I still remember a few years ago when the world had no trace of the three Ancient Weapons appearing together; even finding a clue about one of them was impossible.
To curb the increasingly rampant Pirate Era, the government secretly passed the "Ancient Weapon Revival Plan."
It seems that this was also the turning point when the three Ancient Weapons, shrouded in historical mysteries, gradually began to reveal themselves. After the Water 7 incident, the whereabouts of Pluton became a mystery, which left Tesoro quite regretful at the time.
Because the only person who knew the secret was Tom's disciple, Iceberg. With Iceberg's death, no one in the world knew the clues to Pluton anymore.
This was also something the government had no choice but to do...
Tom was persecuted to death, and Iceberg, who had no family or attachments, refused to yield to any threats or torture.
If they couldn't have it, then they would destroy it.
Naturally, the news reported that pirates killed Iceberg, but whether that's true is up to interpretation.
That was also the first time Tesoro learned specific information about the Ancient Weapons. Unfortunately, the clues were cut off, so he shifted his focus to the unknown Uranus and Sea King.
However, even so, Rowen still managed to find Pluton, which shocked Tesoro far more than the discoveries of Sea King and Uranus.
"Indeed, everything is within that person's plans... right?"
Tesoro thought silently, then suddenly smiled and said, "Tell me, Fujitora San... if we assist Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon) in achieving his goals, wouldn't that make us founding fathers of a new era?"
To this, Fujitora remained silent for a moment before replying, "If Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon) achieves his goals, this old man only wishes to retire to the mountains and no longer concern himself with worldly affairs."
"Tch, you really are... desireless!"
Tesoro pouted in dissatisfaction, feeling exasperated by Fujitora's stubbornness, or perhaps his Buddhist mindset.
That would be a change in the world's ruling power!
As founding fathers, they wouldn't just become like the Celestial Dragons but would be among the highest privileged class.
Retire to the mountains?
Tesoro admitted he couldn't do that.
...
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Not long after the entire group returned to Headquarters, the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars)'s orders followed closely, reaching Akainu's hands.
The orders not only approved the reimbursement but even increased the amount to 500,000,000,000 Belly, demanding that the Marines upgrade their weapons and equipment to prepare for the great battle a year later.
Advisor Tsuru was summoned to discuss the specific plans for spreading out the resources, while Rowen took the opportunity to visit the Headquarters hospital located near the family town of Marineford to see a patient.
"Oh? Already awake?"
Rowen pushed the door open and saw the figure half-leaning on the pillows, raising an eyebrow slightly.
"Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon)?!"
Jinbe was startled and turned his head: "Thanks to the Marines' advanced medical technology, my life was saved."
Then, he eagerly asked, "What about Orrick? Did you capture him?!"
"That's the reason I came to see you..."
Rowen shook his head silently, pulling over a chair to sit down: "There's good news and bad news. Let's start with the good news."
Hearing this, Jinbe's expression turned serious.
"Please, go ahead!"
"Princess Shirahoshi is still alive... She is indeed the legendary Ancient Weapon— Sea King Poseidon. Orrick needs her power to fulfill his ambitions, so she is safe for now."
"That's... that's great!"
Jinbe trembled as he covered his face with his hands: "She's just a child. I've been worried about whether she would..."
He took a deep breath, leaving the sentence unfinished.
"Then... what's the bad news?"
"The bad news is also because Princess Shirahoshi is still alive... Orrick, who holds an Ancient Weapon, is not to be underestimated. He has the confidence to destroy the world, which is why the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) reached an agreement with him to cease hostilities for a year until the great battle begins."
At this point, Rowen looked up at Jinbe, who was trembling with either anger or sorrow and said.
"Currently, we have two choices. First, before the one-year truce ends, we either eliminate the threat posed by Princess Shirahoshi or eliminate Orrick to solve the problem at its source."
"Second, focus on preparing for war and wait for the day of the final battle to arrive."
"But once the final battle begins, you will definitely try to kill Princess Shirahoshi, right?" Jinbe voiced the hidden meaning in Rowen's words, his expression gradually calming.
"Exactly!"
Rowen didn't avoid the topic. When that day truly comes, whether Shirahoshi is innocent or not, she must die.
The principle of "the common man is innocent" is most bloody and merciless in war.
"So, tell me, Jinbe, how exactly did Orrick injure you? What is his ability?!"
This was the main reason Rowen came to the hospital.
So far, Jinbe is the only known survivor who has clearly encountered Orrick.
The corpses on Fish-Man Island died in various ways, providing no reference value. It's even questionable whether Orrick was the one who killed them.
Without understanding his opponent's abilities, even Rowen wouldn't dare to take risks lightly.
"His ability...?"
Hearing this, Jinbe fell silent for a moment, then suddenly clutched his forehead.
"I couldn't understand it!"
"Huh?"
"I mean, his methods... I couldn't understand them."
Jinbe carefully recalled what happened that day, frowning in thought: "After I confronted him and he provoked me, I attacked him. The waves I stirred up with my Fish-Man Karate clearly hit him, but they passed through his body like an illusion."
"Then my body completely stopped obeying me. These injuries weren't so much caused by him as they were by my own body harming itself."
Looking at his right foot, which was in a cast and suspended with a brace, Jinbe said with lingering fear: "This foot was broken by itself, bent at an angle I could never achieve, with no force applied to it, causing a fracture."
No signs of attack, controlling a person's body, causing harm by forcing it into unnatural movements...?
Rowen silently stroked his chin.
What kind of bizarre ability is this?
"Are you sure you were conscious at the time, not caught in some kind of illusion?"
"I... don't know."
Jinbe shook his head with a bitter smile: "Whether it was the tremors of the sea, the flow of the air, the scents I smelled, or the warmth of the sunlight, everything felt incredibly real. I want to say yes, I wasn't dreaming. But all of this... perhaps only an illusion can explain it."
"I'm sorry, Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon). It seems I haven't brought back any useful information."
It was a completely one-sided beatdown, and the most frustrating part is that I don't even know how I was defeated.
"No, on the contrary, I'm starting to get some ideas."
Suddenly, Rowen raised his hand, slightly nodding.
"Have you forgotten that on Fish-Man Island, the countless dead civilians also had their bodies twisted in unnatural ways, just like you?"
If Jinbe hadn't survived, the cause of death for those ordinary people would still be a mystery. But after hearing his firsthand account, Rowen is now absolutely certain about some information regarding Orrick's abilities.
"Rest well, Jinbe... I won't tell you now, because it wouldn't help you."
Stopping Jinbe from asking further, Rowen stood up and adjusted his cape.
Hearing this, Jinbe pondered for a moment, then said.
"I know this request is excessive, but Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon)... if possible, please end all of this within a year."
"I beg you!"
If it can be ended within a year, then Shirahoshi still has a chance to survive.
This is Jinbe's greatest debt to his fellow Fish-Men!
To this, Rowen looked at him seriously and said calmly.
"I can't make any promises, Jinbe."
"But I can assure you, Orrick will die!"
(End of Chapter)
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