Very soon, just a day later, Rowan received a message from Spandine.
He was to report to Mary Geoise to answer for his actions.
Yet judging from the Den Den Mushi's expression, Spandine looked more excited than anything else.
"Aren't you scared?"
Rowan smiled.
"Your expression and your tone have already given you away."
"So this so-called questioning is just a formality, isn't it?"
Spandine's excitement immediately deflated.
He had wanted to scare Rowan a little.
After all, Rowan's stunt last time had nearly left him permanently... unable to perform.
He'd been in the middle of business when the news came.
The shock had nearly scared him to death.
Power wasn't easy to obtain.
If he ended up dying because he got dragged into Rowan's mess, he'd come back as a ghost just to drag this bastard down with him.
Then another thought crossed his mind.
A future ally at the level of an Admiral...
No.
A Fleet Admiral.
Money suddenly didn't seem all that important anymore.
Oh, right.
He should probably return some of the treasure Rowan had sent him before.
It hurt to part with it, but the balance of power between them had already begun to shift.
Their relationship was becoming one of equals.
"You've always said you wanted to see Mary Geoise."
"This time your wish is finally coming true."
"Though honestly, there's nothing that interesting up there for people like us."
Rowan replied,
"Some things aren't just about being interesting, Spandine."
"It's where the world's power is concentrated."
"The summit of the entire world."
"Just imagining it makes me eager to witness it with my own eyes."
Spandine.
Hearing Rowan address him by name made Spandine immediately understand the implication.
Although they'd always called each other brothers, until now only Spandine had addressed Rowan so casually.
But Rowan's value had changed.
A man who could one day become an Admiral or perhaps even Fleet Admiral carried far more weight.
Within Cipher Pol, quite a few senior officials had already contacted Rowan through Oms.
"Three days from now, you'll head to Mary Geoise."
"Wear something formal."
"The higher-ups have instructed me to bring you over for the formalities."
"But you'll probably also get to meet one of the Lords."
Rowan narrowed his eyes.
"Of course."
"You and I have always been close, brother."
"Since this is my first time paying respects at the Holy Land, having you introduce me couldn't be better."
One was offering a reminder.
The other was acknowledging and reaffirming it.
Neither needed to say anything explicitly.
Both understood that they had just reaffirmed the foundation of their future cooperation.
Each had obtained what he wanted.
After confirming the exact time, Spandine said he would wait there in advance before hanging up.
Rowan was in an excellent mood.
Using his Marine identity to enter Mary Geoise was undoubtedly the best option.
At the same time it would allow him to gauge exactly how wary Mary Geoise truly was of him.
The giant mechanical soldier that had once invaded Mary Geoise two hundred years ago was also one of his objectives.
Before leaving he still needed to retrieve the Rooster Talisman.
Inside the residence assigned to Marine Headquarters Vice Admirals, Rowan stood by the window, quietly planning his actions three days from now.
He couldn't afford to be careless.
That place had ruled the world for eight hundred years.
Most Celestial Dragons were little more than useless, snot-nosed parasites.
But the God's Knights the Five Elders and the mysterious figure behind them.
Imu.
The power they possessed and the power hidden behind them Remained a complete mystery.
The very next day, while Rowan was still staying at Marine Headquarters, he received a summons from Sengoku.
Clearly Mary Geoise had already made its decision.
And Sengoku needed to confirm Rowan's true stance.
Although both sides had benefited from the recent incident, the Marines had deliberately spread the story of that "farce" to every Marine branch.
Rowan's reputation had been restored and had even risen to new heights.
But at the same time whether he could continue climbing whether he could one day become an Admiral Sengoku and Tsuru still needed to sound Rowan out.
What they wanted was a Marine whose loyalties lay with the Marines yet who could still serve as a bridge between the Marines and the World Government.
"But rather than a Rowan whose loyalties lie with the World Government while serving as a Marine Admiral."
Knock. Knock.
"Come in."
As soon as he entered, Rowan turned around and gently closed the door.
Inside the Fleet Admiral's office were only Sengoku and Vice Admiral Tsuru.
Well there was also the goat with the little bell around its neck.
"The questioning at Mary Geoise the day after tomorrow is only a formality."
Sengoku's very first sentence proved that he had his own intelligence channels as well.
"You don't need to worry. The higher-ups of the World Government clearly don't care about what you did."
"After this, Marine Headquarters will officially place your file among the Admiral candidates. You can choose your own codename, though it has to follow the naming convention of this generation."
A codename?
Rowan actually wanted to continue using Spark his Revolutionary Army codename.
But that would have been monumentally stupid.
The problem was he was absolutely terrible at naming things.
Besides, every Admiral candidate of this era followed the same pattern.
A color plus an animal.
Red Rabbit?
It fit both the color and the animal but it sounded too feminine.
Besides, Pink Rabbit (Momousagi) already existed.
"You can think about the codename later."
At that moment, Tsuru spoke, picking up a file from the desk.
"There's something I think you should know."
She handed the document directly to Rowan.
So here comes the warning.
After only a single glance, Rowan's expression changed in surprise.
"How is that possible?"
Yet inwardly he was even more astonished by the Marines' speed and efficiency.
Barely more than a week had passed.
After Bartolomeonomi returned to West Blue, they had already begun digging through every detail of his background.
The report reached no final conclusion.
But every single page pointed toward the same possibility.
Bartolomeo Nomi's loyalties were highly questionable.
He was very likely an undercover Revolutionary.
Tsuru said calmly,
"Perhaps Vice Admiral Rowan isn't aware of Bartolomeo Nomi's past."
"And it was precisely because of that past that we were able to compile this report."
She took the file back before handing it to Sengoku.
Sengoku then passed it directly to the goat beside him.
The goat promptly ate the entire document.
"Of course, we're not implying that we suspect you, Vice Admiral Rowan."
"After all, you transferred to Marine Headquarters eight years ago and have rarely returned to West Blue since."
She continued,
"Furthermore, everything in this report is still only analysis."
"It isn't sufficient to prove that Bartolomeo Nomi's beliefs have truly changed."
"So we haven't taken any action."
"The reason we're informing you is simply to advise you that, in the future, it would be best to have as little contact with him as possible."
"After all the Marines require evidence."
"The World Government does not."
The warning could hardly have been more obvious.
Were they afraid he wouldn't understand?
Since when did the Marines require evidence?
As one of the world's great armed organizations, Rowan had never considered Sengoku or Tsuru to be kind-hearted people.
They might firmly believe in their own version of justice but after holding the Marines' authority for so many years there was no way either of them could truly be called saints.
Outwardly, Rowan remained perfectly composed.
Smiling, he replied,
"It seems Vice Admiral Tsuru is always worrying about unnecessary things."
"My position has always been simple."
"I hate the pirates of this sea."
"And besides when we investigated Wano together have either of you ever wondered why I chose to cooperate?"
"For that little bit of Beli?"
"That amount of money isn't nearly enough to test my resolve, you two."
"Some fates are decided the moment we're born..."
Rowan let out a sigh.
"People are destined to hate them."
"The ordinary people of Wano shouldn't have to die because of this so-called fate, should they?"
"Just like I did back then the only one left alive in the end."
Beneath his self-mocking smile, Sengoku and Vice Admiral Tsuru exchanged a glance.
The subject was quietly dropped.
Tsuru had played the role of the one delivering the warning.
Then Sengoku began making his promises.
G-5 Base would remain under Rowan's command.
His appointment as an Admiral Candidate was now confirmed.
In addition, he would be granted the authority to requisition forces from three Marine bases in the New World.
The first two weren't especially important.
The last one, however was genuine power.
The commanders of New World Marine bases were themselves Marine Headquarters Vice Admirals. While their individual strength varied, the territory under their control was substantial.
With some careful maneuvering it wouldn't even be impossible to gradually infiltrate those bases with Revolutionary Army members, just as had happened with G-5, until they quietly became Revolutionary strongholds.
After all, Rowan possessed personnel transfer authority.
Promoting a dozen or so Revolutionary soldiers through military achievements until they became unit commanders at those bases was entirely feasible.
After Sengoku finished outlining everything, Tsuru remained silent for quite some time, deep in thought.
In her view, the reason they hadn't exposed Bartolomeonomi was primarily because the Revolutionary Army differed from pirates.
Moreover, considering Nomi's past she understood that his convictions ultimately lay with ordinary people.
And because of Nomi's beliefs she was, to a certain extent, willing to believe what Rowan had said before.
If that was the case perhaps there were some things she could finally tell him.
"Vice Admiral Rowan."
"If your sympathy for ordinary people comes from your own background then when you go to Mary Geoise the day after tomorrow..."
"I hope you'll be able to keep your emotions under control."
Tsuru continued,
"During your years at Headquarters, you must have visited the Sabaody Archipelago."
"And you've undoubtedly heard what the Celestial Dragons used to do there."
Rowan replied,
"I know."
"That place was hell for slaves."
"But Celestial Dragons probably don't dare go to Sabaody anymore, do they?"
"The World Government covered it up, but senior Marine officers still know the truth."
"Vice Admiral Borsalino was stationed there long-term before later being reassigned."
"So they're too afraid to go down there now?"
The deliberately sarcastic tone made both Sengoku and Tsuru pause.
They were clearly evaluating what that remark implied.
"If that's how you feel then don't say things like that after you leave this room."
Sengoku sighed.
He now understood why Tsuru wanted to reveal some of the truth to this young man.
After thinking for a moment, he stood up, walked over, and patted Rowan on the shoulder.
"The Marines have always believed in eliminating every pirate on the seas."
"But do you know why pirates continue to multiply while remaining evenly matched with the Marines?"
Sengoku gave a bitter smile.
"You know Reverse Mountain, don't you?"
"The mountain where seawater flows uphill."
"It's the only route for pirates from the Four Blues into the Grand Line."
"No pirate becomes a great pirate overnight."
"After entering the Grand Line, those rookies gradually strengthen their resolve, awaken Haki, and continue growing through one life-and-death battle after another."
"They fight each other survive and eventually reach the middle section of the Grand Line, the Sabaody Archipelago."
"So before entering the Grand Line pirates are actually quite weak."
"If the Marines simply stationed Vice Admiral Borsalino permanently at the entrance where Reverse Mountain leads into the Grand Line..."
"How many pirates do you think would survive long enough to even reach their first island?"
Rowan frowned, pretending to ponder the question.
Sengoku continued at the right moment,
"So the truth is that they need pirates."
"They also need the Marines."
"Without pirates threatening and plundering nations there would be no new member states joining the World Government."
"Some existing member states might even withdraw."
"And without the Marines pirates would run completely unchecked."
"There would no longer be any source for collecting the Heavenly Tribute."
"And nations paying protection money would no longer receive any protection so eventually, they would refuse to pay as well."
Rowan's voice grew hoarse.
"So this is what you call balance?"
"Keeping the world trapped forever endlessly cycling between suffering and despair is this the true nature of the world?"
Seeing Rowan's reaction, Tsuru spoke.
"The truth goes far beyond that, Vice Admiral Rowan."
"If it were only as simple as that the world wouldn't have become what it is today."
Her words brought Sengoku to a stop as well.
It was obvious that this was as much as they intended to reveal.
As for the deeper secrets they knew about the World Government those were things they could never tell Rowan, at least not yet.
Leaving the Fleet Admiral's office with a grave expression, Rowan walked away.
Sengoku looked at Tsuru.
"Did we tell him too much? If he can't control himself once he reaches Mary Geoise..."
Tsuru shook her head slightly.
"Someone who could come up with that method of gaining prestige, and even convince Mary Geoise to accept it, isn't a reckless fool."
"In fact, if I'm right he'll choose to ride the human-powered lift."
The human-powered lift.
An automatically operated elevator in Mary Geoise that carried passengers upward.
Beneath it were slaves discarded by the Celestial Dragons.
They called it 'making use of waste.'
Every time Sengoku or the other Marine higher-ups visited Mary Geoise they always chose to climb the stairs instead.
None of them would ride that elevator stained with countless people's blood.
It was their final act of resistance.
"He's very clever."
Sengoku removed his glasses.
"Compared to Garp, who also possesses enormous influence he's much smarter."
Tsuru shook her head again.
"He and Garp are different."
"Garp carries the hidden initial D."
"To the World Government that alone makes him their greatest hidden danger."
"So Garp understands it himself."
"That's why he has always remained a Vice Admiral."
After returning to his quarters, Rowan left a Shadow Clone behind at Marine Headquarters.
His real body immediately traveled to the Revolutionary Army's West Army base.
However the moment he arrived, he nearly teleported away again.
"Sir, Molly missed you so much."
A gigantic bearded giant, dressed in a skirt, blushed shyly as he spread his arms and rushed in for a hug.
Rowan slapped him away with one hand.
Despite the enormous difference in size his tiny palm sent the giant stumbling backward.
The gap in strength between them was already immense.
"Ow..."
Molly rubbed his arm, looking thoroughly aggrieved.
Behind his mask, Rowan sighed helplessly.
"Molly."
"I've told you before."
"That way of expressing your emotions isn't something everyone can survive."
Molly nodded seriously.
"I only get this excited when I see you, Sir."
"After all your ideals will one day bring dawn to this world."
Sighing again, Rowan found a seat.
This was another deserted island now serving as the Revolutionary Army's West Army headquarters.
"Not busy today?"
"Sir."
"The commanders in the Four Blues aren't particularly busy right now."
"During the infiltration phase, there aren't many situations requiring us to act personally."
"The busiest people are still the instructors."
Molly looked at Rowan.
"I actually wanted to become one of the honored instructors."
"My scores in ideological education were good enough."
"But my giant appearance got me rejected."
Rowan nodded.
"A giant's size naturally makes people feel less approachable than a normal human."
"That couldn't be helped."
"But as a West Army Commander your abilities are perfectly suited for building underground tunnel networks."
Afterward, Rowan informed Molly about Bartolomeo Nomi being exposed.
Molly immediately grew serious.
"So does that mean you want us to withdraw him, Sir?"
Rowan shook his head.
"Let him decide for himself."
"Of course, maintaining the status quo would be the best outcome."
"But under the current circumstances simply leaving things as they are would be irresponsible toward his safety."
"So tell him everything."
"Then let him choose whether to stay or withdraw."
He paused before adding,
"However this incident happened entirely because of his own carelessness."
"No matter which option he chooses have him retake the Undercover Operations Regulations course."
Sometimes one careless sentence was enough for an opponent to infer an astonishing amount.
Even Rowan himself despite possessing Shadow Clones had only managed to prevent others from connecting Rowan with the Cloaked Man.
As for Kuzan after becoming suspicious, he had actually acted on that suspicion.
That incident had been a lesson for Rowan as well.
"Understood."
Molly nodded before giving Rowan a report on the Revolutionary Army's progress in West Blue.
Although Baldigo handled overall management Rowan's prestige within the Revolutionary Army made Molly desperately want recognition from Mr. Spark.
Rowan listened attentively throughout.
Development in West Blue lagged somewhat behind the Grand Line but overall it was progressing well.
Over the years since Rowan had left large numbers of rookie pirates dreaming of going to sea had resurfaced once again.
Pirate raids combined with the crushing burden of the Heavenly Tribute imposed on member nations provided fertile ground for the Revolutionary Army to grow.
The only problem was that funds had begun running short once more.
After hearing the report, Rowan departed for baltigo.
He needed to retrieve the Rooster Talisman, which he had entrusted to Dragon for safekeeping.
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