Kuzan couldn't help but grow interested when he heard Rolan say that.
If Rolan spoke so confidently, then the person he referred to couldn't be ordinary. Whoever it was, they clearly weren't someone who should casually appear in Peach Garden.
At the very least, it had to be someone Kuzan knew.
Most of his connections were within the Marines, so the unexpected guest Rolan mentioned had to be a Marine. And not just any Marine, someone of significant rank, likely Vice Admiral level or higher.
Still, there was no way to be sure until he saw it himself.
Rolan led Kuzan deeper into Peach Garden, toward its core region, Lungan.
The moment Kuzan arrived, the shock in his heart intensified.
The prosperity here surpassed anything he had seen before.
Strange and advanced technologies filled the streets. Devices and materials he had never encountered before were displayed openly, blending seamlessly into daily life.
He stopped walking, unable to hide his disbelief.
"Is this still the pirate world? It feels like I've stepped into something completely unfamiliar… like a place that only exists in imagination."
Rolan let out a faint chuckle.
"Come on, Fleet Admiral. You'll have time to look around later."
Kuzan snapped back to reality and continued forward.
Peach Garden was enormous. It took nearly an entire day just to reach its core.
Kuzan had arrived in the surrounding seas early in the morning, and now it was already late at night.
Darkness fell, but the city didn't sleep.
Lights illuminated every street, casting vibrant colors across the buildings and pathways. Unlike other sleepless cities, this place still respected the rhythm of night, yet it remained alive with energy.
Standing at a high vantage point, Kuzan and Rolan overlooked the glowing city of Lungan.
Kuzan exhaled slowly, then turned his gaze toward Rolan.
There was a clear sense of satisfaction on Rolan's face.
He was proud of what he had built.
"Rolan," Kuzan said, his tone turning serious, "let's talk business."
Rolan felt a slight sense of satisfaction.
He understood Kuzan well enough. Like Garp, Kuzan had little love for the World Government. The difference was that Kuzan was quieter about it, but his actions were often more decisive.
Rolan had already guessed Kuzan's purpose.
Kuzan likely wanted to use Peach Garden as leverage, to break free from the World Government and form an independent Marine force.
But Rolan had no interest in that.
He wanted the Marines to become part of Peach Garden, completely.
An army that would uphold peace under his rule, not operate separately.
That was why he hadn't rushed the conversation. He wanted Kuzan to see everything first, to be influenced by what Peach Garden represented.
Now, Kuzan had finally spoken.
That meant Rolan's plan had worked.
Rolan nodded.
"Alright."
The two of them soon arrived at a massive conference room in Shandora.
Inside, someone was already waiting.
The man wore a yellow-striped suit with tinted glasses. A faintly lazy and indecent expression lingered on his face. He held a cup of coffee, sipping it leisurely.
"I wonder when he will show up. I've already had ten cups of coffee… good thing there's a restroom nearby."
As he muttered to himself, the doors opened.
Two figures stepped inside.
"So you finally arrived."
He raised his head casually, but the moment his eyes landed on the second figure beside Rolan, his pupils shrank.
Kuzan.
At the same time, Kuzan froze as well.
"Borsalino… what are you doing here?"
The unexpected guest Rolan mentioned turned out to be none other than Admiral Kizaru.
Both of them had once served as Admirals under Sengoku. They knew each other's personalities well.
Kizaru was someone who only did the bare minimum. He had no ambition, no drive for power.
When Sengoku recommended him for Fleet Admiral, he didn't even hesitate, he simply accepted without objection.
After Sakazuki's death at Marineford, the only candidates left for Fleet Admiral were Kuzan and Kizaru.
And Kizaru stepping aside had surprised no one.
What Kuzan couldn't understand was why Kizaru had secretly come to Peach Garden.
Was he working for Rolan?
That didn't make sense. Kizaru had been in the Marines longer than Rolan had even been alive.
Tourism was even less likely.
Peach Garden was controlled by one of the most dangerous pirate forces in the world.
Then there was only one possibility.
Kuzan's eyes narrowed slightly.
Had Kizaru also been pulled in by Rolan?
Kizaru stood up slowly and nodded.
"Fleet Admiral… what are you doing here? Don't tell me Luo Te captured you."
Despite his words, Kuzan looked completely unharmed.
Which meant only one thing.
Kuzan had come here willingly.
Rolan glanced at both of them before speaking calmly.
"Gentlemen, let's sit."
They exchanged looks before taking their seats.
Rolan cleared his throat lightly.
"For two figures like you to come here personally, that alone shows recognition toward me… and toward Peach Garden."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"You're both top figures in the Marines. One Admiral, one Fleet Admiral. I understand why you're here."
"And you should also understand why I built Peach Garden."
Rolan leaned back slightly, his expression calm but firm.
"I'll be direct."
"I want the Marines to join Peach Garden, just like the Revolutionary Army."
"Nani!?"
Kuzan shot to his feet instantly.
Kizaru, on the other hand, remained seated, calmly sipping his coffee.
This didn't surprise him.
Rolan had already spoken to him about Nika. Compared to that, absorbing the Marines wasn't even shocking.
In fact, Kizaru had already begun to support the idea.
"Fleet Admiral, sit down," Rolan said evenly. "Let's talk properly. I'm not forcing the Marines to submit. In fact…"
The discussion continued until dawn.
No one else knew what was said within that room.
By the time it ended, the three of them were sharing breakfast, talking as if nothing had happened.
Only they knew the outcome of that conversation.
Soon after, Rolan stood on a small wooden boat floating high in the sky, heading toward the New Marine Headquarters.
The vessel moved at incredible speed.
Since the headquarters was located in the New World, it didn't take long before they reached its outer sea.
This was the New World.
Far fewer informants from the World Government operated here.
Rolan lowered the boat onto the sea and turned toward Kuzan and Kizaru.
"Gentlemen… the rest is up to you."