Thinking about how many years I spent setting up this plan and how many brain cells I killed, only for it to be overshadowed by a rebellion led by a government-trusted insider who had access to the Celestial Dragons.
This made Rowen understand a truth: the more one schemes, the more likely they are to fail in the face of the unexpected, unless… cough cough, I'm getting off track.
In any case, Caesar taught Rowen a lesson with his actions, a lesson titled "Dare to risk everything to bring down the Emperor."
Noticing Rowen's serious expression, Caesar slumped to the ground with a "thud."
"Is there really… no way out?"
"I didn't want it to come to this either, but for the experiment to succeed, I had to be willing to invest heavily… Yet the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) guarded against us like thieves. What could I do?!"
Caesar roared in agitation, "If the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) had allowed us to use Celestial Dragons for the experiments, everything would have been over long ago!"
"It's not my fault; they forced me into this!"
Seeing Caesar's frenzied eyes, Rowen silently lit a cigar and exhaled deeply.
"I believe you could have done it, Caesar."
"But your explanation means nothing to me… Regardless of the cause, you're the one who led to the collective demise of the Celestial Dragons. Whether to close the past or look forward to tomorrow, someone has to take the blame."
"Vegapunk can't be that someone, so it has to be you."
In an instant, Caesar looked up in disbelief.
"Are you saying… even if that accident hadn't happened, as long as the Celestial Dragons were gone, I would still have to die?"
He wasn't a fool; a fool couldn't have become a scientist standing beside Vegapunk.
This was a simple matter of logic, not emotional intelligence. Once it was pointed out, Caesar quickly understood.
"Why? Is my life not a life?!"
He angrily grabbed the railing, spittle flying.
In response, Rowen calmly took a drag from his cigar and said indifferently, "Do I really need to explain the reason, Caesar?"
No matter how talented Caesar was, the "World's Best Scientist" was still Vegapunk… As long as he existed, that was enough.
Everyone else was expendable.
"Heh, so that's how it is, that's how it is!" Caesar cupped his face with his hands, his voice hoarse.
Rowen no longer looked at him and turned to leave. "Ask for whatever you want to eat or play. If it's not excessive, I'll try to fulfill it. After all, we've known each other for a while… Let me send you off."
With that, Rowen strode away and disappeared at the end of the corridor.
Left behind, Caesar let out bursts of mad, hoarse laughter.
…
Did Caesar have a reason to live?
Yes!
Not to mention anything else, the raw material for the artificial Devil Fruit, "SAD," was his masterpiece. A scientist's energy isn't infinite; Vegapunk's talent doesn't mean he can do everything, which is why he needs assistants.
Moreover, his research capabilities in biochemical weapons are undeniable. If used well, he could be a weapon no less formidable than the Pacifista project.
But he had more reasons to die!
On this point, Rowen and the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) stood on the same side.
As the Qilin led the fleet majestically toward Marineford, a special guest arrived in New World's Golden City.
"This is truly a rare and distinguished guest!"
At the luxurious port inside the massive golden ship, a battleship docked ashore. Tesoro, dressed in a flashy pink suit with his green, slicked-back hair, ignored the pirates scattering in chaos around him and spread his arms.
"The renowned 'Marine Hero,' Vice Admiral Garp, graces my humble abode. I am deeply honored!"
"Puhahahaha, still as sarcastic as ever, kid!"
The familiar boisterous laughter rang out. Garp, with his messy white hair and more wrinkles than before, crossed his arms and grinned.
"But I'm not a Vice Admiral anymore. This old man is just a mere Instructor at the recruit camp. No need to be so formal."
"How could I not?!"
Tesoro's expression didn't change as he exaggeratedly exclaimed, "Being able to do business peacefully in the New World, no matter who it is or from what angle, we must remember Garp San's great kindness."
"If it weren't for you defeating Rocks and capturing the Pirate King, where would we have a foothold in the New World? Garp San, you're too modest!"
'So you just switched to calling me Garp San?' Garp sneered inwardly.
Still the same Tesoro, daring to reach for the world's richest in Mary Geoise.
"Please, Garp San, this way. I have prepared accommodations for you all… Don't worry, all your expenses here will be on me, as a small contribution to the Marines' anti-piracy efforts."
With that, Tesoro turned and called out, "Baccarat, make sure to serve them well, and be careful not to offend our esteemed guests!"
"Yes…"
"No need for that!"
But at that moment, Garp waved his hand, stopping Tesoro's arrangements.
"I'm only here to let the little recruits see the world. We encountered a storm and had some damage, so we're just stopping by to rest… and by the way."
Narrowing his eyes at Tesoro, Garp's muscles tensed, "I've heard some news and wanted to confirm it with you."
Tesoro's movement paused, and he turned back with a blank expression.
"What news?"
"Some news that old men like me wouldn't dare to think or imagine… Mind if we change the location to talk?"
Tesoro fell silent, and after a moment, he nodded.
"Sure, I've always been law-abiding. Since meeting Admiral Soryu, I've even given opportunities for redemption to death row inmates on my ship. A clean conscience has nothing to fear!"
"Garp San, please!"
'Are you trying to threaten me with Rowen? Do you think I would be afraid?!'
Casting aside the subtle threat hinted by Tesoro, Garp's expression turned serious as he addressed the instructors from the recruit camp behind him, "Binz, Shuzo, once the ship is repaired, take them back. Tell Akainu that I'm taking a leave to have some fun here."
"Another leave?"
Shuzo was taken aback and said helplessly, "You've taken three leaves in the past six months, Instructor Garp. The Fleet Admiral is going to be angry, right?"
"Shut up! Just go if I tell you to go. Is he going to eat me?"
"Who knows… but I'm definitely going to be eaten!"
Shuzo silently cursed, wanting to say something but realizing Garp had already followed Tesoro far away.
"I have a feeling that Garp San is hiding something from us."
Dressed in colorful attire, looking like a living playing card, Binz stepped forward, scratching his head.
"Yeah, I feel it too. Ever since we wiped out the Hill Pig pirate crew on that island, he's been distracted."
"But…"
Shuzo chuckled, patting Binz on the shoulder with his rough palm, "What's there to worry about?"
"That man is known as the Marine Hero, Iron Fist!"
"Just a mere Tesoro, isn't he easy to handle?"
"True…!"
Binz laughed, "After all, if it weren't for this guy, if someone else were the recruit camp's head instructor, you would have definitely lost your temper long ago."
"Not true! You were also angry when he came, just that you got punched and flew away, Ó huò huò huò huò."
Shuzo: "…"
Feeling the recruits behind him stifling their laughter, Shuzo's bronze face grew colder, his voice sounding as if it came from the depths of Hell.
"Binz…"
"Uh-oh, Vine Shield!!"
(End of Chapter)
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