The Golden Dragon was already on its way back to Wano.
The deck was filled with the sound of constant clashing.
Two beautiful women were fiercely fighting each other.
"I've had enough of you, you white-haired bastard!"
"You're the one! Stay away from Ian!"
Yamato was wearing a white kimono today, while Hancock wore a contrasting black qipao.
Black and white, two colors constantly colliding.
"You two, be careful,"
Ian sat not far away under a sunshade on a lounge chair, not even lifting his head, accustomedly saying, "Don't damage the aircraft."
On the spacious deck of the Golden Dragon, ten bombers were parked.
What Ian had envisioned as an aircraft carrier had now been realized, though it was, of course, a budget version.
Over the past two years, Wano's bomber factories had been officially operational, with a batch of bombers rolling off the production line every month.
The result was that there weren't enough ships capable of carrying these bombers.
So, to ensure these bombers could operate overseas, Ian waved his hand, and the islands under the Beast Pirates began a massive infrastructure movement.
Ian intended to build airports on every island that had the conditions for it, fully securing air superiority in these waters.
In addition to the aircraft, these islands were also equipped with forces to protect the airports.
The Beast Pirates, the fish-man army's divisions, and ferocious beasts from Rusukaina Island.
Land, sea, and air, with no blind spots. No ordinary New World pirate would have the strength to break through a base like this.
The reason for such extravagance was, of course, the fact that in the past two years, the Beast Pirates' forces had grown once again.
The total strength of their headquarters had surpassed 50,000, not including the Wano garrison and the fish-man troops formed before these two years.
Thanks to Fisher Tiger's help, many street thugs from Fish-Man Island had joined the Beast Pirates, and now the fish-man forces had surpassed 10,000, becoming a truly large army. The fish-men had now become an important part of the Beast Pirates.
The Beast Pirates' total strength was now close to 100,000.
"Next, we wait for Ochoku's reaction."
Law was lying on one side, his back pressed against a large iron boulder, drenched in sweat as he did push-ups. "Huff— I wonder if he will seek revenge."
"He's already fallen behind the times."
Ian said calmly, "He should just stay quietly on Hive Island. There's no stage left in the New World where he can dance."
In the past two years, aside from focusing on internal development, the Beasts Pirates had done one thing: expansion.
They expanded in all directions, swallowing up all the surrounding islands with a bold and audacious spirit.
Those willing to join the Beasts Pirates were given their flag.
Those unwilling were first beaten up before their flag was planted on their land.
Anyone trying to hinder the pirate crew's expansion was first bombarded by bombers, then a few fierce beasts were sent to create chaos. If it was on the sea, the fishman troops would ensure they sank to the bottom of the sea at the first opportunity.
The Beasts Pirates' expansion undoubtedly triggered a chain reaction throughout the entire New World.
It was almost like an arms race. The Charlotte Family began its own expansion, with Katakuri, Cracker, Smoothie, and the other monsters of the Charlotte Family using their unrivaled strength to spread Charlotte Linlin's will even further.
Then, in the latter half of the New World, Whitebeard didn't actively expand, but the people scared by the Beasts Pirates' large movements flocked to Whitebeard's crew for protection.
Thus, the three strongest pirate crews in the New World began rapidly expanding, their troops, influence, and territory all ballooning like an inflating balloon during these two years.
Emperors.
Half a year ago, Morgans proposed this title in the World Economic News.
He said that Whitebeard, Kaido, and Charlotte Linlin ruled the latter half of the New World like emperors, as if they were untouchable.
They were not only the emperors of the New World but also emperors above countless pirates.
Thus, the title "Emperor of Sea" began circulating worldwide.
At the same time, as the three great pirate crews expanded rapidly, another individual was also unwilling to stay in the shadows.
Ochoku couldn't wait to begin his own expansion.
And he was bold enough to expand just as recklessly as the Beasts Pirates, spreading in all directions, even towards Whitebeard's crew and Wano Country.
Whitebeard wasn't particularly interested in fighting over territory. As long as Ochoku didn't go too far, he couldn't be bothered.
But Kaido couldn't tolerate it.
What kind of person are you?
Do you think you're worthy of doing the same things as me?
And so, the battle that just happened took place.
Ian led his team and completely defeated the fleet under Ochoku's command that was expanding in this direction.
They swallowed up the islands occupied by Ochoku's pirate crew along the way and pushed back the boundary of Ochoku's pirate crew in this direction.
"But Brother Ian," Jack, who had grown a lot taller, now fifteen years old but already nearly seven meters tall, said casually, "What if that guy Ochoku isn't willing to give up?"
"Well, there's nothing we can do about that."
Ian smiled and stretched, "We'll just have to let him know that it's the era of the younger generation now."
Two years ago, when he punched him on Hive Island and fought against the Whitebeard Pirates, that guy also came out to make trouble. He still hadn't repaid those favors yet.
Jack's eyes instantly lit up.
He was looking forward to such a development.
"Speaking of which," Ian remembered something, "Hawkeye has become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
"A man like him actually compromised with the government. It's hard to imagine," Drake, who was also lifting a huge barbell while training just like Law, spoke up, "The man once known as the Navy Hunter has now become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
"One year ago, his duel with Shanks shocked the whole world."
"Maybe he just got tired of trouble."
Ian said leisurely, "No matter how strong he is, he's still a lone man. The title of Navy Hunter was too conspicuous, and the Navy had been chasing him endlessly. He must have gotten tired of it."
It might be hard for people to believe, but Hawkeye was actually quite laid-back.
"What about the Red-Haired Pirates?"
Ian asked.
"They've been hanging around in the East Blue for a few months now."
Black Maria replied indifferently.
She was flipping through fashion magazines with Viola and Hancock's two younger sisters. After hearing Ian's question, she spoke up, "Probably doesn't want to get involved in the escalating battle for supremacy in the New World."
"Is that so?"
Ian's lips curled up.
No rush.
Shanks finding the Gum-Gum Fruit and losing an arm—those are things for next year.
By then, I'll take a hand in things in the East Blue.
And then there's Red-Haired Shanks' daughter, the future diva Uta. The power of her Sing-Sing Fruit is practically a cheat ability.
Speaking of which, what was the name of the island she was sent to?
Can't remember the name, just know it's an island that can be called a holy land of music.
But not knowing the name doesn't matter.
When news spreads of Red-Haired Shanks destroying that island, everyone will know.
No rush. Anyway, Shanks will leave Uta on that island.
**********
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