What Kizaru hadn't expected was that after inviting him out for a spar today, Mr. Rowan would completely suppress him using nothing but pure Taijutsu.
While Rowan's raw destructive power might be slightly less than the concentrated laser beams of the Glint-Glint Fruit, in terms of sheer speed, Rowan actually had the upper hand over the "Light Human"! Furthermore, his martial arts technique far exceeded Kizaru's. This led to the Admiral being suppressed from the very start of the match, eventually resulting in him being kicked into the mountainside.
Being outclassed in his own specialty—speed—left Kizaru feeling quite frustrated.
"How was it? Do you feel the gaps in your strength now?" Rowan looked at the surrendering Kizaru with a smile. He pulled out his giant pipe, took a deep, satisfied drag, and looked quite relaxed. "Kizaru, my boy, you can't just rely on the Glint-Glint Fruit to act arrogant in the future. Otherwise, when you face a real challenge, you're going to suffer a huge loss."
"I understand, Mr. Rowan. I'll make sure to train my Taijutsu properly from now on," Kizaru replied, pouting slightly and shrugging.
Purupurupurupuru...
Just then, the sound of a Den Den Mushi rang out from Rowan's person.
Rowan gestured for Kizaru and the surrounding Vice Admirals to head back first. He walked to a secluded spot and answered the call.
"Teacher." Sengoku's voice came through the receiver.
"Mm." Rowan nodded. "Sengoku, my boy, has the Levely started?"
Since it was currently the period for the world summit, Rowan had previously asked Sengoku to notify him when the meeting was about to begin.
Sengoku continued, "Teacher, the Levely is about to officially commence. Please head to the Holy Land, Mariejois, now. I've already made the necessary arrangements; someone will be there to guide you once you arrive."
"Good. I'm on my way."
Rowan hung up and stretched his back, whispering to himself, "I've waited a month. Finally, it's beginning..."
A certain arrogant figure flickered through Rowan's mind—the memory of Doflamingo acting high and mighty in front of him at Marine Headquarters. Rowan took another puff of smoke, a grin spreading across his face.
"That guy should be attending the Levely too, shouldn't he?"
As the King of Dressrosa, Doflamingo was qualified to participate. Rowan wondered what kind of expression the man would make when he saw him there. Surprise? Anger? Or... fear?! And how would the Five Elders treat him now?
With a faint smile, Rowan began walking toward the warship.
The Holy Land, Mariejois
In the current world, there exists a specific meeting where every proposal put forward has the potential to shift the direction of the entire globe. This summit is known as the Levely.
Every four years, the World Government holds this meeting at the peak of the Red Line in the Holy Land, Mariejois. The highest authorities of the World Government—the Five Elders—high-ranking officials including Admirals and the Fleet Admiral, and the kings or high ministers of the 170 member nations who pay the "Heavenly Tribute" to the Celestial Dragons, all gather for this grand occasion.
Today, within Pangea Castle in Mariejois, the leaders of over 170 nations had arrived. In less than half an hour, the solemn Levely would officially begin.
Some kings and ministers were conversing in the social plaza, while others had already entered the conference hall. At that moment, a group of people walked slowly toward Pangea Castle from the opposite direction.
These people wore extravagant clothing and bubble masks over their heads. Their faces were etched with extreme arrogance; some even sat upon the backs of formerly infamous pirate captains used as slaves.
These were the Celestial Dragons—the "World Nobles" who claimed to be the descendants of the Creators and resided in Mariejois. Behind them stood the massive gates engraved with the "Hoof of the Celestial Dragon," the Tenryu Gate that separated Pangea Castle from the "Domain of the Gods."
The Domain of the Gods was the private residence of the Celestial Dragons. Within Mariejois, no one—not even the kings of the member nations—had the right to pass through that gate without the explicit permission of a World Noble.
As these haughty nobles entered the social plaza, fear washed over the faces of everyone present.
"Father, are those the legendary descendants of the Creators, the World Nobles?" a young princess asked, her large eyes filled with curiosity as she turned to the man dressed in royal robes beside her.
The King's face paled instantly. He lunged forward to cover the little princess's mouth. He knew all too well that if a Celestial Dragon overheard her and took offense, her life would be forfeit. Even their entire kingdom might suffer for it!
"Lowly mortals," one of the Celestial Dragons sneered, glancing at the trembling kings and ministers. They didn't bother to interact further, simply heading straight into Pangea Castle.
The royalty in the plaza breathed a collective sigh of relief once the nobles were gone. If a Celestial Dragon took a dislike to someone, they could be beaten or worse, and no one had the right to resist. Here, they were supreme. They were the "Gods" of this world. Though the attendees were royalty themselves, in front of the World Nobles, they were merely "Kings of the Mortal Realm"—titles that carried no dignity in the presence of the "Gods."
Furthermore, the privilege of the Celestial Dragons wasn't just in status. If anyone dared to raise a hand against them in Mariejois, they would be immediately neutralized by the "Strongest Shield of the World Nobles," CP0. CP0 was a cipher pol organization directly under the command of the World Nobles, containing masters whose strength rivaled that of Marine Admirals.
As the royalty prepared to follow the nobles into the castle for the start of the meeting, another figure emerged from the Domain of the Gods.
When this figure stepped through the Tenryu Gate toward Pangea Castle, the kings in the plaza were stunned.
Who was this?
This lone figure was dressed simply and did not wear the iconic bubble mask of the World Nobles. He even gave a friendly wave and a smile to the kings and ministers as he passed. However, because he had emerged directly from the "Domain of the Gods," the royalty remained cautious and wary.
"Wait, isn't that Saint Vascrie?" someone finally whispered, recognizing the man's identity after he had entered the castle.
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