This novel is finished, and I have posted all the advanced chapters on my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/darkshadow6395
Compared to the final result, the journey of adventure with one's companions is what truly matters.
This profound sense of anticlimax and frustration that Luffy was feeling was exactly what Rowen intended. Since every pirate regarded the great treasure as something supremely precious, he intended to drag it down from its pedestal and break its sacred meaning!
Pirates, in Rowen's view, could broadly be divided into two types. One type knew nothing at all, simply chasing after the grand promise of "ONE PIECE," either wreaking havoc wherever they went or living freely and unrestrained.
Examples included Crocodile, Moria, and Luffy.
The other type knew quite a few secrets. Compared to the empty title of "Pirate King," they valued the Void Century far more, seeking to incite people to pursue the truth, in other words, to stir up the tides of the era.
Roger, Rocks, and Shanks all belonged to this type.
However, both groups shared the same crucial destination: Laugh Tale!
Shanks' strategy was brilliant. By cleverly surrendering himself, he avoided the possibility of directly clashing with Rowen and having all hope extinguished. But in the end, he still underestimated Rowen's sheer resolve.
As far as the Void Century was concerned, Rowen truly didn't care at all!
In Shanks' mind, no matter how many changes Rowen made, he still represented the World Government, the ultimate mouthpiece of those in power. The Void Century held enormous significance in undermining the World Government's authority. As a ruler, Rowen would naturally be unwilling to reveal the truth.
But was Rowen really the kind of person who would obediently follow the rules left behind by his predecessors?
The single greatest ongoing burden on this world was the enduring mystique of "ONE PIECE." And so, Rowen would never allow the legend to continue to exist as a trigger for global chaos.
Letting Luffy easily find Laugh Tale was only the first step. After that… the legend would die.
"Soryu (Azure Dragon)-sama, Admiral Aokiji has sent word, he's ready."
Kong knocked on the door, entered the office, and bowed respectfully.
"Mm. How are things on Akainu's side?"
"Pluton is already in position nearby. In addition, the Marines have assembled over thirty thousand troops throughout the Adrian Sea. No matter which direction the Sea King appears from, she won't escape their surveillance."
"In that case…" Rowen suddenly changed the subject completely. "Akainu plans to have Momousagi take over the Admiral position? Will Lady Tsuru agree to that?"
Kong: "...This subordinate has no insight into the political matters between the Admirals."
The establishment of the 'Admiral Candidate' system made Momousagi and Chaton the most likely successors, but that didn't mean the other Vice Admirals had no chance.
Ultimately, the era had changed.
The Marine Headquarters that stabilized the seas was no longer a desperate force that needed the fame of three Admirals to contend with the Yonko and the Warlords.
As long as command was properly directed, the Marines' overwhelming military might alone was enough to deter all threats.
Rowen was simply amused, thinking of how much Tsuru valued Momousagi and rather looking forward to the scene of Akainu clashing head-on with her over personnel matters.
After all, Tsuru had always treated Momousagi like a favored younger sister, grooming her as the next Chief of Staff.
Yet they had sent Momousagi off to command the Pluton forces in the field… which meant that within the Marines, the people with the ability, qualifications, and strength to succeed as Chief of Staff were down to just three: Chaton, Vice Admiral Momonga, and Dante.
And Tsuru didn't care for a single one of those old men.
"How is Chief Zero?"
"He has already arrived at the Adrian Sea. Along with Admiral Aokiji, Vice Admiral Chaton, Vice Admiral Momousagi, and the other commanders, our high-end combat strength is sufficient."
"Then begin."
Rowen waved his hand decisively and gave the order.
"Yes, sir!!"
Adrian Sea, Above the Adrian Sea Trench
A colossal black warship, towering like a mountain, floated on the sea. No matter how the waves crashed against it, the ancient weapon Pluton stood unmoving and majestic. Soldiers aboard distant battleships stared at the sight, their hearts burning with awe.
Look, this was the Ancient Weapon that the world feared like a tiger! And now, it was on their side!
On Pluton's deck, several high-ranking commanders stood silently, their expressions varied as they gazed at the sea surface where ripples were just beginning to form.
Thump, thump, thump!
Soon, a messenger jogged over, saluted, and announced loudly, "Orders from Soryu (Azure Dragon)-sama, begin the operation!"
"Understood…"
Vice Admiral Momousagi took a deep breath and turned her head. "Admiral Aokiji!"
"Roger!"
At the instant the order was given, Aokiji slowly raised his head. Frost covered his black sunglasses, and beneath his feet, a pristine white line of ice extended from the deck straight down to the sea surface.
To create such a vast expanse of floating ice was no easy task, even for someone of Aokiji's strength. Not to mention that, for the sake of stability, all of the ice had been reinforced a second time by him.
At this moment, he let out a heavy breath of stale air from his chest and pressed his hand against the deck.
"Fracture!"
Above the entire Adrian Sea Trench, countless pure-white icebergs floated densely, piercing the surface like countless daggers breaking through the water.
But every Marine soldier present knew very well that beneath those small icebergs peeking above the sea lay a spectacle of truly terrifying scale!
It truly embodied the phrase, "just the tip of the iceberg."
As Aokiji activated his Devil Fruit ability, suddenly…
A mournful, echoing cry resonated across the entire sea.
Buzz!!
From the surface view, those dagger-like icebergs began to tremble violently, then slowly sank back into the dark ocean, like snowflakes dissolving into water.
The terrifying displacement of mass caused the seawater to heave. Though this was merely the movement of the icebergs sinking, their sheer volume caused the entire sea to shudder and roar.
The resulting tremors generated enormous waves that violently shoved ordinary warships several miles away. Only an existence like Pluton could remain unmoved within such surging tides.
Hua… La… La…
Waves rolled backward and crashed onto the deck. Soldiers were soaked through, but not a single one relaxed. They tightened their grips on their weapons, waiting for the coming storm.
"Do you know about the Knock Up Stream at G-10 Branch?"
As the icebergs fully sank, the tremors weakened and the waves gradually calmed.
But everyone knew…
This was merely the calm before the catastrophic event.
Aokiji stood up, exhaled a breath of icy mist, and suddenly asked.
"Yes, I've heard of it, Admiral."
Momousagi looked at him in confusion. "Is there a problem?"
"A powerful Knock Up Stream can tear islands apart and send land soaring tens of thousands of meters into the sky," Aokiji said calmly. "Pluton doesn't weigh more than an island, does it?"
Momousagi narrowed her eyes slightly, a spark of pride flashing within her serious demeanor.
"Then that's good."
If the eruption's power was weaker than a Knock Up Stream, then forcing the Sea King from the depths would be nothing more than a fool's dream.
But… wasn't that missing the point?
Vice Admiral Chaton's mouth twitched as he reminded her wryly,
"Momousagi, Admiral Aokiji means… should we back off a bit?"
"No need for that!"
Momousagi snorted coldly. "A mere ocean current, Pluton has nothing to fear!"
"Well, if you say so…"
Chaton shrugged and said no more.
Gurgle… gurgle…
At that moment, a thick stream of murky bubbles rose from the seabed and burst at the surface. Everyone stopped their discussion and focused intently on the ominous ocean.
The appearance of those gray-brown bubbles signified that the icebergs had reached the bottom, creating cracks for heated gas to escape.
"It's coming!"
Having simulated this countless times in his mind, Aokiji clenched his fist and growled softly.
The next second…
Glug… Glug… Glug!
The earlier bubbles were merely a prelude. Now, the sea, previously marked by only gentle breezes and small waves, suddenly collapsed inward.
A terrifying suction roar filled heaven and earth, like a gigantic ravenous maw swallowing the seawater whole.
Momousagi's expression tightened, and she immediately ordered,
"Activate shields! Full power!"
"Yes! Activating shields!"
Buzz!!
Blue light bands instantly lit up across Pluton's hull. An oval-shaped energy barrier enveloped the entire warship in an instant. No matter how the sea raged outside, Pluton did not move an inch.
The barrier formed by the Thunder Cloud Dragon-pattern system didn't just isolate seawater, it functioned like a coating, granting Pluton the ability to operate underwater, and making it even sturdier.
That was why Momousagi had no fear of the coming tremor, Pluton's strength had long since been tested.
At this moment, a massive whirlpool formed above the Adrian Sea Trench. Seen from above, it was as if the ocean had suddenly grown a cyclops eye.
"Withdraw all supporting vessels to a safe distance! Stay clear of the vortex!"
Under the commands of their captains, the battleships rapidly retreated. Before the might of a natural disaster, Pluton had the privilege of arrogance, they did not.
The instant the battleships completed their withdrawal and reformed…
As if on cue…
A colossal column of seawater shot straight into the sky, connecting the sea and the heavens, a brilliant blue pillar erupting against the sun!
BOOM… RUMBLE…!!!
(End of Chapter)