Chapter 356: Ian's Fangs
Jinbe, being a Fish-Man, could speak and communicate with the fish in the sea, and naturally, he could also perceive their emotions. Ian was well aware of this fact. The fish were panicking, likely because some ferocious sea beast was approaching, such as a Sea King or something similar. Thinking this, Ian's heart stirred, and he mused, "Could it be the Kuja Pirates arriving?"
So he raised his head and scanned the sea surface. Sure enough, in the southeast direction, the silhouette of a ship appeared on the horizon.
Under everyone's watchful gaze, the ship approached at an astonishing speed, and soon its details became clear.
It was a vessel pulled by two massive, ferocious sea snakes. On its mast, the flag of the Kuja Pirates fluttered proudly.
Jinbe recognized it immediately and asked Ian with some surprise, "Brother Ian, you even managed to get the Pirate Empress to lend a hand? Didn't they say you two had a grudge against each other?"
"Who told you that?" Ian glanced at him, puzzled.
"The Marines!" Jinbe scratched his head, equally confused. "There's been a rumor circulating among the Marines that the Pirate Empress has been causing you trouble. Isn't that the case?"
Ian was speechless. It seemed that when a beautiful woman spoke, many people were inclined to believe her. That rumor must have started back during the Stripe Island incident...
Even Crocodile couldn't resist a bit of gossip when it came to the Pirate Empress. He had been curious earlier about why Ian had sent Nico Robin and that little girl named Koala to Amazon Lily. So, seizing the opportunity, he asked Ian, "If you two have a grudge, how did you convince her to come? You didn't take her soul too, did you?"
"Nonsense!" Ian rolled his eyes at him dismissively. "I convinced her because I'm just too handsome. What would a disfigured guy like you know?"
"You!" Crocodile was so choked by Ian's jab about his disfigurement that he nearly couldn't catch his breath.
As they spoke, the Kuja Pirates' ship drew closer. The two massive, ferocious sea snakes caused some panic among the Fish-Man Pirates.
Several planks were laid across to Ian's ship, quickly forming a bridge. The Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock, strode over with her hands on her hips, exuding an air of elegance. Behind her followed Nico Robin and Koala.
Seeing her, Ian finally breathed a sigh of relief. He walked over and said with a smile, "Thank you for coming, Boa!"
Meeting Ian again, Boa Hancock was also a bit emotional. Looking into his eyes, she found herself unable to meet his gaze directly. She lowered her head slightly and said shyly, "If... if I can help, that's... that's enough!"
*Thud.* Behind them, the cigar Crocodile was smoking fell to the ground...
Even Jinbe's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets.
Among the Seven Warlords, Boa Hancock was famously cold and aloof. Both Crocodile and Jinbe had heard of and witnessed this, but in front of Ian, she was completely out of character.
On the Kuja Pirates' ship, the female warriors from Amazon Lily went absolutely wild, shouting frantically, "Snake Princess!!!"
It was the first time they had ever seen their Snake Princess behave this way.
It had to be said that when Boa Hancock softened, she was truly captivating. Even Ian was momentarily stunned. Coming back to his senses, he cleared his throat and said, "Anyway... thank you for coming. If the Kuja Pirates ever need help in the future, please don't hesitate to ask."
"Alright!" Boa Hancock nodded. At that moment, she finally noticed Jinbe and quickly composed herself, saying, "Jinbe, you're here too?"
"Long time no see, Empress Snake!" Jinbe greeted Boa Hancock. "It's been a few years since we last met, hasn't it?"
As fellow Warlords, they had naturally met before. The Marines occasionally summoned the Warlords for meetings, so they weren't strangers to each other. While Boa Hancock was usually dismissive of men, Jinbe was an exception.
Because... Jinbe was a Fish-Man! Not a man, but a male Fish-Man...
As for Crocodile, Boa Hancock just snorted coldly, not even bothering to greet him.
After a brief chat, Ian said to Nico Robin and Koala, "You've worked hard! Was the journey smooth?"
Koala was clinging to Robin's arm, pressed close together, looking very intimate. It seemed the trip had helped them get to know each other, and Robin's mature demeanor had captivated the young girl Koala. When Ian asked, she replied, "Oh, the Calm Belt was terrifying! Luckily, Sister Robin helped us, or our ship would have been capsized by a Sea King!"
"Is that so?" Ian asked with concern, turning to Robin. "Are you two okay?"
Meeting Ian's concerned gaze, Robin felt a stir. Over the years, it was the first time someone had looked at her with such care, unlike the coldness and disgust she had always encountered.
"I'm fine," Robin nodded. "Actually, we didn't venture deep into the Calm Belt. We just waited for a while before the Kuja Pirates spotted us and let us board their ship to reach Amazon Lily."
As the group chatted on the ship, they were unaware that on the distant sea surface, Aokiji, watching through a telescope, was barely restraining himself from rushing over.
Not only had Jinbe appeared, but Boa Hancock had also shown up. Four Warlords gathered together—this was already a terrifying force. Instinct told Aokiji that Ian's enemy this time was no ordinary opponent.
But what shocked Aokiji the most was Nico Robin!
He never expected Nico Robin to appear on the ship, especially accompanying the Kuja Pirates' vessel.
Back then, Aokiji had taken it upon himself to let Nico Robin, the sole survivor of Ohara, go free. It was an act of soft-heartedness, but for Aokiji, his sense of justice had kept him watching over her, unwilling to let her truly become a threat to the world. To him, since he had let her go, she was his responsibility.
Fortunately, over the years, Nico Robin had drifted among various underworld figures, never forming trust, friendships, or bonds. She used others, and they used her. When danger arose, she would abandon her protectors without hesitation. In such a state, she couldn't cause much trouble, so Aokiji had relaxed his vigilance.
But now, with Ian gathering four Warlords and Nico Robin suddenly appearing among them, Aokiji immediately realized the gravity of the situation.
He didn't know the exact relationship between Ian and Nico Robin, but he felt this matter required serious attention.
So, he immediately contacted Marine Headquarters via the Den Den Mushi on his wrist, reaching Sengoku.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, things might be bad," Aokiji said. "Ian has now recruited Jinbe and Boa Hancock as allies. No matter who their enemy is, the New World is about to erupt into chaos."
Aokiji concealed the matter of Nico Robin, but the information he provided was enough to put Sengoku on high alert.
"Damn it! I knew that kid couldn't stay still!" Sengoku cursed. "First the Mary Geoise incident, then the Salamis incident. Even after becoming a Warlord, he won't settle down. He can't be happy unless he stirs up a big mess!"
"Sir, what do you want me to do? Please give your orders," Aokiji asked. "Should I intervene now and stop them?"
Sengoku was silent for a moment before asking, "Do you think you can handle it?"
"...No," Aokiji admitted honestly. "Four Warlords are beyond what I can handle alone, especially since Ian's abilities are very effective against me..."
"Then keep tailing them," Sengoku ordered. "Find out exactly what they're up to. I'm giving you the authority to make decisions on the spot. When the time comes, do what you think is best."
"Understood," Aokiji agreed reluctantly.
He knew exactly what Sengoku meant: assess the situation and act accordingly. If necessary, he might have to step in—either to hinder Ian's enemies or to help Ian's group. In short, he needed to resolve this matter quickly and prevent it from escalating.
Meanwhile, after Aokiji's conversation with Sengoku ended, Ian's group set sail.
With three ships from the Fish-Man Pirates and one from the Kuja Pirates, they had a total of five vessels advancing in a grand procession. At the same time, they hoisted the flags of all the crews present.
The Jolly Roger of the Dragon Hunter Pirates, the Fish-Man Pirates, the Kuja Pirates, and even Crocodile's flag were all raised. Five ships bearing the banners of four Warlords—such a lineup, even in the New World, would send countless monsters and villains fleeing in terror.
Even so, Ian wasn't satisfied. On the ship, he quietly asked Sabo about Uncle Kuma's response.
If Uncle Kuma could come, that would be amazing! Five Warlords showing off together—how thrilling!
Unfortunately, Sabo told him that Uncle Kuma was unwilling to get involved. His identity had been well-hidden, and he wasn't ready to expose it yet.
However, Uncle Kuma did have Sabo pass along a message to Ian: if possible, try to seize the research data of the Germa Group. Then, perhaps Uncle Kuma could find a way for Ian to strike a deal with the Marine Science Unit, exchanging it for a Pacifista!
Yes, Uncle Kuma had already guessed Ian's intentions. Ian had once tried to trade Thunder Stones with the Marine Science Unit for a Pacifista, but the Marines had refused.
But this time, with the Germa Group's research data, the deal might just work out...