The audacious smuggling activities of the Skypiean merchants were built upon legal protection. Over the course of four hundred years of tugging and pulling, they had seized a reasonable opportunity to create an absolutely safe rear area for themselves.
Therefore, if they wanted to completely eliminate smuggling, reforming the law was the only way.
In fact, in many Skypiean islands, the rulers held absolute control over the territory. Not only important resources like Dials but even every inch of the Island Cloud they stepped on belonged to these so-called gods.
However, the situation in Angel Island was different. The war with the Shandians had forced the law to yield to the interests of the people, leading to the current situation— a growing problem that couldn’t be easily resolved.
Reforming might sound easy, but it would shake the foundation of the wealthy merchants. Even the most foolish could see the dangers involved. The previous group of Undying people could never have accomplished it.
Gan Fall was even willing to take the risk of venturing into the Blue Sea for the sake of peaceful coexistence between the Shandians and Skypieans. His kindness and compassion had reached the level of a Holy Mother. Making such a decision was difficult!
But it was also necessary to face the challenge head-on!
Rowen believed that in the face of such a major moral dilemma, Gan Fall wouldn’t fail to see the threat. Once the Divine Palace retreated on this matter, greed could potentially destroy Angelisland, just like what happened to Birka in the past.
Upon hearing Rowen’s proposal, McKinley clenched his fists, his face full of frustration.
Reform, it sounded easy, but it wasn’t the Blue Sea Dwellers who would face the consequences!
However, he couldn’t find words to refute Rowen. After all, even he understood that this matter had reached a point of no return.
The reform was being forced by pressure, aiming to protect more Skypiean citizens.
Or they could adhere to the law and allow the wealthy merchants to pose an even greater threat to Skypiea.
Sacrificing the interests of some for the greater good might seem noble and right, but there was no justice in it. What remained was the naked essence of human nature—selfishness and greed.
Judging by Gan Fall’s character…
Rowen already had his answer.
“Skypiea… hasn’t been pushed to that extent yet!”
As expected, after a long silence of about five minutes, Gan Fall mustered all his strength and roared in a low voice. After speaking, he seemed to have aged several years, looking at Rowen with clouded eyes.
“I will go and communicate with those wealthy merchants. In the face of a matter concerning the interests of all Skypieans, I believe they will make a wise choice!”
Rowen shrugged and spread his hands.
“I don’t really care, this is an internal matter for your Skypiea. I’m just offering a suggestion… After all, in the short term, no one in the Blue Sea would dare to risk going against the Marines to cause trouble for your Skypiea.”
Gan Fall looked up in surprise, and after a moment, he nodded his thanks to Rowen.
“Thanks for the trouble, Vice Admiral Rowen!”
If someone wanted to cause trouble for Skypiea, the G-10 branch led by Rowen would be the first target! This statement undoubtedly gave Gan Fall a peace of mind, allowing him to take a strong stand in issuing warnings.
If warnings proved ineffective, he wasn’t heartless enough not to take action.
“So, can you tell me now, Vice Admiral Rowen, what you have come to request from this old man?”
In the world, there was no love without reason, just as there was no hatred without cause. Rowen stepped forward to fight for Skypiea’s time, and Gan Fall was the first to not believe that he had no ulterior motives.
McKinley glanced at the expressions of the two men and hesitated whether or not to leave.
The official business was finished, and what remained was a private matter.
As a God’s Officer, even the highly trusted commander of the Divine Army, McKinley knew that there were some matters he wasn’t meant to be privy to.
This was a taboo!
However, this matter wasn’t so important. Perhaps in the future, he might be needed to cooperate, so without waiting for him to bid farewell, Rowen spoke up directly.
“I would like to send a captive to your location. Her identity is somewhat special, and sending her to Impel Down is not the best option.”
“A captive?!”
Gan Fall and McKinley were suddenly stunned, exchanging puzzled glances.
So, it’s her!
Henry stood behind Rowen, surprised in his heart, then a bit annoyed.
Originally… that captive was his offering to Rowen for that thing.
But it ended up as an Ice Mass!
It didn’t even possess the most basic functionality!
It took Henry a long time to be on edge before he was sure Rowen wouldn’t take it out on him.
Later, the other party was thrown into the specially designed-prison of the Qilin. Up until now, the soldiers had grown accustomed to having someone on board who was clearly a captive but could freely move around below deck.
Anyway, with Rowen backing her, no one dared to bother her.
And this captive was none other than Monet, a high-level member of the Donquixote household and a commander in the Hearts Army who miraculously survived the explosion in Dressrosa! A woman as cold as ice.
A woman who had achieved a form of self-imposed isolation.
Rowen believed that something unknown had happened to Monet to cause such a drastic transformation. Otherwise, given Monet’s character, it would have been impossible for her to carry on when Doflamingo’s fate was uncertain after being taken away by Lirisk.
Keeping her on the Qilin was not a long-term solution. The Qilin was Rowen’s flagship, and it needed to be always ready for battle.
Ordinary missions were not a concern, as the firepower of the Qilin was more than enough to deter most pirates. However, if it escalated to a situation similar to the previous war with the Hundred Beasts, a devout Buddhist like Monet would undoubtedly not survive.
She had lost her physical form, replaced entirely by an Ice Mass, disregarding most concepts of “death.” However, the characteristics of the Yuki Yuki No Mi (Snow-Snow Fruit) were still retained.
High temperatures could still harm her, and Seastone not only nullified her abilities but also caused her excruciating pain, akin to being seared by a branding iron.
So Rowen needed a safe place to transfer Monet, at least until he could decipher the mysteries surrounding her.
Century City was not an option. He trusted Fujitora, but the position of Century City meant it couldn’t be considered safe. Excluding Century City, there were only a few places Rowen could consider.
A Sky Island was the most suitable option.
Far from the Blue Sea, and rarely frequented.
Not every pirate had to be sent to Impel Down. It was perfectly normal for Marine leaders to detain criminals in other prisons. However, due to her special status, Rowen didn’t want to expose Monet to the public.
“A special captive…?”
Gan Fall pondered for a moment, then nodded. “I wonder what conditions are needed for detaining that captive. I need to be prepared in advance.”
Gan Fall didn’t hesitate long before agreeing. It was precisely because of Monet’s special status that he needed to further cooperate and strengthen his relationship with Rowen. As long as Rowen remained in power, he believed that for the sake of this captive alone, Rowen would wholeheartedly protect the safety of Skypiea.
“There are no special detention measures. After the person is delivered, Henry will inform you…”
Rowen picked up the teacup with satisfaction, using tea instead of wine. “Thank you!”
“You’re welcome, it’s just a small effort!” Gan Fall was equally satisfied with this outcome. At least, it was a good start.
However, at this moment, Rowen suddenly raised an eyebrow.
“Mr. Gan Fall, do you have any other guests today?”
“Hmm?”
The latter was taken aback, looking at McKinley.
“No other visitors today, sir!”
After saying that, McKinley looked up at Rowen in confusion. “I wonder, Vice Admiral Rowen, what do you mean…?”
“Not guests, but enemies!”
As he spoke, Rowen stood up, gazing in a certain direction, his expression gradually becoming serious.
“I never expected that aside from the Marines, there are other forces that possess Sky-Flying Ship technology!”
“What?!”
Henry couldn’t believe his ears and followed Rowen’s line of sight. The next moment, he gasped in shock.
Ships!
So many ships!
(End of this chapter)
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I’ll bet those ships are under Shiki’s command
Thanks for the chapter