able to complete my journey."
Roger then lifted his head slightly and looked at Rayleigh.
"This is the second time you've pointed a blade at me. So, want to come with me and turn the world upside down again, Rayleigh?"
Rayleigh froze.
Half an hour later, three people were seated at the bar in Shakky's Rip-Off Bar, while Hikogoro stood nearby.
Rayleigh poured himself a drink and downed it in one go.
"So, Captain, you can't eat or drink now? That takes away a lot of the fun."
Roger laughed heartily.
"And I don't even need to take a dump anymore! Hahaha!"
After laughing, Roger grew calm.
"You know this. Death never scared me. Using my life to ignite a new era in this world was always my choice."
"A future I was destined never to see, I now have a chance to witness ahead of time. That's already a huge gain."
Rayleigh, who had also been to Laugh Tale, glanced at Rowan.
Even with his mask removed, Rowan still appeared as Kuzan, quietly sipping his drink, never revealing his real face.
Ahead of time?
Because of this mysterious man?
But just killing a top-tier fighter wouldn't be enough.
"This is my sir. I follow his orders now. Willingly."
Roger casually pointed at Rowan, then looked at Hikogoro behind him.
"I've heard from Oden that samurai of Wano keep their promises. So as the one who's about to help you, can you promise not to tell anyone about my revival?"
Hikogoro lowered his head.
"In the name of the Shimotsuki clan, no matter what happens, I will never reveal your resurrection to anyone."
Roger smiled and patted his shoulder.
"Don't worry. Oden is my companion. That bastard Kaido dared to bully Oden, which means he bullied me."
At that moment, Rowan spoke.
"So you're planning to rebuild the Roger Pirates?"
Roger choked for a second, then…
Roger quickly looked at Rowan.
"Isn't that why we have you, sir? With our strength, Kaido is nothing but trash."
Rowan rolled his eyes. "You've picked up new slang pretty fast. But let me make this clear first. Helping Wano break free from Kaido is fine, but I won't allow its opening to be delayed for twenty years."
The moment those words fell, both Roger and Rayleigh's expressions changed.
They knew Wano's secret very well. From the records at Laugh Tale, Oden had also learned the true meaning behind Wano opening its borders.
The ancient weapon Pluton from eight hundred years ago was hidden within Wano.
Roger let out a breath.
"So is there anything you don't know, sir? Have you been to Laugh Tale as well?"
Rowan shook his head slightly.
"I haven't. What D stands for has nothing to do with me. How many plans Joy Boy left behind has nothing to do with me either. If I want to change this world, it won't be because of some inherited will from the dead."
"It's because I'm a survivor of God Valley. Because what I saw made me sick. That's why I want to overturn this world."
As he spoke, Rowan looked at the two of them.
"Does D really matter?"
Roger suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
"That's right. D doesn't matter at all. Maybe because my name carries it, I overlooked that truth."
"Anyone who dares to oppose them is a D. And now there are countless such people. We are not inheriting the will of those who failed before us. We are following our own will."
Rowan smiled faintly and drained the wine in his cup.
In this revolution, he would never allow something like destiny or chosen fate to take hold. That was not the kind of revolution he wanted.
That would be a betrayal to those already sacrificing themselves in this struggle, and a hidden danger for the future.
After the Celestial Dragons are gone, there must never be a new class like them.
This would be a victory led by an ordinary survivor of God Valley, by someone from the lowest rung of society, an orphan who rose up to overturn the world.
Not a restoration driven by the will or bloodline of some ancient kingdom.
At its core, that difference mattered.
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