Chapter 17

"Any idea about our current location?"

"Yes. Drifted away from our intended route by over an hour's distance. From my calculations, going to Lutu island is no longer the best option."

Nami stated with certainty.

Rowan scratched the back of his head, "Then which one's the closest?"

"...Logue town."

__________

[One Day After]

"Yes, yes, mhm, yes, the usual. Haha, you know me. Yep, I'll be satisfied with that."

In the marine branch of the Logue town, a middle-aged marine officer was found sitting, conversing with a Den Den Mushi on the table. He was Jerrymad, the Marine Captain who's been commanding the Logue town marine branch for a long period of time.

"Well then, Nezumi," Jerrymad said to the Den Den Mushi, "send my best regards to that mysterious benefactor of ours."

<<Chichichichi! Of couse I will, Jerrymad! Just ensure to report the headquarter that everything's going fine!>>

"Of course."

The call was then cut. Jerrymad stared at a wall blankly and yawned. As he continued sitting lazily, one marine then rushed his way in,

"Captain Jerrymad!!!"

Jerrymad turned around, "Hm? What is it?"

"A bounty hunter came to claim a bounty, but the amount of it requires your approval for transaction!"

Jerrymad rubbed his chin and hummed, "...My approval..." then his eyes widened, "...Hang on. Are you saying that a big shot with a bounty greater than 10 million was caught?"

"I-It's the head of 'Foul Play' Krieg, sir!"

"WWWHHHHAAAATTTTT?!!!!!" Jerrymad's eyes popped out and jaw dropped. A snot dangled from his nostril, and it seemed that the captain was shocked beyond belief.

"W-who's the bounty hunter?!"

The marine replied, "It's the 'Pirate Slayer,' one who also defeated Mad Treasure recently!"

"M-M-MAD TREASURE?!!!"

Standing up like a spring, Jerrymad immediately began walking. The marine followed,

"Mad Treasure... just when we were thinking of raising the man's bounty to 18 million, he was caught! To think... one who caught Mad Treasure and one who caught Krieg are the same person...!"

They eventually arrived at the bounty station, a facility structurally attached to the marine base. Jerrymad came to see a black-haired teen standing with a black bag—filled with Krieg's head—held by his left hand. Upon Jerrymad's entrance, Rowan raised his head up and stared at the former. Gesturing at the black bag, Rowan said,

"17 million. For how long must I wait?"

Jerrymad immediately turned around and called, "Where's the payment?! Bring it right away, idiots!"

"""Yes, sir!"""

Turning back to Rowan, Jerrymad smiled with a troubled sweatdrop, "Now, it's pleasing to meet the East Blue's hero. I am Marine Captain Jerrymad, and upon hearing how you not only defeated Krieg but also that Mad Treasure... my hairs literally stood up, hahaha!"

"...You're Jerrymad?" Rowan's eyes twitched. As Jerrymad inched closer, the latter stood at a height greater than Rowan. And yet, it was Rowan who seemed to have a higher standing than the man.

"A-ah?" Jerrymad expressed confusion, "Have you, by chance, heard of me before?"

"...Hah,"

Rowan, whose head lowered and the bangs covered up his eyes, cackled,

<Chichichi! Have you been doing well, Arlong-san? This is Nezumi, and today, I called to...>

<Hm... Jerrymad? Ah... Logue town's Marine Officer. Heh... shahahahah... fine. Do as you see fit, rat-human.>

"No, not really."

Oblivious of Rowan's foul mood, Jerrymad then asked in anticipation,

"By the way... have you, by chance, thought of becoming a marine?" Jerrymad forced a friendly smile on his face, "With your strength, I bet that you'll reach someone of high standing!"

'...And for finding a gem like this, heheheh.. I will be promoted!'

Within Jerrymad's mind, he visioned the future in which he sat in the office of the Marine Headquarter, relaxing with a cup of coffee.

"....tain."

And then, from there, he'll climb up further! Even those Vice Admirals will lower their heads in front of his presence!

"...aptain."

Also, the devil fruit! Hahah! He'll select one, order marines to retrieve it, and take it for his own! Aha! Perhaps he can make connections with Celestial Dragons, and—

"CAPTAIN!!!"

It took a loud shout for Jerrymad to jolt awake from his delusion. Jerrymad blinked upon seeing no one in front of him, and looked around. A marine was standing, sighing in stress.

"H-huh?" Jerrymad let out a dumbfounded expression, "Where has the bounty hunter gone to?"

The marine's fists tightened, "He left with the payment," before barking, "AN HOUR AGO!!!"

"WWWHHHHAAAATTTTT?!!!!"

__________

Within the inner section of the bloody Ugly Adventure, Rowan, Nami, and Carina were found discussing among themselves. Strikingly, there lied an enormous pile of money, one that will be enough for an average human being to stare in awe.

"17 million. Good, they didn't leave some out whatsoever." Nami, who was currently busy counting, muttered, "On top of that, add 8.5 million and 84.5 million. Overall, 110 million in total..."

There was a slight pause. Then,

""HELL YEAH!!!!!""

Nami and Carina raised their hands up high and shouted in delight,

""I'm officially rich!!!"

Then, they turned and looked at each other,

""Don't copy me!!!""

They slammed their foreheads against each other,

""You're the one who's copying me!!!""

Rowan watched the scene from the side with a sweatdrop. Sighing, he spoke up, "You two—"

""Stand out of this, Rowan!!""

Growing a tickmark, Rowan roared back, "SHUT UP, YOU MONEY-CRAZED BITCHES!!!"

""...""

Two girls immediately fell into silence.

Without a doubt, the three of them weren't normal; they had a few screws loose in their heads.

...

After the three of them calmed down,

"30 for you, and rest for us." Said Rowan as he threw a bag containing Belis to Carina, "Sounds good?"

"8.5 plus 17... 25.5. Excluding that amount from 110 is 84.5..." Carina nodded with a chuckle, "Guess I can't complain." Grabbing the sac of money and lifting it up and down, Carina whistled jovially.

Then, there was a pause. Carina rubbed the back of her head sheepishly and hanged the sax of money around her shoulder.

"Welp," Carina gave a thumbs up, "I guess this is where we separate then!"

Nami purred, though her dislike seemed forced, "…If you got your money, leave already, witch!"

It wasn't a long time since Carina's been with them. However, Rowan got to know, that regardless of whether Carina was good or bad in nature, she was a likable fellow. And he could tell that even Nami—she didn't really mean what she said just now.

Leaning back on his hands, Rowan stated, "It was a pleasure working with you, Carina."

"Hai! Same here!"

Carina saluted like a marine,

"Catch ya later then!"

She then hopped upstairs, before creaking the door open and dashing out of the ship. The temporary third member has left, and now, it was back to Rowan and Nami only.

...

And the jovial mood disappeared. Rowan's expression morphed into that of seriousness, and he said to Nami,

"100 million has been reached."

"...Yeah."

Nami took in a deep breath while reaching for her forehead and rubbing the sweat off.

"When we go back, I am going to retrieve 20 from our 45 million. Then, go to Arlong Park straightaway, and tell him to fulfill his side of the promise..."

"…Which he won't." Rowan bickered, "Hand him the 100 million like a fool and see what happens."

"..." Nami pursed her lips. After a brief silence, she said weakly, "...I know." Looking at the pile of money by the side, Nami forced a grin, "But still, I have to try. Even if there is a one percent chance of Arlong keeping his promise... if we can solve the problem without anyone getting hurt..."

Rowan gritted his teeth, before looking at Nami with anger, "And what if I don't like the idea of no one getting hurt?"

Nami's eyes shook as she asked nervously, "W-what do you mean…?"

"My father was stomped, sixteen times, by that rotten fish."

Nami, who was about to refute, didn't find a voice exiting from her throat. She gulped, for she too have witnessed such a brutal scene next to Rowan.

"Until every single fish-men in our homeland receives the worst death possible, I won't be satisfied."

Rowan was engulfed by immense hatred as he recalled the event on that day. Forget him having a memory of past life whatsoever—just what kind of human being is able to remain calm after witnessing the brutal murder of one's own family?

"You know that you can trust me, Nami. Haven't I defeated Mad Treasure? Krieg? Haven't I become much stronger than who I used to be?"

So what if he wasn't being rational? What if he was being monstrous, with no sense of morality at all? He cared none of it.

Rowan awaited Nami's response. Frankly speaking, through the fights against Mad Treasure and Krieg, Rowan believed that he managed to change Nami's mind—

"B-but..."

"...But what?"

"Arlong and the others... they are the fish-men, ten times stronger than humans. I too thought of listening to you, but still. Bounty doesn't accurately represent one's strength, and I... I can tell. There is a huge gap between Arlong and Krieg, between Arlong and Mad Treasure."

And yet, here she was, stubbornly sticking to her thoughts.

Rowan found his face darkening. The veins popped out of his hands, and unable to conceal his anger any longer, he said,

"...Then so be it."

Standing back up, Rowan pocketed a stack of Beli and began walking out.

"W-where are you going?!" Nami cried, "Hey! Rowan!"

Even if it was Nami, Rowan couldn't tolerate her optimism. Up until now, he's been sticking with her, protecting her, and aiding her in collecting 100 million. Wasn't that enough?

"Wait!! S-stop, please!!!"

If so, it was time—time for Rowan to act by himself.

"Rowan..."

Then, a sniffing sound came from his back. Nami was crying,

"...Are you leaving me...? Do you... do you also hate me like others...?"

Rowan stopped.

"..."

If it was his usual self, he would've turned around, embraced, and calmed Nami down. But this time around, without turning around,

"Five days. That's the time required for us to travel from here to Cocoyasi."

Rowan muttered instead,

"…I'll be back after some time alone. Upon our arrival, I'll wait for a day. If you wish for a peaceful option..."

Nami gazed at Rowan's back with tears of sadness,

"...trying persuading the fish before I begin moving."

Then, Rowan left the ship, leaving Nami by herself.

__________

In the street of Logue town, Rowan aimlessly walked. The street was relatively empty, with there being a continuous bombardment of pirates who desired to cross the Reverse Mountain and enter the Grand Line. Considering how incapable Jerrymad was, it was no surprise that the civilians were cautious.

Carina was nowhere to be seen; it seemed that she already got out of the town. Looking around, Rowan came across various restaurants, shops, and other buildings that were of stark difference in comparison to the barren sight of the Cocoyasi village.

Then, he stopped walking. In his sight,

*Bar, Gold Roger*

a wooden sign appeared, attached right next to a shady staircase that led to downstairs.

"Gold Roger..." Rowan whispered, "...as in the Pirate King?"

He recalled that here, Logue town, was the location in which the Pirate King was executed. In such a town, just who would dare to blatantly write his name?

Harbouring curiosity, Rowan descended the staircase, and,

Creak.

opened an old wooden door.