Chapter 130

Hey guys! It's Monday... yay...

Welp, regardless, hope you enjoy this chap and have a nice day!

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[Grove 13]

"Coating is done, right?" A stern-looking man with orange-coloured hair and an x-shaped scar on his chin, X Drake, asked the coating mechanic in front of him.

"Yes, you are good to go." Said coating mechanic, who had long white-silver-coloured hair and beard, and was wearing round glasses, replied with a smile, "I do wonder though… what is it that you are in hurry of?"

"That's none of your business." Drake said stoically as he threw a bag of money to the coating mechanic, who caught it casually.

"It's Grimheart, isn't it?"

"I said, it's none of your business."

"Hm..." The coating mechanic nodded in amusement, "okay."

"However, your face seems… a bit familiar."

The coating mechanic grinned, "That's none of your business."

Drake froze momentarily, but huffed before turning away,

"Fair enough."

Drake knew that he had no time to waste. The arrival of Rowan to Sabaody Archipelago placed the whole region in turmoil, and with no Marine being able to resist him, Drake and his subordinates had to get out of here fast.

However, unknown to him, the Fish-man island wasn't exactly in a good situation either.

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[Fish-man island]

"Ah… so you are Roger's son." An extremely muscular figure with ferocious demeanour, Douglas Bullet, commented as he sat on the pile of dead Fish-men, who were none other than Hody and his gang.

"Douglas Bullet…!" Marco exclaimed in cold sweat, "To think that you too have escaped from the Impel Down…"

"Douglas Bullet. That's his name, huh." Ace raised his eyebrow, "You got one thing wrong though. That guy isn't my father. Whitebeard is."

"He…" Jozu answered Ace's inquiry, "he was part of Gol D. Roger's crew. 'Demon Heir' Douglas Bullet. Known to match 'Dark King' Rayleigh in terms of strength, and that was approximately 20 years ago."

"And it seems that he's only gotten stronger." Vista said grimly as he unsheathed his sword, "He gives off the similar vibe as Mr. Rowan."

"You guys—"

Jinbe, who was standing at the back, was about to step up to help along with King Neptune and his three princes, however,

"Don't you dare step in, king Neptune!!! This is our matter, and you guys have nothing to do with this!!!" Marco quickly prevented the exterior help.

The combatants of the island stopped, unsure of what to do.

"Heh… let's see if you indeed are his son… or a mere trash."

Bullet, standing up from the pile of corpses, began to approach the Phoenix pirates.

"Here he comes."

With caution in his eyes, Ace applied his fruit ability and Armament Haki on his arms.

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[Grove 32]

"You got to be kidding me." Rowan couldn't help but exclaim as he gazed the scenery outside, from the inside of the Ferris wheel.

"Sabaody Park? Arlong was trying to replicate this?"

"You mean that disgusting Arlong Park, huh?" Nojiko clicked her tongue upon remembering an unpleasant memory.

"Bohahaha!!! That dumba** Arlong, he repeatedly stated that the Fish-man is a race superior to the human, yet was trying to imitate the human life all along! Is he incapable of thinking or what?!" Unable to control his amusement, Rowan let out a laughter, much to Law's growing nervousness.

"I've got no idea what you are speaking of, but," Law momentarily paused as Rowan shifted his eyes onto him, "let's focus on the present matters."

"True. What's already happened cannot be changed." Toning himself down, Rowan agreed, "So what do you have to propose to me?"

After the defeat of Davy Jeanne some time ago, Law's request on Nojiko was simple: "I want to have a talk with you two."

Call him paranoid. Law went an extensive length just to leave a good first impression on Rowan, because to Law, Rowan was the one with the greatest chance of fulfilling his goal.

And frankly, its intended effect did work to some extent on Rowan. Law came to Nojiko's aid in exchange for something as trivial as a chat; even if he harboured a blatant intention to strike a certain offer on Rowan, Rowan was willing to hear.

Meanwhile, Nami and the other Twin Cats decided to head to the port in Grove 27 and join with the Heart pirates. They have one issue to resolve for: finding a new ship to sail. Will they be buying one? The thieves like them?

Hell no.

Anyway, back to the present, Rowan, Nojiko, and Law were currently at the Sabaody Park that extended all the way from Grove 32 to 34, within the Ferris wheel.

"Your title as the 'Emperor of the Paradise,' do you believe that it is simply the one granted by the common folks?" Law, as he stared at Rowan grimly, continued, "It was the work of Cipher Pols. By terming you as the 4th Emperor, the replacement of Edward Newgate the 'Whitebeard,' they've successfully managed to rouse an interest of two of the Four Emperors: 'Big Mom' Charlotte Linlin and Kaidou of the 'Beast.'"

"I see." Rowan nodded without any notable response. After all, he wasn't fazed at all.

"Unlike 'Red Hair' Shanks who is… quite unorthodox, those two old Emperors allow no competition. As long as you hold the title of the Emperor, they will do whatever they can to either pull you under their ranks, or... eliminate you. They don't accept someone who has recently risen to stand on an equal ground as them.

At the same time, you will be pressured from the behind by the chases of the World Government agents and the Marine. Letting you alive and roam freely, after just how much damage they suffered from you, will tarnish their reputation. You too know well, don't you? They value their reputations the most."

"And your point is?"

Law unconsciously clenched his fists tight. This was the crucial moment.

"If they aren't scared of you enough, you must demonstrate." Law held his hand out, "Kaidou. His other title is the 'Strongest Creature of the World.' If he is defeated, the World Government will no longer pursue you. Big Mom will be forced to give up as well, knowing that the war against you will result in huge loss in all circumstances."

Rowan gazed at Law's outstretched hand as Law carried on,

"Let's join forces, Grimheart-ya. I can help you to achieve the victory from Kaidou and gain a stable ground in the New World."

"The question is," Rowan, who was silent during Law's offer, spoke up, "how? What's the specific plan for that?"

Just to help him to defeat Kaidou, Law went as far as helping Nojiko as much as he could? Rowan could feel it. The sense of desperation within Law.

'Just what is it that you so strive to achieve, Trafalgar Law?'

"Kaidou is rapidly building a powerful army who all ate an artificial zoan-type devil fruit known as SMILE. Its track begins from Punk Hazard of the New World, where Caesar Clown produces its raw ingredient named SAD, before it is transported to Dressrosa, where the Donquixote family processes it into SMILE."

The moment Law spoke the word 'Donquixote,' Rowan felt a quiver within Law.

'Donquixote… Doflamingo. He's your true goal, eh.'

"If we destroy these two locations and conceal the information, Kaidou will dispatch his force to find what happened. During then, we strike him at Wano."

Now, at this point, Rowan had to think.

Did Law's words seem plausible? To him, yes, it did.

Two old-aged but still active pirates, expanding their forces while retaining the title of Emperor. Rowan could only reach one conclusion in regard to such behaviours: they still had an ambition, a goal that they must reach.

And what could it be?

'One Piece. What else?'

And if so, a rise of a new Emperor meant an appearance of a competitor. There existed only one throne, and the less there is to compete for, the better.

The war between him and at least one of the two wasn't preventable. Usually, he may have decided to go after Big Mom, rather than Kaidou who is known as the 'Strongest Creature of the World'—not that it matters that much. Both are the Emperors after all, and Rowan never met them face to face. Who knows? Big Mom may be stronger after all.

However, Rowan began to realize the importance of building force to match them. The more he discovered about the Emperors, the more he realized the sheer amount of troops that they had in their control; one crew wasn't enough. He needed allies who are strong enough to fight along with him.

Nojiko, Nami, and the Twin Cats... they weren't capable enough yet, but Rowan knew that he could count on them when the time comes by. They fight with the Grimheart pirates, and in return, the Grimheart pirates protect them. The World Government probably viewed them as the allies already.

And Trafalgar Law.

'Surgeon of Death, huh. A capable doctor, strong combatant, and intelligent individual. Not sure what's the risk of him betraying me, but... judging by the way he seems to be thinking, I think... there shouldn't be any problem until Doflamingo is dead at the very least.'

Having him as an ally seemed to be a huge boon to his crew, and judging by how fixated Law seemed to be on killing Doflamingo, Rowan doubted that Law would join if he decided to pursue Big Mom instead.

"...Alright." Rowan leaned in and gripped onto Law's hand, "You help me to defeat Kaidou. In return, I kill Doflamingo for you. That's the deal you want, right?"

Law's eyes widened in shock, unable to understand how Rowan managed to see through him.

"Just one more thing," Rowan stated as he peered into Law, "I accept no betrayal."

Law, in cold sweat, nodded understandingly.

"The deal is on."

"Hey, Rowan." From the side, Nojiko, who was silently listening to the conversation, placed her hand on top of Rowan and law's as well, "You didn't forget about me, did you?"

Rowan snickered, "I thought we already were allies. Do we really have to negotiate about anything? You, Nami, and me?"

"Hmph," Nojiko snorted, before turning away with an embarrassed blush, "...it's true though."

The young pirate alliance, whose purpose is to defeat Kaidou, has been born as of today.

And letting go of Law's hand, Rowan, whose eyes abruptly turned amber in colour, turned his head to a particular location from afar, much to Law's confusion.

"A fly it seems."

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At the exact location where Rowan was looking toward, Laffitte felt a sudden chill penetrating his body.

'I've been seen through...!'

He immediately began to run at his utmost speed without looking back,

'Trafalgar is with Grimheart... who would've imagined!'

Laffitte could already tell that they were screwed. They had to get out of Sabaody in seconds, with Rowan having felt his presence. After all, Rowan now knew that the Blackbeard pirates were dwelling in Sabaody Archipelago.

'Curse you, Augur!'

Laffitte had to buy time. Looking around, Laffitte approached a nearby marine officer in a casual manner, before,

*Snap*

skillfully hypnotizing that officer in an instant moment.

"Bring this slip to a man in 4th floor, 2nd room of the Grandeur Hotel in Grove 78."

Immediately after, as the Marine officer began to sprint in the assigned direction, Laffitte began to move to different direction, where Grove 1 was located.

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[Grove 1]

"S-Saint Charlos! With due respect, Grimheart made his appearance in Grove 32! While we have time, we should evacuate back to Mariejois—"

*Bang*

"Shutt your mouth, bug!! I still haven't seen everything yet, mufungh!!"

An obese man with a long trail of snot, Saint Charlos, turned his head back to the front, completely ignorant of a butler who lied on the ground nearby, dead.

Instead, he raised his panel up as he shouted,

"250 million Belis~!!"

It seems that he couldn't the chaos that has begun to engulf the whole Sabaody Archipelago, with the arrival of one man.

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"Hm… what was your name again?"

Rowan, as he impassively lifted Laffitte up by the neck, asked.

"La…ffitte… kek…"

"Laffitte. You being here means that Blackbeard must be within Saboady as well… but where?" Rowan, through the use of Hyper Sense, looked all around himself thoroughly, however, didn't find a single piece of information that matched the Blackbeard pirates.

"Heh… they… must already… have escaped from… here…" Laffitte, who was choking in Rowan's grip, said with a grin, "You… can't kill… him. He's… the future Pirate… King…"

"…Escaped. I see."

*CRACK*

At the next moment, Laffitte's body loosened as Rowan broke the latter's neck, ending his life without causing any further pain.

"What then?"

From Rowan's side, Law, who appeared through the use of his fruit ability along with Nojiko, asked.

"So be it. In usual cases, I might have considered looking through every part of this place to see if Laffitte is lying, but… I can't care less right now."

The building in front of Rowan irked him more.

"This whole place stinks." Nojiko frowned.

"Says a pirate who kills and controls the dead." Law deadpanned.

"Human Auctioning House. Probably related to the Human Shop in Grove 22. Ah, it's written over here. 'The only shop in the world that gets a regular supply of mermaids.' How fun."

It reminded Rowan of the Cocoyasi village, where Arlong was supposedly 'selling' the lives of the villagers to Nami, who had to suffer for 5 years all by herself.

It was quite weird, wasn't it? Rowan, who had no qualms about killing, was feeling disgusted with slavery. Was it out of justice? Of course not. He just felt that way, and he needed no reason to justify himself. Why?

Because he was a pirate.

'And pirate does whatever the hell he or she wants to do.'

Law backed off as he saw Rowan grinning shakily in a way that accentuated his fury.

"I can't f****** wait to see what they got in there today."

"Agreed." Nojiko growled.

'What the f*** is wrong with these two?! Just some minutes ago, they were sitting within the Ferris wheel, relaxing and all!' Law sweatdropped, 'A bipolar disorder? Is that what it is?'

As Rowan, Nojiko, and Law began to approach the building,

"Hey, stop! You don't want to kill yourself, don't you? Inside, there is Saint Charlos who has personally attended the auction, so you better not anger him—"

A guard who stood by the entrance, stepped forward to prevent any further approach, however,

*Thud*

fell unconscious with a short burst of Conqueror's Haki from Rowan.

"Celestial Dragon?" Rowan grinned, "Even better. I wanted to see them for quite a long time."

The descendants of those who betrayed Vasilia. Rowan was curious indeed.

Nojiko froze upon hearing the word 'Celestial Dragon,' as the dread overwhelmed her momentarily. However,

'F*** it.'

she eventually overcame, knowing that joining hands with Rowan simply made her, Nami, and the Twin Cats the enemy of the world as well.

'S***…' On the other hand, Law couldn't even dare to breathe properly with such a domineering atmosphere of Rowan,

'This house is going to be destroyed as well, isn't it?'

But at the same time, Law couldn't help but wonder,

'If a Celestial Dragon is in this place right now, and if Grimheart kills him… how would the World Government react?'

Law didn't even know anymore. Rowan wasn't someone that he was capable of standing in an equal position. At this point, the 'alliance' was naught but a name, with such a drastic difference between their strengths. Frankly, Law felt as if he, his crew, and the Twin Cats pirates have become the subordinate crews of the Grimheart pirates.

'...As long as he kills Doflamingo… whatever.'

Law stopped thinking.