North Blue.
The Golden Dragon ship once again broke through the Calm Belt and arrived in this sea area.
This crossing was actually even more perilous than the previous one.
After all, this time, there were several sea beasts following them.
Normally, they could roam freely, but in the Calm Belt, they were absolutely at a disadvantage. A slight mistake could result in collective bullying from the Sea Kings.
They did encounter some harassment from the Sea Kings, but these enormous monsters obediently fled under Ian's Conqueror's Haki.
Thus, they arrived in the North Blue.
Upon arriving in the North Blue, Ian didn't stop for a moment and continued heading in a specific direction.
Morgans had said that the Donquixote family was heading in that direction.
"Op-Op Fruit?"
On the deck of the Golden Dragon ship, Hancock's second sister, Sandersonia, was a bit confused. "Is that fruit really that powerful?"
Just for a Devil Fruit, is it worth all this trouble?
"Op-Op Fruit is no ordinary Devil Fruit."
Ian chuckled lightly.
If we talk about extravagant abilities, even Nika doesn't compare to the Op-Op Fruit.
"Five billion Berries."
Ian said, "That's the price the Marines and Diez Barrels offered for this fruit during the trade."
"Five billion!"
Sandersonia was stunned.
This number was just too exaggerated.
It was beyond her imagination.
"Five billion?"
Yamato, who was sitting on the side of the ship and swinging her legs, spoke in surprise. "Doesn't that make it four Ians?"
Ian laughed heartily. "You could say that."
Strictly speaking, four wouldn't even be enough; his bounty was only 1.2 billion.
"But why?"
Law was very confused. After all, it's just a Devil Fruit.
You have to know, the cheapest Devil Fruit is only worth one million Berries!
Even a Logia-type fruit wouldn't sell for this price, right?
Ian gave Law a deep look. "Because the Op-Op Fruit has an ultimate ability, known as Immortality Operation."
"Immortality Operation?"
Jack was shocked and couldn't help but ask, "Brother Ian, what does that mean?"
"It means exactly what it sounds like," Ian said. "When the user of the Op-Op Fruit masters its ability, they can use their own life as the cost to perform the Immortality Operation on others."
"But how exactly the immortality works, I'm not sure."
Perhaps, it's the source of the Five Elders' immortality.
"Using your own life as a cost?"
Law frowned. "A Devil Fruit that sacrifices oneself like this?"
"That's exactly it."
Ian chuckled softly.
"If that's the case," Hancock leaned in, "I'll definitely grab this fruit for Ian!"
"Hey! Snake woman! I told you to stay away from Ian!"
"Hah? Wolf woman! What are you talking about!"
The two immediately started fighting again.
"Are you the one with the green algae hair and curly eyebrows?"
Ian shook his head as he was used to it.
In any case, the Op-Op Fruit was not far away now.
Ahead of the Golden Dragon ship, in the waters not far away, a flamingo-like sea vessel sped forward.
Doflamingo stood on the deck, gazing at the endless blue sea.
This time, he could be said to have mobilized everything. He brought almost all the executives of the Donquixote family to the North Blue!
One could say, he was determined to get the Op-Op Fruit.
However, what he didn't know was that the situation had already changed dramatically from what he originally thought.
"The meeting location is Rubeck Island, but once those ignorant pirates and navy meet, it will be impossible to take the Op-Op Fruit," Doflamingo chuckled.
"So, we need to act before that. That idiot pirate will definitely be waiting on one of the islands near Rubeck before the trade. That's when we strike and find him, and Virgo will help too."
"Heh heh heh."
A strange laugh came from behind. The senior executive, Trebol, chuckled. "Once Doflamingo gets his hands on the immortality operation, the world will be ours!"
"Heh heh heh!"
Doflamingo felt at ease.
Yes!
The immortality operation—once he had it, he would have a chance to lay his hands on the Celestial Dragon's national treasure!
At that time, the Celestial Dragons? Pirate Emperors? And Ian—
All of them would kneel before him!
He couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"But Doffy, who do you plan to have eat this fruit?" Trebol asked with a grin.
"Isn't Rosinante still alive?"
Doflamingo grinned. "I kept him alive for this very reason."
"Heh heh heh, you're right. That guy definitely needs to repay us for our kindness."
Trebol chuckled along with him.
At the very bottom of this large ship, there was a prison.
A certain someone, almost unrecognizable as human, was imprisoned here, completely still.
Not long after, in a certain sea region of the North Blue.
A massive warship quietly loomed in the waters.
Next to the giant warship was a slightly smaller ship, surrounded by several even smaller warships.
"Has that pirate crew not shown up yet?"
A refined man, dressed in a neat suit with a justice cloak draped over his shoulders, his purple hair neatly combed and wearing gold-rimmed glasses, spoke with some urgency.
"The surveillance ships have already been deployed around Rubeck Island,"
An elderly lady, sharp and lively, stood beside him with her arms crossed, speaking calmly, "The surrounding islands, Flying Swallow Island and Minion Island, are also within the surveillance range."
"However, in order to avoid alarming the enemy, we can't deploy too many ships."
The man, a former admiral and now the Navy's Chief Instructor, Zephyr, with his purple hair, nodded lightly, "The key now is the Beast Pirates, specifically Ian the Skyfire. Although we can't confirm their exact location, it's highly likely they're headed for the Op-Op Fruit."
"Then let them come! Zephyr-sensei!"
A strong voice came from behind Zephyr. He turned to see the resolute female swordsman, Gion, her stance sharp and ready for action, "Perfect timing, it's time to take revenge for the last arrow!"
"Gion, I've told you countless times,"
Zephyr said with a stern expression, "Impatience only leads you away from victory."
"…"
Gion, who had suffered a crushing defeat at Ian's hands two years ago, remained silent.
Since that defeat, she felt like she had been stuck in place.
Kuzan-san said to let her go and watch first.
However, this long two-year period of watching didn't help her step out of the shadows; instead, it was—
"How pitiful, getting scolded by Zephyr-sensei, Momousagi."
A woman with pink hair, dressed in a Marine sailor uniform, sighed lightly beside Gion. "But, Ian the Skyfire? Hina's excited too. Smoker-kun, what do you think?"
"Hmph."
A white-haired man beside her snorted coldly, a cigar between his lips.
At that moment—
"Zephyr-sensei! Vice Admiral Tsuru! We have news!"
A Marine rushed over hurriedly. "We've found a base of Barrels on Minion Island!"
Zephyr and Vice Admiral Tsuru instantly turned to face him. "Let's go! To Minion Island!"
Just minutes later, at another location in the same sea area—
"Hehehehe! It seems we're closer to it! Let's go! The target is Minion Island!"
Then—
The Golden Dragon Ship.
"Hehehehe, Ian, Donquixote Doflamingo has already headed toward some island. By the way, the Marines are also on their way, it should be there. I can see it clearly from the sky; that island seems to be called Minion Island."
Ian hung up the phone.
He turned around.
"Then, please allow me to set off, Lord Ian."
Drake said.
"Go, Drake, go and say your farewells."
"Yes!"
**********
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