Chapter 210: The Great Salamis Battle (Part 1)
Fujitora finally let out a hearty laugh and said, "So, if I continue to stay on your ship, young Ian, I might be mistaken for a crew member and have my bounty revoked along with everyone else?"
"Exactly!" Ian grinned mischievously. "But Uncle Issho, didn't you say you didn't mind being treated as a pirate and having a bounty on your head?"
Fujitora chuckled and replied, "Of course I don't mind, but I wouldn't mind having my bounty removed either!"
"So, Uncle, does that mean you're willing to become the First Mate of the Dragon Hunter Pirates?" Ian asked.
Fujitora's expression turned serious. "Young Ian, since your Dragon Hunter Pirates aren't an evil pirate crew, there's nothing wrong with me taking on the role of First Mate."
Ian was taken aback, then exclaimed in surprise, "So, Uncle, you've really agreed!?"
Fujitora smiled and nodded.
Ian had only been testing the waters with that question. He had originally thought Fujitora would make an excuse, like their agreed-upon time hadn't come yet, to brush it off. But he never expected that this time, Fujitora would agree so readily.
Overjoyed, Ian suddenly thought of something and asked Fujitora, "Uncle, you're not planning to get close to the Marines through me once I become a Warlord, so you can observe them, are you?"
He had no choice but to ask. The timing of Fujitora's agreement to become his First Mate—right after learning Ian intended to become a Warlord—was suspicious. Fujitora wasn't the type to curry favor, so it couldn't be just to have his bounty removed. Combined with the fact that, in the original history, Fujitora was eventually conscripted into the Marines, Ian had this guess.
Fujitora was visibly surprised by Ian's question. He hadn't expected his thoughts to be seen through so quickly.
"That's exactly it," Fujitora admitted, nodding. "Young Ian, if you truly become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, please be sure to take me along. Let me observe the Marines and the World Government up close, to see what their justice truly means."
"You might be disappointed," Ian said.
"As long as it's disappointment and not despair, that's fine," Fujitora replied.
"Have it your way." Ian shook his head and said no more. Through the matter of allying with Doflamingo, he had managed to unify the thoughts of everyone on the ship. His goal was achieved. As for the future, they'd deal with it when it came.
Although he knew that two Marine Admirals were chasing him with ten warships, Ian wasn't panicked. The ship continued on its planned course.
Later that day, Buffalo returned and found Ian's ship, delivering 300 million Berries to Ian.
That was ten leather suitcases full of money! It dazzled everyone on board.
The Dragon Hunter Pirates were different from ordinary pirate crews. Their founding purpose wasn't to plunder wealth but to unite for self-preservation and resistance against the Celestial Dragons and the Marines.
So, seeing so much money, the crew didn't have any ill intentions. Still, Ian distributed some of it to everyone, at least so they could have some fun during their downtime.
The remaining money was kept by Ian, the captain—a common custom among pirate crews. He could use and manage it freely.
Baby-5, however, was quite resentful, knowing it was Young Master Doflamingo's money.
She couldn't understand why Doflamingo had made such an agreement with Ian. Weren't they originally supposed to destroy the Dragon Hunter Pirates? How had it ended up with them sending money instead?
"Don't get cocky!" Baby-5 said, cigarette in mouth and arms crossed. "You'd better cooperate with Young Master obediently. Otherwise, he'll show you what true terror is!"
Ian ignored her. He knew her personality well. He was eating at the time—Matthew had made steak, and Baby-5 had brought it to him. So, he said with a smile, "Could you pass me the pepper, please?"
"O-okay!" Baby-5's expression instantly changed, and she happily handed him the pepper shaker with both hands.
As he ate, Ian said to Baby-5, "What's so great about Doflamingo? Why not just join my crew instead?"
"How dare you speak ill of Young Master!" Baby-5 fumed, her arm transforming into a rocket launcher aimed at Ian. "I'll kill you!"
Ian didn't even look at her. "Please."
In an instant, Baby-5's rocket launcher vanished, and she blushed, stammering, "I-I-I'll think about it..."
Then she ran straight out of the cabin.
Ian shook his head, feeling a lack of accomplishment. Seducing Baby-5, one of Doflamingo's subordinates, seemed far too easy.
But then again, with a personality like hers, if she was easily swayed by him, she could just as easily be swayed by someone else...
Regardless, having her on the ship added a lot of fun. He could tease her whenever he had nothing else to do.
And so, time passed quickly. By noon the next day, Ian and his crew finally neared their destination.
The Salamis Duchy was an island nation in the New World, sharing its name with the island itself: Salamis Island.
This was one of Whitebeard's territories. Interestingly, according to the intelligence Ian had gathered, the king of the Salamis Duchy had a good relationship with Whitebeard!
The Salamis Duchy was quite large, spanning nearly 700 square kilometers. It had a typical summer island climate and was considered a resort destination in the New World. The country's economy was naturally prosperous.
Logically, such a nation would be a target for the World Government to recruit. But strangely, the Salamis Duchy was a non-member state of the World Government—and one that had withdrawn midway!
It was said that the current king of the Salamis Duchy was a man of principle. He had boldly withdrawn from the member states in opposition to the Heavenly Tribute system.
Few countries had such courage. After all, the world was still dominated by the World Government. Many non-member states faced sanctions: not only were they plagued by pirates, but their citizens were also captured as laborers and sent to the Bridge of Nations in the East Blue to build bridges connecting islands. This was a colossal project that had been ongoing for seven hundred years without completion. Countless people had died there over the centuries.
But the Salamis Duchy had avoided this fate. After Whitebeard claimed it as his territory, neither pirates nor Marines dared to cause trouble there.
The king of Salamis, who had reigned for thirty-two years, had used Whitebeard's protection to transform the once-impoverished country—brought low by the Heavenly Tribute—into the thriving nation it was today.
It was almost ironic...
When Ian and his crew arrived and landed, they saw a scene full of Hawaiian-style charm. The women of the Salamis Duchy wore light, passionate clothing, while the men had dark skin and were robust and bold. The beaches scattered across the island were filled with guests in sunglasses, bikinis, and swim trunks, enjoying their vacations.
As soon as they disembarked, Margaret and the other girls let out excited screams and rushed toward the beach.
The men, meanwhile, found their eyes wandering, unable to take in all the beautiful women with their ample curves.
"Go have fun. Just make sure to return to the ship on time," Ian instructed them. The crew then scattered joyfully.
Ian and Fujitora headed into the island.
"I wonder where the Whitebeard Pirates are?" Ian mused as they walked. "Wasn't it said that the Fourth Division of the Whitebeard Pirates is stationed on this island?"
"We can ask around on the island," Fujitora said.
"Alright, let's go, Uncle Issho. I'll buy you a drink," Ian offered.
Fujitora chuckled, quite satisfied.
Meanwhile, hundreds of kilometers away at sea, a massive fleet gradually came into view.
The ships were all of a uniform design: blue hulls, white sails, and on each sail, the emblem of a spreading-winged seagull...
The Marines were closing in...