Akainu was evidently not facing Dragon for the first time. Considering Dragon’s age, it is likely that Akainu was present when Dragon first developed the Silent Vacuum technique.
Even though being sent flying was a huge humiliation, Akainu endured the moment, waiting for the right time to strike.
Rowen, having just suffered a setback, naturally wouldn’t fall for the same trick again.
The power of the Silent Vacuum technique is limited, but its control effect is infallible!
At this moment, Momousagi’s value became evident.
As the Sea’s acknowledged swordsman, with the title of “Marine’s strongest swordsman” to her name, even Dragon would not dare to face her ultimate move head-on and had to find a way to counter it.
Thus…
“Momousagi, are you alright? Your Vivre Card has started burning!”
Vice Admiral Tsuru’s voice emerged from Momousagi’s impressive chest. She pulled out a Den Den Mushi with a flushed face from within and shook her head, “I’m fine, it’s just a minor injury.”
“Good. If there’s any danger, remember to let those two stubborn men go first… especially Rowen. He’s not afraid of death.”
Rowen: “…”
‘Hey, I’m still here!’
Despite the banter, if Momousagi were really in danger, the two men wouldn’t stand idly by.
Their confidence stemmed from the fact that the Silent Vacuum’s power was quite limited. Even ordinary people could survive in a vacuum for several seconds, let alone Momousagi.
Without follow-up moves, Silent Vacuum could only be considered a decent control skill.
On the other hand, Dragon, having lost the initiative, was blasted away once more.
Thud… Crash!
Dragon landed heavily on the ground, rolling and leaving large patches of magma in his wake. The lightning damage came and went quickly, but the magma clung to him like a parasite, refusing to let go.
The magma on the ground scorched the white sandstone black, sizzling as Dragon used a strong wind to disperse the heat waves, his expression grave.
“I didn’t expect you two to come as well, Akainu, Momousagi.” Dragon smiled bitterly as he gazed at the familiar figures with a somber expression on his face.
Rowen looked at him in surprise and asked, “Oh, Vice Admiral Momousagi, you know each other?”
“What do you think?” Momousagi rolled her eyes as she answered.
Rowen paused.
Alright, he had indeed overthought it.
Dragon, now 54 years old, was from the older generation, second only to Garp, Sengoku, and Whitebeard. He had betrayed the Marines 12 to 13 years ago.
Newcomers to the Marine within the last decade, like himself, naturally had no connections with Dragon.
But Momousagi, as a veteran Marine warrior from the same era, knew Dragon well. Given Dragon’s talent, it would be strange if they didn’t know each other.
It was like asking current Marine recruits if they knew the famous Vice-Admiral Soryu.
“Dragon, you have wasted all your talents!”
Akainu pulled his hands from the ground, scorching black marks on the ground as drops of hot magma fell. His face showed a rare hint of nostalgia.
More than twenty years ago, before the age of pirates, he wasn’t even a Vice Admiral yet. Like Rowen now, he was a Super Rookie, making his legend.
Dragon belonged to the same era. But as a second-generation soldier, he had a significant head start, and he was already a formidable Marine by the time they were just beginning their journeys.
Akainu had always trusted Dragon deeply, believing they were kindred spirits. He viewed Dragon as his greatest rival and closest friend.
But everything changed with a single act of betrayal.
“Dragon was once an officer of the War Faction, and he shared a complex relationship with Akainu— they were both adversaries and friends. Meanwhile, Momousagi was Dragon’s direct subordinate…”
Tsuru explained over the Den Den Mushi, sighing, “Ah, such a waste!”
Rowen suddenly understood.
So, this was why Sengoku initially didn’t assign Akainu to the task. It was understandable that, including Momousagi, if not for Tsuru’s insistence, they likely wouldn’t have been brought into this mission.
Not everyone had the same extraordinary opportunities as Rowen, who had rapidly risen to Rear Admiral right after graduating from the recruit camp by slaying the Hell Island Crab.
Typically, most graduates, despite their ambitions, needed to slowly accumulate experience under the guidance of veterans, growing step by step until they could stand on their own. This was the normal path of promotion.
Just like how Garp mentored Aokiji.
Momousagi had a similar story. During a recruit camp mission, she left the main force to pursue a pirate, fell into an ambush, and nearly died. It was Dragon who saved her.
Thus, after graduation, Momousagi followed Dragon, always seeing him as her challenge target.
Until the betrayal.
At that time, Dragon’s betrayal had a significant impact on the yet-to-be-fully-trained Momousagi. Thanks to Zephyr’s request and Tsuru’s guarantee, she wasn’t sidelined by the government.
“So, should I wander somewhere else?” Rowen suddenly felt like an unwanted third wheel.
Was he the only “outsider” here?
“What do you think?” Tsuru’s voice dripped with killing intent as she said, “Vice Admiral Momonga has led his troops into the Revolutionary Army’s headquarters, and they’ve already taken over two-thirds of the area. The remaining task doesn’t require your help.”
Vice Admiral Momonga, perhaps not as strong as the three of them, was known for his experience and methodical approach. Because he couldn’t rely on overwhelming strength, he progressed cautiously and earned the trust of both Tsuru and Sengoku.
With Vice Admiral Momonga handling the Revolutionary Army’s headquarters, the task for the three of them was clear…
Capture (or kill) Dragon!
“Uh, got it,” Rowen nodded, his mouth twitching.
But then…
“A War Faction officer, huh!”
“I never imagined Dragon had such a past…”
As the son of “Marine Hero” Garp, it was surprising enough that he wasn’t part of Garp’s (Neutral Faction), but he wasn’t even part of the Peace Faction.
Was there more to the story?
Rowen pondered quietly.
Meanwhile…
“Whether or not my talent is wasted isn’t for outsiders to judge— it’s about how one sees oneself!”
“I believe I’m not wrong!”
“But you…” Dragon shook his head slightly. “Akainu… do you really think you were right about Ohara?”
He didn’t believe it was right, which is why he chose not to participate and later defected from the Marines.
During that mission, Akainu, a War Faction rising star, took his place and even ordered the bombardment of civilians.
The only blemish on Aokiji’s career was from that mission because, as a recognized “Monster” with the invincible control power of the Hie Hie no Mi (Ice-Ice Fruit), he failed to capture an eight-year-old girl!
Although Akainu wasn’t heavily praised, the higher-ups were quite satisfied with his actions, while Aokiji, having achieved nothing, was almost investigated.
Comparing the two, Dragon became increasingly disillusioned with the Marine’s concept of justice, leading to his defection.
“Marine stands for justice, and the government is always right!” Akainu declared passionately, clenching his fist. “Dragon, have you finished your last words?”
**Dai Funka – Great Eruption!**
True to form, Akainu attacked without warning. Dragon was prepared. Just as Akainu knew him, he knew Akainu. He immediately conjured powerful winds with his hands, transforming into a colossal wind dragon to counter the magma.
Winds roared, and the skies darkened as clouds gathered.
Boom!
The ultimate moves clashed. In the face of their awakened abilities, the attacks wore each other down. Falling magma splattered like raindrops but lacked its initial threat.
“No wonder the Fleet Admiral gave you the codename Soryu. We’re natural enemies, Dragon!” Rowen intercepted the battlefield before Momousagi could act.
**Thunderlight Penetration Cannon!**
(Chapter End)
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