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'Becoming a Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars)?'
The proposition was undeniably tempting.
Rowen had always aimed to climb the ranks, biding his time to overthrow the current regime. He believed the tide would eventually turn, and when it did, he would seize his opportunity.
Becoming a Gorōsei would accelerate this process, granting him direct access to the pinnacle of power. From that position, manipulating events to his advantage would be significantly easier.
However, two major obstacles remained:
Firstly, the Gorōsei functioned as a council.
It wasn't a system of brute force where the strongest ruled. Decisions were made through collective voting.
The number "5" was carefully chosen to ensure balanced decision-making.
Imu's trust in the Gorōsei was evident; replacing a member was a result of years of accumulated grievances.
But this opportunity was fleeting. Even the harshest criticism was usually followed by a conciliatory gesture – unless a significant upheaval occurred, the other four members' positions were virtually untouchable.
Joining them might seem glamorous, but in reality, he would only possess 1/5th of the voting power.
In a group where decisions were made by vote, such a position offered minimal leverage – hardly an ideal foundation for his ambitions.
Secondly, becoming a Gorōsei meant becoming one of Imu's closest confidantes. This required residing in the Holy Land and leaving only for crucial matters.
Having witnessed the Holy Land's vast resources, Rowen knew he lacked the strength to challenge them directly at this stage. Preparing for such a confrontation would require far more than a few resources or plans.
Accepting the position now would effectively trade his freedom for partial authority, confining him to the Holy Land.
For someone like Rowen, whose ambition was to dismantle the existing power structure, this trade-off was clearly unfavorable.
Considering all this –
"My answer, my lord: I would like to!"
Zero, standing nearby, was visibly shocked. Words couldn't express the astonishment on his face. In the Holy Land, the current Gorōsei were equally dumbfounded, staring at the Den Den Mushi in disbelief.
These two – one dared to ask, and the other dared to answer.
Yet they could only endure their internal turmoil and await the final outcome.
"Hmm. And?" Imu's calm voice cut through the tension. "I can tell there's more to your answer. Speak your mind."
Hearing this, the Gorōsei collectively exhaled in relief, their curiosity piqued. They turned their attention to the Den Den Mushi, eager to hear what Rowen would say next.
"But not now!"
Rowen's gaze was unwavering as he spoke into the Den Den Mushi, his tone resolute.
"I once declared that I would end this Pirate Era! While the world now calls this period the 'Marine Era Year One,' it's still far from fully established – just as things were in the early years following 1501."
The Pirate Era hadn't emerged overnight.
It took two to three years after Roger's public execution for the world to embrace the term "Pirate Era."
In its early stages, only a handful of prepared and ambitious individuals took to the seas, and even then, the wave of piracy wasn't particularly overwhelming – barely double what it was during the era of the Three Great Powers.
The so-called "Marine Era Year One" faces a similar situation.
Although the Marines are at their peak and dominate the seas, the name "Marine Era" hasn't truly permeated the public consciousness. Time is needed to solidify this idea, to let it settle.
As it stands, many isolated regions remain unaware, still perceiving the Pirate Era as ongoing, with its lawless spirit prevalent.
Only when the world's hearts collectively acknowledge Marine supremacy and the Pirate Era fades into history will the "Marine Era Year One" truly be established.
"If I became a Gorōsei now, I'd be part of the decision-making council, not a warrior on the seas! Issuing orders and entrusting my goals to others to execute – that's not my style!"
Rowen's solemn declaration left everyone in awe. It was almost impossible to believe someone could resist the temptation of becoming a Gorōsei.
This was the Gorōsei!
The highest decision-making body in the World Government.
A position surpassing kings, nobles, or high-ranking officials – the government's singular core of authority!
And he… rejected it?!
"To end the Pirate Era… is that your ambition?"
Imu seemed unfazed, nodding slightly. "That is a commendable goal."
"I approve."
"However… don't keep me waiting too long, Rowen. The seat of Gorōsei will remain open for you."
At those words, Rowen felt a surge of intense unease.
A sixth sense told him that Imu's statement carried an unspoken threat.
But he dared not press for clarification. Instead, he bowed his head. "Thank you, my lord, for your understanding!"
Rowen grinned widely, baring his sharp white teeth as he spoke. "I won't keep you waiting too long, my lord. After all, 'Hundred Beasts' Kaido has been holding back for so many years – I believe he'll be making a major move soon."
Since the battle at the old G-5 base, the only time Kaido had revealed himself to the public was during last year's New World War. In that conflict, alongside Red Hair and Whitebeard, Kaido had forced the Marines to retreat from their incursion into the New World via BIG MOM's territory, Totto Land.
Now, with Whitebeard dead and Shanks defeated by Rowen, Kaido was the last remaining symbol of the Yonko's pride. Even if it was only for his grand ambitions, a great battle was inevitable.
Only by completely breaking the backbone of piracy could the Pirate Era truly be eradicated.
"Oh, I see."
Hearing Rowen's reply, Imu paused briefly, clearly intrigued, and then spoke with anticipation in their voice: "I'll await your good news, Rowen."
"Understood!"
…
The Holy Land
In the Gorōsei's office atop the Holy Land, relief swept through the room. Seeing that Imu had not forcibly arranged for Rowen to join their ranks, the mustached elders collectively exhaled. However, the weight of Imu's parting words left them with mixed feelings.
"This seals it," One murmured with a wry smile, exchanging glances with the others. "Soryu (Azure Dragon) is now a complete special case."
With Imu's "expectations" behind him, Rowen officially remained a Marine Admiral. But in truth, his status had elevated to a level on par with their own – only differing in the fact that they were "politicians," while Rowen was a "warrior."
At this point, calling him a new World Noble wouldn't be an exaggeration.
…
After Imu ended the call, Rowen had no interest in prolonging his conversation with the already-decided Gorōsei. He too hung up.
The Gorōsei didn't dwell on this – they had more pressing concerns. Rowen's identity was now fundamentally different from theirs, a transformation they had brought upon themselves.
"Chief Zero, is everything prepared?"
Rowen slung his thunder dragon crescent halberd across his back, turning to address Bald Zero.
The CP0 chief jolted slightly, nodding hurriedly. "Everything is ready, Soryu (Azure Dragon)… sir."
As a seasoned veteran who had served three administrations, Zero felt a mix of resentment and fear as he now stood under a rising star barely in his thirties. Resentment at the shift in hierarchy but fear of Rowen's boldness, power, and commanding presence.
He had never felt such dread – not from Rocks or Roger. From them, he had experienced shock: the kind of awe inspired by those who pressed forward with foolish grins despite impossible odds.
Rowen, however, evoked true terror.
At a signal, Rob Lucci stepped forward, utilizing Geppo to land nearby. He held a metal box in his hands.
"Sir, the item you requested."
Zero accepted it and respectfully presented it to Rowen.
Lucci, stunned, could hardly believe how quickly Zero's attitude toward Rowen had changed. A chief of CP0 – someone with authority exceeding even the Celestial Dragons' house guards – was now this deferential? Lucci couldn't wrap his head around it.
"Deliver it to Shanks," Rowen instructed coolly, turning away.
"I told you before, Shanks. I won't seek vengeance on you until I've dealt with the other Yonko."
"That promise still stands."
While Rowen had been speaking with Imu, the Red Hair Pirates hadn't been idle. Shanks, propped up by the ship's doctor, was receiving emergency treatment for a grievous chest wound. His body was swathed in bandages, and he sat before his crew with a downcast expression.
Yasopp had been crippled in the explosions, Beckman was killed, and Shanks himself was defeated. All the hardships they had inflicted upon the aspiring pirates who challenged the Yonko were now being returned to them in full.
Shanks found himself grappling with a painful truth— he was no different from anyone else. Without the strength to protect his crew, he was just another speck of dust on the sea, adrift and powerless.
But hearing Rowen's words, a fierce light reignited in Shanks' eyes. He straightened his back, his voice booming with determination.
"It's not over yet, Soryu (Azure Dragon)!"
"You can't stop people from chasing their dreams! The will of D and the legacy of this era will never be extinguished!"
---
"Oh? Is that so?"
Already turning to leave, Rowen paused, tilting his head slightly to glance at Shanks out of the corner of his eye.
"You've always misunderstood the point, Shanks."
Shanks frowned. "What do you mean?"
Rowen's gaze carried a trace of pity.
"What you want to do has nothing to do with me."
"I'm simply doing what I need to do— and killing anyone who gets in my way."
"If you want to blame someone, blame yourselves for living in the era of my rise, for standing in my path."
With that, Rowen leaped into the air and vanished, leaving behind a chilling parting statement.
"If you're so eager to die, pirates, feel free to come find me anytime."
(End Of The Chapter)