Chapter 482: Shocking News
No matter how Ian considered whether to split into two groups, they first had to reach Saint White Poplar, because only there could they acquire a new ship. So they set off again, but this time, Ian asked Robin to sew a flag for the Dragon Hunter Pirates and hang it on the Ark Maxim’s mast.
There was no other choice. Since they had to dock at an island, Ian could only use this method to intimidate the pirates. Otherwise, when the Ark Maxim landed at Saint White Poplar, everyone would see this golden ship. Endless pirates would desperately try to target Ian and his crew. If they didn’t fly a flag, just dealing with those pirates would give Ian a headache.
Moreover, Ian suspected that even flying the flag might not be very effective. His status as a Warlord of the Sea could intimidate some pirates, but it would also attract plenty of fame-crazed pirates who wanted to step on him to rise. This wasn’t new. Crocodile had once said he’d already killed countless such pirates.
Fools who overestimated themselves were everywhere in this world…
After sailing for two days, they finally spotted Saint White Poplar Island in the distance.
From afar, the island appeared completely covered in forest, as if shrouded by a green lid. As they got closer, Ian saw that the island was filled with massive, towering trees, their age unknown. No wonder this place was a major source of timber—the forestry resources here were incredibly abundant.
Near the port, the trees were relatively small, but the deeper into the island, the larger the trees became. After landing, Ian realized that aside from the port, there was no modern city on the island. The people here lived in treehouses. They hadn’t cleared land for towns but instead squeezed buildings in among the trees, using them as a settlement.
The island’s residents were generations of lumberjacks. After obtaining approval, they would cut down mature trees, process them into timber, and ship them out. After felling a tree, they would plant more saplings in its place to ensure the forest resources weren’t destroyed.
Perhaps because they were used to wooden ships, when Ian’s Ark Maxim docked, the entire island erupted in excitement. Not only had they never seen a metal ship before, but more importantly, the metal was gold!
Although they recognized the flag on the ship and knew a Warlord had arrived, people still couldn’t help but crowd around the ship, pointing and marveling.
“So many ants!” Enel tilted his head, leaning on his golden staff, standing on the deck and looking down at the crowd below.
Ian also noticed many pirate-like figures among the crowd, their eyes gleaming with greed as they watched the Ark Maxim, whispering to each other. No need to guess what they were plotting—no wonder Enel made that comment.
“Enel, guard the ship!” Ian coldly glanced at the pirates below and said to Enel, “If any blind ants try to climb up, crush them!”
“Don’t worry, leave it to me!” Enel grinned excitedly, clenching his fist and crackling with lightning, crushing a bolt of electricity.
“Reiju, Robin, put these on!” Ian tossed them two pairs of sunglasses he’d found on the pirate ships Enel had destroyed. After they put them on, he led the two women off the ship.
As Ian and his group stepped off, the crowd quickly parted to make way.
“It really is Black Dragon Ian!”
“Why would this lord come to Saint White Poplar?”
People exchanged uneasy whispers, but no one dared block Ian’s path. Wherever they passed, the crowd scattered.
Ian and his group landed on Saint White Poplar Island, intending to inquire about the sea train’s schedule and routes. But as soon as he made such a conspicuous appearance on the island, the news spread everywhere.
This wasn’t just because of Den Den Mushi; Saint White Poplar also had excellent transportation connections with nearby islands.
At Marine Headquarters in Marineford, a breathless major communications officer ran toward Fleet Admiral Sengoku’s office. After reaching the door, he straightened himself, knocked, and upon hearing Sengoku’s “Come in,” pushed the door open and entered.
Once inside, he stomped his foot to attention, saluted Sengoku, and reported, “Reporting, Fleet Admiral Sengoku! Just received the latest news: Warlord Black Dragon Ian has appeared on Saint White Poplar Island!”
“Huh!?” Sengoku was startled. He looked up from the documents he was reviewing and asked suspiciously, “How did he end up there!?”
“Unknown!” The major communications officer said apologetically, “He suddenly disappeared for over a week. We don’t know how he ended up on that route…”
The Marines’ surveillance of Ian wasn’t surprising. Ever since Ian and Ace had forced Doflamingo to flee Dressrosa, Sengoku had decided to monitor Ian’s movements.
Normally, due to limited manpower, the Marines only monitored major pirates like the Four Emperors. The Warlords were on the World Government’s side, and most of them stayed in their own territories—like Doflamingo or Boa Hancock, who each managed their own domains. The Marines didn’t worry about them wandering off.
But Ian was definitely an exception!
After Ian obtained Travira Island as his territory, the Marines assumed he would settle down and manage it. But instead, Ian abandoned his territory and ran all over the world. Running around wasn’t unusual—Hawk-Eye Mihawk was a loner too—but Ian’s wandering was different from Mihawk’s!
He went to Dressrosa, and Doflamingo’s secrets were exposed, forcing the Marines and World Government to strip Doflamingo of his Warlord status.
Then Ian still wouldn’t settle down. He followed Ace to Alabasta!
Officially, they were chasing Blackbeard Teach, but shortly after they arrived, Crocodile fell too!
Although it seemed Ian wasn’t the one who took down Crocodile, Sengoku would never believe Ian had nothing to do with it.
At such a critical moment, two Warlords had been stripped of their titles in succession. Sengoku was overwhelmed. The Warlords were a key fighting force for the Marines, yet just as Sengoku was preparing to move against the Whitebeard Pirates, two of them fell. Both positions were still vacant, with no replacements found.
So Sengoku was genuinely afraid of Ian. Even knowing that the Whitebeard Pirates had taken Blackbeach Teach away, Sengoku still dared not relax surveillance on Ian’s whereabouts.
Of course, this surveillance was secret and conducted from a distance, ensuring Ian wouldn’t notice. But despite this, they had lost track of Ian for an entire week.
During that week, Sengoku’s heart was in his throat. Based on Ian’s previous route, Sengoku guessed he might end up in Gecko Moria’s territory… If something happened and even Moria got dragged into it, Sengoku would want to bang his head against the wall!
Now Ian had finally appeared, but his route had suddenly changed. Surprised as he was, Sengoku couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
However, before he could fully relax, the major communications officer reported nervously, “But… but, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, there’s another problem… a serious one…”
“What problem?” Sengoku’s heart tightened again.
“The Red Hair Pirates, who suddenly turned around a while ago… their destination seems to be Saint White Poplar too… and at this rate, they might arrive soon…” The major communications officer stammered, “If Black Dragon Ian doesn’t leave Saint White Poplar quickly, they’ll encounter the Red Hair Pirates!”
“Wh… what!?” Sengoku’s eyes widened at the news, and he couldn’t help but jump up from his chair.