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"The Fifth Emperor—Sky Sovereign Rowen Is Here!"
This news spread like wildfire through Water 7.
When the World Economic News Agency first dubbed Rowen the "Fifth Emperor," some might have doubted.
After all, newspaper reports needed verification, and the Four Emperors had reigned supreme for so long, their authority unchallenged.
Sky Sovereign Rowen, though rising with astonishing speed, being called the Fifth Emperor—wasn't that too much of an exaggeration?? This was the thought of some across the seas...
But with Rowen's latest, incredibly high bounty and the World Government's official designation—all doubt vanished.
...
"Confirmed: Marine HQ Admiral Aokiji Defeated!"
"The World's Most Dangerous Man. The World's Most Vicious Man. The Man Who Can Steal Everything!"
Sky Sovereign Rowen! Dead Or Alive! Bounty: 3,000,000,000 Beri!"
...
Whether it was the bounty, the level of official concern, the title, or his battle record—Sky Sovereign Rowen was, without a doubt, the Fifth Emperor!
For such a super-powerhouse to arrive in Water 7—even this city, home to the world's largest shipyard and accustomed to repairing ships for powerful pirates, began to tremble.
Emperor wasn't just a title—anyone who angered an Emperor—all their personnel would be slaughtered. All their territories erased from the sea.
The most egregious example was Big Mom; if a nation under her territory failed to deliver sweets for her tea party on time, that nation ceased to exist!
And Sky Sovereign Rowen's infamy, fueled by the World Government's own propaganda, had, in a short time, even surpassed Big Mom's in sheer terror.
How could Water 7 not be afraid??
Driven by fear, many citizens of Water 7 flocked towards the city's largest shipbuilding company—Galley-La.
Galley-La wasn't just a world-renowned leader in shipbuilding, repair, and retrofitting—it was also led by Water 7's mayor, Iceburg.
Furthermore, Galley-La's foremen were very strong.
As a world-class shipbuilding company with a vast clientele, pirates were a major source of income for Galley-La. The ability to make pirates pay up and behave—rested on the strength of these foremen.
They could defeat vicious pirates with bounties in the tens of millions.
Though such pirates couldn't compare to the 3 Billion Beri Emperor—Galley-La's foremen were the strongest individuals in Water 7, offering the citizens a sliver of security.
The news quickly reached Iceburg, president of Galley-La, at Dock One.
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"The Fifth Emperor has arrived?" Iceburg, true to his name, showed no emotion on his face.
But his pupils constricted, revealing clear, grave concern.
This was a Great powerhouse who had defeated a Marine HQ Admiral, trampled Celestial Dragons, and left the World Government seemingly helpless—
Iceburg was, in fact, a student of Tom, the legendary shipwright who built the Pirate King's ship, enabling Roger to reach Laugh Tale. He had consolidated Water 7's original seven shipbuilding companies into Galley-La partly to become the World Government's official shipwright, thereby protecting the blueprints for the Ancient Weapon Pluton, inherited from his master Tom.
His careful planning had, for eight years, prevented World Government officials from obtaining them. But Iceburg knew World Government agents were always present in Water 7.
The seemingly peaceful city was, in reality, a place of roiling undercurrents due to Pluton's blueprints. Now, the arrival of this Fifth Emperor—would it introduce unforeseen complications?.
....
Iceburg sighed inwardly but showed no outward sign.
"Should we temporarily cease operations, President? He is, after all, currently the world's most vicious criminal," Kalifa, Iceburg's secretary, asked, pushing up her glasses.
"No need. This is the world's largest shipyard. If we close our doors just because the Fifth Emperor arrives, we'll lose our clients' trust," Iceburg stated calmly.
"Besides, the fact that the World Government issued a clarification statement suggests this man might not be as vicious as the legends portray." Iceburg looked seriously at a report about Rowen.
"Understood," Kalifa nodded. But beneath her glasses, her eyes held a dark, unreadable glint.
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Meanwhile, in a shadowy corner unnoticed by anyone.
"The Fifth Emperor, Sky Sovereign Rowen, is it? Didn't expect him to be with Nico Robin, a major criminal the World Government must eliminate... Looks like she's seeking his shelter to escape their pursuit. The Fifth Emperor? Worth killing, I suppose,"
A calm, chilling voice murmured.
"Lucci! Don't be ridiculous! That's an Emperor! Without orders from the highest echelons, even we can't make a move against him! Since Nico Robin is under his protection, we have no authority to act against her... Our priority is to complete our mission quickly—" an anxious voice replied.
In the shadows, Kaku looked nervously at Lucci.
Forget the World Government's ban—no affiliated organization could engage Rowen without express orders from the very top.
Even CP9, nominally the World Government's strongest direct subordinate agency—even their highest commander lacked the authority to order an attack on Rowen.
An order from the 'highest echelons'—what did that mean?
It meant only those few individuals standing at the absolute pinnacle of world power had the authority to issue such a command!
And—
This man defeated a Marine HQ Admiral.
In Kaku's view, though Lucci was monstrously strong, there was still a gap between him and the World Government's strongest combatants.
Their chances against Rowen were slim.
"Hmph." In the darkness, Rob Lucci's cold face remained impassive, but his eyes concealed a profound killing intent.
Killing was as natural as breathing to Rob Lucci—by his own admission, he joined CP9 for the license to kill legally.
To help the World Government obtain Pluton's blueprints, several CP9 members had been undercover here for seven years.
Lucci's innate bloodlust was already becoming difficult to control—he yearned to kill indiscriminately.
The thrill of killing weaklings paled in comparison to the ecstasy of killing this Fifth Emperor... Unfortunately, the World Government's highest echelons had issued a ban against engaging this Fifth Emperor.
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"We've figured out most of it. Since we can't act against Nico Robin, let's finish the mission quickly. Deal with Iceburg. Confirm if Franky is indeed Cutty Flam, Tom's student who supposedly died eight years ago—If so, capture him immediately. Pluton's blueprints can only be in his hands,"
Lucci stated coldly after a moment, regaining his composure.
During their seven-year infiltration, he and Kaku had posed as Galley-La foremen. Kalifa had become Iceburg's secretary, monitoring his every move. After seven years, they concluded:
Pluton's blueprints were NOT with Iceburg!
Fortunately, they obtained new intel: Franky, head of the notorious Franky Family in Water 7, was very likely Tom's other student, Cutty Flam—who supposedly died eight years ago trying to stop the Sea Train carrying Tom away.
Once his identity was confirmed, it was almost certain Franky held Pluton's blueprints.
Lucci stepped out from the shadows, heading towards Dock One.
"Phew!" Kaku exhaled slowly after Lucci was out of earshot, a smile appearing on his face as he also headed towards Dock One—
'Seven years undercover... finally coming to an end.'
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Meanwhile, Rowen and his crew had also entered Water 7.
"Interesting." Rowen's Rumble-Rumble Fruit-enhanced Observation Haki easily covered the entirety of Water 7—If he wished, Rowen could hear every conversation in the city.
Rob Lucci and Kaku's dialogue in the shadows naturally hadn't escaped his notice. Hearing their conversation, a strange smile played on Rowen's lips.
'The Fifth Emperor... also worth killing?'
Rob Lucci, who in the original Egghead arc, with only an Awakened Zoan fruit, had the audacity to attack Nika Luffy—who defeated Kaido and become an Emperor—was ignorant and arrogant.
Since he uttered such words, Rowen decided he would let Rob Lucci see for himself what an Emperor truly was.
Rowen also overheard conversations among many other World Government agents hidden throughout Water 7—
—Those masked individuals skulking in every corner were all CP agents, tasked with obtaining Pluton's blueprints from Franky. Their conversations were also quite amusing.
...
"That's Nico Robin!!"
"According to intel, Nico Robin is afraid of the World Government. If we directly reveal our CP9 identity, she might lose all will to resist, allowing us to capture her easily. That would be a great merit!"
"Damn it! Nico Robin is with Sky Sovereign Rowen!"
"With that man protecting her, we have no authority to act against Nico Robin!"
"That's the man who defeated one of the World Government's Strongest Combatants, a Marine HQ Admiral!"
"Report it! The Fifth Emperor, Sky Sovereign Rowen, has appeared in Water 7! The Devil Child, Nico Robin, is under his protection!"
'Interesting.' Rowen smirked. 'Looks like the World Government's direct CP departments aren't all idiots like Rob Lucci.'
They hadn't tried to use CP9's authority to make Robin follow them to Enies Lobby like in the original story.
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"Found it! The Exchange!" Nami exclaimed excitedly, her eyes turning into Beri symbols as she spotted a large building.
Vivi followed closely beside Rowen.
Luffy and Usopp also arrived, looking eager.
To give the Merry a major overhaul, they first needed to convert their gold into cash. After their Skypiea adventure, they were an incredibly wealthy pirate crew!
Chopper and Robin, similar to the original story, wanted to find books on medicine and history, respectively.
Water 7, as home to the world's leading shipbuilding industry, was a bustling metropolis where ships from all over the world congregated—Its libraries were extensive, interesting both Chopper and Robin greatly. Sanji went off to buy ingredients.
Zoro, unlike in the original story, didn't stay behind to guard the ship; he wandered freely through Water 7.
Not only was the Going Merry now a legendary, world-famous pirate ship that no one would dare attack lightly, but with Rowen's Rumble-Rumble Fruit ability, guarding the ship was unnecessary.
If anyone harmed the Merry, heavenly lightning would instantly blast the miscreants to cinders—Under these circumstances, Zoro, the original ship-guarder, could also explore Water 7 freely.
It was his first time here, after all; it would be a shame not to experience its unique culture—Plus, Rowen's enhanced Observation Haki could locate Zoro at any time and bring him back to the Merry.
Zoro's terrible sense of direction was no longer a problem.
....
Seeing Nami's immense excitement, and Vivi also looking eager, plus Luffy and Usopp practically vibrating with anticipation—Rowen smiled.
Converting found treasure into cash was indeed a joyous occasion for pirates.
He led Nami, Vivi, and the others into the exchange house.
"W-Welcome! Fifth Emperor—Sky Sovereign Rowen-sama!" Upon entering, Rowen and his crew received an unprecedented welcome. All the staff stared at them with a mixture of fear and sycophancy.
'The Fifth Emperor, Gracing their exchange!' One wrong move could bring disaster.
Closing their doors and refusing entry to this Emperor? Don't be ridiculous!
The owner of this exchange, having built such a large business in Water 7, was no fool. Serve this Fifth Emperor well, and perhaps nothing bad would happen.
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"Rowen, your name is really useful. Looks like we don't have to worry about them lowballing us," Nami commented cheerfully.
As a former pirate thief—Nami knew all too well how unscrupulous these exchange owners could be, often drastically undervaluing treasure, especially from pirates, to make a hefty profit.
But with Rowen's reputation, even if the owner had ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare try such a thing.
...
After being escorted to a VIP room, Nami first placed two Devil Fruits on the table.
"Th-Those are! DEVIL FRUITS!" The owner's eyes nearly bulged out.
"That's right. The Paramecia Dice-Dice Fruit, and the Paramecia Spike-Spike Fruit," Nami stated proudly.
"These are both very precious abilities! Especially this Dice-Dice Fruit!" the owner exclaimed in awe. As expected of the Fifth Emperor!
"H-However, Nami-sama, Rowen-sama... To get the best price for Devil Fruits, they need to be auctioned. I wonder if you are able to wait?" The owner didn't directly accept these two fruits.
Though Devil Fruits were treasures of the sea, each worth over 100 million Beri, their prices varied wildly, also depending on finding a willing high bidder.
If he offered too low, he'd anger this Emperor... Offer too high, and he'd go bankrupt—these were treasures of the sea! Price fluctuations could be in the hundreds of millions!
"An auction, huh? What a pain," Nami pouted.
"When we reach Sabaody Archipelago, I'll get you a good price for them," Rowen interjected with a smile.
"Mm~" Nami instantly beamed.
Then, Nami brought out a massive pile of gold. Seeing the gold, the owner breathed a sigh of relief. Gold prices were fixed; no risk involved.
This gold sold for one billion Beri!
And this was only a very small fraction of the gold Rowen possessed.
After concluding their business, Rowen and the crew headed towards the Galley-La Company.
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