Black Arm Zephyr.
The name of the man in front of him.
Former Admiral of the Navy Headquarters, the Navy's Chief Instructor, every title is terrifying.
Ian truly didn't expect that the Navy would send him here.
But this doesn't seem right.
In the original story, unless it involved the Donquixote family, even Vice Admiral Tsuru probably wouldn't come.
The Op-Op Fruit is valuable, but there's no need for a former Admiral to come, right?
Could it be that he's here for me?
Ian squinted, gently landing on the ground.
Morgans!
Apart from that scruffy bird, there's no one else who could leak my movements.
You want big news, huh?
Double the profit, you clearly know how to play with the media.
"That's Ian the Skyfire!"
Behind Zephyr, a new female Navy officer with pink hair looked at Ian in surprise, "Really surprised Hina, although he looks a bit more mature than the wanted poster, but he's only fifteen, huh?"
Next to the woman was a man with white hair.
He was puffing on a cigar, constantly scanning Ian's companions behind him—Yamato of Frozen Sea, Witch Hancock, Giant Elephant Jack, Black Widow Black Maria, Bomber Drake, and a kid with a spotted cap who wasn't even on the wanted list.
The officers from the Golden Flying Dragon ship had all arrived.
The man's eyes were filled with excitement.
The notorious criminals he had only seen in newspapers and wanted posters were now right in front of him—he had the chance to fight them!
Not a trace of fear in his heart, on the contrary, he was itching for a fight.
Battle... how exhilarating!
Ian's attention was also drawn to these two new Navy officers.
That's Smoker and Hina, right?
Since these two are following behind Zephyr, it means they just recently joined the Navy, right?
Should I call it a coincidence?
"Ian!"
Yamato nearly impatiently tugged on Ian's sleeve, "Is it time to fight?"
"Wait a moment."
Ian turned to Drake, "How's it going?"
"Everything's smooth."
Drake pulled out a small box and handed it to Ian.
This little box immediately drew the attention of everyone present.
Vice-Admiral Tsuru and Black Arm Zephyr both furrowed their brows.
Donquixote Doflamingo clenched his fists. Had Ian beaten him to it?
Ian took the box without even glancing at it, casually tossing it to Law. "Hold this."
Law caught it somewhat flustered and asked in confusion, "Why give it to me?"
"Of course, because you're the weakest."
Jack casually said, "So all you need to do is protect it."
Law gritted his teeth, "Stop underestimating me! I can fight too!"
Ian just smiled. He turned his head and looked over at the Donquixote family group. "Doflamingo! Long time no see, you came too?"
"Hehehehe!"
The stiff expression on Doflamingo's face disappeared completely, replaced by a brilliant smile. "Ian, if you had told me you were interested in the Op-Op Fruit, I wouldn't have come."
"Oh? The Op-Op Fruit?"
Ian responded in surprise, "What Op-Op Fruit? Drake only mentioned he wanted to visit his family. He's here to see his father, right, Drake?"
"Yes, Lord Ian."
Drake nodded without hesitation. "But unfortunately, my father is beyond saving. He's a scumbag, and I've decided to cut ties with him."
"Is that so?"
Ian sighed. "That's a pity. Family is precious, after all."
Doflamingo twitched the corner of his mouth.
What are you pretending for?
"Ian the Skyfire!"
A calm yet powerful voice rang out.
It was Zephyr.
He stood at the top of the hill, looking down at Ian. "No use pretending, hand over the Op-Op Fruit."
"This is really hard to understand," Ian scratched his head, feeling confused. "If I remember correctly, we're the pirates, right? Drake, but why do I hear Zephyr-sensei wants to rob us?"
"That's the Navy for you."
Drake sneered with some disdain. "The so-called righteous Navy is just a bigger pirate crew."
"Hahahaha!"
Ian laughed out loud. "You're right, Drake! You're absolutely right!"
But it's not the Navy, it's the World Government.
The World Government is just a super-powered version of the Beast Pirates.
The Celestial Dragons are the rulers of pirate crews like Kaido-sensei, myself, Yamato, and others.
The allied nations are the islands under their control.
And the Navy? They're just the pirates of the pirate crew.
The difference between the World Government and the Four Emperors has never been about officials and thieves, nor about justice and evil. It's simply the difference between big-time warlords and small-time warlords.
"Shut up! Bastard! Your arrogance ends here!"
Gion couldn't hold back his restless heart any longer. Just like two years ago, he charged at Ian once again.
"Gion…"
Zephyr shook his head in disappointment.
Impatience is the opposite of victory.
Why don't you understand this simple truth?
"Ian!"
Two voices came from behind Ian at the same time.
Yamato and Hancock almost said in unison, "I'll deal with this guy!"
Sometimes, I really can't tell if your relationship is good or bad.
Ian's lips curled slightly.
"I'll do it myself."
He took two steps forward.
"Ha!"
Gion stomped the ground, kicking up a blizzard, and in the blink of an eye, she transformed into a flash of lightning, closing in on Ian. Her long blade at her waist was ready to strike, on the verge of releasing a brilliant slash.
Iai, kid!
However, that moment never came.
In the split second between lightning and thunder, Ian raised his right hand.
"…!"
Gion looked up, stunned, unable to believe what she saw.
**********
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