One Piece Thundergod Marine

Although this is still a Fleet Admiral succession battle, it is undoubtedly different from the original storyline. 

The shifts in mindset have created an entirely different outcome. 

In the original story, Aokiji left not just because he couldn't accept Akainu's ideology but also because, at the time, he adhered to his "Laid-Back Justice." 

Commonly referred to as "Slacker Justice." 

Had Akainu's promotion not been so unbearable, Aokiji wouldn't have stepped forward to compete for the position at all. 

After his defeat, he sank into despair, like a turned-over salted fish, unwilling to lift himself back up. 

---

But now… 

Thanks to Rowen's relentless provocations, Aokiji had shed his lethargic persona and rekindled the fiery passion of his younger days when he had first joined the Marines. 

The once "salted fish" had evolved into a "Carp King," leaping tirelessly with renewed vigor. 

At this moment, his heart burned with passion and determination. He didn't know the meaning of the word "quit." Like the protagonist of a hot-blooded action manga, his resolve couldn't be broken, no matter the hardship. 

Even if fate mirrored the original plot and he lost the battle, Aokiji would never consider resigning. He wouldn't abandon his past, nor the Marines he wanted to change. 

He would stay and persist, doubling down on his "clashing ideologies" with Akainu. No — this was a lifelong battle of beliefs! 

Thinking about it, the dynamic even had a striking resemblance to Sengoku and Garp! 

---

Similarly, if the story deviated and Akainu lost, he wouldn't leave the Marines either. 

With the vocal support of a promising new talent like Rowen, and given Akainu's naturally tenacious and unsentimental personality, he would seize any opportunity and refuse to let go. 

This was both the most criticized and admired trait of officers from the War Faction — their unyielding stubbornness and extremism. 

---

With both men unlikely to back down, the only way this would end would be if one of them was truly removed — by death, perhaps. Otherwise, they'd both remain in the Marines, locked in a bitter struggle, endlessly butting heads like fire and water. 

And Rowen, as the keystone of this delicate balance, had become an irreplaceable figure. 

Like the 'Thunder God Island', the setting of their final battle, Rowen lurked in the background, orchestrating events as the shadowy puppet master. No matter how Akainu and Aokiji clashed, they were ultimately dancing in the palm of his hand. 

---

Imagining the potential scenes of the future… 

Sengoku couldn't help but shiver. 

'This is all one big conspiracy!' 

On the surface, it seemed like a perfect resolution. But the sheer stench of scheming that permeated the situation, the foreseeable twists and turns, were simply too much to bear. 

Compared to Rowen's manipulative genius, Sengoku suddenly found Garp — someone he'd always considered frustrating — oddly endearing. 

Sure, Garp was a slacker, but at least he was harmless! 

The old saying was true: everything becomes more tolerable by comparison. 

---

"So, you asked me who I support as Fleet Admiral?" Rowen shrugged nonchalantly. "Naturally, I support Kizaru, of course!" 

Leaving Sengoku utterly dumbfounded, Rowen walked out, shutting the door behind him. 

---

Long after Rowen's departure, Sengoku's heavily wrinkled face slowly crinkled further, breaking into an uncontrollable grin like a blooming flower. 

"Hahahaha! Hahahahaha!" 

---

Elsewhere, as Rowen prepared for his departure, Ain curiously asked, "Rowen, aren't you going to watch the battle?" 

She was packing Rowen's belongings while speaking. 

The epic duel between Aokiji and Akainu had spread like wildfire across the seas. Even though the Marines had already sealed off 'Thunder God Island', countless people were still trying to sneak over to witness the fight that would decide the future of the Marine organization. 

This feverish excitement had even infected the Marines themselves. Many officers were finding excuses to go out on missions, hoping to sneak away and catch a glimpse of the showdown. 

Yet Rowen — the Marine's 'Soryu' (Azure Dragon), soon to be promoted to Admiral and a potential future Fleet Admiral candidate — was heading back to G-10 at this critical moment. 

''Why?!''

Hearing the question, Rowen let out a helpless sigh. 

"I want to go too, Senior Sister! But the Marines only have three Admirals. With two of them going to 'Thunder God Island' for a duel, it significantly weakens the defensive perimeter we've established in the First Half of the Grand Line." 

"You know I've already signed the pledge for promotion, so technically I can take charge as an Admiral. To ensure everything is secure, the Fleet Admiral naturally won't allow me to leave." 

"Now that I'm heading back to the base, at least I can relax a bit. Otherwise..." 

Rowen shook his head knowingly. 

He understood all too well that the battle between Akainu and Aokiji would take no less than ten days or half a month to conclude. Add in the travel time, and the entire ordeal would likely drag on for at least a month. 

In such a lengthy span, if any unexpected missions arose, it was clear who Sengoku would assign to handle them. 

Hearing this, Ain nodded in confusion but accepted his reasoning. 

"That makes sense; you're right." 

Rowen's lips twitched as he watched her nod along. He almost wanted to ask, 'Where's your sense of justice?!' 

'I'm just slacking off here, for crying out loud!' 

---

Regardless, until Rowen officially assumed the position of Admiral, he was still the Base Commander of G-10. Returning to his post was a logical step, and all Sengoku could do was glare at him, twirling his mustache in frustration as he reluctantly watched Rowen depart. 

However, Rowen's departure sparked considerable discussion at Marine Headquarters. Many speculated that he was avoiding taking sides — a display of political awareness. 

In reality, they were overthinking it. 

---

"So... being an Admiral isn't all sunshine and rainbows after all." 

"Sure, the power is significant — you can even deploy a 'Buster Call' at will — but it comes with its own set of sacrifices." 

In the depths of the G-10 fortress, within the underground chamber beneath the "sky well," Rowen spoke with a deep sense of irony. 

"..." 

Dante, who had been gripping his sword, raised and lowered it repeatedly. Confronted by the overwhelming gulf in strength between them, he hesitated, contemplating whether to take a swing at Rowen or not. 

'Does this guy even hear himself?!' 

'(凸艹皿艹)!!' 

'If you don't want it, give it to me!' 

Becoming an Admiral was the dream of every Marine. Could Rowen not act so indifferent about it?! 

As Dante wavered, the door to the chamber swung open, prompting him to abandon the enticing notion entirely. 

"That should about do it. Call someone in to help," Rowen instructed calmly as he surveyed the piles of gold scattered across the floor — an amount large enough to purchase an entire kingdom. 

---

If there was one downside to becoming an Admiral, it was that Rowen had to relinquish his role as the G-10 Base Commander. 

The "G" series branches served not only as key defensive hubs for the Marines on the Grand Line but also as platforms for Vice Admirals to showcase their capabilities — an opportunity to prove themselves and advance further up the chain of command. 

In other words, it was a way to "earn seniority." 

Having already surpassed that stage, with his Admiral appointment papers sitting on his desk, Rowen no longer had any justification to remain as the Base Commander. 

Thus, as an Admiral-in-waiting, he was obligated to relocate to Marine Headquarters. This return trip was primarily to collect some of the "unspeakable secrets" he had left behind at G-10. 

The thousands of tons of gold before him were one such secret. And then there was... 

---

"What about the explosives in the secret passage?" 

Dante set down the Den Den Mushi and asked, "What if someone triggers them by accident and blows the entire base to smithereens?"

Back when Kizaru first confronted Rowen, Dante's small room turned out to house the detonation mechanism for the explosives spread throughout the G-10 fortress.

The utterly ruthless Rowen had a profound understanding of just how dangerous his work was. As such, he filled even his own home with explosives, loaded with powdered Seastone to counter Ability users, always ready to fake his death and make an escape. 

Special thanks went to 'Capone Bege' of the West Blue for his generous provision of Seastone. Without it, Rowen would have spent considerably more time and effort completing this setup. 

For years, one could accurately say they had been "sleeping atop a mountain of explosives." 

---

"No need. Leave it for the next Base Commander as a trump card," Rowen said, shaking his head when the subject came up. 

"After all, without us, whether the undefeated legend of G-10 can continue is uncertain. Having a contingency plan isn't a bad idea." 

Dante: "..." 

'What kind of 'contingency' is blowing everyone up together?! A kamikaze tactic?!'

---

"Ain has already relocated Monet to the residential district for Marine families near Headquarters. Inform Gan Fall to sort through the research data, destroy anything unnecessary, and leave no traces behind..." 

Transporting the gold was a time-consuming process. As Rowen and Dante returned to the surface, they discussed the finer details of the handover. 

At that moment, a soldier came running up, gasping for breath. 

"Senior official, there's an urgent message from the 'Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars)'!" 

"What happened?" 

Rowen raised an eyebrow. The Admiral appointment was already finalized, with only the formal assumption of duties left. Why were the 'Gorōsei' reaching out to him now? 

"I don't know, sir. They just said you need to take the call immediately!" 

"Alright, I'll handle it." 

Exchanging a glance with Dante, Rowen nodded. Dante turned to oversee the final cleanup while Rowen's body exploded into a burst of electricity. In the next instant, he appeared in his office.

(End Of The Chapter)

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