"Hahaha, don't be so serious. Aren't we talking about companions? And I will definitely support Kuma."
Ginny laughed boldly, hands on her hips, patting Dragon on the shoulder.
Kuma looked at her with gentle affection.
At this moment, Rowan brought it up again. "You two like this… it is just feeding everyone dog food. Why not just get married already?"
"Married?"
Ivankov's face exaggerated instantly. "Kuma, you and Ginny are getting married? Already? Really?"
Kuma looked troubled, glaring at Rowan before quickly waving his hands. "No, no. Don't listen to Rowan's nonsense."
"I am not talking nonsense."
Rowan pressed further. "I heard Ginny propose just now. Uncle Kuma, are you shy? Or…"
His expression suddenly turned serious.
"Or are you worried about the World Government? Afraid that you will drag Ginny down in the future? Or do you think so-called fate will make things end badly?"
Kuma looked at Rowan, instinctively reaching out to pat his head, but instead placing his hand on Rowan's shoulder.
Rowan had just said he was no longer a child.
And grown children did not like having their heads patted.
Even though this child never liked it from the beginning.
"I am a Buccaneer. The World Government does not allow this race to exist. From the moment we are born, our fate is either slavery or death."
Kuma sighed. "My parents died in Mary Geoise. I only survived by chance. I do not want Ginny to suffer because of me…"
Before he could finish, Rowan cut him off.
"So according to your logic, people like us, criminals and former slaves in the eyes of the World Government, should just wash our necks and wait for execution?"
Rowan turned to Dragon. "Should we go surrender? Tell them we are planning to rebel anyway? That one day we will climb to Mary Geoise, drag those fat parasites down, and shove their heads into a cesspit?"
"That we will execute the Five Elders. That we will free everyone. That we will change this world."
Rowan's gaze locked onto Kuma.
"Why are we even standing here together? Why do we call each other companions? Like-minded people?"
"Uncle Kuma, from the moment we left God Valley, weren't we already standing against them? Ginny, you, Ivankov, and me, weren't we all born as slaves?"
"What exactly are you hesitating about? Do you think that one day, because Ginny is not your wife but your companion, you will choose to let her go?"
"Heh… how ridiculous."
The barrage of questions left Kuma stunned.
Ginny, Ivankov, and even Dragon did not expect Rowan to suddenly say all this.
Ginny looked at Kuma worriedly, then glared at Rowan.
After a long silence, Dragon spoke.
"In truth, Rowan is right. From the beginning, our position means we must fight to the end."
Dragon looked at Kuma. "We already agreed, didn't we? To change this world together. That is our shared position and will."
Kuma nodded, then looked at Ginny gently, reassuring her.
Ivankov, however, became excited, circling them. "Wedding, wedding. When is the wedding?"
Kuma, slightly embarrassed, pulled Ginny along and stood in front of Rowan. "I am sorry, Rowan. I disappointed you, didn't I?"
Rowan shook his head. "Not at all. Ever since I was a child, I have always thought you were the gentlest person in this world."
He placed his hands on their arms.
In the next moment, a black substance flowed, forming a spatial mark on both of them.
[Spark]
The mark flashed once, then disappeared.
"A gift. If you ever need to deliver love letters during missions, I will be the fastest courier."
Afterward, Rowan explained his ability, leaving both Kuma and Ginny astonished.
In just two and a half years, the child who always wanted to go out had grown to this level.
Rowan checked the time, then turned to Dragon. "Time is almost up. My main body has to return to Rasgap. We will talk more tonight."
Dragon nodded.
After saying he would see Kuma and Ginny later, Rowan vanished instantly.
Ivankov clicked his tongue. "No matter how many times I see it, Rowan's ability is terrifying. And he can use that speed in combat. It is almost impossible to counter."
Dragon replied, "Being able to apply something close to spatial movement in battle shows his talent. But there are people in this world who have trained Observation Haki to the extreme. Some can even foresee a few seconds into the future."
"I have already reminded him. Abilities cannot be relied on alone. There are too many strong people in this world. Only caution ensures survival."
…
Meanwhile, back in Rasgap Town, Rowan dismissed his shadow clone and walked out of the restroom.
"Colonel Rowan. Personnel from Headquarters have almost arrived at the port. We need to go now."
Rowan yawned, still looking sleepy. "Played too late last night. The West Blue always gets top evaluations. Why are they here?"
The messenger clearly did not know.
Ten minutes later, Rowan lazily arrived at the port.
A Marine warship had docked.
A man in a black suit, acting arrogantly, stepped off the ship.
"Who is this guy, acting so full of himself?"
Rowan casually asked Colonel Lomi.
"Keep your voice down. They are from the World Government's intelligence agency, CP9. They have a lot of authority."
Lomi then looked toward the ship again.
"It looks serious… even Kuzan is here. I heard he and the other two monsters already have Admiral-level strength."
"Bang."
The suited man raised his chin and scanned the Marines before issuing an order.
"Colonel Rowan of West Blue Marine Branch 80, you are reassigned."
Rowan blinked.
Reassigned?
For what?
And this idiot-looking guy… if he remembered correctly, he was the father of another idiot, the leader of CP9.
As expected…
His crime value must be very high.
A valuable target.
"Colonel Rowan!"
The shout came again.
Rowan lazily raised his hand. "I am right here. No need to shout."