In truth, Rowan had simply wanted Zoro and Luffy to gain some real-world experience, while also bringing Brook back to the fold. In Rowan's grand design, the Shichibukai were merely the "early birds" to be plucked as he moved toward upending the world order.
"Who escorted the prisoner this time?" Rowan asked, his expression unreadable.
"Rear Admiral Kameji. Although we haven't found the two pirates who escaped from Moria's crew, we can't rule out their danger. Kameji is reliable. If you're concerned, you could have Zoro and Luffy accompany him," Sengoku suggested.
Rowan shook his head. "No need. Let Kameji handle it. The remaining two are nothing to fear."
Sengoku didn't know the specifics, but Rowan did. The two survivors—Perona with her Hollow-Hollow Fruit and Absalom with his Clear-Clear Fruit—were Moria's subordinates. While he didn't know exactly how Zoro and Luffy had countered them, the fact that they won meant they hadn't disappointed him.
"Lord Rowan!"
Just then, a soldier's voice called from outside the door.
"Reporting! Vice Admiral Rowan, the Rumble-Rumble Fruit user has been fished out of the sea. May I ask where you would like him stationed?"
Rowan turned and saw a pink-haired soldier standing at the door. He looked nervous, his hand raised in a stiff salute. His eyes darted toward Rowan, then quickly looked away, trying desperately to hide his anxiety and embarrassment.
"Koby," Rowan said softly, a faint smile playing on his lips as he uttered the soldier's name.
"You... you... you actually know my name! Truly... I... Lord Rowan..." Koby was so flustered his words became a jumbled mess.
To every Marine, Rowan was a living legend. Even the Fleet Admiral and the Admirals treated him with the utmost deference. For such a titan to remember the name of a lowly apprentice... it was overwhelming.
Koby's arrival at Marine Headquarters was a miracle in itself. Rowan knew that in this timeline, Koby hadn't met Luffy in the East Blue to start his journey. Being at the Headquarters now meant the boy had relied on his own sheer grit and hard work to get here.
"Good potential. What do you think, Sengoku-boy?"
Rowan didn't immediately answer Koby's request for instructions. Instead, he shifted the topic to Sengoku. The question left the Fleet Admiral feeling a bit surprised.
Rowan was usually a perfect judge of character. If he saw something in this little soldier, there had to be something worth cultivating.
"Anyone Lord Rowan vouches for must be a talent with great potential. Pink-haired brat, train hard from now on!" Sengoku affirmed. Koby was so stunned he didn't even know how to react.
"Haha! Lord Rowan! I heard you're back and brought a very interesting brat with you! Where is he?" A familiar voice boomed from outside.
Garp was back. Judging by his cheerful tone, he had likely just finished crushing some unlucky rookies who had wandered into the New World.
THUD! "AAAGH—" "What was that?"
Garp stopped, looking down at the "object" he had just accidentally kicked. He reached down and snatched it up, lifting a bundle of pink cloth into the air.
Koby cried out in pain. Having been kicked by Garp into a wall, his shoulder was throbbing, and now the sharp pull on his hair stimulated his nerves. His feet kicked fruitlessly in the air...
"Garp-boy, you're the one who ran into him. Put him down," Rowan said calmly.
Garp immediately released the "unidentified object." Koby's tears began to fall uncontrollably—he couldn't help it.
"What? He's just a crybaby!" Garp looked at the sobbing Koby with pure disdain. "He's actually wearing a Marine uniform? Since when does the Headquarters allow crybabies like this?!"
Crybaby...
Hearing those words, Koby froze. Then, he shouted back at Garp: "I am NOT a crybaby!"
"Huh?!"
Garp was unaccustomed to being talked back to by a brat. His mood soured, and his fist instinctively tightened. Koby, horrified by his own impulsive outburst, stared at Garp's fist in a panic...
The "Fist of Love" from Garp the Fist was no joke! He was just an apprentice. He didn't even have a spot in the training grounds and couldn't even beat Helmeppo. If Garp's fist actually landed, he'd be lucky to keep half his life.
Koby closed his eyes, bracing for the end.
"Garp-boy, put your fist away," Rowan commanded.
Garp glanced at the trembling Koby and lowered his hand. "Lord Rowan, do you know this crybaby?"
When no blow fell, Koby cautiously opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was Rowan's kind, grandfatherly face—warm and benevolent.
"Stand up, Koby. From now on, you will follow Vice Admiral Garp for your training," Rowan arranged with a smile.
Koby's heart hammered against his ribs. Lord Rowan had actually been paying attention to him! His face turned a shade of red even deeper than his hair.
"What?! Lord Rowan! You want this crybaby to follow me?!" Garp bellowed, completely forgetting in his shock that he was speaking to his adoptive father.
Rowan's expression turned stern, and he gave Garp a sharp, sideways look. Garp immediately shut his mouth, grabbed Koby by his pink hair, and marched him out of the room.
"Lord Rowan, when you have time, you should take a look at the new recruits. Perhaps there are more good seeds worth cultivating. The unrest on the seas requires more Marines to maintain peace," Sengoku said.
Rowan gave a small nod and took his leave. However, his intention wasn't necessarily to build a bigger Navy to "maintain peace" in the way Sengoku envisioned...
Marine Rest Area.
"How is he? Is he awake?" "No. An Ability User falling into seawater doesn't recover that fast. No matter how strong he is, he can't escape the sea's curse..." "Still, he's someone brought back by Lord Rowan. His strength must be incredible."
At the mention of Rowan, the group of gossiping soldiers surrounding Enel showed eyes full of deep respect and admiration.
"Is there still a vacancy for a Rear Admiral? Do you think he'll be promoted directly?" "There should be one spot left, but this guy hasn't had any formal training. He's strong, sure, but he probably doesn't even know the Six Powers. He'd never pass the Rear Admiral exam!" "True, true!"
"Ahem!"
The soldiers' speculation was cut short by a cough from the doorway.
"Vice Admiral Rowan!"
The soldiers snapped into a neat line and saluted him with the utmost respect.