Hearing Rowan's words, King Cobra hesitated for a long moment before finally nodding with resolve.
"We shall do as Mr. Rowan says!"
Half an hour later, on the main thoroughfare of Alubarna.
Rowan strolled leisurely through the bustling streets, flanked by Zoro and Momousagi. Robin followed silently a few paces behind. The usual commerce of the capital had ground to a halt; every household was swept up in the frantic, joyful preparations for tonight's banquet.
Ever since the news broke that the national crisis was nearing its end, the gloom that had hung over the populace had vanished, replaced by radiant smiles. They were putting their hearts into this celebration—they intended to treat the kingdom's great savior with the highest honors.
Watching the busy crowds and their irrepressible grins, Rowan showed no sign of arrogance. He took a long drag of his pipe, exhaled a cloud of white smoke, and suddenly turned to the silent woman behind him.
"Little Robin, do you know why I'm doing all this?"
With Robin's intellect, she understood he was referring to his intervention and his decision to shield her. But she didn't know his true motivation. She shook her head, her eyes filled with wary confusion.
Rowan looked up at the vast desert sky. "Because this old man hates the World Government, too. Sooner or later, I'm going to topple it."
Having dropped that bombshell, Rowan turned away and continued walking toward the palace. The plaza in front of the royal residence was to be the heart of the festivities.
Beside him, Zoro and Momousagi didn't even blink, acting as if they hadn't heard a word.
Boom!
In Robin's mind, it felt as if a physical explosion had occurred. she froze mid-step, staring at Rowan's receding back in utter disbelief.
This old man... actually has such thoughts?
Her breathing grew heavy, then shallow, as she struggled to process the gravity of his statement. After a moment of internal turmoil, she hurried to catch up. But this time, her eyes held a flicker of steely resolve.
With a single sentence, Rowan had struck the softest part of Robin's heart. Her tentative cooperation had shifted into something far deeper: a fierce, unwavering loyalty.
The banquet was magnificent, a sea of food, music, and laughter that lasted until the small hours of the morning.
When the sun crested the horizon the next day, Rowan opened his eyes in a luxurious guest suite within the palace, feeling thoroughly refreshed. Meanwhile, out on the Grand Line, a piece of news was spreading like wildfire across the seas:
"One of the Royal Shichibukai, Sir Crocodile, attempted to incite a civil war in the Alabasta Kingdom and has been executed by Marine Godfather Rowan!"
Following Doflamingo, another Warlord had been taken down!
"That damned man again!"
Atop the Red Line, within the Holy Land of Mariejois.
A roar of fury echoed through the massive halls of the Authority. The communications officer who had delivered the report lowered his head so far his chin touched his chest, not daring to make eye contact. He had served the Five Elders for years, but this was the first time he had seen them lose their composure so completely.
"You are dismissed," one of the Elders commanded, waving a hand while another continued to fume.
"Yes, my Lords!" The officer backed out of the room, keeping his eyes glued to the floor until the heavy doors groaned shut.
Once they were alone, the Elder in the white keikogi, clutching a massive katana (Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro), spoke coldly. "Peter, compose yourself. We are the heads of the World Government. What will people think if word of this outburst gets out?"
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter took several deep breaths, the angry flush on his face receding slightly, though his expression remained grim. "Nusjuro, that man Rowan is repeatedly flouting the rules of the World Government! He clearly has no respect for our authority!"
"He bypassed protocol and executed a Shichibukai, yes. It is a gross overreach," another Elder noted. "But Crocodile brought this on himself. The reports say Rowan acted because King Cobra personally requested his help. If that's the case, we have no legal pretext to move against him."
"But we can't just let him continue this arrogance!"
"Should we... inform Lord Imu?"
"No! If we trouble Lord Imu with such trivialities, it's as good as admitting we are incompetent."
"Then what do we do?"
While the Five Elders were locked in a circular debate, the atmosphere at Marine Headquarters, Marineford, was quite different.
"Bwahaha! As expected of the Old Man! He saw right through that brat Crocodile's little scheme in an instant!"
Garp's boisterous laughter boomed out from Sengoku's office. Opposite him, Sengoku watched the laughing hero and shook his head, feeling a headache coming on.
Garp might act like a buffoon, but he wasn't stupid. On major issues, he had profound foresight—you don't take down the Rocks Pirates without it. But Garp hated dealing with "details."
Details like: what kind of waves will this cause across the world? How will the World Government react to the unauthorized execution of their sanctioned privateer? How will the other Shichibukai feel seeing two of their own fall in such short order? How will the Yonko in the New World respond?
Sengoku had to calculate all of this. Garp, meanwhile, was just thrilled his mentor was kicking ass.
"Sengoku! Did you see? Lord Rowan took out Crocodile! Hahahaha!"
As Sengoku was sighing, another burst of laughter filled the room as the door was kicked open. Zephyr marched in, waving a newspaper.
Sengoku massaged his temples. "Zephyr, I am the Fleet Admiral. I obviously knew this news before anyone else. Do you think I spend all day napping?"
Zephyr grinned. "Heh, sorry, I forgot. But Rowan-sensei is truly incredible. To root out Crocodile from the shadows like that... it's classic."
"Alright, settle down," Sengoku groaned. "Don't celebrate too early."