Giving the Mera-Mera Fruit to Koby was a sudden inspiration from Rowen, but it was also a result of going with the flow... The people around him, Fujitora, Tesoro, Law, and Ain, are all Devil Fruit Ability users, so they naturally have no use for this powerful Logia fruit.
Dante had said beforehand that he couldn't have all Devil Fruit Ability users around him; what would he do if an accident happened?
Although Rowen thought it was a bit unnecessary to worry, he firmly refused to eat a Devil Fruit.
Moreover, as a swordsman, eating a Devil Fruit would shake his trust in the sword in his hand, so Rowen could only let it be.
As for Zephyr...
How much confidence must a martial arts powerhouse have in his own abilities to become an Admiral?
If Rowen had this thought, Zephyr would definitely respond with a Military Wrist·Deep Gate Bang smashing his face while telling him that the dignity of a martial arts master should not be desecrated.
Therefore, handing it over to a trustworthy outsider was a done deal. Among the Marine ranks, excluding the veterans who were already accustomed to their identities, Koby undoubtedly stood out among the new generation.
He did not come from the recruit camp, so his rank seemed a bit weak.
But his strength was extraordinary, and the military merits he had accumulated were already enough for him to be promoted to Rear Admiral... Fleet Admiral Akainu had also shown concern for this little guy, after all, he had been following Smoker closely, fearing he would go astray.
So, whether for himself or for the Marine, Koby eating the Mera-Mera Fruit would maximize the benefits!
In this era of the Celestial Dragons' demise, not knowing how long the news could be concealed, Rowen needed someone to step up and inject new blood into the Marine.
In the evening, when Smoker returned to the office and heard this news, he was surprised for a few seconds before joyfully patting Koby on the shoulder.
"Congratulations, Koby!"
"To be under the subordinates of Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon) is something that countless Marines dream of!"
A person's name, a tree's shadow.
The three Admirals of the Marine, known as the "strongest combat power of the World Government," have always been objects of admiration and imitation for countless soldiers. Being able to take them as teachers is undoubtedly a tremendous honor!
However, with the original three Admirals Aokiji, Kizaru, and Akainu's demeanor, unless their personalities were truly compatible, they wouldn't bother.
Being an Admiral is already troublesome enough; how could they have time to take on apprentices?
Going back in time, Zephyr, Sengoku, and the predecessors like Kong were all the same.
In this era, among the four generations of the Marine, Koby is the only one who has become a disciple under the current Admiral's subordinates!
And not like Rowen, who became a disciple only after Zephyr stepped back from the front lines.
But it also brings pressure!
The title of "the only Admiral's disciple" instantly skyrockets the attention on him from the outside world!
If he doesn't perform well enough, with Koby's soft personality, it wouldn't be impossible for him to feel ashamed and commit suicide due to public opinion.
Thinking of this, Smoker encouraged him: "From now on, you really have to keep it up, Koby!"
"Yes, I will work hard!"
"Alright, you can go back now. Once your injuries are healed, I'll teach you some personal insights. A master leads you to the door, but training is up to you... Don't expect me to teach you hand in hand; you need to carve your own path, understood?"
Rowen lit a cigar and gestured.
"Understood, Master!"
After saying this, Koby respectfully saluted the two and limped out of the room.
Watching him leave, Rowen raised an eyebrow.
"And then... what did those guys say?"
In response, Smoker shook his head.
"They still don't trust us... but they agreed to cooperate regarding Hundred Beast Kaido."
"Just Kaido... not including Kurozumi Orochi?"
Rowen caught the subtext in Smoker's words and chuckled: "They can't really think that Kurozumi Orochi is qualified to cooperate with Kaido just because of his status, right?"
What kind of pride does a Yonko of the New World hold?
Without the strength to back it up, if they want something that is in your hands, there is only one result.
Robbery!
Kurozumi Orochi controls arms trade routes that even Kaido envies, as well as the largest client, the World Government. If they could successfully take that over, only a fool would share the profits.
Without a doubt, aside from his identity as a pirate, Kurozumi Orochi, as a Mythological Beast·Yamata no Orochi fruit Ability user, must possess considerable strength to cooperate with a powerhouse like Kaido.
"Well, I don't know about that... but our target is just Kaido, isn't it?"
Smoker chuckled, recalling Foxfire Kin'emon's intense declaration.
"Kurozumi Orochi, the Great General, should exist to protect Lord Oden, however, he betrayed the promise that the Kurozumi family has followed for generations... only him, and him alone!"
"We, even if it costs our lives, must personally eliminate him!"
The persistence of a samurai!
As an outsider, Smoker really couldn't understand Kin'emon and the other's thoughts, but he admired their courage in making a decision that a man should not fear death.
"Is that so? I see..."
Rowen slightly squinted his eyes, pondering carefully.
"I'll be leaving soon; you can handle their matters... how to grasp the degree of it, you can figure it out yourself."
If nothing unexpected happens, Kin'emon and the entire group's next destination will be Zou Island.
The mink race has been allies of the Oden family from ancient times, and in the original story, even the destruction of their country did not reveal Raizo's whereabouts. This power is worth recruiting.
However, this time, they are not accompanied by the Straw Hats but by the Marine!
"Take this!"
At this moment, Rowen tossed a note to Smoker, who looked puzzled as he prepared to open it, but Rowen stopped him.
"Don't rush; wait until they arrive at their destination to open it. Knowing in advance won't do you any good, and your face isn't suitable for acting."
Smoker ignored the second part of the sentence and frowned silently: "Arrive at what place?"
"You'll know when the time comes; let me keep it a secret for now."
Rowen slightly smiled, stood up, and prepared to leave: "Alright, I'm going back to rest. I have to head out again tomorrow; really... I can't catch a break!"
Watching Rowen leave, Smoker looked at the note in his hand and exhaled a puff of smoke.
"Such a mystery."
...
Since Orrick signed a one-year agreement with the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars), the Sea has suddenly entered a rare period of peace.
The pirate era has waned, replaced by the Marine's vigorous upgrades and equipment.
Those with keen senses have picked up on the ominous signs from the Marine's massive military expansion; they don't believe that the government, known for its stinginess, would increase Marine funding for no reason during this "Marine Era."
The previous power struggles between CP0 and the Marine, which involved covert suppression, felt like yesterday. How could they suddenly be on good terms?
Unless...
They had no choice but to do so.
Realizing this, the world suddenly became unprecedentedly peaceful.
Those who stick their necks out during the Marine's large-scale upgrades are merely targets for testing new weapons, right?
This has also made the recently revived and reorganized Straw Hats particularly noteworthy.
First, they broke through G-10, the so-called "Heaven's Peak" Iron Wall!
Although this was mainly due to Rowen's promotion to Admiral and no longer being stationed at G-10, they still accomplished what others could not.
Secondly, they continued to break through the blockade established by the Marines in the ruins of Fish-Man Island, successfully entering the New World.
Every year, many pirates enter the New World, and normally, no one would care, as most of them are just going to their deaths... but at this delicate moment, as the only pirate crew to enter the New World, they are receiving unusual attention.
"Indeed, the atmosphere feels off!"
Meanwhile, near Thunder God Island, on [The Sunny].
Luffy, with no sense of decorum, was picking his nose and looking up at the sky: "What's going on with this island?!!"
"Of course, anyone who isn't blind can see it, right?!"
Zoro replied with an exasperated tone.
Then, feeling the slight tremors in his body, he revealed a rather ugly smile: "So this is Thunder God Island?"
"The island where Marine Akainu and Aokiji fought for the position of Fleet Admiral!"
Above the island, shrouded in dark clouds and rolling thunder, one half reflected the icy cold air like a frozen world, while the other half was illuminated by the flaming, burning ground.
Three completely different climates appeared on the same island, and it was... caused by human forces.
"This welcome ceremony is a bit too exaggerated, isn't it?!"
"The New World is truly Hell!"
(End of chapter)
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