Setting the newspaper down on the side table, Rowan leaned back and felt the comfort of Gion's hands kneading his shoulders with perfect pressure. He let out a long, lazy stretch, took a slow drag from his pipe, and exhaled a plume of white smoke before asking:
"Gion, has there been any movement from the World Government's side?"
Yesterday, in Pangea Castle, he had executed Doflamingo right in front of the kings and ministers of various nations and left the Five Elders with a chilling warning. Combined with today's sensationalized news reports, the Five Elders should, by all rights, be unable to sit still. They ought to be moving against him by now.
However, Rowan wasn't worried about whatever schemes they might concoct. With his current prestige and absolute influence within the Navy, moving against him was no longer a simple matter for the Elders.
Momousagi (Gion) replied in her gentle voice, "Mr. Rowan, there hasn't been any movement from the World Government at all."
"No movement?" Rowan raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Those five old farts can endure that much? Is even Imu staying silent?
"Fine, let them be." Rowan shook his head, picking up a flask from the table and taking a swig of strong liquor. Since the Five Elders weren't acting yet, he wouldn't waste energy worrying about it. Soldiers come to block, water comes to cover; he'd handle it when it happened.
It was time to begin the second phase of his plan.
"Report!"
A communications officer ran up to Rowan and bowed respectfully. "Reporting to Vice Admiral Rowan! King Nefertari Cobra of Alabasta requests an audience."
A faint smile touched Rowan's lips. "So, he's here..."
A month ago, Rowan had sent a messenger to Alabasta with a specific deal for King Cobra: if Cobra granted Rowan his guest invitation to the Levely, Rowan would solve a crisis currently plaguing Alabasta.
That crisis was a devastating drought. Except for the capital, Alubarna, not a single drop of rain had fallen on the kingdom for an entire year. As a transmigrator, Rowan knew perfectly well that this "natural" disaster was the work of Crocodile.
But Rowan's motivation for heading there wasn't just to fulfill a deal for a summit invitation. This was a calculated step in his broader strategy.
Marine Headquarters Reception Room.
When Rowan pushed open the door, King Cobra, who had been waiting inside, immediately stood up to greet him. He bowed slightly with a look of genuine gratitude. "Mr. Rowan."
In terms of status, Cobra didn't need to be this polite to a mere Vice Admiral. As the King of Alabasta and the head of the Nefertari family, he technically had the authority to issue orders to Marine officers.
However, Cobra was a wise and humble ruler. Moreover, Rowan's recent exploits—repelling a Yonko, defeating Mihawk, and executing Doflamingo—had made him a figure of legend. Such a man deserved his utmost respect.
"No need for formalities, King Cobra," Rowan replied with a smile, returning the gesture. "Isn't the Levely supposed to last seven days? Why have you come so early?"
Cobra let out a bitter laugh and shook his head. "The people at the summit are only concerned with their own interests. It's dreadfully dull. You only stayed for ten minutes before leaving; I think staying a full day was my limit."
"Fair point," Rowan agreed, nodding.
Cobra's expression turned serious as he changed the subject. "Mr. Rowan, are you prepared? When shall we set out?"
This was the primary reason he had abandoned the summit and come to the Navy. He had held up his end of the bargain; now it was Rowan's turn to solve the drought caused by the "Dance Powder."
The citizens of Alabasta were on the brink of revolt. Rumors of a rebel army forming to overthrow the monarchy were spreading like wildfire, and Cobra was at his wit's end. He had no leads and no solutions. That was why he had gambled everything on the mysterious letter Rowan had sent him. He couldn't bear to see his people suffer any longer, nor did he want to see the kingdom descend into a civil war.
Rowan, sensing the king's urgency, smiled. "We can leave whenever you're ready."
Cobra bowed again. "Then I shall trouble you, Mr. Rowan."
The fact that Rowan didn't hesitate suggested he truly had a way to fix the kingdom's plight.
"It's nearly lunchtime. Would you like to eat at Headquarters before we depart, King Cobra?" Gion asked politely from Rowan's side.
Cobra waved his hand dismissively. "We can eat on the ship. I brought some specialty ingredients from Alabasta. If you don't mind, Mr. Rowan, I'd like to show off my own cooking skills during the journey."
Rowan laughed heartily. "To taste the cooking of King Cobra himself? That is my good fortune!"
"Then after you, Mr. Rowan," Cobra said, gesturing toward the door.
"In that case, I won't be modest." Rowan exhaled a cloud of smoke and walked out.
Since Luffy was currently undergoing "Hell Training" under Garp, Rowan decided to take only Gion and Zoro with him. Technically, Zoro's agreement to stay with Rowan for a month had already expired. However, after Rowan became the World's Greatest Swordsman, the young man showed no intention of leaving, and Rowan saw no reason to kick him out.
Ten minutes later, at the Marineford docks, a warship carrying King Cobra, Rowan, and his small entourage slowly pulled away from the pier. Their destination: the superpower of the Grand Line, the Alabasta Kingdom.
Since it was the Levely period, the Navy was responsible for escorting heads of state to ensure they weren't harassed by pirates.
Standing at the bow in his casual clothes, Rowan puffed on his pipe and gazed at the vast, rolling waves. As the sea breeze tousled his hair, he mapped out the next steps of his plan, a subtle smirk playing on his lips.