Once upon a time, Nefertari asked Rowan:
"How do you judge the situation on the battlefield? Why are you always so calm and in control?"
When it came to ruling a country and diplomacy, Nefertari was absolutely confident.
But on a real battlefield, Nefertari's ability to make quick strategic decisions was far inferior to the man in front of her.
Facing his close friend's curiosity, Rowan thought carefully and finally replied:
"It depends on the 'person'."
Nefertari was a little unhappy with this answer.
"Are you saying you have a special talent that others can't achieve?"
"No, no, that's not what I mean."
Rowan quickly waved his hands. "My secret is 'seeing the person'."
"Hmm?"
Nefertari raised an eyebrow, showing her confusion.
Rowan continued, "The surface goal of a war can be many things, but the core goal is always the same—"
"Profit!"
"All wars are related to the interests of the parties involved."
"Seeking profit is simply a fact. It's not good or bad, and it's not about right or wrong."
"Invading other countries to seize territory is for one's own benefit; seizing property to enrich the treasury is for one's own benefit; plundering resources to intimidate other countries is for one's own benefit."
"But on the other hand, defending one's home and country to fight back is for one's own benefit; defending peace and upholding justice is also for one's own benefit!"
Rowan played with the sand and smiled. "As long as you understand where that 'profit' lies, you can grasp the other party's purpose."
Nefertari thought it over, guessing, "Are you saying that if you know the goals of the warring parties, you can predict their actions?"
To be honest, it sounds a little strange.
After all, this kind of logic, using the goal to figure out the action, can be found in any military battle analysis book.
Nefertari didn't believe that the man known as the "Golden Dawn" by the soldiers would use such a simple theory.
"No."
As expected, Rowan shook his head. "Figuring that out is only half the battle."
"Because those involved in war aren't cold data, but countless living 'people'."
Rowan said this and suddenly asked:
"'People aren't bound by a single set of rules. We can't read minds, so we can't know what others are thinking, which is why we can't accurately judge the situation on the battlefield'—that's what you're thinking, right?"
Nefertari nodded.
Was there even a need to ask?
But Rowan denied this.
"That's wrong."
He smiled. "'People' follow rules—their own rules."
As Rowan spoke, he pointed to the water bottle in the distance.
"I'm thirsty."
Nefertari turned to get a cup, but by the time she brought it back, Rowan had already used sand and string to pull the water bottle over and was taking big gulps directly from the spout.
Seeing this, Nefertari suddenly realized something.
Rowan wiped his mouth and grinned.
"See? Facing the same goal, the ways you and I achieve it are different, but they both fit our styles."
"You like everything to be in order, so you would get a cup."
"But I'm thirsty, so I would choose to drink directly from the water bottle."
"These are our different 'styles', in other words, our very different 'rules of action'."
"Everyone is like that."
"As long as you understand the rules of action of the parties involved, you can understand how they will achieve their goals."
"In that case, judging the movements of the warring parties isn't difficult."
Hearing this, Nefertari understood Rowan's meaning, but she was still curious.
"According to you, if someone does the opposite of what's expected, wouldn't your theory be useless?"
"The so-called 'doing the opposite' is also part of their own rules."
Rowan grinned, looking very happy.
"So, Nefertari, let me teach you a trick—"
"Constantly break the 'rules' you originally believed in. That's how you can see things others can't!"
...
Time returned to 800 years later.
In terms of the information he had, Rowan's advantage was definitely top of the line on the sea.
Therefore, he didn't need to put in too much effort to understand everything that was happening in Aden Kingdom.
What kind of person is Donquixote Doflamingo?
He is a "traitorous clan" rejected by the holy land of Mary Geoise, who has sworn to turn the world of the Celestial Dragons upside down since childhood.
But Doflamingo is also a man who knows how to use everything around him.
He used Trebol, Diamante, and others to establish the Donquixote Family. He also plans to use his younger brother Rosinante to eat the Op-Op Fruit to help him complete his future plans.
In the future, Doflamingo will also use his "Celestial Dragon" status to complete his plot against the Dressrosa Kingdom and become the king of Dressrosa.
Therefore, Doflamingo's actions this time are definitely not simply "targeting the Four Seas Alliance," and even less likely "obeying the World Government to stop the Four Seas Alliance."
This man would not do such a unprofitable deal.
So the most likely fact is that Doflamingo is using "stopping the Four Seas Alliance" as a bargaining chip to ask the World Government to agree to "a certain request" of his.
As for what that request is?
Probably to join the "Royal Seven Warlords."
In Rowan's memory, Doflamingo should soon intercept a batch of "Heavenly Tribute" that was being sent to the Celestial Dragons, and use it as leverage to get the World Government to agree to his request to join the Seven Warlords.
Now it seems that, for Doflamingo, the Four Seas Alliance being part of his "initiation" is clearly more attractive than the Heavenly Tribute being his "bargaining chip"!
...
As for the Crystal Demon virus appearing in Aden Kingdom.
Caesar Clown is a very ambitious man.
He is obsessed with the research and development of weapons of mass destruction, and he has long been dissatisfied with Vegapunk always being one step ahead of him.
So why did Caesar choose to partner with Doflamingo this time?
Probably because Doflamingo promised Caesar that he would provide him with a large enough "stage" to show the World Government the results of his research.
That result is, of course, the "Crystal Demon virus" that was improved from Vegapunk's work!
However, there's one thing Rowan is very curious about—
If this virus is really so great, why would Caesar later choose to research another biological weapon, the "gas organism Smiley"?
Perhaps this virus isn't as unbeatable as it seems.
To find out the answer to this question, asking a doctor would definitely be a good choice—
Especially since this doctor himself is infected with the Crystal Demon virus.
...
Rowan arrived under that miraculous cherry blossom tree.
At this moment, the cherry blossom tree made of special gas was gradually disappearing, leaving behind only a figure covered in armor-like crystals.
Rowan went to Hiluluk and sat down opposite the doctor.
The Crystal Demon virus in his body has completely erupted, taking away his consciousness, but Rowan seemed completely unaware of this fact.
"So, Doctor..."
Rowan placed his staff horizontally on his lap, looking at Hiluluk.
"What have you discovered?"
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