This should have been a battle worthy of being written into history.
But the reason this fight deserved to be called "historic" wasn't really about the purpose behind it.
Whether it was Golden Lion or Rowan, if they really cared that much about Tom's Pluton blueprints, they could have dealt with each other in dozens of ways.
Golden Lion could have returned to his base as fast as possible.
Even the Marines wouldn't be able to find that hidden base high in the sky, and neither could Ryan Rowan.
And Rowan could have used a surprise attack to catch Golden Lion off guard.
Then, using his Sand-Sand Fruit powers, he could have snatched Tom and run, starting a long sea battle with Golden Lion.
In short, regarding the Pluton blueprints, Rowan and Golden Lion had many "other" solutions and didn't need to engage in a head-on fight at all.
But – they still did.
Because that's Golden Lion.
Because that's Ryan Rowan.
But the sea seemed to think this battle was happening too early, that the era wasn't ready to handle it.
So, fatefully, the weather forced the Flying Pirates to pass through the Devil's Triangle, and Rowan and Golden Lion had to choose this place for their battle.
But neither of them cared about that.
Because this wasn't a battle "for others to see," their only target was each other!
This was a battle about themselves.
This was a battle about "who is stronger"...
So, even though their figures were swallowed by thick fog, and the only ones who could see them were each other, neither of them hesitated at all.
…
At least it seemed that way for Golden Lion.
…
Because they were forcibly squeezed together, the plants on those small floating islands had been completely destroyed, leaving only bare, desolate ground.
And on that open, barren ground, two figures stood facing each other.
"Ze ha ha ha ha, come on!"
Golden Lion opened his arms and laughed wildly.
At the same time, the floating island rose rapidly under the influence of the Float-Float Fruit's power.
Even more intense and heavy pressure pressed down on both Golden Lion and Rowan at the same time.
But Golden Lion didn't care and laughed, "Another round!"
Golden Lion was calling for Rowan to attack.
But after shouting a few times, he didn't see that powerful black spear flash before him.
Golden Lion looked up in surprise and found Rowan holding his scepter, looking at him with a smile!
What was he going to do?
Rowan scratched his head, looking slightly embarrassed, and said slowly, "If we keep fighting... it's actually not worth it."
Worth it?
Is there such a thing as a fight being worth it or not?
Golden Lion was stunned, then suddenly realized what Rowan was talking about.
That's right, in the current fight, both Golden Lion and Rowan had the power to quickly destroy each other's comrades.
Once either of them was pushed too far, both the Flying Pirates and the Four Seas Alliance would suffer devastating blows!
A very logical analysis, but...
Golden Lion couldn't help but wonder.
This man, in this atmosphere of a "final battle," was still calmly thinking about the gains and losses?
Are there people like that?
Of course, there are, and there are many on this sea.
These people are focused on narrow gains and losses, so they often fail to achieve much.
Looking at this sea, those who become heroes are not petty or cunning people.
Gol D. Roger was like that, Garp was like that, Golden Lion was like that, and even the seemingly most serious Sengoku was like that!
Don't fight unless you have to, but once you start, fight to the end and be sure to win!
There's no reason to stop halfway!
From Rowan's previous fighting style and words, Golden Lion didn't believe Rowan was that kind of person.
In fact, after thinking carefully, Golden Lion realized that Rowan's words seemed to make a lot of sense.
Continuing to fight was indeed "not worth it."
The reason he raided the judicial ship in a lightning strike was to avoid being tracked by the Marines or the World Government.
He still had bigger plans!
Fighting Ryan Rowan in the Devil's Triangle would inevitably create a huge commotion, even with the fog as cover.
This was against Golden Lion's original intention.
At this moment, there was a safer and more reasonable solution than "fighting head-on on the floating island"!
The same was true for Ryan Rowan.
Therefore, Golden Lion began to hesitate.
But that hesitation lasted only half a second before disappearing completely.
What a joke, I'm Golden Lion!
If you want to fight, I'll fight to the end!
But...
Golden Lion's eyes showed some surprise.
Why?
Why could that Ryan Rowan, in such a tense atmosphere, continue to think about the "best solution" to the whole situation?
Could he really be that calm?
Always, everywhere, able to quickly think of the best way at that moment, without being swayed by emotions or atmosphere...
This level of "calm," if put on a real battlefield, would go beyond shocking and become terrifying!
"Ze ha ha ha ha, there are so many interesting guys on this sea..."
Golden Lion muttered, flicking his finger, and a stone flew out from the side, heading straight for Rowan.
It seemed like an ordinary attack, but the power inside was greater than a heavy cannon and could destroy the iron walls of a warship!
But Rowan simply swung the black spear in his hand and gently deflected it.
He felt the amazing force coming from the black spear and shook his head helplessly.
"Can't we solve problems in the most reasonable way?"
At that moment, Golden Lion seemed to understand something, and the smile on his face was even wider than before.
"Ze ha ha ha ha, I get it!"
Swish!
Before he finished speaking, Golden Lion suddenly rushed towards Rowan, slashing at him with the swords on his feet.
Clang!
The sword blades collided with the black spear, sending out blinding sparks.
While blocking Golden Lion's attacks, Rowan smiled slowly, "There's no profit in doing this now. How about we wait for this floating island to fall, draw up positions, and have a reasonable fight, each with our own goals?"
"Stop talking nonsense!"
Golden Lion roared, and an amazing aura erupted from his body.
Using the Float-Float Fruit's powerful mobility, he flashed to directly above Rowan and then stabbed down with his sword!
The force of this strike was enough to pierce through the entire floating island!
But Rowan didn't choose to dodge. Instead, he raised his black spear and faced Golden Lion's sword head-on!
Cling!
The two clashed, and once again, neither gained an advantage.
"I get it, I get it!"
Golden Lion jumped back in front of Rowan and laughed:
"Talking about the 'most reasonable' solution, aren't you just taking all my moves?"
"You're holding back your true self!"
Hearing this, Rowan smiled without saying anything, neither confirming nor denying it.
Seeing this, Golden Lion lowered his body, grinned, and said:
"Don't underestimate me, I'm Golden Lion..."
"I'll beat the truth behind that 'calmness' out of you!"
You can read 50+ more chapter on patreon com/JYouyi