"Foreseeing the future?"
Ian smiled faintly.
The future he had glimpsed had changed.
Because the man before him was already reacting to that future.
This guy's mastery of Observation Haki was no joke.
Since both sides could foresee the future, it was now a pure test of speed and reflexes.
The crimson sword's light chased like a snake.
The breath of death seemed to have already fallen upon Shanks's neck.
Yet, a strange smile appeared on Shanks's lips.
As he retreated, the famous blade Griffin was raised, slashing diagonally toward Ian's Laevateinn.
Scratch!!
A clear sound rang out, two blades crossed, but there was no earth-shattering clash.
At the same time, Shanks had already put some distance between himself and Ian, perfectly dodging Ian's deadly sword strike.
"Tch."
Ian clicked his tongue, loosening his grip. The fiery sword in his hand instantly reverted to the form of a small fire spirit.
"I thought that strike would cleave you in two."
"Geez, don't say such scary things."
Shanks raised his beloved blade, muttering softly in complaint while looking at the blade with a pang of sympathy.
Compared to before, the sword had become much narrower.
Part of the blade had been directly chipped away, and the once-sharp longsword was now blunt.
It was truly exaggerated.
Shanks couldn't help but shout silently in his mind.
Just a scratch along the spine of that sword had caused such damage.
It was hard to imagine what level of Haki would be required to withstand Ian's destructive sword in a head-on clash.
"That's enough for now."
Ian returned to normal, springing up and heading straight toward the Golden Dragon ship.
Shanks let out a soft sigh of relief.
Ian lightly landed on the ship's railing.
Yamato followed closely behind, her face full of displeasure.
"Ending it like this again? So boring!"
She had hoped for a proper fight with the Red Hair Pirates.
"It was never at that level to begin with."
Ian replied casually, "There'll be a chance next time."
He didn't think he and the Red Hair Pirates would always remain friends.
King Gordon of Elegia, who was crouching off to the side, couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
If Ian really fought the Red Hair Pirates to the end, Gordon truly wouldn't know what to do.
"Let's go back," Ian said.
"Lord Ian," Gordon whispered, "are you going to take us back to Elegia?"
"Elegia?" Ian smiled faintly and looked down at Uta, who was still lying motionless on the deck.
"Uta, do you want to go back to Elegia?"
Gordon's heart suddenly skipped a beat.
What did that mean?
Did Ian not want to send them back to Elegia?
He quickly glanced at Uta.
"..."
The girl's vacant eyes flickered.
It seemed she was finally coming back to herself.
Her eyes shifted, her teeth clenched tightly, and with slender hands propping up her small frame, she slowly sat up.
She gave a bitter smile and said, "Go back? Where else can I go?"
She no longer had a home.
"Then come back with us to Hive Island," Ian said straightforwardly.
"Lord Ian!"
Gordon's face changed sharply.
Was this man suggesting Uta become a pirate?
Well, Uta seemed to be a pirate already.
But before Gordon could say anything, Uta stared fixedly at Ian and said, "Ian, you're stronger than that guy, aren't you?"
Ian smiled, "I think the battle just now has already shown things very clearly."
He looked at Gordon. "King Gordon, what do you think?"
Gordon hesitated for a moment, then honestly said, "Lord Ian is much stronger than Shanks."
When Ian didn't use his powers, the two were indeed evenly matched.
But once Ian transformed, the fight became completely one-sided.
Every strike from Ian was incredibly difficult for Shanks to deal with.
"Then Ian!"
Uta looked at Ian with anticipation, her tone filled with intense hatred. "Can you make me stronger? I want to take revenge on those guys!"
"…"
Gordon looked at Uta's slightly twisted little face, feeling a mix of emotions.
Shanks, your decision—was it really the right one?
I can't tell anymore.
"Surpassing that guy Shanks isn't that easy,"
Ian patted Uta's small head. "Also, at your age, you shouldn't be talking about revenge."
"First, focus on growing up properly."
Even Gordon was surprised at this moment.
This Lord Ian turned out to be a surprisingly good person.
"As for getting stronger," Ian said, "train with the kids on the island. How strong you become depends on yourself."
Uta's eyes immediately hardened with determination. She nodded seriously, "Yes!"
Ian chuckled softly.
He couldn't let Uta put too much importance on this so-called revenge.
Otherwise, when the truth is finally revealed, all that hatred would instantly turn into guilt.
That would be a real problem.
The right approach was to treat Uta with genuine care and sincerity, helping her walk out of the pain and shadows, building new bonds, making more friends, and starting a fresh new life.
This would gradually lessen the weight the Red Hair Pirates held in her heart.
Didn't she love singing?
Ian planned to make her a world-renowned songstress, so that the power of the Uta Uta no Mi (Sing-Sing Fruit) could be utilized to its fullest potential.
Besides, Tesoro would probably be very interested in this as well.
He also had a dream of becoming a star, and in the movie version, he was a world-famous performer.
"We're heading back," Ian said. "Enel, shatter the ice."
"Don't order me around," Enel snorted coldly. But he still obediently unleashed his lightning, smashing all the floating ice blocking their path, allowing the Golden Flying Dragon to sail smoothly back.
Meanwhile, on the Red Force ship, Beckman looked at Shanks who had just jumped onto the deck and quietly asked, "Are you sure this is okay? Leaving Uta in Ian's care."
Shanks sighed, "It's better than letting Uta grow up alone on some deserted island, isn't it? She's still a child—she needs friends and someone to keep her company."
"I'm just worried. If Ian discovers Uta's abilities, what if he decides to do something?" Beckman said.
Uta's Uta Uta no Mi was considered especially strange, even among the freakishly powerful Paramecia-type Devil Fruits.
Anyone who heard her singing would be pulled directly into a dream world.
"That would only make Ian value her even more," Shanks replied. "Ian is ruthless to enemies, but famously kind to the allies he trusts. He wouldn't make things difficult for Uta."
"I'm more worried about what would happen if Uta accidentally plays the Tot Musica again. Though the Demon King of Songs is sealed in Elegia, it can only manifest through the fruit's user—through Uta. There's a chance it might be summoned once more."
If the Demon King was summoned again, all their efforts would be in vain.
"Isn't Gordon with Uta?"
Beckman said, "He knows what to do."
Shanks nodded slightly.
For now, that was all they could hope for.
On the Golden Dragon ship, Uta's claim that she wanted to get stronger was no idle talk.
As soon as they set sail back, she had already asked Ian to train her and help her become stronger.
Ian, with a serious tone, said, "You're still too young. Even training won't lead to sudden leaps. The easiest way to get stronger is to eat a powerful Devil Fruit. Give me some time, and I'll find you a strong Devil Fruit."
Naturally, Uta replied, "I'm already a Devil Fruit user! I have the Paramecia-type Sing-Sing Fruit!"
"Oh? Is that so? I've never heard of that one before."
Ian's lips curved into a slight smile as he said, "Then let me see your Devil Fruit ability."
Soon after, he found himself in a strange space.
A vast plain stretched out, with colorful musical notes drifting across the sky.
This must be the dream world of the Sing-Sing Fruit?
Ian clenched his fist.
To be honest, it looked no different from the real world.
Suddenly, a bold idea crossed his mind.
**********
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