Chapter 91 – [91] : [BONUS] – Exposure! The Seas in Turmoil! The World’s Highest Authority’s Conspiracy!

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Under Rowen’s tutelage—Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji, the Straw Hat crew’s main three combatants from the original story, all awakened both Observation Haki and Armament Haki.

Luffy and Zoro even awakened Conqueror’s Haki.

Empowered by their new abilities, the three trained with unprecedented fervor.

Rowen, meanwhile, enjoyed a leisurely life, accompanied daily by Nami and Vivi, feasting on Alabastan cuisine, and occasionally using his Haōshoku Coating to transmit spiritual power to the training trio.

(This transmission of spiritual power also required digestion, so Rowen only needed to ‘beat’ them with Haōshoku Coating once a day).

Unlike Rowen, who possessed the Born of the Sea (Apex Gold) Trait, the trio couldn’t directly enhance their Haki intensity this way; they still required diligent training.

But with Rowen, their current ‘Strongest Mentor’, guiding them, their Haki strength improved at a remarkably rapid pace.

However, in terms of raw power increase, Vivi’s progress was the most astonishing.

As princess of Alabasta, Vivi’s affinity with the Sand-Sand Fruit surpassed even Rowen’s initial expectations.

Her physique strengthened at an incredible rate, and her control over the Sand-Sand Fruit’s abilities grew rapidly alongside it—At this rate, Rowen suspected Vivi might be the first among them to achieve Devil Fruit Awakening.

Robin also got to see the Alabastan Poneglyph.

As expected, it didn’t contain the True History she sought, but thanks to Rowen’s prior explanations, Robin was prepared and felt no disappointment—She simply continued to read history books quietly by Rowen’s side, awaiting the day they set sail again.

Because of Rowen’s planning and maneuvering—the Alabasta incident concluded much earlier than in the original story, granting them more time for rest and preparation.

Once Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji thoroughly familiarized themselves with Armament and Observation Haki, it would be time to set sail.

Another reason for the extended stay was to give Vivi more time with her father, King Cobra, before her departure with Rowen—Cobra truly was a Great father, always considering his daughter’s well-being.

When Vivi informed Cobra of her decision to leave with Rowen—Cobra raised no objections.

The very next day, he announced to the entire nation that he was disowning Vivi, stripping her of her royal status.

Nefertari Vivi was now officially a pirate, no longer a princess of Alabasta.

Of course, this was merely a formality for the World Government’s benefit. Cobra didn’t want to become a weakness the World Government could exploit against Vivi.

Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords under the World Government, had just orchestrated such a heinous incident in Alabasta.

With this public disownment, the World Government had no pretext to trouble the Alabasta Kingdom further. Vivi was also freed from any lingering obligations.

Naturally, within Alabasta, all citizens knew the truth:

Princess Vivi had joined the pirate crew that saved their nation from the Warlord Crocodile—the crew of the great pirate—’Sky Sovereign’ Rowen.

Princess Vivi would always be their Princess Vivi.

While Rowen and his crewmates were resting and preparing for their next voyage…

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“Buru-buru-buru!”

Click!

“Vice Admiral Gion speaking.”

“Vice Admiral Gion. In recognition of you and your subordinates foiling Crocodile’s plot to overthrow the Alabasta Kingdom and eliminating the villain Crocodile—you will be awarded a medal of honor at Headquarters in one week. Master Chief Petty Officer Tashigi and Captain Hina will be promoted one rank.”

Hearing the voice from the Transponder Snail, Gion remained silent for a moment.

“Understood,” she replied curtly, then hung up.

“Vice Admiral Gion?! When did we foil Crocodile’s plot and kill him?! Wasn’t that all—Rowen? Sky Sovereign Rowen?!”

Tashigi burst into Gion’s quarters, having just received the World Government’s commendation order. In her agitation, she almost blurted out Rowen’s name directly but corrected herself at the last second.

“Tashigi, just accept it. The Government needs to cover up this scandal—” Hina sighed, gently restraining Tashigi, her own expression somewhat grim.

“The Seven Warlords, alongside Marine HQ, are a crucial force against the Four Emperors. Their image cannot be tarnished by Crocodile’s actions. Justice—must serve the greater good,” Gion explained, looking at Tashigi—this young Marine who, despite being a woman, still possessed that fervent, pure sense of justice.

Gion sighed, speaking more than she usually would.

“…” Tashigi crumpled the commendation order in her fist, biting her lip hard. The award felt scorching hot, deeply unsettling.

Her mind flashed back to Loguetown—to Rowen’s words: “Whether I am justice or evil—follow in my footsteps and see for yourself.”

Rowen’s powerful laughter echoed clearly in her mind.

And the Navy’s supposed justice… was becoming blurry.

Rowen had crushed Crocodile’s conspiracy, saved Alabasta. Yet the World Government, for the sake of ‘influence’, condoned the Warlords’ evil deeds, even covering up this scandal.

“Don’t overthink it. Let’s return to HQ. When you receive your medal in a week, don’t show any unusual emotions. There will definitely be newspaper reporters conducting interviews,” Hina advised, patting Tashigi’s shoulder before sighing and leaving.

Tashigi remained alone, crushing the commendation into a tight ball.

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World Economic News Agency Headquarters!

“THIS IS HUGE NEWS! The World Government must be scrambling to cover up a scandal like this right now!” Morgans cackled, looking at the reports in his hand.

“Want to maintain that boring, tasteless balance on the seas?! DREAM ON!” Morgans’ eyes gleamed with a strange light.

“As expected of Sky Sovereign Rowen! I wasn’t wrong about you! This—is news that will shake the entire world!” Morgans exclaimed, pacing excitedly around his office. He then slammed his hand down on the freshly printed latest edition.

“Get this report—distributed across the entire sea—at top speed! These stagnant waters are finally boiling! How can we let them calm down now?! The era of upheaval—is upon us!”

Morgans roared with laughter.

Front Page Headline:

[SKY SOVEREIGN ROWEN! DEFEATS WARLORD CROCODILE!]

[SKY SOVEREIGN ROWEN! REPELS MARINE HQ VICE ADMIRAL! ADMIRAL CANDIDATE! PINK RABBIT!]

Countless News Coos, at maximum speed, flew out from every World Economic News Agency outpost, carrying this explosive report to every corner of the sea.

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Atop the Red Line! The Holy Land! Mariejois!

Here resided the World’s Highest Authority.

Inside Pangea Castle, within a lavish, spacious chamber, five elderly men were gathered.

BANG!

“MORGAN’S! That bastard! How dare he publish such a report!” An old man with a prominent birthmark on his forehead and a distinctive two-pronged mustache slammed a newspaper onto the table, his face flushed with anger.

—Saint Topman Warcury, Warrior God of Justice.

“Calm yourself. This isn’t the first time Morgans has disregarded everything for a scoop. But I didn’t expect him to be this fast, publishing before we could even commend Gion,” another old man, with a long beard and long hair, stated gravely.

—Saint Marcus Mars, Warrior God of Environment.

“Is it because he was already tracking that brat? Allowing him to get firsthand information?” questioned an old man with a scar on his chest, short blonde hair, and a beard.

—Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, Warrior God of Agriculture.

“Hmph! Arrogant punk!” An old man with a bald head, wearing glasses and cradling a famed sword, snorted angrily.

—Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, Warrior God of Finance.

“Regardless, from now on, we can no longer ignore this brat. Sky Sovereign Rowen,” an old man with curly hair, a bushy beard, and holding a cane, picked up Rowen’s wanted poster.

—Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, Warrior God of Science and Defense.

“Able to use multiple Devil Fruit powers… repel Gion… and kill Crocodile… Though a brat, his strength cannot be underestimated—” the long-bearded Mars commented slowly.

“He’s just a little kid who doesn’t know his place! Our World Government has stood for eight hundred years—We’ve seen far too many self-important, delusional fools,” Warcury sneered.

“Compared to this brat, the Seven Warlords are more important. With Crocodile, that arrogant fool, killed—the seven figures used to deter other pirates now have a vacancy. And he was killed by a rookie pirate, no less—!”

“—This will damage the Warlords’ reputation for intimidating the seas. Even a small crack, if ignored, can become an irreparable breach. The balance of the seas MUST NOT be broken,” The blonde Ju Peter stated calmly.

From their lofty position, a so-called Sky Sovereign Rowen was insignificant.

So what if he could use multiple Devil Fruits? So what if he could repel an Admiral Candidate?

Even Marine Admirals were merely pawns in their eyes.

What they valued—was the balance of the seas.

“That’s not difficult to handle. Fortunately, that brat already has considerable notoriety. Since the news of Crocodile’s defeat by him has spread and cannot be suppressed—then we simply elevate that brat’s bounty to a level unattainable by most pirates. This will dilute the negative impact of Crocodile’s death. As for Gion being defeated by Rowen—strip Gion of her Admiral Candidate status as punishment,” Saturn declared coldly.

The seven pirates chosen as Warlords were all infamous figures; their reputations were used to intimidate other pirates, creating an anchor point between Marine HQ and the Four Emperors, serving the World Government’s goal of balancing the seas.

Since Crocodile’s death couldn’t be hidden, they would simply inflate the reputation of the brat who killed him.

Give the brat an absurdly high bounty.

And Gion—her original commendation would naturally be canceled, replaced by punishment. Spin the news of Gion being repelled into a crushing defeat.

Let Admiral Candidate Gion become another stepping stone for his fame…

Being defeated by a Super pirate rookie capable of defeating an Admiral Candidate and possessing a terrifying bounty—wouldn’t significantly tarnish the other Warlords’ reputations for intimidating the seas.

As for the Navy suffering scrutiny?

The Navy was merely one of their violent enforcement arms; their ‘FACE’ was irrelevant.

“Regarding Crocodile’s attempt to overthrow Alabasta—pin that on the brat as well. Cobra’s daughter, Nefertari Vivi, just so happened to join his crew; perfect for spinning a narrative. Define his pirate crew as an extremely evil group responsible for heinous incidents—”

“—The Alabasta Incident was actually Princess Nefertari Vivi, in collusion with Sky Sovereign Rowen of the Straw Hat Pirates, attempting to usurp the Alabastan throne—”

“—Under the combined might of the Navy and Warlord Crocodile, though it cost the life of one Warlord and the defeat of former Admiral Candidate Gion—they held out until World Government reinforcements arrived, forcing the usurpers to retreat and foiling their conspiracy, thus maintaining the stability of a World Government affiliated nation. Nefertari Cobra, by righteously disowning his kin, upheld the World Government’s authority—he shall be commended. Strip Nefertari Vivi of the Nefertari surname,” Saturn continued.

Since Crocodile’s death couldn’t be undone, the scandal of a Warlord attempting to overthrow an affiliated nation had to be covered up.

Now, they had the perfect pretext!

Cobra announcing Vivi was no longer a princess but a pirate—was the best excuse to fabricate a new narrative.

“Excellent! This minimizes the damage. As for commending the Navy for fighting Sky Sovereign Rowen—Gion’s defeat is already public knowledge. So, heavily commend that Master Chief Petty Officer and the Captain. Portray them as heroes who protected King Cobra during his retreat, held out until World Government reinforcements arrived, and then assisted the World Government in repelling Sky Sovereign Rowen. That Master Chief Petty Officer—promote her directly to Marine HQ Commander. That Captain—promote her directly to Marine HQ Rear Admiral,” Mars added.

He was referring to Tashigi and Hina.

Since Gion’s defeat was known, they’d simply pick two others to be the heroes who protected Cobra.

As for the credit for repelling Rowen and saving Alabasta? The Navy wouldn’t get it; the World Government would claim direct intervention.

This not only covered the scandal but also reinforced the World Government’s authority!

“However… Monkey D. Luffy… ‘D’ again. The Navy—published such a name without our permission,” Warcury picked up Luffy’s wanted poster, his voice cold.

‘D’ was a taboo for the World Government.

Even the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, had his name altered to Gold Roger by government decree.

“Monkey… that’s Garp’s surname, isn’t it? If not for building him up as a hero, and considering the Dragon incident… Hmph,” Nusjuro snorted.

“Let the Navy handle it. Circulate this revised account of events to the entire world immediately! Spread the infamy of Sky Sovereign Rowen attempting to overthrow Alabasta! Brand him as SUPREMELY EVIL! Have the Navy apprehend him as soon as possible—Eliminate all negative impact!”

“And immediately select a candidate to fill the Warlord vacancy. Maintain the balance of the Three Great Powers,” Saturn concluded.

“AGREED.”

“AGREED.”

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Marine Headquarters.

BANG!!!

“BASTARDS!” Sengoku roared, veins bulging on his forehead as he read the orders from the Five Elders.

It was Crocodile who tried to overthrow Alabasta, yet it was twisted into Sky Sovereign Rowen and Nefertari Vivi!

And if that wasn’t enough—the blame was then shifted onto the Navy, while the World Government painted themselves as the heroes who repelled Rowen and protected an affiliated nation!

“At least Tashigi and Hina were commended… It’s not the worst possible outcome,” Vice Admiral Tsuru sighed.

Sengoku could only grit his teeth and accept it. After all, the Navy was just one of the World Government’s public faces.

“However… what an astonishing bounty. The Government actually raised it to that level,” Tsuru commented, picking up the new wanted poster.

“Those old fools… they’ll do anything for their so-called ‘BALANCE’. As for capturing him… isn’t Aokiji in the first half of the Grand Line? Let him handle it,” Sengoku snorted coldly.

“Understood,” Tsuru nodded.

The wanted posters, accompanied by the World Government’s official report, spread across the seas.

Combined with the World Economic News Agency’s earlier explosive coverage—THE ENTIRE WORLD WAS NOW IN AN UPROAR!

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