Crocodile understood Ryan Rowan, so he knew he couldn't stop this man at all.
No matter what, the sea would become turbulent because of that man's actions!
So he chose to accept it willingly and began to ponder one thing:
How should he face the "unknown era" that was about to arrive?
...
Vinsmoke Judge understood this sea, so he knew the most likely consequence if the man in front of him acted this way.
Countless powers would be dissatisfied with Ryan Rowan's actions.
They would surely take their own actions against Ryan Rowan's behavior.
Huh? Were they going to help Ryan Rowan cut down that tree?
No, not at all.
Instead of risking a challenge against a beast of unknown, or even extreme, strength, it was better to deal with the "person" who intended to provoke the beast's roar.
If you can't solve the problem, solve the person who raised it!
This was the common thinking of most people at sea.
Despicable, shameless, lacking justice and morality.
— But it certainly works.
Instead of taking the huge risk of "being buried with Ryan Rowan," it was better to just "cover oneself with a big quilt," close one's eyes and cover one's ears, and pretend not to see the tree's existence.
After all, based on the previous situation, the tree wouldn't threaten the whole world for at least a few hundred—or even thousands of—years.
Since that was the case, why take such a big risk?
Vinsmoke Judge could almost foresee what this sea would become if Ryan Rowan truly insisted on doing so.
The Four Seas Alliance would be an enemy to the world!
Even within the Four Seas Alliance, some people would not agree with Ryan Rowan's actions.
Even within Alabasta, some people would be confused by Ryan Rowan's actions!
This was an inevitable outcome.
And the consequence of this outcome, after it developed, would be that these people who held opposing views would inevitably do their best to stop Ryan Rowan.
To this end, they would even go so far as to wage war!
...
Huh?
Would Germa 66 also choose to go to war with Ryan Rowan to stop him?
Hmm...
No.
Vinsmoke Judge could guarantee it with his chest patted.
Of course not!
He wasn't stupid!
After he had initially witnessed Ryan Rowan's combat power, he had already made up his mind never to easily make an enemy of that man!
That would be a transaction that was absolutely not worth it.
There was only one thing they needed to do, and that was to "wait"!
Wait until when?
Wait until Ryan Rowan found that tree, wait until Ryan Rowan's plan was exposed, wait until this sea all realized what Ryan Rowan was doing...
By then, Germa 66 wouldn't need to stir up trouble with Ryan Rowan, because countless forces, big and small, would surely unite to stop Ryan Rowan!
...
"So that's how you think..."
Judge muttered, re-examining the Ryan Rowan in front of him.
In his opinion, Ryan Rowan should have been a conservative emperor who didn't like war much, otherwise he wouldn't have been willing to cooperate with the Marines to build the Four Seas Alliance.
But this man's actions contained a fundamental contradiction.
He shouldn't have been so aggressive!
"Huh?"
Thinking of this, Judge suddenly realized something and frowned, "What exactly did you see?"
"I saw the 'future'."
Rowan looked up, then held his scepter and slowly stood up.
"I saw what was about to happen."
"But who knows how long it will take for all those things to happen!"
Judge retorted, "Attaching all that unknown to yourself, bearing it all by yourself, that's meaningless!"
"It is meaningful, Vinsmoke Judge. It is meaningful."
Rowan grinned and smiled, "We can explore the unknown; we can explore the 'future,' rather than entrusting our 'future' to the 'future' itself."
"That would be too... passive and boring."
He took a step, but instead of continuing towards Judge, he turned back in the direction he came from, as if planning to leave.
The moment Rowan turned, the sand table, which had been gathered by the Sand-Sand Fruit's ability, was now eroded by the sand and turned into a pool of gravel.
The gravel scattered in the wind, but did not form a sandstorm to obscure the eyes. Instead, it spread across the deck of the Germa Kingdom like a thin veil.
Under the sunlight and sea breeze, it was indeed a beautiful scene that could be called a marvel.
"The future reveals our destiny."
Rowan said as he turned, looking around.
"Everything we do now determines the destiny of the future, whether it's us or others."
His gaze passed over the clone soldiers around him and looked out at the distant sea.
"Sometimes, fate will determine the future of others; and sometimes, others will determine the destiny of the future."
Rowan said slowly:
"And I happen to be someone who doesn't like the word 'fate' very much."
His voice was calm and firm, with even a hint of well-hidden madness.
"Since the destiny of the future seems to have already been decided, then I specifically want to try if I can change what is about to happen."
"It's not that I want to challenge fate, but that fate is challenging me!"
"..."
After a long silence, Rowan, who had already taken a few steps, suddenly stopped.
He turned his body sideways, one eye fixed on Judge behind him.
The sea breeze made the sash on his clothes flutter slowly.
"Do you remember how you felt the first time you went to sea, the first time you encountered a storm?"
Judge didn't answer, because he could tell that Rowan was asking and answering himself.
"I was very excited!"
"That feeling of breaking through all the unknown..."
"That feeling that no matter how much unknown you break through, there's always greater unknown ahead of you..."
"I'm scared!"
Rowan suddenly changed the subject and made a comment that Judge could never have expected.
Scared?
The man who was willing to make enemies of the entire sea to cut down a tree was now scared?
Rowan continued to speak.
"But it's precisely because of 'fear' that there's motivation to keep moving forward!"
"Staring into the abyss?"
"No, no, no..."
"I insist on going to the bottom of the abyss to see what's looking at me there!"
"Judge, and you all..."
Rowan grinned, revealing a smile of unprecedented joy.
Bathed in sunlight, Rowan really looked happy.
"Riding the wind and waves, it's always so inspiring, isn't it?"
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