"Ouch, ouch! That's enough! Haven't you already done more than enough?"
Kuzan clutched his forehead, where two large lumps had formed from repeated blows, and waved his hands in surrender. "I've already experienced plenty of your strength!"
The two fierce-looking girls, however, acted as if they hadn't heard a single word. Each held a spiked club, long legs striding forward with the predatory gaze of hunters closing in on their prey.
So unreasonable… Kuzan couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Is having Conqueror's Haki all it takes to do whatever you want?
Ever since mastering Conqueror's Haki infusion, the strength of these two had skyrocketed.
Not long ago, the two of them combined could still be completely suppressed by him. Now, in the blink of an eye, either one alone was close to matching his level.
Facing both at the same time meant he could only take a beating.
And it was a brutal beating.
In just a short time, he had been pummeled until his head was covered in lumps, looking utterly disheveled.
What a headache.
At this rate, Ian wouldn't even need to lift a finger—his subordinates could take him out on their own.
How miserable.
At least give me a grand and dramatic end.
"Hahaha! You can't act all high and mighty now, can you?"
Yamato's voice was filled with triumph.
She had finally learned it!
After mastering Conqueror's Haki infusion, her strength had risen to an entirely new level.
Now, facing this ice-wielding bastard felt so much easier.
Even in a one-on-one fight, she wouldn't fall far behind—and with Hancock alongside her, it was a complete overpowering.
"What's the point of talking to him any longer?"
Hancock sneered. "He's no longer of any use. Send him straight to hell."
The World Government was Ian's enemy. This government dog before them had only one fate—death.
"Ara ara…"
Kuzan gave a wry smile.
Looks like there's no other choice.
Too strong… far too strong.
Ian the Skyfire.
The power this man held in his hands had now reached an absurd level.
He possessed more than enough strength to unify the entire Beasts Pirates. Kaido himself could no longer stop him.
And if he truly succeeded in uniting the crew, and even managed to win Kaido over, then this pirate crew might possess power that could surpass even Marine Headquarters.
Terrifying.
Was a monstrous force on par with the Rocks Pirates of old about to once again appear on these seas?
But… that was no longer something for him to worry about.
Aokiji let out a slow sigh.
It seemed his life was about to end here.
But then—
"Let's end this here."
Ian, who had been watching in silence, suddenly spoke.
"Ian?"
Yamato turned her head in surprise. "You're not going to finish him off?"
"This man is a Marine Admiral, Ian," Hancock said, clearly baffled. "Without question, he's an enemy we must defeat."
"No."
Ian looked at Aokiji with a meaningful gaze. "The Marine Admiral Aokiji should indeed die here… but the free man Kuzan, who no longer serves the Marines, is a different matter."
It was enough.
Yamato and Hancock, under the pressure from Aokiji, had both mastered the advanced technique of Conqueror's Haki infusion.
Their strength had undergone a tremendous leap.
Without a doubt, they had already surpassed the level of the All-Stars and reached the level of Marine Admirals.
The purpose of this battle had been fully achieved.
As for killing Aokiji—if he were still loyal to the World Government, there would be no hesitation.
But now…
"No longer a Marine?"
Yamato studied Aokiji in surprise. "Don't tell me you're planning to defect from the Marines like Zephyr?"
"Ah la la… I've never heard anything like that before," Aokiji replied, his eyes lowering. "I never imagined there'd be a day when someone would take it upon themselves to withdraw me from the Marines."
Yet in his heart, he couldn't hide his shock.
Could this man… possibly know what he intended to do?
Ian simply chuckled.
Since they had specifically come looking for Saul, could it really be just to catch up with an old friend?
"Whether it is or not, we'll find out soon enough."
Ian calmly turned to Dorry. "Old friend, then take us to meet this Saul."
"Alright!"
Dorry agreed without hesitation. "Jiehiehiehie! That's no trouble at all!"
"I don't think that guy Saul would refuse either!"
Aokiji's mouth twitched. Just moments ago, hadn't they sworn to me they didn't even know any Saul?
"So, Kuzan…"
Ian looked at Aokiji. "Care to come with us?"
Aokiji was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Since I already said I'm here on vacation today, there's no need to insist on a life-or-death battle with pirates."
If he refused now, he'd probably be dead for sure.
One way or another, it was better to meet Saul first.
Even if he was going to die, at least he could do it after catching up with an old friend.
That was Aokiji's thought.
And so, the group set off toward the place where Saul was.
Aokiji's feelings were complicated. He had truly never imagined that one day he would be working alongside Ian.
Just a few months ago, Ian had burned off one of his arms and, right in front of him, killed Takikake.
But there was nothing he could do about it.
He simply couldn't fight back.
The group quickly ventured deep into the interior of the Giant Kingdom, eventually arriving at the outskirts of its royal capital.
In a forest here stood a massive building.
"Hahahaha! Ian! Long time no see! I heard you were coming, so I rushed here to welcome you! How's that for enthusiasm?"
Sure enough, an old friend he hadn't seen in a long time was already waiting for him, ready to greet Ian with a warm embrace.
Ian immediately raised a hand to stop him.
After all, being warmly hugged by a giant over twenty meters tall was not exactly a pleasant experience.
"Loki, and…"
Ian glanced at the overly enthusiastic giant prince, then lowered his head to look at the woman standing beside him, the corners of his mouth curling into a playful smile.
"Miss Lola, you guys?"
"Hahaha!"
The giant prince scratched the back of his head proudly. "Just as you thought."
Miss Lola's cheeks flushed slightly as she elbowed Loki's calf hard.
"We're still just friends for now."
Ian chuckled softly.
Did Loki really manage to win her over?
However, Ian's expression grew a bit more serious as he said, "Loki, I'll teach you a technique later."
"A technique?"
Loki blinked. "What do you mean?"
"A very interesting one, called 'Life Return.'"
Ian said with a meaningful tone, "You'll probably find it useful someday."
If you can't even use this technique, that would be quite pitiful.
The giant prince, huh?
Aokiji watched Ian chatting with Loki and couldn't help but sigh.
Are they really that close?
This guy might really be about to bring the entire Giant Kingdom under his control.
**********
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