"Jinbe, what are you saying? Mr. Rowan? The Old Man? How could he possibly..."
As Ace listened to Jinbe's account, his expression shifted rapidly. The further the story went, the greater the shock in his heart grew.
It could be said that Ace and Luffy were raised under Rowan's watchful eye. Over the years, they had been nurtured by the Old Man's broad shoulders and simultaneously pushed to their limits by his hellish training. Because of this, Rowan's status in Ace's heart was irreplaceable. Even now, having joined the Whitebeard Pirates and calling Whitebeard "Pops," Rowan remained the kindly yet terrifyingly strict Great-Grandfather who had shaped his childhood.
If not for the deep-seated resentnt Ace felt toward his biological father, Roger, he likely would have followed the Old Man's teachings and beco a Marine warrior of justice.
The day he set sail a year ago behind the Old Man's back had been his happiest day, but also his most conflicted. He was happy to finally chase his dream, but conflicted because his identity as a pirate ran directly contrary to the Old Man's hope for him to join the Navy.
Now that he had been at sea for over a year, his experience and vision far surpassed what they had been in the East Blue. Even if Rowan had left him with indelible psychological shadows, Ace believed he had a very accurate grasp of the Old Man's strength. In Ace's mind, considering the power the Old Man had shown over the years and his nearly century-old body, it should have been impossible for him to defeat Jinbe.
Yet, here was Jinbe telling him that his Great-Grandfather Rowan had defeated him with a single move—a crushing, overwhelming victory?!
A total sweep!
How is that possible?! To one-shot soone like Jinbe, only a powerhouse of Whitebeard's caliber or the full-force strike of a Navy Admiral should be capable of such a feat, right? Even for soone as strong as Marco or Diamond Jozu, defeating Jinbe was no easy task.
"Oh, by the way, Mr. Rowan was accompanied by a young boy—likely a Paracia-type Rubber-Rubber Fruit user. I heard him refer to you as 'Brother,' so I ca specifically to inform you," Jinbe continued, looking at the stunned Ace.
"A Rubber-Rubber Fruit user? That's definitely my brother, Luffy," Ace said, taking a deep breath.
Since Luffy was there, the "Mr. Rowan" Jinbe described was undoubtedly his Great-Grandfather. But Ace couldn't wrap his head around it—when did the Old Man beco so powerful?
Wait!
Ace suddenly rembered the morning news. He hurriedly asked, "Boss Jinbe, when you t my Great-Grandpa, what weapon was he using?"
"Weapon?"
Jinbe frowned, standing in place and thinking for a long mont before shaking his head. "I didn't see Mr. Rowan carrying any weapons. He only had a wine gourd and a large tobacco pipe."
Hearing this, Ace nodded. A wine gourd and a tobacco pipe were the Old Man's standard traveling gear.
"Gurararara! Mr. Rowan? Jinbe-boy, are you talking about the 'Pops' Garp always ntions? The Marine Godfather, Rowan?"
Suddenly, a booming, boisterous voice rang out. Everyone turned toward the sound and saw a giant, nearly six ters tall, walking out of the cabin with a laugh.
The man's physique was incredibly robust. Beneath his nose was a white, upward-curving crescent mustache. He wore a captain's coat—white on the outside, red on the inside—draped over his shoulders. In his hand, he held a massive, razor-sharp naginata: the Murakumogiri, one of the 12 Supre Grade Swords.
He walked with a powerful, rhythmic stride, every step exuding limitless authority. This was the captain of the Whitebeard Pirates, the Emperor of the Sea known as the "World's Strongest Man"—Edward Newgate himself!
"Pops Whitebeard..."
Looking at this legend, Jinbe couldn't help but draw a sharp breath. He held his breath, his eyes full of deep respect. This was the man who had brought peace to the chaotic Fish-Man Island with just a single sentence. This was the true power of an Emperor.
Whitebeard laughed as he reached the group. He glanced at Jinbe's limp shoulder, his mouth curling into a grin. "Gurararara. Jinbe-boy, tell —after eting Rowan, what is your assessnt of that old senior?"
After seeing the newspaper and hearing Ace's words, Whitebeard was becoming increasingly interested in this legendary figure he had only crossed paths with once in his youth. Nearly a hundred years old and still capable of making Hawkeye Mihawk issue such a grand challenge...
What kind of charisma did that old man possess?
Ti flew by.
Half a day later.
Rowan had reached the Grand Line on his small boat. Currently drifting leisurely along the current, he was completely unaware that the entire world was trembling because of him.
If he knew, he would surely be cursing the paparazzi of the news agencies. Those damned bastards would report anything just to grab attention. Though he had successfully activated the system and his strength had skyrocketed, he wasn't exactly planning to beco "unbeatable world-wide" in a single day.
His original plan was to return to Marine Headquarters, finish the system's Main Quest, and then make a world-shaking debut. But now that everyone knew his blade hadn't dulled, how was he supposed to "play the pig to eat the tiger"? How was he supposed to rack up Faith Points efficiently?
Of course, Rowan wouldn't be able to start his rant until he actually found out. The news gulls flying over the sea didn't exactly prioritize door-to-door delivery for a tiny wooden boat.
Currently, the sail of Rowan's boat had been lowered. Having entered the Grand Line, they were in a stretch where the massive Red Line blocked the wind, leaving the area temporarily doldrum. Fortunately, the ocean currents in this region created a fixed route.
Knowing this, Rowan wasn't in a hurry. He lay back lazily at the stern, pipe in his left hand and wine gourd in his right, looking perfectly content. At this mont, Luffy and Zoro were no longer on the small boat.
Rowan looked up and could see a massive pirate ship in his field of vision. A black flag with a white skull flew from its mast—a sight that would normally be terrifying. However, on this pirate ship that had just entered the Grand Line, the scene was currently... very lively.
.............BONUS CHAPTER IS COMING............
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