Following Steel Bone Kong's words, the entire scene fell into a heavy silence. Aside from the Yonko crews, the Shichibukai, and a handful of high-bounty captains, no one dared to even breathe loudly.
But even the Four Emperors and the Warlords remained silent. Not a single person stepped forward to answer Kong's challenge. His attitude was simply too aggressive—he stood there like an old mother hen fiercely guarding her chicks.
"That old man is as overbearing as ever..." Whitebeard muttered, narrowing his eyes as he watched Kong on the shoreline. In his mory, when Steel Bone Kong was still the Fleet Admiral, he was exactly this dominant. The current Fleet Admiral, Sengoku, was far more moderate in his handling of affairs.
However, Sengoku's actions this ti were also incredibly resolute. Whitebeard realized he had still underestimated Rowan's significance in the hearts of these n.
Aboard the Hundred Beasts' ship, Doflamingo's face was dark. Now that the Commander-in-Chief of the World Governnt had arrived—alongside the Hero Garp, the three Admirals, and Sengoku commanding the blockade—it was no longer a matter of capturing Rowan. Any trace of hostility toward the man would likely result in an imdiate, lethal pincer attack by several of the world's peak powerhouses.
Despite his status as a Warlord and a World Noble, Doflamingo knew he could not afford to act recklessly.
"Damn it." Behind his shattered sunglasses, Doflamingo's eyes were like a venomous snake staring at Rowan. But this snake didn't even dare to flick its tongue. He was the King of Dressrosa, a Shichibukai, and the Underworld King "Joker," but in front of this many Marine legends and Steel Bone Kong, he was nothing but a "little brother."
After this incident, Doflamingo finally understood that Rowan had been playing the part of a pig to eat the tiger all along. He had well and truly kicked a steel plate this ti. Forget Caesar Clown—he wouldn't even be able to get back his officers like Diamante and Lao G now.
Even if they end up in Impel Down, I'll find a way to get them out later. Because I am the Heavenly Yaksha! Because I am a Celestial Dragon! But for now, he had to play the turtle. He retreated slightly, hiding behind Kaido's massive fra.
Trebol and Pica followed suit, not daring to make a sound. In this critical mont, face didn't matter; surviving the proximity of the "Justice" heavyweights did.
A Reunion of Legends
On Dachik Island, Rowan walked up to Kong's side and chuckled. "Old man, why did you co along too? Do I really look that weak in your eyes?"
Hearing this, Kong glared at him fiercely. "You brat, you have the nerve to say that? You think I wanted to co? You caused such a massive scene on the ocean... what, are you planning to ascend to the heavens next?"
Rowan laughed heartily. He took out his pipe, lit it, and exhaled a puff of smoke. "Actually, I did have a mind to head 'up' there." Having lived in this world for a hundred years, he still hadn't had the chance to visit the Sky Islands ten thousand ters up.
His tone softened as he patted Kong on the shoulder. "But seriously, old man... thanks for this one."
Kong let out a light huff. "Stupid brat, don't get sentintal with . If I were the one surrounded by these monsters, would you stay ho and watch?"
Rowan's eyes widened. "Of course not! I'd be the first one there to bail you out!"
The two old friends made eye contact and burst into simultaneous laughter. As brothers-in-arms who had fought side-by-side for decades—the last two remnants of that ancient era of the Navy—the bond between Kong and Rowan was sothing outsiders couldn't possibly fathom.
"Ah~ the relationship between Mr. Rowan and Mr. Kong is truly sothing to be jealous of," Kizaru said, appearing on the island in a flash of yellow light, his tone characteristically droll.
"Arara, naturally. They've been life-and-death comrades for decades," Kuzan added lazily.
"Enough talk. How do we deal with this crowd?" Akainu walked over, his voice raspy and his eyes cold as he stared at the pirate fleet.
Kong and Rowan's expressions returned to a calm neutrality. This was a delicate situation. Even with the Navy's overwhelming force, they couldn't simply "wipe out" four Emperors at once. If it were that easy, those four wouldn't have ruled the New World for so long.
While Kong and Sengoku were willing to go to war for Rowan, they also knew that a full-scale clash would result in catastrophic casualties. Even if they crippled the Yonko, the Navy would be drained of its vitality for years to co. Deep down, they didn't want the war to start—but that didn't an they were afraid.
The Red-Haired's Departure
"Hey, Mr. Kong!"
Suddenly, Red-Haired Shanks leaped from his ship and landed on the shore. He pointed toward Hawkeye Mihawk, who was heavily injured and leaning against a tree. "I only ca here to watch the duel between Mr. Rowan and Mihawk. Now that the winner has been decided, can I take this guy and leave?"
Rowan waved a hand indifferently. He had no particular interest in pirates like Shanks or Mihawk, who weren't known for committing atrocities.
Seeing the gesture, Shanks thanked Rowan and then unceremoniously slung the world's greatest swordsman over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, heading back to the Red Force.
The rough movent caused Mihawk's cool, stoic face to twist in agony, and he sucked in sharp breaths of cold air. "You bastard... couldn't you be a bit gentler?!"
Once Shanks dumped him onto the deck, Mihawk erupted in rare anger.
"Hahaha! Sorry, sorry! I almost forgot you were a patient," Shanks laughed, accidentally poking Mihawk's wound. "How bad is it? Want to call our doctor over?"
"HISSS!" Mihawk's face turned the color of a beet from the pain. He glared at Shanks and hissed, "Red-Haired... once I'm healed, I'm going to kill you!"
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