# Chapter 435: Troubling (15/35)
"Damn it!"
After recovering a bit, Zoro angrily punched the ground, expressing his frustration at his own failure.
Although he had forced Ian to show his true strength, Ian's power only made Zoro feel even more unwilling to accept defeat. He never imagined that in just a year or two, Ian had already left him far behind.
Back in Shimotsuki Village, they could still fight on equal terms, with wins and losses on both sides...
Ian looked at Zoro's state and didn't know how to console him. To be honest, although he had set sail earlier than Zoro, the real reason for Ian's rapid growth in strength was the help of his card system.
As the saying goes: ordinary people can't beat the talented, the talented can't beat those with a halo, and those with a halo can't beat cheaters...
Walking in front of Zoro, Ian looked down at him and asked, "What? A little setback and you're already discouraged?"
"Like hell!" Zoro immediately stood up from the ground, staring at Ian and said, "Don't get cocky! I'll catch up to you!"
Ian patted him on the shoulder and said with relief, "That's more like it. This is the kid I knew back then, the one like a wild boar!"
This remark was originally Kuina's comment when she first met Zoro, and now Ian was using it, causing Zoro's face to freeze as he remembered that embarrassing dojo challenge declaration...
Luffy also stood up. The usually carefree Luffy now looked at Ian with a hint of wariness in his eyes.
Sanji felt the same. Even when Ian had beaten him at the Baratie Restaurant, he was still somewhat unconvinced. Even after Red-Leg Zeff told him about Ian's identity, Sanji remained unconvinced. Only now did he realize how naive his thoughts had been: the three of them together couldn't defeat Ian...
"Are all the monsters on the Grand Line like you?" Sanji lit a cigarette and asked Ian gloomily.
Ian spread his hands and said, "Let me put it this way: what I'm using is a unique power called Haki. You don't have this power yet, so facing me, you're completely helpless. But this power can be learned. If you can master it someday, the gap between us might not be so big."
"Oh, by the way," Ian added, smiling at Zoro, "I just got some news. Kuina might have already awakened her Haki too. That means she's also ahead of you now!"
Hearing this, Zoro felt like he wanted to spit blood. How could everyone be so far ahead of him!?
Regardless, through this practical experience, Ian had made the three of them deeply understand what Haki was. This word would surely be firmly rooted in their minds from now on.
The gap in strength was too great to continue fighting, so the three had to follow Ian back to the Merry. After sitting down again, Sanji didn't dare to act recklessly anymore and obediently stood aside, listening to Ian speak.
Ian didn't hold back either. He explained to Zoro and the others what Haki was all about.
However, just as Ian and the others were chatting, a ship suddenly appeared on the sea surface, heading straight for Luffy's ship.
"Oh no, it's Baroque Works' Mr. Billion!" Princess Vivi exclaimed when she saw the Baroque Works emblem painted on the ship's sail.
Robin was also from Baroque Works. Seeing this, she immediately understood what was happening and said, "It seems Baroque Works is planning to hunt down traitors!"
The traitor she referred to was naturally Vivi and her group. Vivi's princess identity had already been exposed, and she had come with Luffy to stop the escalating rebellion in Alabasta. But Baroque Works' intelligence capabilities were no joke. Their landing in Alabasta had probably already been discovered.
"We can't stay here long!" Vivi said anxiously to Luffy and the others.
Nami giggled and said, "Don't worry. Have you forgotten? We have a big shot here! If we can get him to help, even Crocodile won't be a threat!"
Then she leaned close to Ian and said with a smile, "Isn't that right, Big Brother Ian?"
That's right! Princess Vivi, Igaram, Usopp, and Chopper all became excited when they heard Nami's words. Wasn't there another Warlord of the Sea right here?
However, facing Nami's request, Ian firmly shook his head and said, "I told you, I won't get involved in Alabasta's affairs. In my opinion, the Blackbeard Pirates are a much bigger threat than Crocodile!"
"Ah! How can you be like this!" Nami said gloomily. She couldn't help but hug Ian's arm, using her feminine wiles as a honey trap, and said, "Big Brother Ian, please help us!"
Ian found it both annoying and amusing. He reached out, pinched her cheeks, and pulled them apart, saying, "Little Nami, if you want to use a honey trap, wait until your chest size is a few numbers bigger!"
It wasn't that Ian didn't want to help them, but Teach still hadn't shown up. To stop the rebellion, they had to go deeper into Alabasta. Ian was afraid that if he followed Luffy and the others, he might miss Teach's landing in Alabasta.
Moreover, Crocodile had just had his soul returned to him by Ian not long ago. If Ian led Zoro and the others to his doorstep, Crocodile would probably be furious!
There's bullying, and then there's this kind of bullying!
Also, the most important point was that Ian felt that even without his help, the Straw Hat Pirates could probably handle Crocodile. Ian wanted Zoro to gain more experience. If Ian did everything for them, how would they grow?
Ian was their older brother, not a babysitter...
However, he could help them deal with that Baroque Works ship. So Ian turned to Ace and asked, "You or me?"
"I'll do it!" Ace pressed down on his cowboy hat, stood at the ship's railing, and looked at the approaching Baroque Works ship.
On that ship, a large number of Baroque Works' low-level members were standing, all holding weapons and shouting, ready to fight.
But what awaited them was Ace's overwhelmingly powerful Fire Fist!
A massive fireball surged forward with unparalleled force, directly hitting the ship. The vessel instantly exploded and disintegrated, with countless burning fragments flying through the air like fireworks.
When the Straw Hat Pirates saw this, their eyes nearly popped out!
They felt: Damn! An even fiercer one has arrived!
After Ace dealt with the Baroque Works ship, he turned back and exchanged a glance with Ian. They both nodded and simultaneously took off their hats.
From their hats, they each took out a Vivre Card. Ace handed his to Luffy, while Ian gave his to Zoro.
"Keep it safe!" Ian instructed. "This is my Vivre Card. I gave one to Kuina too. This card will indicate my location. If you ever want to find me, just follow the direction the card points!"
Zoro stared blankly at the Vivre Card in his hand. Without saying anything, he took it and put it away.
"Go!" Ian patted his shoulder and said, "Do what you need to do. I'm glad to see you. When you become a Grand Swordsman, feel free to challenge me anytime!"
Zoro snorted and said, "You don't need to tell me that. I will!"
On the other side, Ace had also finished talking to Luffy. So Ian and the others left the Straw Hat Pirates' ship. The Straw Hats were about to take a canal into Alabasta's interior, while Ian and his group still needed to wait at the port for a while, so they had to part ways first.
As they were leaving, Zoro finally said without turning back, "Take care. Don't die!"
Ian smiled slightly and was about to reply when suddenly Sanji pointed at Ian and shouted, "Ian! If you dare to betray my sister, I'll make you pay! Remember that!"
Hearing this, Ian was stunned. Before he could react to what Sanji meant, the sly Sanji had already run off.
"Wha... what does he mean by that!?" Ian asked Reiju in shock.
Reiju chuckled and said, "It seems he misunderstood my relationship with you!"
Damn it! Ian immediately understood. No wonder Sanji said that!
It felt like a bratty little brother protecting his sister... How could this be so troublesome!?
Watching the Straw Hat Pirates' ship quickly sail away, Ian gritted his teeth and made a decision: the next time he saw that pervy cook Sanji, he would definitely teach him a good lesson!