Nothing could be done?
Dragon finally nodded slightly. "That is true. Other than spreading the information as early as possible, there is nothing we can do."
"The Revolutionary Army is still just in its infancy. Not to mention the World Government, even the Marines' Buster Call is something we cannot confront head-on right now."
He looked at Rowan. "So all we can do is spread the news in advance, allowing as many people as possible to escape."
Rowan replied, "Within the Marines, I have seen many who truly believe in justice. This information will become the greatest challenge to the World Government's version of justice."
"After we descended from the Red Line, Admiral Sengoku personally ordered Kuzan back to Headquarters. That decision made me start to understand Kuzan's sense of justice."
Dragon, being Garp's son, naturally knew of Kuzan.
"You want to recruit him? A Logia user with the potential to become an Admiral?"
Rowan nodded. "It is not impossible in the future. His justice conflicts with the World Government. It might be worth trying. And there are many within the Marines like him. They also need a direction."
Ginny spoke up. "We have Den Den Mushi and cameras, but that is not enough to spread this across the entire South Blue. And we do not have connections with the World Economic News. There is no way to let everyone know in such a short time."
World Economic News…
That bird-headed man had not yet awakened his journalistic ideals.
After all, this was not twenty-four years later. The World Government still held overwhelming power.
"Do what we can," Rowan said. "Spread the information as much as possible. Whether it is to save people or to shake the Marines' perception of the World Government, it is what we need."
Dragon and Ivankov immediately got up and began mobilizing the Revolutionary Army.
Kuma and Ginny, having just joined, could only watch for now. But from this day on, Kuma's Paw-Paw Fruit would play a major role.
…
Three days later, back on the World Government ship, Rowan maintained his routine.
Sleep in his room.
Stand on the deck, watching the South Blue scenery.
Occasionally complain about wanting to drink or go ashore.
All requests were denied.
Of course, he never truly intended to leave. Under such strict surveillance, if any information leaked, he would be the prime suspect.
"Bang."
A document slammed onto the table. Veins bulged on Spandine's forehead.
He had invested heavily into this mission. Completing it would mean promotion and wealth.
He had connections.
But now, with the leak, if the target escaped, he would be seen as incompetent by those in Mary Geoise.
And once that impression formed, there would be no recovery.
Spandine stood up, glaring at everyone.
Everyone was now under suspicion.
Including Rowan.
After all, Rowan had threatened him back in the West Blue.
Maybe he should just dump the blame on him?
Just as he thought that, Rowan walked over, glanced at the document, and spoke with surprise.
"I thought the information about Roger's bloodline was only revealed to me after we descended from the Red Line. How did it leak so quickly?"
After descending from the Red Line…
Those words sparked something in Spandine's mind.
He was not stupid.
His gaze shifted to the ship's vice commander, then to two subordinates.
No.
He knew them well enough. The lives of ordinary people in the South Blue meant nothing to them. Just stepping stones for promotion.
So who was it?
One subordinate spoke nervously, "I remember that on the Red Line, you received a call and mentioned the mission."
Spandine's eyes narrowed. "Are you accusing me? Or the person on the other end of that call?"
The subordinate panicked, unable to respond.
At that moment, Rowan added casually, "To pull something like this off on this ship, their Observation Haki must be quite advanced."
A perfectly timed push.
Spandine immediately thought of someone.
No one had mentioned the name, but at the Red Line checkpoint, that person had received orders from Headquarters and left.
"Kuzan, that bastard. I knew Marines could not be trusted."
As long as he could shift the blame, Spandine was more than willing.
And with Fleet Admiral Kong, Sengoku, and Garp, the Marines had the power to bear that blame.
Rowan quietly stepped back.
After all, Kuzan was his recommender from Loguetown. It would not be appropriate for him to speak further.
…
A day later, upon reaching the target region, the agents found that the number of pregnant women was far lower than expected.
Many were older women who had conceived late in life.
Even Spandine doubted any of them could be Roger's lover.
Unless the Pirate King had truly lost his sight.
Days passed.
Despite exhaustive searches, very few were captured.
Meanwhile, the entire South Blue began to erupt.
People empathized with women and children.
No one knew if such slaughter would happen again in the future.
Protests broke out everywhere.
With the Revolutionary Army's support, several kingdoms even overthrew their rulers.
The "Pirate King bloodline" incident in the South Blue was spiraling out of control.
…
Mary Geoise, the Room of Authority.
"The operation to eliminate Roger's bloodline can no longer proceed due to the Marines."
"Killing more ants is meaningless. Roger is what matters."
"The final island… what remains there…"
"What we need to consider now is whether to continue the killings… or disperse them."
"The common people are no longer of importance."