Chapter 7

Rowan sat on the rock as he though of his next set of actions.

'So I will be wanted and chased by the marines. What should I do now? I can't aimlessly wonder around and get myself caught.' Rowan pulled out a map of east blue that he prepared beforehand.

'Loguetown is definitely a no. It's probably the area with most concentrated number of marines, due to its proximity to Red Line. To hide, small villages are not a suitable places to hide either. Kingdoms are likely to be heavily guarded too, so no. Which leaves cities or large towns as the best options for me. In terms of distance... this one, the city of Aurum seems to be a best option.'

'So according to this map, I would have to head north-east from my current location! Simply, I have to follow along the edge of Conomi island, before heading off in a straight direction, and I will reach the Tempus island; head north by travelling on the land, and I will reach my final destination.'

"Rowan!!"

Hearing his name, Rowan turned around to see Nojiko running towards him with panicked expression.

"Why, why have you done that?!" Nojiko grabbed the collar of Rowan's shirt. "Why put yourself into this trouble!!"

"Someone had to do it, Nojiko. Even if I didn't strike, Nezumi would have plotted something, to cover up the evidence of his corruption." Rowan calmly explained. "And we all know, that I am the only one capable."

"So are you just going to leave like this?? After everyone died, you are just going to leave like this?!" Nojiko teared up as her grip on Rowan's collar tightened.

"I... I thought it was all over after Arlong died... just why?"

"I am doing this for all of us." In an attempt to calm Nojiko, Rowan grabbed her shoulder. "If I don't leave, what will happen when the other marine branches receive this news? I will definitely be wanted, and if they discover my ties with you guys, all of us will face consequences, regardless of whether we are in fault or not."

"If there is one thing I have learnt for my past 5 years, it is to always assume the worst. Even if I seem paranoid, this is the way, Nojiko." Rowan finished his words, as he saw the villagers carrying a small boat and densely packed rations, heeding towards them.

"Rowan! These are your requests." The villagers placed the supplies in front of Rowan. "Sorry! This is all we can do for you... we can only pray that you will be able to lead a happy life."

"This is enough. Thanks, everyone." Rowan stood silently for some time, before continuing, "Well, I better leave fast, for we don't know if the news already spread. Nojiko, send Nami my regards. Goodbye, everyone."

Although emotionally attached to this village that harboured him for 17 years, it was time for Rowan to let go. Although he felt sadness of leaving his friends behind, and anxiety from the enigmatic sea that he was about to go through, he had to toughen up.

Getting on the boat, Rowan began to row the boat. He had to get out fast, since a simple boat cannot outrun the marine ships. When he was at certain distance, he heard,

"THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING, BOB!!!"

"YOU ARE OUR HERO!!"

"YOU BETTER COME BACK IN THE FUTURE!!! BOB!!!" Nojiko yelled as she stared into the horizon, where Rowan rowing away.

'Heh, Bob, huh.' Rowan felt nostalgic, as he did not hear that name for over 5 years. "Alright, it's time to begin my journey."

Turning his head to the sea that laid out in front of him, Rowan's eyes turned determined. 'I will survive no matter what.'

_________

It has been 3 days since he left the village. It was during the 2nd day that he was met with the end of the edge of Conomi island, signalling that he was not too far away from the Tempus island, located on the east.

'Let's see, I can last 5 more days with portions of rations I have. In terms of money, I have around 100 thousand Beli in total. 30 thousand from what I originally had, and 70 thousand from what villagers gave to me.' Rowan was calculating his travel.

Thanks to travelling along the edge, he was able to dodge natural calamities. Although the straight course has risks, especially when travelling by a boat, Rowan, with his inhuman strength, managed to swiftly travel in the right course.

'I should be safe around here, even if this boat breaks. I simply have to swim my way across; the island should not be too far away.' As Rowan was making some dumb thoughts that clearly will result in his death, he began to see land in front of him. 'Hopefully, this is the Tempus island.'

After few minutes, Rowan's feet finally touched a ground again. Hiding a boat within a bush, although he no longer has any use, he packed up the remaining supplies and began his detour.

'Unlike Cocoyasi, this island is quite different.' Rowan thought as he looked around. Beyond the palm trees, which are thicker and larger than the ones in Cocoyasi, the place was booming with people. Bars were full of people. Nearby was a ring that looked like Colosseum, where the bulky men were quarrelling with swords.

"Hey you, yes you!" Rowan turned around and saw a small man with a mustache, whose look resembles that of Mario, calling out to him. "You seem to be new here, Dia town! Who am I? Why, I am the greatest magician of the world, Jimmas Claise!"

"And?" Rowan asked, while thinking, 'I smell a scammer.'

"Let me show you a magic! It's a simple one, really! Do you see my hat?" Jimmas took off his cap with M insignia attached, before flipping so that the concave section is facing up. "Place money here, and watch what happens!"

"Sorry, I am not intereste-" Before Rowan could finish, he was met with Jimmas's shocking transformation.

"If not..." Jimmas suddenly bulked up from a dwarf to 10 feet hulk! "Die..."

"O-Oh yea, haha, I am interested all of a sudden. Alright, I will place 10 Beli inside." With a shaky smile, Rowan placed portion of money inside the hat, however, Jimmas showed no signs of shrinking.

"Uh, ok, 10 more."

"Hm-hmm, I am becoming increasingly curious. 100 more, I guess." Although Jimmas showed no signs of shrinking still, Rowan's petty heart could not afford to waste any more than that. "H-hey, don't you think it's your time to show magic?"

"Sir, that's not enough money." Jimmas menacingly stood over Rowan, before placing his money-filled cap back on. "Since you insist... I shall show you, a magic... that can make a human disappear from the face of the Earth."

He pounded his fists together as he approached towards Rowan.

"Oho! Seems like Jimmas the Money Titan found another prey!"

"Poor soul, that kid looks quite young too!"

"Haha, who cares! Time to enjoy another beatdown!" Drunkards and citizens alike, everyone started to gather around the commotion between Rowan and Jimmas.

Licking his lips while gazing at the pocket where he saw Rowan taking money out from, Jimmas made an evil grin, "Mariohohohohoho! You are one valuable individual! Young and healthy! Plus personal possessions! You will give me quite a fortune, mariohohoho!!"

Grimacing, Rowan clenched his fist and prepared for a battle.

Suddenly, Jimmas started to charge towards Rowan, at a... speed that seemed too slow to Rowan.

'What?? I got scared by this weakling?!' Relived, Rowan closed distance in a blinding speed before giving Jimmas a hard fist on the face.

However, Jimmas endured!!

"Did fly just fart on my face? I didn't feel anything!" Jimmas snorted, before charging yet again.

'I take it back! This due is formidable, alright!!' Looking at how tough Jimmas seemed to be, Rowan started to think his way out. 'I definitely do not want to attract an attention to myself. How will make make my way out?'

Then Rowan looked at Jimmas's hat. Money!

'I think I have an idea.' Rowan grinned in anticipation, before setting off at a blind speed again. Before Jimmas could react, Rowan snatched his hat, before spraying the money inside to the air!!

"First come, first serve!!" Rowan shouted, as other people's eyes turned into Beli signs.

"No, my money!!!!" Jimmas cried in fury, and started to fight his way with money-crazed people.

Taking the distraction to his advantage, Rowan managed to run quite a distance away from the commotion, before entering a random bar to hide.

"*Phew* That was scary." Rowan wiped a sweat before sitting down on a stool.

"Mister, bring me your cheapest menu." Rowan quickly ordered before the bar owner's stare on him intensified.

'Just what is wrong with this town? I just arrived, and some random dude just provoked me out of nowhere!' Such crowded town proved to be much dangerous than small villages, especially since it's lawless. '*Sigh*, too bad I got no choice, otherwise, I would never have come here.'

"Hey, have you heard?" All of a sudden, someone in different table spoke out to his companion. "This kid over here. Apparently, he killed that menace, Arlong, as well as the marine captain!"

The other one, who sat adjacent to the person who spoke, expressed his uncertainty. "Maybe Arlong was just a bluff. Even though the bounty poster only depicts his back, this boy looks young and average—it just sounds so unreal."

Rowan instantly froze, knowing that it was him that they were talking about. Slightly turning so that only his eyes can be seen, he carefully looked at the wanted paper they were holding.

Youchiha Bob. Wanted: Dead or Alive. Reward: 10,000,000 Beli.

Rowan was shocked of the bounty on his head, but at the same time, was relieved that the picture took displayed only his back. Since he made sure to change his attire while on the boat, others did not suspect him to be the wanted man.

'I am glad that I have an average look. No one would expect that someone plain like me is a wanted man.' Now, all Rowan hoped was that he won't get into any troubles like Jimmas. 'I will have to reach the Aurum city first. In such a large place, I will wash and forge my new identity as Rowan, a kind and good man. Afterwards, I will be able to spend my time on training without as much worries!'

With new plan in mind, Rowan gathered his resolve, as he gulped down the food he ordered.