This novel is finished, and I have posted all the advanced chapters on my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/darkshadow6395
"It really is him!"
A fierce glint flashed in Kong's eyes. Even though Dragon had betrayed the Marines after the Ohara Incident, he had once served as Kong's subordinate. That face, he would never forget it.
"You actually dare to show yourself in the Holy Land?! As expected of the Leader of the Revolutionary Army, truly fearless!"
After his initial shock, Bald Zero didn't hesitate. His feet moved silently, flickering like a phantom as he Soru-ed to the spot between Dragon and the main gate, efficiently cutting off any path of retreat.
"But this is as far as you go!"
In front stood the Marine Fleet Admiral Akainu, behind him the CP0 Chief Zero, and farther back the Commander-in-Chief of all Holy Land forces, Steel Bone Kong, who sat with arms crossed, overseeing everything. Even Kaido himself would find no way to escape this encirclement, let alone now, with the "World's Strongest," Rowen, calmly watching from above.
Yet Dragon showed no fear. He simply shook his head and said, "The Leader of the Revolutionary Army wouldn't appear here. I'm merely one of its commanders now."
Then, with a carefree laugh that eased some of the tension, he added, "That young man Sabo is far more reliable than I ever was."
At once, everyone remembered, Dragon hadn't been the Revolutionary Army's Leader for a long time. Sabo had stabilized the organization after Dragon's capture and, when the Marines launched their overseas campaigns, had famously infiltrated Impel Down to rescue him. If the Revolutionary Army's true head had risked coming to the Holy Land, it would have been sheer stupidity. Dragon was merely one of their senior cadres, and their spiritual symbol.
"All right, calm down, everyone," Rowen interrupted, his tone perfectly even. "Mr. Dragon is our ally, at least for now."
The tension-filled atmosphere instantly stilled.
Akainu frowned deeply, turning to Rowen. "Rowen, what is going on here?" He was so incredulous he even forgot to use honorifics.
Rowen took a slow drag of his cigar and lifted his chin slightly. "Ask him."
"I came to see whether the Holy Land of today is still the same Holy Land of the past," Dragon said, making no move to defend himself. Even with Zero poised behind him, he met Akainu's gaze directly.
"The Revolutionary Army's goal of toppling the World Government has always been just a means, the true aim is to destroy the rotted traditions at its core!"
Killing wasn't the purpose, it was only a method. That had been true for every generation of the Revolutionary Army.
"So, what did you see?" Akainu gritted out.
"Change! Tremendous change!" Dragon's voice rang out like thunder, shaking the hall. "I once feared that you would become the next Gorōsei (Five Elders), but it seems I was the ignorant one… You're far more terrifying than they ever were! You would never repeat their mistakes!"
Those words were aimed at Rowen, and coming from Dragon, they were as good as a declaration that the Revolutionary Army was willing to yield.
Naturally, Rowen was pleased. He nodded lightly. "That's best. After all, the stance represented by the Revolutionary Army is one I can use."
"Hmph! So they show up here and think that makes up for their crimes?!" Akainu snapped coldly, earning a subtle twitch of Rowen's eyelid.
As expected, Akainu's hatred for evil makes him impossible to deal with.
"Don't forget, Dragon! Just your prison break alone caused untold chaos! The Revolutionary Army's hands are soaked in blood, they're no different from executioners!"
"I understand that," Dragon said sternly, locking eyes with him. "That's why I came, to surrender, with the resolve to die."
"You…!" Akainu was struck speechless. What could he even say? The man had walked in ready to die!
"If my life alone isn't enough," Dragon continued, his commitment unnerving, "then the Revolutionary Army still has a hundred thousand soldiers. If the Fleet Admiral wishes it, take them too!"
"Bastard!"
Akainu was left in an impossible position. Could he truly slaughter the entire Revolutionary Army? Of course not, that would be utter madness. The Allied Kingdoms would revolt against a man who butchered dissidents simply because he could.
Rowen barely held back his laughter. Serves you right for running your mouth, Akainu.
"Ahem… Lord Soryu (Azure Dragon), did you just say that Dragon is our ally?" It was Kong who finally broke the awkward silence.
Rowen nodded. "That's right. Though he must repay the Revolutionary Army's sins with his death… before that, I intend to make use of his strength."
Dragon straightened his back. "Then, command me as you will."
Rowen raised a hand, gesturing for everyone to return to their positions. After a brief moment of thought, he said calmly…
"Just now, I mentioned two issues. The Marines will handle the first one. As for the second one…"
He lifted his eyelids slightly, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.
"I believe… this world has no need for Gods."
Boom!
Those few words were like a boulder dropped into a stormy sea, waves of shock rippled through the room. If he had said that to outsiders, they would have thought Rowen had lost his mind.
But everyone present, except for Jinbe, already knew of that being's existence. They understood exactly what Rowen meant.
He intended… to slay God.
Kong's eyelid twitched rapidly, and he bowed slightly. "Lord Soryu (Azure Dragon), that may be…"
"...may be impossible, right?" Rowen finished the sentence for him, shaking his head. "Perhaps it was impossible before. But now… I know it can be done."
He glanced at the still-frowning Akainu and elaborated, "I've crossed paths with him several times. His weakness can no longer be hidden. Although he's somehow recovered part of his power… it isn't much. Probably."
...Probably?! Akainu's eyebrow twitched violently. "Why? Why must you slay God?" He demanded a clear reason.
"If I used my authority to simply order your obedience," Rowen said with a shrug, "you wouldn't listen anyway."
Then his expression darkened, his voice deepening with chilling resolve:
"As I said, this world has no need for Gods."
The same words again, but this time, their meaning struck deeper. The first "God" he mentioned referred to that ancient being. But the second "God" he spoke of… represented the World Nobles themselves.
"The Celestial Dragons were his creation," Rowen said evenly, his calm tone somehow more terrifying than any shout. "From eight hundred years ago, they became his tools, to pursue eternal life, to reach the end of immortality, to become the Nobles of Heaven, the so-called descendants of God. In doing so, they became his accomplices."
"As long as he exists, it's not possible, it's inevitable, that there will one day be another generation of Celestial Dragons."
"I dislike half-measures. So if it's to be done, it must be done completely."
"This world," he declared once more, for the third time, "has no need for Gods."
A vow of absolute resolve.
At some point, dark clouds had gathered outside. Standing by the window, Rowen's figure was cast into shadow.
Crack… Kraaack!
Thunder rumbled violently, lightning illuminating the chamber. Amidst the roaring storm, only Rowen's calm voice echoed.
"Zero, what is CP0's stance?"
Bald Zero instantly broke into a cold sweat. He could feel it, at least three intense killing intents closing in on him simultaneously! One was Rowen, the other two were Akainu and Kong. CP0 had served the Celestial Dragons. Now, with the Dragons wiped out, their future was in doubt.
"CP0…" Bald Zero swallowed hard, bitterness twisting his expression. Then he bowed deeply, surrendering all pretense.
"CP0 will obey your command, my lord."
"Excellent."
As Rowen's words fell, the clouds above suddenly parted. Sunlight poured through the breaks, bathing Rowen in a golden glow.
"I have no interest in your petty power struggles," he said. "All I want… is for CP0 to serve as my voice, and my fangs. Can you do that?"
"…Yes, my lord!"
Bald Zero instantly felt an enormous weight lift from his chest. He glanced around, Akainu and the others stood motionless, faces solemn, as if none of them had been the ones radiating killing intent just moments ago.
"Lord Soryu (Azure Dragon)…"
At that moment, Jinbe, who had been silent all along, took a hesitant step forward. "Then, may I ask… why have you called for me?"
"Oh, right. I almost forgot."
Rowen's eyes turned toward the Fish-Man. "The reason I've maintained a superficial peace with him, aside from the fact that neither of us can yet defeat the other, is because a third party exists."
Jinbe froze, his face going pale.
"In the worst-case scenario, I must ask you to… prepare yourself." Rowen continued. "The current Sea King, Shirahoshi, is no longer who she once was. Her body has been overtaken by a special being, one known as a God."
Two hot tears slid down Jinbe's cheeks. His body trembled, barely keeping him upright.
"So… that's how it is…"
(End of Chapter)