Shuā!
The two figures descended from the sky, landing lightly on Pluton's deck. Seeing this, Momousagi frowned slightly. After a moment's thought, she ordered the soldiers to lower their weapons.
This scene made the corners of Akainu and Kizaru's mouths twitch uncontrollably once again. Akainu in particular recalled the order he himself had issued… Without authorization, not even Rowen, or he himself, was allowed to approach Pluton at will.
But given the urgency earlier, he had forgotten.
"Momousagi, now's not the time to relax!"
Faced with Momousagi's disdainful glance, Akainu's old face stiffened. He quickly changed the subject: "Poseidon is hiding in the deepest part of that palace. Killing ordinary Sea Kings means nothing to her."
"There…?"
Following Akainu's pointing finger, Momousagi gave a slight nod.
"Understood! All hands, change the shells!"
Kizaru watched curiously as the soldiers skillfully removed the round cannonballs and replaced them with conical shells, ramming them into the chambers.
Looking around, he asked: "So these are the legendary shells said to be able to destroy an island with a single shot from Pluton? What makes them different from the ones we're using now?"
"The cost!"
Momousagi's dry joke earned no laugh from Akainu.
It was the truth.
Every time the artillery fired, it was not shells being launched, it was money! Pluton belonged to the Marines, but Rowen had advanced the funds for its construction and for manufacturing the shells. Once all of this was over, the Marines would have to pay him back.
So why not simply push Rowen out onto the stage? Akainu began seriously considering the possibility… He was broke!
As the soldiers loaded the new shells, Momousagi rested her hand on her blade, Kinbira, and said calmly: "In fact, Pluton's technological sophistication far surpasses this era. Without the detailed blueprints, even Vegapunk couldn't have conceived it."
"These shells are the same. The technology contained in them is even more complex than the Super Electromagnetic Cannon. We can only replicate them by following the blueprints exactly, without any shortcuts in craftsmanship. That's why the cost is astronomical."
Since Akainu had said nothing, Momousagi decided she didn't need to hold back for Kizaru's sake.
"Hmm… about how much?" Kizaru probed cautiously.
"On average, fifty million Belly per shell…"
The price Momousagi quoted made both men's eyelids twitch violently. She then added:
"Adding in the Super Electromagnetic Cannon, that last volley just now probably burned through about two billion Belly."
You get what you pay for.
Artificial weapons capable of standing against the world's greatest race, the Sea Kings, could never be cheap. But when compared to the cost and effectiveness of the Pacifista project, Akainu grit his teeth and accepted it.
Kizaru, however, looked utterly stricken, extending a hand.
"Fleet Admiral, since when has the Marines had that much money?! Our Admiral salaries haven't changed in decades, have they?!"
"You still have time to joke?!"
At that moment, a familiar voice rang out.
"This is no joke…"
Kizaru muttered under his breath as he, along with the others, turned to look. With the support of Masked Zero, the staggering Bald Zero landed heavily on the deck, glaring at them furiously.
"You're not dead?!" He blurted in surprise.
Everyone else: "…"
"Ahem… What I meant was, it's such a relief you're alive!" Kizaru coughed awkwardly, glancing at the astonished Momousagi. "The situation was critical. There was no time to inform Vice Admiral Momousagi to hold fire. I was worried you'd been blown to bits."
'Oh, so it's my fault now?!' Masked Zero's mouth twitched, and he refused to look at him.
Akainu and Bald Zero locked eyes, neither giving way. After a long moment, Akainu said coldly: "The urgent task now is to stop Poseidon. If you want to argue rules with me here and now, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
Akainu's creed was "Absolute Justice." It wasn't mere cruelty, but an unshakable resolve that no one could defile or obstruct the execution of Justice!
As CP0's current Chief, Bald Zero's fury at their secret construction of Pluton and defiance of government orders was understandable. He was prepared to be held accountable afterward. But if they obstructed his execution of Justice at this moment, Akainu would not hesitate to kill.
The atmosphere on deck grew tense. As Akainu's words fell, Bald Zero's eyes narrowed slightly.
"I'll ask you just once, Fleet Admiral Akainu. Do you truly believe today's government is unworthy of the word 'Justice'?"
"Yes! And what of it?!"
Akainu inhaled deeply, unafraid.
"We Marines fight only for Justice!"
"Hmph! A soldier defying orders dares to speak of Justice with me?!"
Bald Zero let out an enraged laugh, but soon unclenched his fist. Coldly, he said to Akainu: "I'm not someone who can't tell right from wrong. Until Poseidon crisis is resolved, I won't drag us down. But after that…"
"You'd better be ready, Fleet Admiral Akainu."
BOOM… Rumble!
Just then, a tremor drew everyone's attention.
From the spine of the slain Sea King Star, the hermit-crab-like Sea King carrying the palace on its back suddenly stirred, crawling toward the sea.
"No! She's trying to escape!" Killing intent blazed in Momousagi's eyes as she shouted: "All hands, target at twelve o'clock! Open fire freely, stop her at all costs!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
A storm of shells once again filled the air. These special shells no longer emphasized explosive force, but velocity and piercing power, designed specifically to counter armored, shell-backed Sea Kings.
Boom! Rumble--!
The carcass of many Sea Kings were instantly shredded into pieces by countless cannonballs. The hermit-crab-type Sea King didn't even have time to dive back into the depths before its thick shell was obliterated along with it in the cannon fire.
But at that moment, Akainu suddenly thought of a possibility. He turned his head sharply.
"Damn it, we've been tricked!"
"What?!"
Sure enough, when everyone turned around, they saw it, while they had been lured into firing, Sea Kings of every shape and species were diving into the ocean like slippery loaches, scattering in all directions.
Sea Kings were never this united. Even if they had intelligence, it was still the intelligence of beasts. Such a coordinated retreat could only mean one thing, this was an order given by the Sea King itself.
The goal was obvious.
"We can't let her escape, pursue her!" Bald Zero's eyes flashed with killing intent. Compared to Akainu and the others, Poseidon was the true threat weighing on the government's heart.
…
Meanwhile, in Wano Country.
"Master!"
Koby led a battleship into Wano, and the very first thing he did was rush straight to the Flower Capital to find Rowen.
"Oh, not bad, you even remembered to bring your teacher's weapon back."
Rowen nodded slightly in acknowledgment, then his eyes lit up. Pushing aside the soldiers carrying it, he stepped forward and grabbed the three-meter-long black halberd into his palm.
This weapon had slipped from his hand during his battle against "Red the Aloof" and sank into the sea. It had been nearly a month and a half since he last saw it.
Roar!
Lightning crackled from his palm into the Thunder Gem embedded within. In an instant, the thunder dragon halberd erupted with blinding arcs of electricity, releasing a deafening, awe-inspiring dragon's roar.
It wasn't Haoshoku Haki, yet still the surrounding soldiers felt their hearts quake in fear.
"Ah… having this thing by my side just feels right."
Rowen casually swung the thunder halberd, sparking explosive bolts of lightning with every motion. Then he slung it across his back and looked toward Koby.
"Make preparations. We set off immediately."
"Yes, sir!"
Koby didn't complain, his young face carried the hard resolve of a true soldier. But instead of leaving right away, he continued reporting.
"Also, Master, I just received word from Vice Admiral Dante."
"Oh? Let's hear it."
"Yes! It's like this, rumors have spread in the New World these past few days that 'Hundred Beasts' Kaido has disbanded his pirate crew and is currently missing. The Vice Admiral is sending people to confirm the truth and told me to inform you. He asks if we should make any preparations in advance."
"Take the word 'if' out of that sentence!"
Seeing Koby's confused expression, Rowen licked his lips. "That fool Dante, since I haven't received news of Kaido attacking them, the rumor's authenticity is already confirmed."
"Huh? Why? Haven't there been attacks before, just… not directly from Kaido?"
Koby was completely lost.
Rowen thought for a moment, then strode forward with big steps.
"How much food and water do we have left?"
"One-third. I've already ordered resupply." Koby hurried to keep up. "But why would Kaido disband his crew? It's not time for him to give up, right?"
"Give up?" Rowen shook his head, clamping Koby's head into his arm and dragging him along. "No, no, no. This means he's about to get serious."
"Pass along my order, within half an hour, we depart. Anyone late will face military law!"
At that moment, Wano Country was celebrating the enthronement ceremony of its new Shogun. The streets were bustling with people, lively and festive. Naturally, some grumbled about Kozuki Momonosuke, calling the Kozuki clan a curse upon Wano. But those complaints were not Rowen's concern.
Quickly striding toward Orrick's mansion in the Flower Capital, Rowen's expression was anything but pleasant.
"You'd better not be going too far this time, Orrick…"
(End of Chapter)
This novel is finished, and I have posted all the advanced chapters on my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/darkshadow6395