Chapter 375 Return to Headquarters

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

"Thank you for your cooperation, Miss Carina!"

In Fleet Admiral Sengoku's office, he stood up with authority, extending his hand toward Carina.

She glanced at Rowen, who was resting in a corner of the office, not daring to have any ulterior motives. Hastily, she stood up and shook hands.

"I will arrange accommodation for you in the family town at Marineford. Of course, if you have another preference, I can also have someone escort you home."

"No, there's no need! Marineford is fine..."

Carina replied while sweating profusely. She wasn't someone who didn't understand anything. Staying in Marineford might lead to her being monitored by the Marines, but it ensured her safety without arousing suspicion.

The phrase "escort home" sounded nice. If she had requested to go home without understanding the situation, the best-case scenario would be house arrest. The worst-case scenario...

Thinking about it sent shivers down her spine.

Sengoku was very satisfied with this answer and gave a nod, and Momousagi smiled as she took Carina's hand to arrange her accommodation.

Naturally, all of Carina's previous information would be deleted, and everything would be rearranged. The real Carina had already "died" in Golden City.

Watching the two leave and close the door behind them, Sengoku immediately turned around, raised an eyebrow, and with a sly smile, said, "Haoshoku Haki... you've got quite the talent!"

"Fleet Admiral, can I control it?!" Rowen looked aggrieved. "Vegapunk also said that the Thunder Cloud Dragon tattoo has a stimulating effect on awakening Haoshoku. At that time, I was fighting both BIG·MOM and Whitebeard, two Yonko. The pressure was really intense!"

"Stop speaking nonsense about pressure!"

Sengoku blew his mustache and stared. "If you have reservations, you'll never awaken Haoshoku. It's something only a guy who fears nothing will have!"

"..."

A certain Marine Hero, who was enjoying a doughnut, turned his head in amazement, looking at Sengoku.

What was this?

Was he pointing fingers or casting shadows?!

Ignoring Garp's fiery gaze, Sengoku took a deep breath and waved his hand.

"Alright, it's just Haoshoku Haki! Throughout Marine's history, there have been many Haoshoku users. One more or less won't make a difference."

Indeed, although Marine, as the government's watchdog, had the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) and Celestial Dragons above them, working with many constraints, it made it easy for individuals to develop a mental block, making it difficult to awaken Haoshoku.

But throughout Marine's history, there were plenty of individuals who didn't care about "authority."

Garp was one such example.

He despised ranks, even scolding Celestial Dragons as garbage in front of the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars). To say he had any fear of authority would be laughable.

Doflamingo was similar.

If Haoshoku users had to be individuals who acted without constraints, then how would the fact that he fully feared Kaido and Tsuru in the original story be explained?

Katakuri feared BIG·MOM, yet he also awakened Haoshoku Haki.

So, the coexistence of awe and possessing Haoshoku didn't contradict each other. It depended on the individual and whether they could overcome their mental block.

Well, except for Luffy...

He was just a reckless guy without a brain!

Though Rowen had already known this result, hearing Sengoku explicitly talk about it made him heave a sigh of relief.

Unlike Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki) and Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki), which could be gradually mastered through learning and activation techniques, Haoshoku Haki was simply an expression of personal willpower and spirit.

At first, he really hadn't expected to have awakened Haoshoku Haki. In fact, he only realized it during the time he was recovering from injuries after the clash with Whitebeard.

Naturally, having just one type of Haoshoku pulled out separately wouldn't be that troublesome, even for them being in the Marine.

The real focus was...

"Dragon and Zero had a mutually damaging confrontation, and Zero is still in a coma... I never expected that little guy to grow to this level in just a few years!" Tsuru organized some information, crossing her hands under her chin as she spoke.

"We must prioritize clearing out the Revolutionary Army; otherwise, it will eventually lead to a disaster!"

The Information from Golden City and Rowen's Haoshoku Haki were minor issues, at least in the eyes of the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars).

The real focus was the unexpected appearance of the Revolutionary Army Leader, Monkey·D·Dragon.

It was because of Dragon that the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) were so wary of Rowen, who also possessed Haoshoku. It was also because of Dragon that Sengoku had such distrust in Rowen, repeatedly testing him.

He truly was the source of countless troubles!

Upon hearing Tsuru's words, silence fell within the office.

In the original story, whenever Luffy caused a commotion, Garp would laugh heartily, saying, "He's truly my grandson," much to Sengoku's frustration. However, at the mention of Dragon's name, Garp's expression darkened.

"Well, this time at the Levely, I caught wind of something. The kings of various countries will focus on discussing the Revolutionary Army issue. It's time for us to prepare in advance," he stated.

Sengoku nodded, then turned to Rowen. "Last time, your report was quite vague. You had a direct confrontation with him. Share your insights."

"Insights... He's incredibly strong! He is utterly terrifying, like a monster!" Rowen replied, causing everyone in the office to hold their breath. Even Akainu couldn't help but furrow his brows.

Who was Rowen?

He is the Soryu (Azure Dragon) of the Marines!

He is a madman who dared to scheme against Whitebeard, duel BIG·MOM, and stir up chaos in the New World!!

To hear someone like Rowen, who was considered a "guy who fears nothing," give such an evaluation meant that Dragon's strength was extraordinary.

"When we clashed, his main objective was to clear the way for the Revolutionary Army's second-in-command, Sabo, and Whitebeard Pirates' Second Division Commander, Ace. He protected them to ensure their retreat, so he didn't go all out..."

Well, in reality, he was afraid I knew too much information about him, so he didn't want to burn bridges.

Of course, Rowen wouldn't say it that way; he chose a different phrasing.

"Zero's Obliterate-Obliterate Fruit ability is incredibly fearsome, and you should be well aware of it. It's a terrifying power that can erase even space, a natural enemy of all materialization abilities!"

"However, even when Dragon's Devil Fruit ability wasn't at an advantage, he still fought him to a draw. I think no matter how much we evaluate, it wouldn't be an overestimation!"

In the original story, Dragon didn't make many appearances. His only defeat was when Blackbeard and his crew attacked the Baltigo island, forcing the Revolutionary Army's headquarters to relocate.

But after directly facing him, Rowen realized just how powerful Dragon, the seemingly unremarkable figure in the original story, truly was.

Having had encounters with all the Yonko, he could vouch that in a one-on-one fight, Dragon probably wouldn't pale in comparison to any of them.

That resilience in the face of his thunderous attacks, and the fact that he ultimately engaged in a battle that left both parties injured – these were characteristics possessed only by true powerhouses standing at the pinnacle!

"No matter how much we evaluate...?" Sengoku caught on to what Rowen was implying. That Dragon wasn't weaker than the Yonko!

A Yonko-level force whose sole purpose was to overthrow the government's rule and the Celestial Dragons' tyranny! This was more troublesome for the government than all the Yonko in the New World combined.

"Notify the Four Seas Independent Commission Against Corruption and all branch offices. If any trace of the Revolutionary Army is detected, handle it strictly, with no leniency!"

In this so-called first year of the Marine era, in the Sea Calendar year 1518, pirates were no longer the greatest enemy of the Marines. Their greatest foe was the Revolutionary Army, led by the most wicked criminal in history, aiming to overthrow the world!

...

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