Chapter 177: Disbelief
Ian's ship sailed ahead, and as they moved across the sea, the crew members who knew how to repair ships immediately got to work, patching up the holes in the hull.
The arrows shot from the Kuja Pirates' ship had been wrapped in Haki of varying strengths, so the holes they left behind were also of different sizes, making the repairs tedious and troublesome.
Everyone was busy—some fixing the ship, others mending the sails. Several of Ian's crew had also been injured during the battle, and these wounded were now gathered together, being treated by the ship's only doctor, Erlang.
Seeing this, Ian walked over to help Erlang. Since most of the injuries were minor, Ian switched to Shelley's card to heal them.
Erlang breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Captain, your ability is a huge help!"
"My ability can only treat wounds," Ian said with a smile. "If it's an illness, I'm useless, so I'll have to rely on you for that."
"Don't worry, Captain!" Erlang nodded. "I'll take care of everyone's health."
Sailing on the sea, what often defeated people wasn't powerful enemies but the silent onset of disease. Although Ian had always been healthy and never fallen ill, that didn't mean he couldn't get sick, so he valued Erlang, the ship's doctor, highly.
Erlang was originally a famous doctor from the South Blue, in his thirties. His wife had unfortunately passed away, leaving him with a four-year-old son. He doted on his son, who had heard from playmates about the amusement park on Sabaody Archipelago and pestered him to go.
Erlang hadn't thought much of it and agreed, taking time to bring his son to Sabaody for fun. But tragedy struck. His son, too young and unaware, accidentally bumped into a Celestial Dragon on the island.
A four-year-old child—if it had been an ordinary adult, they might have just laughed it off. But the twisted mind of a Celestial Dragon felt that being bumped by a commoner child was infuriating, so he drew his gun and shot the boy dead on the spot!
Erlang witnessed his son's death and, in grief and rage, charged forward to retrieve his body. But before he could reach his son, the guards seized him as a criminal attempting to attack a Celestial Dragon, and he was taken away as a slave.
Every time he recalled that moment, Erlang would find a quiet corner on the ship and weep silently. Everyone on board knew his story.
His hatred for the Celestial Dragons was no less than anyone else's on that ship. That was why he was willing to follow Ian out to sea as a pirate. His home was gone, his child was gone—his life now consisted only of these fellow former slaves.
Watching Erlang diligently bandage the wounded, Ian sighed softly, patted his shoulder, and stood up.
Just then, the lookout at the top of the mast shouted, "Captain! The Kuja Pirates' ship is catching up from behind!"
"What!?" Hearing this, everyone on board gathered around, even the injured struggling to their feet and looking toward the stern.
Behind Ian's ship, a dark silhouette was growing clearer as it approached—there was no mistaking the Kuja Pirates' vessel.
"What does this woman want?" Ian felt a headache coming on.
He had to admit, Boa Hancock was indeed beautiful—her big, sparkling black eyes and long black hair matched Ian's aesthetic perfectly. She had a classical beauty, yet her attire was seductive and alluring. As the Pirate Empress, she possessed a queenly aura that no other woman could match, earning her the title of the world's most beautiful woman.
Ian wasn't a brainless simpleton like Luffy, who understood nothing of romance. Faced with such a beauty, it was impossible for him not to have some thoughts.
That was why he had cooperated with Boa Hancock on Stripe Island—it was a privilege of beauty, and men were usually willing to help her.
But that was as far as it went. Ian had too many worries now. With so many people following him, he had to find a way out for them—surviving the Marines' pursuit, growing stronger, and making money.
He could roughly guess that Boa Hancock was likely looking for him, the one who had freed another batch of slaves at Mary Geoise. Perhaps it was because Fisher Tiger had once freed her, and out of gratitude, she wanted to help him.
But... Ian didn't need her help at all. His card system granted him different abilities, allowing him to switch cards and display various powers to confuse the Marines.
It might not hold up in the long run, but for now, he didn't have to worry about being exposed.
This period of hiding was a good opportunity for Ian to focus on improving himself. His basic skills needed extensive training, and getting involved in too many things would only be detrimental.
Boa Hancock's appearance felt like a hindrance to Ian. If she hadn't suddenly attacked him, he could have slipped away while the Marines surrounded Blackbeard and the impostor, without ending up fighting two Marine Vice Admirals.
That was why he had been eager to leave—to get away from this woman.
But he hadn't expected that even after all that, Boa Hancock wouldn't let him go and had chased after him again.
For a moment, Ian was at a loss for words. What did she want? Was she chasing him to get revenge for their damaged ship?
"Captain, what do we do?" Zeke scratched his head and asked Ian. "Is the Pirate Empress really trying to catch us?"
Ian thought for a moment, then instead of answering, he asked Margaret, "Can we shake them off?"
"It's hard," Margaret shook her head. "Our sails don't have enough tension now, but look at them... Their ship doesn't use sails at all, and it's much faster than us!"
Indeed, the two giant sea snakes pulling the Kuja Pirates' ship were like a cheat, providing more power than a ship sailing with the wind. In just a short while, the Kuja Pirates' ship had drawn even closer.
At this rate, they would catch up sooner or later.
So Ian made up his mind and instructed everyone, "Let's see what happens. If they attack, we fight back!"
"Whoo!"
The Dragon Hunter Pirates' members roared, grabbing their weapons and standing ready.
As time passed, the Kuja Pirates' ship came within arm's reach of Ian's. Ian's hand rested on the hilt of his sword, ready to draw it the moment arrows flew from the other ship.
But things didn't go as Ian expected. The Kuja Pirates' ship kept closing in, but they showed no intention of attacking. Boa Hancock stood at the bow with her hands on her hips, while the Kuja warriors stood behind her, arms crossed.
When both sides could clearly see each other's faces, Boa Hancock suddenly leaped onto the head of one of the giant sea snakes pulling the ship.
The snake's head retracted slightly, then thrust upward, and Boa Hancock jumped, landing directly on Ian's ship.
"So beautiful!"
"Is that the Pirate Empress?"
"First time seeing such a gorgeous woman!"
Even the men on the ship, and Margaret herself, were dazzled by Boa Hancock's appearance.
But the Pirate Empress's eyes were fixed solely on Ian. After boarding, she stared at him without blinking.
"What do you want?" Ian asked her. "If it's about the damaged ship, there's no need for this. Both our ships are damaged!"
But Boa Hancock didn't mention it at all. She acted immediately!
"Slave Arrow!"
A pinkish-red halo spread from her hands clasped in front of her chest, surging toward Ian.
Compared to when they were on Stripe Island, the halo this time covered a much larger area. Ian saw he couldn't dodge, so he bit his tongue, using the pain to push through.
But the Dragon Hunter Pirates' members behind him weren't so lucky. This was their first encounter with the Pirate Empress's attack style, and they had no idea how to defend against it. They were all hit.
Everyone standing behind Ian turned to stone—not a single one spared.
Ian had only survived by using the pain from his tongue to divert his attention. Seeing his crew all petrified, he grew angry and drew his Enma sword, charging at Boa Hancock.
But to his surprise, Boa Hancock's waist snake, Salome, coiled into a circle, its tail forming a chair on the deck, and Boa Hancock lay down on it.
Ian's sword was already at her snow-white neck, but Boa Hancock made no move to fight back.
This confused Ian. What was she playing at?
Just then, Boa Hancock spoke, "Don't worry, I'll turn them back later. I have something to discuss with you now, and I don't want others to hear."
Ian looked up and noticed that even the Kuja Pirates' ship had fallen back a bit.
"What do you want to talk about?" Ian sheathed his Enma sword and asked.
"I want to ask you about someone," Boa Hancock said, resting her cheek on one hand as she lounged against Salome, letting Ian see the snake-shaped earring on her earlobe. She continued, "My intuition tells me you know something."
"You're looking for the mastermind behind the Mary Geoise incident, aren't you?" Ian decided to stop beating around the bush since no one else was around. He said directly, "That person is me!"
But to Ian's surprise, Boa Hancock suddenly flew into a rage upon hearing his words.
"Liar!"