Executioner Rowan.
That was the name pirates from the first half of the Grand Line and the West Blue had given him.
But in Spandine's eyes, that meant nothing.
A mere branch colonel from the Four Seas would only be equivalent to a captain at Headquarters. Not worth mentioning.
If not for Sengoku personally naming him, and the fact that Rowan had direct contact with Roger before the execution half a year ago, Spandine would never have come all the way to the West Blue.
And clearly, Rowan's attitude annoyed him.
"Tap tap tap…"
Spandine strode down from the warship. The crowd parted as he stopped before Rowan, looking down at him arrogantly.
"Do you know who you are talking to?"
"Do you know your identity? Colonel Rowan of West Blue Branch 80!"
"You are just a branch colonel. Do you understand?"
The barrage of words forced Rowan to raise a hand in front of his face. People who sprayed saliva while talking were rare, but this was one of them.
Such provocation was cliché, but from this idiot, it was not surprising.
In his memory, more than twenty years later, this man would be the father of Spandam, the leader of CP9 during the Enies Lobby incident. The same man who would trigger the Buster Call that destroyed Ohara.
A man who rose through flattery.
"Sir."
After he finished, Rowan leaned in and spoke quietly. "I do not know what this is about, but if you came all this way for me, it must be important. What if I just resign right now?"
"I heard pirate bounties have been rising recently. With my strength, I could become a bounty hunter and earn more than a Marine."
Spandine froze, then lowered his voice. "Do you think you can threaten me like this?"
Rowan glanced at Kuzan on the ship. "I was personally recommended by Vice Admiral Kuzan for Roger's execution. You can verify that."
Spandine choked on his words.
"Get on board. We are heading to the South Blue. The mission is urgent, and we need your… assistance."
He waved his hand, and a CP agent handed the transfer order to Colonel Lomi.
After confirming it, Lomi looked worriedly at Rowan, then turned to Kuzan. "Can I know the mission?"
Kuzan shrugged.
Spandine sneered. "A branch commander does not have the authority to know classified missions. The order has been issued. You will comply."
He turned and boarded the ship. "Move. We will question him on the way."
Rowan nodded to Lomi and Holiday before boarding as well.
Ever since he obtained the Flying Thunder God technique half a year ago, very few people in this world could truly threaten his life.
There were still many he could not defeat.
But those who could easily kill him were now extremely rare.
Especially considering the timing, the location being the South Blue, and its connection to Roger…
If he guessed correctly, there was only one possibility.
…
The warship soon left Rasgap.
At the special passage beneath the Red Line, an order from Marine Headquarters arrived.
Kuzan was recalled by Sengoku, without the option to refuse.
After crossing the Red Line, Rowan had already given a full report to CP, detailing Roger's expressions and final words before execution.
Before parting ways, Rowan spoke behind Kuzan.
"I have been thinking about something."
Kuzan turned.
"Do you think a newborn child can be guilty of great evil?"
"A newborn?"
Kuzan lowered his sunglasses. "A blank slate cannot be evil."
Rowan continued, "Then what if the child's father was a great criminal?"
Kuzan paused, then replied, "That is still not a reason. It is not justice."
The conversation ended there.
Kuzan returned to Headquarters.
Rowan boarded a World Government ship, heading toward the South Blue.
…
Months earlier, the World Government had received intelligence.
Before his execution, Gol D. Roger had fallen in love with a woman in the South Blue.
That woman might now be carrying his child.
The World Government's secret order was clear.
Better to kill by mistake than let one go.
All pregnant women within the designated area whose pregnancies began before September were to be captured and executed in secret.
To normal people, this was unthinkable.
But to those in Mary Geoise…
As Saturn once said, how could one understand the feelings of ants?
Standing at the bow of the ship, Rowan's gaze hardened.
This was also an opportunity.
With that thought, he turned and walked into the cabin.
"Rowan, your movement is restricted to this area."
A CP agent blocked him, only to be pushed aside.
"I know. I just need to use the restroom."
He walked in without stopping.
Even outside the restroom, three guards were stationed.
But that could not stop the Flying Thunder God.
He used a shadow clone, changed clothes, and had his real body instantly travel to the Sorbet Kingdom in the South Blue.
…
It was already night.
Rowan's sudden appearance startled Kuma and the others.
"I know about your ability, but appearing like that is still shocking," Dragon said.
"Finished your task?"
Rowan nodded. "I got new intel this afternoon. I think it is an opportunity."
"The World Government has discovered information about Roger's unborn child. They plan to kill all pregnant women in the South Blue whose pregnancies began before his death."
"This is all happening in secret."
"What we need to do… is expose everything."
…
After hearing this, Kuma was horrified.
"How can they do this? Those unborn children, their mothers… they will all be killed just like that?"
Ginny clenched her fists. "Those people have never valued human life. Damn it. We have to do something."
Ivankov blinked his large eyes.
"There is nothing we can do."