Rowen let out a disdainful chuckle at Ace’s caution and then spoke with a tinge of disappointment. “This reunion with you, Ace, is far from what I had envisioned. I had planned to cause chaos in the city and give Garp an opportunity to save your life, but I never expected to be stopped by you…”
The latter half of his sentence was not directed toward Ace, as he felt that the current Ace was not deserving of his full attention. Meanwhile, Shanks snapped back to reality, gripping his weapon, Gryphon, tightly in his hand.
“Creating chaos in the city? What are your intentions?” Ace asked with confusion etched on his face. “You’re a Marine, aren’t you? What are you trying to do? What do you mean by giving Grp an opportunity to save me?”
“What’s so strange about that?” Rowen tilted his head, his aura of violence is palpable as he stared at the top power player of the New World, Shanks, the Yonkō of the Sea.
Under Shanks’ shocked and frightened gaze, Rowen spoke in a slow, measured tone.
“Ace’s refusal to accept the Shichibukai invitation was a foregone conclusion, and being imprisoned in the Impel Down was his only fate,” Rowen said with a cold smirk.
“If Garp chooses to save him then I can grab him and use Ace’s life as leverage. And if Garp decides not to save him or if Ace prefers to die than surrender, then Ace will still die in the Impel Down, putting an end to Garp’s thoughts.
“I prefer the second option, not only because it’s the most likely outcome, but also because it aligns with my plans. Regardless of what Garp decides, Ace will eventually die, it’s just a matter of time. After all, I’m a Marine.”
Hearing Rowen speak of his evil and vicious plan in such an indifferent tone sent shivers down Ace’s spine. His heart stopped for an instant, and a cold sweat drenched his back.
Ace was still clinging to his belief of wanting to die rather than become a Shichibukai. However, he never imagined that Rowen had already calculated so deeply and was using him as a means to test Garp and force him to save him.
If Garp were to give in to Rowen’s demands, not only would Ace die at a later date, but Garp would also be threatened and manipulated by Rowen, which will lead to disastrous consequences.
“Old man…” Ace thought to himself, feeling that he was nothing more than a hindrance. He tightened his fists and hung his head in sadness.
“What do you want to say in the end?!” Shanks exclaimed, breaking out in a cold sweat as he realized the dire consequences that could have come to pass if he had not acted on impulse and rescued Ace.
It was clear what Garp would have done if he had not saved Ace. He would have watched his grandson suffer in Impel Down and never see the light of day again.
Would he have been willing to accept that outcome? Regardless of his reluctance, Ace’s fate was sealed, but Shanks had changed it by chance and rescued him.
But…
Shanks unsheathed his sword, his face set in a determined scowl.
“Why would you reveal this to me? Don’t you fear that I’ll spread the word?” he asked.
Rowen shrugged nonchalantly. “The world keeps moving forward, regardless of individual actions. I don’t waste my time on failed plans.”
“You made a grave mistake today, Shanks. The world will never be the same because of it,” Rowen added.
Shanks’ brow furrowed as he prepared to respond, but Rowen continued, “My goal of eradicating the era of the Pirates is unwavering. If we cross paths again in the future, I hope you’ll choose wisely.”
He silently mouthed, “I won’t seek revenge for today’s events until I’ve taken down all the other Yonkō, after all…”
Shanks’ eyes widened in shock. “What? How? What are you planning?!!”
Why would Rowen know about such things?
“I know much more than you think. Consider your next words carefully. So… Sayonara (farewell),” Rowen said with a smirk, and suddenly raised his foot. The Thunder Cloud Sword that had fallen to the ground was lifted into the air.
Shanks realized it too late. Rowen’s position had shifted three meters while they were talking. His words and cunning plan were all just a distraction, a ploy to buy time for his move.
“Stop him!!” Beckman shouted, drawing his guns and firing.
No matter how weakened Rowen was, Beckman’s only thought at that moment was, “They can’t allow this guy to escape!”
Boom!
“It’s too late!!”
The bullets hit Rowen’s chest, but they had no effect as they were absorbed by his strengthened Armament Haki. As blood bloomed, Rowen leaned forward and bit down on the hilt of the sword.
He then violently shook his head, causing the sharp blade to slice through the air. His eyes shone with a frenzied madness as he leaned back, raised his hands high, and cut his own wrists in front of the shocked crew of The Red Force.
Sii!!!
Blood splattered as Rowen, a strong man, severed his own wrists in a shocking display. He acted quickly and efficiently.
As Shanks tried to make a move, the Thunderlight exploded and a black shadow shot out.
“That is!!” Shanks felt his hair stand on end as he swung his sword to block Seastone’s handcuffs, only to find rough, severed hands stuck between the handcuffs.
“Live well, Ace! Next time we meet, don’t let me down… Hehehe, hahahahahaha!!!” The Thunderlight was gone along with Rowen. The indifferent words and wild laughter echoed in the air, sending chills down everyone’s spines.
“This… monster!!!”
Shanks tightly gripped the hilt of his sword and felt a pang of regret for the first time in his life.
“Captain, what do we do?” Beckman approached and asked with a serious expression on his face.
Rowen’s madness was too frightening, even for Beckman who had seen countless horrors. He couldn’t help but feel his scalp tingle.
“Back to the New World! I need to see Whitebeard!” Shanks’ eyes were cold and he glanced at the defeated Ace.
He had never shown such a serious expression, not even on the day Roger disbanded his pirate crew and was executed.
“Understood!” Beckman nodded and quickly organized the crew to set sail.
The Red Force lifted its sails and disappeared into the sky like a silent sea monster.
Rowen, high up in the sky, watched them leave with a fanatical smile on his face.
“Ace, whether you live or die, you will have served your purpose for me!!!”
Bang!!
With a burst of lightning, Rowen vanished in an instant.
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