North Blue, Flevance.
As part of the communication process, Rowan set out from Marineford ahead of time and headed to the North Blue, meeting Spandine, who was in charge of this operation.
And this White Town, famous even in the North Blue, still displayed prosperity and wealth everywhere.
All of this... came from amber lead ore, and in the end, it would also be taken back because of it.
Inside a private room in a bar, Spandine and Rowan sat facing each other.
"Has business been bad recently? Why have fewer and fewer ships been passing through the channel lately?"
Spandine poured Rowan a glass of wine.
The financial backer before him had brought him quite a lot of wealth over the past few years.
Every cargo ship that passed through the special channel through his network would bring him considerable profit.
But recently, the number of times cargo ships passed through had clearly decreased, and correspondingly, his Beli had also decreased a lot.
Rowan accepted the glass and took a sip.
"There are more and more pirates. Each country's demand for weapons and supplies is also getting greater and greater, but at the same time, people trying to split the profits have appeared too."
"Split the profits?"
"Bang."
Spandine set his wine glass down heavily.
"Trying to split food from our hands won't be that easy. If it's inconvenient for you to act, I can help you deal with them."
Recently, there had already been rumors from above. Perhaps he would be promoted very soon.
He had already had enough of CP9 and Enies Lobby. This time, it was a real opportunity for him.
At such a critical moment, the role of Beli went without saying. After all, fresh and interesting things also cost money.
Rowan shook his head slightly.
"A little guy from the North Blue. His identity is somewhat special, and he's slippery and runs very fast. Besides, whether it's me or you, even if we catch him, we still can't kill him."
"Can't kill him?"
Spandine was unconvinced.
"Other than the World Nobles, no one can stop us!"
Rowan glanced at him.
"You guessed right. It's a Celestial Dragon. Although he is a Celestial Dragon who can no longer enter Mary Geoise, with his past identity as a World Noble, he should know some things that make the higher-ups wary."
Uh!
Spandine, who had just been boasting, instantly lost his momentum.
Compared to his son twenty years later, he was very clear about his own position.
As a dog without much combat power, he had to have the awareness of a dog. Even if the one obstructing business was only an exiled Celestial Dragon, he still could not touch him.
Rowan looked at him and smiled.
Although Doflamingo had not reached the top combat level yet, and was certainly inferior compared to himself twenty years later, he was still not someone CP9 could deal with.
As for the reduction in cargo transport and trade, that was naturally because the Revolutionary Army now had a new channel.
Before this, whether it was Rem in the West Blue or Spandine of the World Government's CP9, letting them take kickbacks had been unavoidable. But now, it was no longer necessary.
Without middlemen taking a cut, this was also a good thing for the Revolutionary Army, which currently needed money.
Besides, it was not as if there were no benefits at all. After all, Vegapunk's research institute still needed Spandine's channels to purchase equipment. Rowan would not save money in that area.
Very naturally, Spandine changed the topic.
He took out a small bottle and directly tossed it to Rowan. The word "prevention" was written on it.
Spandine spoke up, "Since I didn't know you were coming beforehand, I didn't tell you in advance. This medicine is for preventing the illness. Just take one pill, but you can only stay on this island for three days."
"Three days?"
Rowan deliberately looked over with a puzzled expression.
Spandine nodded.
"Although no one has currently confirmed how long it takes for the illness caused by amber lead to break out, the safest option is to leave after finishing your business. The medicine is just an ordinary preventative drug, but as long as you don't settle here permanently, there won't be much of a problem."
The White Town...
A deep look flashed through Rowan's eyes. In his memory, aside from a small number of nobles, perhaps the only survivor of this country in the end would be Trafalgar Law.
It became wealthy because of amber lead ore, and in the end, it would also perish because of amber lead ore. The people of this country were sacrifices made by the upper class and those nobles.
Something similar to heavy metal poisoning, and incurable by modern medicine.
"You don't seem like the kind of person who would place himself in danger," Rowan casually replied.
Spandine sighed helplessly.
"With the reduction in your side's sources of funding, and me being in a critical period recently, I could only come to this country and try to bite off a piece of the cake."
As he spoke, Spandine leaned closer and lowered his voice.
"Amber lead ore causes illnesses in the human body, and they can't be cured. This isn't a secret among the upper circles."
"Besides, the earliest batch of people has already started dying. The king and nobles of this country have recently been searching for ways to preserve themselves."
Rowan swirled his wine glass.
"Wouldn't stopping the mining work?"
Spandine let out a cold laugh.
"Once the higher-ups have set their sights on it, a Flevance like this has no right to choose. They can't stop. The only thing they can do is figure out how to abandon everyone else and survive themselves."
Rowan did not speak, merely sighing inwardly.
This was the flaw of placing the lives and safety of an entire nation in the hands of a single ruler. There might be kings like those of Alabasta, but there were even more nobles like those of Flevance.
And nearly all the people of this country had already contracted Amber Lead Disease. The only difference was how long it would take before it manifested.
Trafalgar Law was only young. It did not mean everyone in this country could survive until seven years later.
"These things have nothing to do with us. The North Blue operation is just a convenient chance to make some profit. If this period weren't so critical, I would never step foot in this country no matter what."
As he spoke, Spandine looked toward Rowan.
"You came to see me for something?"
Rowan replied, "Kuzan and I will act as naval support for this operation. The order was personally delivered from the Room of Authority to the Fleet Admiral's office."
"However, Fleet Admiral Sengoku gave me another task, which is why I came to find you first."
"Sengoku?"
Spandine looked at him.
Rowan continued, "Because of the South Blue incident a few years ago, the image of the Marines and the World Government among civilians hasn't been very good. More and more people are becoming pirates, so he hopes I can communicate with you and try to avoid involving ordinary civilians during the operation against Germa in the North Blue."
After his words fell, Spandine slowly rotated his wine glass without speaking, seemingly weighing the gains and losses for the Marines.
Promotions within the CP organization had nothing to do with the Marines. Even Sengoku could not influence the CP side.
But on the other hand, this was a task Sengoku had personally assigned to Rowan, and he and Rowan had maintained a long-term profitable partnership.
As for the lives of ordinary civilians involved in this matter?
Those had never once entered his considerations.
After a long while, Spandine leaned back in his chair.
"It shouldn't be a problem. If everything goes smoothly this time, I'll be taking a small official position within CP0. With the backing of the higher-ups, giving this much face shouldn't be difficult."
At the right moment, Rowan slid over a slip of paper.
It represented the value of an entire chest of jewels.
"I'll think of a way to handle the trade transportation side. When the time comes, things will be much easier."
Spandine put away the note, and the smile on his face grew wider.
After thinking for a moment, he revealed another piece of intelligence.
"After this North Blue operation, if there's a mission involving Wano in the second half of the Grand Line, avoid going if you can."
Seeing the confusion on Rowan's mask, Spandine lowered his voice and said, "Some time ago, CPO detected a major change in Wano's outer waters. On Onigashima, the Beast Pirates' base, the central temperature was estimated to have reached over four thousand degrees."
"And the person who killed a Celestial Dragon at Sabaody Archipelago, took down a top CPO combatant, and made that Glint-Glint Fruit Marine vice admiral afraid to land, has exactly that kind of ability."
Spandine paused here. "According to CP's analysis, that Glint-Glint Fruit user, Borsalino, is on the same level as the other two Marine admiral candidates, Sakazuki and Kuzan."
"You're still a little behind them. Wano is too dangerous, but both the Marines and the World Government have reasons they cannot ignore. That country is very special. Sea-Prism Stone is their specialty."
As his words fell, Rowan's gaze deepened.
Before this, he had indeed forgotten Wano's special nature. It was probably not only Sea-Prism Stone either. The one in the Room of Flowers in Mary Geoise should also know Wano's special nature.
After all, the stones of the Poneglyphs and the stonemasons both came from Wano. There was no way Im did not know.
It was just that Wano's geographical position was special. And now, Vegapunk had also been obtained by him, so the energy known as the Flame had naturally disappeared as well.
That strike that destroyed the Lulusia Kingdom might not be usable without restraint without the support of the Flame energy.
"Mm, got it."
Rowan's attitude was somewhat indifferent. Clearly, participating in Wano's investigation as a Marine would be the best choice.
Spandine did not say anything more either.
A partner was important, but if he got killed, then it did not matter.
After draining the wine in his glass, Spandine stood up and smiled. "It's rare to come to North Blue. Flevance women have quite a unique charm. Since we have to wait for Germa's intelligence anyway, we can enjoy ourselves here for a day."
The two of them then left the private room, talking and laughing, and began enjoying the pleasures brought by money.
Rowan did not stay long in the extravagant, pleasure-filled bar. After maintaining his persona for a while, he found an excuse and slipped out.
In truth, he did not like this kind of environment. But Spandine liked it, so he could only accompany him for a while.
At the center of the White Town, a beautiful white fountain was playing music, and the water danced along with the melody.
The pedestrians around were either busy or relaxed, but everyone's face carried a smile, and their eyes held hope for their future lives.
This country was extremely wealthy and peaceful thanks to amber lead ore. With the fondness of those people above, this place was naturally under special protection, and a Marine branch could provide support at any time.
But all of this was built on the lives of the people.
When amber lead disease broke out, those nobles would leave ahead of time, leaving only the abandoned people tormented by illness.
The borders would be sealed, and the upper nobles would even spread the claim that amber lead disease was contagious. This would make it even more impossible for the people at the bottom to survive.
In the end, perhaps the only one who survived the White Town would be Trafalgar Law, and even that depended on the Op-Op Fruit.
"Big brother, do you want to buy flowers?"
A voice sounded in front of Rowan. It was a little girl selling flowers. Although her dress was patched, it was clean.
The little girl blinked and looked at Rowan. "The nun said flowers can bring good luck."
Rowan took out a Beli note and handed it to the little girl. After receiving the flowers, the little girl discovered that the value of the note was too large. She could not make change.
She anxiously counted the few coins in her hand, growing more and more flustered.
When she looked up again, her eyes were clearly red.
The flowers had been picked from the wild. In truth, they were not beautiful, but because the little girl had carefully trimmed the stems, they looked decent enough.
But clearly, her business today was not good.
"Big brother, can you... can you come with me to the church? I... I can't make change."
Church?
Rowan thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "You can keep the extra money as a gift. I think this bouquet is very beautiful. You must have spent a long time trimming it, right?"
The little girl tightly gripped the Beli in her hand. For a moment, the education she had received and her growling stomach began a long battle of persuasion.
Seeing this, Rowan reached out and patted the little girl's head, then turned and left the fountain in just a few steps.
At the same time, a spatial coordinate landed on the girl's neck.
Rowan walked along the streets of the White Town, the little girl's face still lingering in his mind.
He was not some indiscriminately kind person...
The lives he had cut down with his own hands, and the souls suffering in the prison, were now too many to count even when he thought about it.
But at the same time... the education he had received in his previous life would always make him empathize, just like with that little girl earlier.
After being abandoned, she still worked hard to live by her own hands. Although life was difficult, thanks to the general environment, she could still eat her fill and dress warmly. There was light in her eyes, hope for the future.
But she did not know that in just over three years, this country would cease to exist.
The upper nobles would flee, and the people would be sealed inside, shot dead, and burned to ashes.
Flevance did not hold much meaning for the Revolutionary Army. All the ordinary people in this country had already suffered heavy metal poisoning, and aside from the Op-Op Fruit, there was no cure.
The cost and reward were not proportional. The Revolutionary Army's forces in North Blue were currently all lying low.
Once they made too large a move, it would inevitably draw the World Government's attention again.
But many times, benefits were not everything.
On that day in God Valley when he was one year old, even with the memories of his previous life, when his relatives were hunted down one after another like prey, he had also prayed for someone to appear and save him, to save his mother and father.
In the end... Kuma, who was still a hopelessly kind person back then, appeared. And so did Ginny.
Rowan even still remembered that after the God Valley Incident ended, when they returned to the Sorbet Kingdom, Kuma prayed for forgiveness in the church, because he felt he could have saved more people.
"Hah... see you in three years, little girl."
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