Chapter 351: Remember Me on Moonlit Nights, Really Remembered (3/20)
After leaving Marine Headquarters Marineford, Ian and Crocodile returned to the port together.
This port was naturally the one where the leaders and kings of various countries landed during the World Conference. Upon reaching this point, Ian and his group had to change ships. To cross the Red Line, they needed to ascend Mary Geoise again and enter the New World from the other side's waterway.
Only one person was waiting here: Sabo, who had disguised himself.
After all, this was Marineford, the location of Marine Headquarters. For Sabo, the Revolutionary Army's Chief of Staff, to appear here was a huge risk, so he had to be cautious.
As for Nico Robin, Koala, and Hatchan, they had temporarily separated from Ian before he and his group landed at Marineford. Because Hatchan was a Fish-Man, Ian arranged for him to go to Fish-Man Island underwater first. Ian wrote a letter to Jinbe and asked Hatchan to deliver it. He believed that after seeing the letter, Jinbe would be willing to come and help.
Whitebeard Old Man had a favor owed to him by Fish-Man Island. Out of gratitude, Jinbe had always been protective of Whitebeard. Back then, to stop Ace from challenging Whitebeard, he fought Ace for five days and five nights, so he also knew Ace. During the time on Salamis Island, Jinbe had actually visited once and met Ian for a second time. The two had a good conversation then.
From the signs of the Vivre Card, Ace was indeed injured. So Ian wrote to inform Jinbe of this matter; he would definitely come.
As for Koala and Nico Robin, Ian sent them to Amazon Lily to deliver a letter. Since they were women, landing on the island wouldn't seem too conspicuous.
Regarding the invitation to Boa Hancock, Ian was equally confident. Back then, without Ian even asking, Boa Hancock had brought the Kuja Pirates to Stripe Island, trying to help him escape the Marines' pursuit. This time, with Ian personally writing a letter, she certainly wouldn't refuse.
However, given Boa Hancock's personality, Nico Robin and Koala might not find it easy to meet her. That wasn't a big problem; they could just wait a bit longer.
As for the last one, Kuma, it was even simpler. Sabo could contact him! But... whether Kuma would actually come to help, Ian wasn't sure.
Because Kuma was, after all, a Revolutionary Army Officer. Perhaps for the sake of concealment, he might not want to get involved in this matter...
After reuniting with Sabo, the three abandoned their ship and began climbing the road up to Mary Geoise.
It was actually quite amusing to think about. Ian, the arsonist from back then, could now openly apply to the World Government to use the waterway to cross the Red Line. This was all thanks to Ian's current status as a Seven Warlord of the Sea. He didn't even need to apply specifically; as long as the Marines in charge of the waterway recognized Ian's identity, he could pass through without any hindrance.
So, as they got closer to Mary Geoise, Ian couldn't help but smile when he thought about this.
Quite ironic, wasn't it?
"What are you smiling about?" Crocodile asked, noticing Ian's expression.
"I was thinking about those buildings I burned down back then. Are they repaired now?" Ian said, stroking his chin.
Hearing this, Sabo also couldn't help but smile and whispered, "Don't tell me you want to do it again?"
Ian shrugged and spread his hands, saying, "If I did it again, the World Government would tear me apart!"
The two chatted amusingly, while Crocodile beside them looked utterly annoyed. Damn it, Ian was one thing, but why was this guy named Sabo also fearless? Who the hell was he?
When they entered the gates of Mary Geoise, Ian noticed many more Marines and World Government officials in black suits guarding the area. It seemed the security at Mary Geoise had been strengthened.
These guards were currently reviewing the qualifications of other applicants who also wanted to cross the Red Line. Most of these people were wealthy merchants or nobles. From Ian's observation, they were mostly allowed through. But among them, some commoners were completely blocked! These commoners were roughly shoved aside by the World Government officials, and their pleas were met with punches and kicks.
Even if they weren't pirates, it didn't matter. Ian thought about it for a moment and immediately understood. This was probably the Celestial Dragons' idea. Holy Land Mary Geoise—just hearing the name made it clear that they would never allow so-called "commoners" to set foot here...
Not just Ian, but Sabo also realized this, and both of their expressions darkened.
Ian and his group could, of course, pass through, so they didn't stop. But just as they were about to be inspected, an unexpected incident occurred.
From within the gates, shouts were heard, and a group of people approached in the distance. It was a Celestial Dragon noble, riding on the back of a slave who crawled on the ground to carry him forward. The slave's clothes were tattered, his head hung low, and he crawled forward step by step with difficulty. His palms and knees were worn raw, leaving bloody marks on the ground.
Flanking the Celestial Dragon noble were a group of guards and a line of chained female dancer slaves. Needless to say, this was the Celestial Dragon's daily "walking the dog"...
As this Celestial Dragon passed by, the people on both sides of the road quickly knelt, bowing their heads in respect, seeing him off.
"Hurry! Kneel down!" As soon as they saw the Celestial Dragon approaching the gate, the World Government officials shouted at those waiting outside for review: "Lord Adoram Saint is passing through! Show respect!"
Those who could enter and exit Mary Geoise generally knew the rules. So, the merchants and nobles knelt down in unison. Even the commoners, though not entirely sure, saw the scene and hurriedly knelt like the others.
This saved them from getting into big trouble...
With everyone kneeling, Ian, Sabo, and Crocodile stood out like cranes among chickens.
"Aren't you going to kneel?" Ian asked Crocodile mockingly.
"Trash like that wants me to kneel?" Crocodile sneered, cigar in mouth.
"Heh heh!" Ian chuckled. This guy had some personality after all.
Crocodile wouldn't kneel, and Ian and Sabo certainly wouldn't either. So the three of them just watched as this so-called Adoram Saint and his entourage approached.
By now, some people had noticed Ian and his group. Out of goodwill, they wanted to urge them to kneel, but seeing their demeanor, they swallowed their words. The World Government officials wanted to scold them, but when Ian and Crocodile shot them cold glances, they couldn't help but shiver.
"Th...that's Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords!?"
"D...damn! Next to him is... next to him is..."
The World Government officials were more knowledgeable than ordinary people. Not only did they recognize Crocodile, but they also recognized Ian. However, when they recognized Ian, these officials collectively gasped!
Who was Ian? He was the one who had killed a Celestial Dragon! How could such a terrifying person appear at Mary Geoise again!?
In an instant, these World Government officials were drenched in sweat. They felt that something big was about to happen again!
But at that moment, they could do nothing. The Celestial Dragon noble had already approached, and they could only kneel obediently, not daring to move.
Then, what they feared finally happened...
"Hey! You commoners over there! How dare you not kneel!?" The equally ugly Celestial Dragon, Adoram, noticed Ian and his group and immediately started shouting.
Ian and the others said nothing, just staring at the guy.
"Damn it! How dare you offend me!?" Adoram got angry and immediately pulled out his pistol. Bang! He fired a shot at Ian, who was in the middle.
Hearing the gunshot, the kneeling World Government officials felt like dying. They buried their heads deeply in the ground, not daring to look up, afraid to see the horrifying scene they anticipated.
They didn't think the Celestial Dragon's gun could threaten Ian. What they feared was this pig-headed Celestial Dragon not knowing his place.
The bullet flew toward Ian, but he caught it in his pitch-black palm.
Boom! A purple flame burst from Ian's palm, instantly melting the bullet in his hand.
Then, this purple flame floated in Ian's palm.
Adoram stared blankly at the flame in Ian's hand, stunned. Then, suddenly, as if remembering something, his gaze shifted from Ian's palm to Ian's face.
When he saw Ian's hat and the faint, mocking smile on his face, Adoram finally recalled.
It was him! It was this person!
And that color of flame—the great fire that had burned through Mary Geoise that night was this color!
"Remember me on moonlit nights." Ian's words from back then had finally come true. His Iori-style purple flame had left a deep impression on all the Celestial Dragon nobles at Mary Geoise that night. Now, as the flame appeared again, it instantly triggered Adoram's memory, reminding him of the purple fire that had engulfed the entire Holy Land that night.
"Ah!!!" Adoram let out a piercing scream, then jumped off his slave mount, turned around, and ran back the way he came.
"L...Lord Adoram Saint!?" His guards were all stunned. They had seen Adoram fire his gun and were about to rush forward to arrest the other two, but now Adoram Saint had run away first!?
As he ran, Adoram kept screaming, "Demon! That demon has appeared again!"