The first step of his plan was simple.
He would attend the Reverie and have the World Government abolish the "Seven Warlords of the Sea" system. In Rowan's eyes, the Warlord title was currently nothing more than a nuisance standing in his way.
Rowan knew that for the World Government, the Warlords were a tool used to check the balance against the four Sea Emperors (Yonko) entrenched in the New World. Convincing them to dismantle the system would be no easy feat. To the common public—and even most Marines—the Marine Headquarters, the Yonko, and the Seven Warlords were the three great powers that maintained the balance of the Grand Line. It was widely believed that only by combining the Navy with the Warlords could the growth of the Yonko be suppressed.
However, Rowan knew the true reason the World Government maintained the Warlords. It wasn't about resisting the Yonko; it was the Seraphim Project. Therefore, even if the World Government knew they were merely using each other, they wouldn't easily let go of the Warlords until the Seraphim were complete.
Still, there was plenty of time before the Reverie began. When the time came, his proposal wouldn't be a request—it would be a notice. He wasn't like that brat "Red-Haired" Shanks; he didn't have the status of a Celestial Dragon. No matter how high his prestige in the Navy was, the Five Elders wouldn't grant him a favor so easily.
Sengoku nodded. "Understood. When the Reverie begins, I will send someone to fetch you, Master."
"Alright. Since my business is settled, this old man won't stay here and disturb you anymore." Rowan stood up, stretched, and chuckled. Though Sengoku was his student, he was first and foremost the Fleet Admiral, burdened with endless duties. Rowan didn't want to overstay his welcome and hinder the Navy's operations.
Rowan then turned to Tsuru. "Tsuru-chan, accompany this old man for a stroll around the Headquarters later. I haven't been back for so many years; I need to see what's changed." He sighed softly. "This was my home for decades, after all. I've actually missed it."
Tsuru smiled warmly. "Don't you worry, Master. I've cleared my schedule for the day. I'm doing nothing else but accompanying you."
"And me! Me too!" Gion shouted, hooking her arm back into Rowan's. Rowan shook his head helplessly.
He looked over at Luffy, whose head was still swollen, and Zoro, who had remained silent since entering the fortress. He gestured to them. "Little ones, let's go!"
Zephyr made a move to follow, but Rowan glared at him and barked, "You brat, don't you dare come along. Your most important task right now is to recover!" Zephyr had been severely injured just days ago and hadn't fully healed; Rowan wasn't about to let him wander around the island.
At the Navy Headquarters, there were medical facilities; it was better for the brat to rest. Hearing Rowan's tone, Zephyr chuckled sheepishly and sat back down.
Watching her teacher's reaction, Ain sighed. In the entire Navy, the only person who could make Master Zephyr act like this was... Grand-Master Rowan. Recalling the scene a few days ago where Rowan insisted she call him "Grand-Master," Ain's face felt awkward, and she lowered her head slightly. This old gentleman is really something, making a junior call him that... though, technically, the rank is correct.
Zephyr didn't notice Ain's internal conflict. He sat back down and gave her a subtle look, whispering, "Ain, follow them. Take good care of the Master for me."
Garp scratched the back of his head. "Pops, since Tsuru-chan is with you, I'll stay behind for now. Once Sengoku and I finish up here, everyone come over to my place for a drink. I'll cook personally today!"
Rowan nodded. "It's a deal. We'll head over to your place tonight." He gestured toward Luffy. "Better prepare plenty of food; we have a heavyweight eater in the group."
Garp, knowing Luffy's bottomless stomach, grinned. "Don't worry, Pops. I guarantee you'll be satisfied!"
With the pleasantries over, Rowan prepared to leave the office. However, before he could step out, Sengoku suddenly remembered something and hurried after him. "Wait, Master! A few days ago, the news reported that Hawkeye Mihawk challenged you. What was that about?"
Rowan laughed, not stopping his pace. "Hawkeye's challenge? Yes, I accepted it."
Before Sengoku could press further, Rowan's confident voice echoed back from the corridor: "No need to worry about that. This old man won't lose to the Hawkeye kid."
Accompanying those words was a surge of incredibly sharp sword intent.
When they felt it, both Sengoku and Garp's expressions changed instantly.
"This sword intent..." "To think... that sword intent from not long ago belonged to the Old Man..."
The two exchanged a look, their faces filled with complex emotions. Though this brief burst was small, its piercing quality was identical to the majestic sword intent they had sensed sweeping across the seas recently. At that time, they—and Aokiji—had felt a profound sense of threat from it. They never imagined the owner was the Rowan they knew.
But... we've never seen the Old Man touch a sword before. Where did this power come from?
As this thought rose, both men simultaneously turned their gazes toward Zephyr, who hadn't left yet. Anyone else would have felt unnerved by those stares, but Zephyr just lifted his chin, looking extremely smug—like a soldier showing off new boots at a parade.
"Ahem. You two... you just don't care enough about the Old Man. You didn't even know he's a Great Swordsman. I suppose I have to be the one to explain it to you..."
"What do you mean by that?" Garp frowned.
Zephyr let out a light cough. "Suddenly, I'm feeling quite thirsty. Garp, fetch me a glass of water first."
"You!" Garp's eyes widened. This guy was actually getting arrogant! But, burning with curiosity, Garp actually stood up and poured Zephyr a glass of water.
"Hmm, not bad." Zephyr took a sip and nodded with satisfaction. "It all started when I ran into the Master on Kust Island..."
Inside the Fleet Admiral's office, as Zephyr recounted the tale, the expressions on Sengoku and Garp's faces became increasingly priceless. They had assumed Rowan had used some trick to defeat Weevil. Even after seeing his physical skill, they hadn't believed he could take Weevil in a real fight.
But now, Zephyr was saying that the Master had crushed that monster in just two moves? If Zephyr was telling the truth, it meant they had lived with the Old Man for decades and knew absolutely nothing about his true strength.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
⭐ Read chapters early on Patreon → https://www.patreon.com/Bagga_10 ⭐
BONUS CHAPTER REWARDS
• Every 20 reviews = 1 bonus chapter
• Every 100 Power Stones = 1 bonus chapter
Your support directly unlocks more content and faster releases.