New World, Punk Hazard.
Without the Caesar Detonation gas bomb from the original story turning this place into a wasteland, nor the battle between Akainu and Aokiji turning it into an island of ice and fire, Punk Hazard is now a lush, scenic spring island.
The Qilin was docked at the port, and the sturdy and capable Marine soldiers shouted orders, throwing the huge steel ship’s anchor into the sea, creating a burst of white waves.
At the edge of the port, Vegapunk, who had been waiting there for a long time, greeted them with a smile. “Welcome to Punk Hazard, Vice Admiral Sōryū!”
“Long time no see, Vegapunk!” Rowen embraced him friendly to show their closeness, then curiously asked, “Have you been here all this time?”
“Naturally, the Pacifista has been almost perfected, and without any technological breakthroughs, there’s little progress to be made.” Vegapunk was slightly taken aback but then truthfully replied, “So the government sent me here to oversee another research project. I’ve been here for about six months.”
“Well, it looks like the defense work for the new G-5 will be quite heavy! I really sympathize with the guy who’s been appointed as the Base Head.”
Being the frontline fortress of Marine in the New World, managing the safety of the surrounding seas, and protecting Vegapunk’s experimental base, this quest was not something an ordinary person could handle. Rowen was very lucky that he was already assigned to G-10 and didn’t have to deal with this troublesome matter.
Vegapunk’s slight unease instantly vanished, and his mouth twitched. “Heh heh!”
Rowen wouldn’t ask about the specific research project. Asking would mean not explaining… ahem, unable to explain.
Don’t be fooled by Vegapunk’s amiability; although Rowen had asked him for help several times and even entrusted him with forging a recruiter, as the World’s First Scientist, Vegapunk had many secrets. He was under strict government surveillance, and not everyone had the qualifications to inquire casually.
Moreover, must one wait for others to speak in order to know something?
Most of Vegapunk’s base was constructed of metal and steel, and lightning moved much faster in metal than in air. For Rowen, sneaking in was effortless and wouldn’t arouse any suspicion.
But now wasn’t the time.
With the reinforcements brought by Rowen stationed, the reconstruction work of the G-5 branch quickly got underway. A large amount of building materials were transported from the G-1 branch, and judging from the arrival time, they had set off ahead of schedule.
At this moment, Vegapunk revealed his less scientific side, holding a blueprint designed by a designer and making numerous modifications. The government-assigned construction commander watching couldn’t help but kneel and beg for apprenticeship.
Rowen spent his days leisurely, drinking tea and reading reports when he had nothing else to do.
As time passed, the construction work of the Marine G-5 branch entered the right track, but the expected restraints from various sides did not appear.
Because they were all distracted by another matter and didn’t have time to bother Marine.
Half a month later, Punk Hazard, inside a base building.
“Indeed, with such a big cake in front of them, it’s no wonder Vinsmoke Judge doesn’t fear the Marines!”
Rowen leaned back in his boss chair, squinting and holding an urgent report from an Allied Kingdom Member. The same urgent report had already been placed on his desk seven or eight times, some about pirates causing trouble, others about domestic rebel forces requesting Marine assistance.
And the cause of all these incidents was none other than the unexpected appearance of Germa Kingdom in the New World.
“This is a sun scheme, Rowen!”
The Den Den Mushi, painted in a bright yellow to mimic Sengoku’s iconic frog-eyed glasses, blinked with a wise look behind the glasses.
Recently, Germa 66 had taken advantage of its status as an Allied Kingdom Member to send troops to attack non-Allied Kingdom Members, overthrow regimes, and plunder treasures.
Externally, they claimed it wasn’t a personal action, and they have just accepted a mission.
And then they made money faster than anyone else.
With a hefty hiring fee and a fortune gained from easy pickings, the amount was enough to make the government jealous, which also meant that it was enough for Germa to ignore the consequences of their actions.
Even if they were warned lightly by the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) afterward!
Would other Allied Kingdom Members agree to cancel their status just because they accepted a hire to fight?
Don’t think it’s unimaginable.
The reason why the World Government didn’t forcibly incorporate all nations into its management was to use the unjust treatment suffered by non-Allied Kingdom Members as a warning to the world, to admonish them that joining the government was the only way out.
And don’t forget, behind Germa’s activities as war mercenaries all over the world, there’s always the government painting them as villains in manga.
The privileges of the Allied Kingdom Members were established at the founding of the government, but the current situation is definitely not something the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) would like to see, yet they have no choice but to bear the bitter fruit.
Sengoku took a deep breath and asked solemnly, “Have you gained any insights from there?”
“Not yet…”
“Hurry up! The Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) have already ordered Akainu to lead troops to station in G-1. If the situation continues to deteriorate and threatens the rule, the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) will not hesitate to act!”
Because of the series of actions Rowen initiated, almost half a year had passed, yet the New World remained restless.
Now, with Germa stirring things up like this, it was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured into a boiling pot, causing the situation to explode instantly.
Germa only targeted non-Allied Kingdom Members, and reluctantly, the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) acknowledged it.
However, the ambitious individuals in the New World saw opportunities in this chaos and began to stir up trouble. The Revolutionary Army, which had been heavily suppressed in recent months, also left traces on certain islands, seemingly wanting to intervene.
In the current New World, whether Allied Kingdom Members or non-Allied Kingdom Members, all were engulfed in the flames of war. Ambitions clashed, regimes were toppled, and even the Yonko had to take seriously the endless conflicts erupting in their territories.
In such a situation, the Pirate League created by Teach was hardly worth mentioning.
So, the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) had already begun mobilizing for war. If Marines couldn’t quickly quell the chaos in the New World, they would resort to the government’s means and start bloody repression.
Sengoku was a good Fleet Admiral who cared about civilian casualties, but the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) were not.
Once that order took effect, who knew how many people would die in the New World?
“Blackbeard Teach is indeed a formidable guy to come up with such an idea!”
Killing intent filled Sengoku’s eyes, and he coldly curled his lips.
Although Vinsmoke Judge had always been unwilling to reveal who their employer was, as a mercenary, he naturally didn’t want to offend anyone.
But anyone with insight knew that with the New World in chaos, Marine and the Yonko too busy to care, who would ultimately benefit?
And to make things this chaotic, just fighting a few battles wouldn’t cut it for Germa. It’s hard to believe there’s no one behind the scenes pushing City forward!
“Stay calm, Fleet Admiral. Things haven’t reached the point of no return yet.”
Pouring himself a cup of hot tea, Rowen picked up a pastry and mumbled vaguely, “To kill a snake, you must strike at its head! No matter what he’s done, the goal is to successfully convene the Pirate League conference and strive for it.”
“As long as we grasp this point, Teach is nothing to worry about.”
Unless Teach’s true goal is not the Pirate League.
Both of them were smart people, and Sengoku easily grasped the hidden information behind Rowen’s words.
“I’ll be more vigilant about this matter… Furthermore, although Germa only targets non-Allied Kingdom Members, we still need Marines to intervene in the rebellions of those Allied Kingdom Members.”
Sengoku reminded him and asked, “Are you confident, Rowen?”
Marine couldn’t invest too much manpower in these small country rebellions, because the Yonko wouldn’t allow themselves to live surrounded by Marine. Having a large army enter their territories would be good news, not to mention suppressing the chaos without thoroughly starting a war!
So Sengoku could only rely on Rowen.
To complete this almost impossible mission.
“Naturally, it’s just a small matter.”
Rowen’s tone was as relaxed as ever, and after speaking, he smacked his lips a few times and took a sip of tea to rid himself of the sweetness.
Sengoku’s mouth twitched suddenly, and he covered his face with his hand in inexplicable sorrow. “Let’s hope so!”
(End of this chapter)
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