The Fish-Man race is naturally not very good at political matters.
Even though they look almost exactly like humans and have similar social systems, they are never really accepted into human politics.
Until recently, the weak and sickly Queen Otohime barely managed to step into the human political arena.
So, for most Fish-Men, "politics" must be something complicated and annoying.
Tiger and Hocka used to think so too, until they met Ryan Rowan.
Even after preparing themselves mentally, their eyes widened when they heard Rowan's "plan."
What...is he talking about?
Something about "secretly keeping virus weapons," something about "having to fire the cannons as a last resort"...
No one would believe that!
Tiger shook his head, looking confused.
"Mr. Rowan, if I may be so bold, what you're saying is a bit... ridiculous?"
Since they had just met, Tiger didn't want to be too harsh.
"The World Government wouldn't believe a reason like that, would they? It feels like..."
He stopped there, not wanting to be impolite.
But Hocka was much more straightforward and had even fought with Rowan, so he said directly, "It's just like the thugs in Fish-Man District making excuses and being unreasonable!"
Clap, clap, clap, clap...
Before Rowan could answer, Crocodile, who was nearby, waved his hand and laughed loudly:
"Congratulations, you finally understand what 'politics' is!"
Hocka and Tiger still looked confused.
They couldn't connect the profound words "politics" with "making excuses and being unreasonable."
But seeing Rowan's smiling face, it seemed like he agreed with Crocodile's statement!
"Whether it's the thugs in Fish-Man District or the so-called 'politicians' sitting high above, they're all the same."
Rowan explained with a smile:
"When both sides are about the same 'size,' the thugs will make excuses and be unreasonable to each other for their territories, and the politicians will do the same for their interests."
"--But the condition is that the 'size' of both sides is about the same."
Hocka and Tiger were still a little confused, but they finally understood part of what Rowan meant.
It was indeed an extremely ridiculous statement.
If an ordinary person said that, the World Government would think they were crazy.
But if the "Four Seas Alliance" said it, no matter how ridiculous it was, the World Government would have to take it seriously.
Because the World Government was facing an existence with enough "size!"
"But it's still just a 'lie.'"
After understanding that, Tiger's expression still didn't relax.
As Rowan said before, Fish-Man Tom was a "well-known" man.
He never hid that he built ships for Gol D. Roger, because it was true, and the Oro Jackson was Tom's pride.
At the same time, he used his abilities to fairly get a ten-year suspended sentence with the idea of the "sea train."
If Spandam hadn't framed him, Tom would have been able to live a decent life.
Rowan rejected Tiger's plan to break him out of prison, but at the same time, he gave the World Government a "lie."
It seemed a bit strange.
If Tom himself knew the truth, he might refuse the Four Seas Alliance's help!
"Of course, so that statement isn't a 'lie' at all."
Rowan tapped the table next to him lightly, smiling.
"It's -- 'framing.'"
"Huh?"
Tiger and Hocka were both surprised.
Crocodile understood what Rowan meant and slowly said while smoking a cigar:
"The judicial ship is the face of the World Government, how could they admit that there were virus weapons on board?"
"In that case, the World Government will definitely investigate the remaining clues on the judicial ship."
"Then, the fact that the Fish-Man was framed will naturally be found out."
Tiger and Hocka understood after hearing that.
"I see."
But Crocodile's words were obviously not finished.
He looked at Rowan, and their eyes met, both thinking about deeper things.
Because of the difference in information, their thoughts were slightly different.
Crocodile thought that whoever framed the Fish-Man shipwright, once it was proven, it would become a scandal for the World Government.
That was the judicial ship, which represented the World Government's law itself, if there were false cases in front of the world, that would be terrible!
In this way, the Four Seas Alliance had the capital to restrain the World Government.
In the political sense, the more of this "capital" the better.
And Rowan?
He knew that Spandam, the head of CP5, framed Tom, so he knew better that once the truth was found out, the World Government would definitely be willing to pay the corresponding "price" to calm things down.
The Four Seas Alliance could do a lot with that "price!"
...
Tiger didn't know Rowan and Crocodile's follow-up thoughts, his main goal now was to save his people.
After thinking for a moment, Tiger finally chose to believe in the emperor who accepted the Fish-Man race.
"In short, we need to act quickly."
Tiger said in a deep voice, "The World Government is already preparing to take Tom to Enies Lobby for execution, and Alabasta is not close to Water 7."
But Rowan shook his head.
"Don't worry, we have ways to cross 'space'."
"I see."
Tiger nodded, feeling that as expected of a force that could compete with the World Government, they had many cards up their sleeve.
A way to cross space?
Sounds amazing.
Then, Crocodile, in the expectant eyes of Tiger and Hocka, took out a Den Den Mushi from his coat and put it on the table next to Rowan.
Looking at the surprised faces of the two men, Crocodile smiled darkly, looking very happy.
"Technology that can let voices cross space -- amazing, isn't it?"
Tiger: "..."
Hocka: "..."
...
Den Den Mushi, in a sense, is indeed a very amazing technology.
Being able to let voices cross space is amazing enough.
Hocka's Warlord appointment letter had the Marine Headquarters' contact information, which was an exclusive communication line for the Warlords.
Rowan dialed the Den Den Mushi, and it seemed that a Marine Headquarters operator answered the phone.
"Who is this?"
They must be one of the Warlords, they are all ambitious people who are hard to control, so the operator must have a strong presence, otherwise they would show weakness.
Rowan smiled and said slowly, "I'm Ryan Rowan, I'm looking for Sengoku."
Operator: "…?"
That casual tone, as if he was just calling an old friend to chat.
The operator was stunned for a long time before answering, "Okay...okay, I'll transfer you to Sengoku, the Fleet Admiral."
He didn't doubt whether Rowan's identity was real, because no one dared to pretend to be that emperor from eight hundred years ago.
...
That evening.
Sengoku, who had finished a day's work, stood in front of the window and stretched.
Then, the phone on the desk rang.
Sengoku answered the phone, and the person on the other end claimed to be Ryan Rowan.
That was Sengoku and Rowan's first official conversation.
Rowan told Sengoku a thrilling "story."
A vicious criminal holding virus weapons from the North Sea escaped and made a deal with a traitor on the judicial ship, they planned to detonate the terrible biological virus weapons again in Water 7.
Fish-Man Tom discovered their plot and, in order to prevent the judicial ship from falling, had to fire on the judicial ship in a hurry.
"In short, you must thank Fish-Man Tom!"
Rowan said with emotion, "The Four Seas Alliance will be going to Water 7 to investigate recently, you must take care of the hero who saved the judicial ship and Water 7!"
After saying a few words, Rowan hung up the phone.
Sengoku also put down the Den Den Mushi and sat down in his seat,deep in thought.
A few minutes later, Sengoku finally stood up.
At this moment, he only had one thought in his mind --
What is this person talking about?
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