Chapter 492: The Shocking Enies Lobby Incident
"Huh!?" Shanks looked at Ian with some surprise and asked, "What do you mean?"
"My ability!" Ian explained. "Among my abilities, there's an extraordinary healing power that might be able to restore your lost arm!"
Shanks was stunned. Although he knew Ian was a Devil Fruit user, and Devil Fruit users often possessed incredible abilities, this kind of power was simply too astonishing, wasn't it?
An arm that had been severed for over a decade could actually be restored!?
But looking into Ian's eyes, Shanks knew he was telling the truth.
Ian had actually wanted to bring this up with Shanks earlier, but only now, at the time of parting, did he have the chance to say it.
However, to Ian's surprise, after calming down, Shanks reached out and patted Ian on the shoulder, saying, "I appreciate your kindness, but let's leave it as it is!"
"Why?" Ian asked, puzzled. "If your arm were restored, you should be able to become stronger, right?"
"It's been over a decade; I've gotten used to it!" Shanks shook his head, smiled, and glanced at his severed arm. "I've long since grown accustomed to wielding a sword with one hand. Suddenly having it back might actually make me uncomfortable. Besides, I've already bet this arm on the future. Since I haven't seen that future yet, how can I reclaim my bet ahead of time?"
Ian knew he was referring to Luffy and was momentarily at a loss for words.
But just then, Shanks suddenly burst into laughter and said, "However, Ian, let's make a pact. Maybe one day, I'll come to you and ask you to restore my arm!"
"Huh!?" This time it was Ian's turn to be confused. What did that mean? Not restoring it now, but waiting until some future day?
"I'm off!" Shanks turned around gracefully, waved his hand back at Ian, and jumped onto his own ship.
With that, Ian had no choice. Since Shanks himself was unwilling, Ian couldn't force him.
The Red Hair Pirates, along with Robin and Reiju, followed Shanks back onto the Red Force, and soon the ship set sail.
Shanks and his crew stood by the railing, waving goodbye to Ian.
Ben Beckman, pipe in mouth, stood beside Shanks, waving at Ian while quietly asking, "Captain, what did you mean by what you said just now?"
"Haha, Ben! You heard that too!" Shanks smiled but didn't turn his head, speaking softly as well. "It's simple. Because I've discovered that the future might not be singular."
Beckman understood Shanks' words and suddenly grinned, asking, "Does that mean you heard something that night?"
"Yeah!" Shanks nodded and whispered to Beckman, "Before falling asleep, I saw two people pinky-swearing..."
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The Red Hair Pirates departed. Reiju and Robin traveled with them, taking the gold along. On the Ark Maxim, only Ian, Enel, Matthew, and Dorry remained.
"Captain, should we set off too?" Dorry asked Ian.
"Let's go!" Ian nodded. "Head to Marineford!"
The ship set sail again. As they sailed, Enel suddenly spoke to Ian, "That red-haired guy is strong! I can't beat him!"
Ian glanced at him and smiled, "No wonder you've been keeping a low profile these past few days."
"Hmph!" Enel rolled his eyes at Ian but tacitly admitted Ian was right. He asked, "I heard he's one of the Four Emperors. Does that mean there are three more like him?"
"Probably more than three!" Ian couldn't resist deflating his ego. "There are many. The people on Skypiea and the Blue Sea are too different in numbers. You might be invincible on Skypiea, but down here on the Blue Sea, there are plenty stronger than you."
Enel was indeed a bit disheartened. He was only now realizing that he might have been far too arrogant before.
"A change in mindset is a good thing!" Ian told him. "It might allow you to become even stronger."
"Then let's settle this once and for all!" Enel said, leaning on his golden staff. "I have to defeat you first!"
"Sure! Why would I turn down free experience?" Ian grinned, stretched his limbs, and soon the two were locked in battle on the deck.
As long as he knocked Enel down, the system would count it as a victory. For an opponent of Enel's caliber, that meant a huge chunk of experience. Ian was working toward level 60, so how could he pass up such a good opportunity to grind?
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After the Red Hair Pirates and the Dragon Hunter Pirates had both departed, the people of Saint Poplar Island finally breathed a sigh of relief, gradually returning to their usual lively atmosphere.
A Sea Train happened to arrive at Saint Poplar Station at that moment. From the train stepped a man and two women. The women appeared to be twins, nearly identical in appearance, both sporting strange square hairstyles. As they got off, they walked sideways to catch the wind. The man, however, wore a mask, and oddly enough, he was only in a pair of triangular briefs, revealing two furry "long legs" like a perverted exhibitionist!
In his hand, he carried a large leather suitcase.
"Let's go! With this money, we can definitely buy branches from the Treasure Tree Adam for lumber..."
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After sailing for about three days, Ian and his crew were nearing Fish-Man Island.
Because of the earlier conflict with CP6 agents on Saint Poplar Island, Ian hadn't considered using the Marines' dedicated water route. Instead, he chose to head to Sabaody Archipelago first, then to Mary Geoise.
Those CP6 agents had mentioned bringing news from Marine Headquarters. Although Ian hadn't listened to them, he could roughly guess what it was about—likely the Pacifista. Either Marine Headquarters was informing him to come pick it up soon, or they were backing out and not giving it to him.
Either way, it wasn't a big deal. Ian had to go to Marine Headquarters eventually anyway, so he hadn't bothered to listen to their nonsense.
After meeting Shanks, Ian also felt a bit nostalgic for Rayleigh. This was a good opportunity to visit Sabaody and see him. However, given Ian's special status, setting foot on the island would likely draw the Marines' attention. He'd have to find a way to meet Rayleigh discreetly.
Dorry climbed down from the mast and handed a newspaper to Ian, saying, "Captain, here you go!"
"Thanks, Dorry!" Ian smiled and thanked him. He had instructed Dorry to wait on the lookout for the News Coo and buy the paper.
Although his route differed from Luffy's, Ian was still keeping an eye on the Straw Hat Pirates' news. Knowing they were heading to Water 7, he wondered if they would still cause the Enies Lobby incident.
Technically, Robin had already joined Ian, and this time she was being escorted back by Shanks. Even if CP9 agents were in Water 7, without Robin, they might not target the Straw Hats as scapegoats.
But Ian thought it was hard to say. Since the Straw Hats had defeated Crocodile in Alabasta, they had become quite famous. Being targeted wouldn't be surprising.
So Ian had been checking the newspapers over the past few days, but the previous editions hadn't mentioned Luffy and his crew.
Today's paper, Ian hadn't held much hope for either. However, the moment he opened it and saw the headline, he spat out his drink!
Wh-what the hell!?
Ian stared wide-eyed at the headline image and text, which read: "Shocking! Straw Hat Pirates Wreak Havoc on Enies Lobby!"
For a moment, Ian was dumbfounded. A complaint was stuck in his throat, and he didn't know how to express it!
First of all, forget the headline that seemed straight out of a clickbait news agency. What the hell was that picture of Mr. 2 with tears and snot all over his face!?
Ian rubbed his eyes furiously, repeatedly confirming he wasn't mistaken. The news included a photo of the Straw Hats—Luffy, Zoro, and the others—and another of Mr. 2 from Baroque Works!
When Ian carefully read the article, he felt utterly bewildered...
Luffy and his crew had gone to Enies Lobby to rescue Mr. 2, Bon Clay!?
What was going on? Back on Skypiea, they hadn't run into this Mr. 2! How had he ended up with the Straw Hats!?
Imagining the scene of Luffy and the others standing on the roof of the Enies Lobby building, shouting at Mr. 2, "Bon Clay, hurry and say 'I want to live!'" while Mr. 2 cried back, "I want to live!"—Ian felt a deep sense of malice from this world...
This was going to be a real shocker...