Chapter 493: Kuina's Transfer (Extra Chapter for Alliance Leader Swinging Sword and Cutting Sky)
Because of Ian's intervention back then, Marco and the others from the Whitebeard Pirates ended up appearing in Alabasta, which also meant that Mr. 2, who had originally covered for Luffy and his crew's escape, wasn't captured by Tina and Smoker. Instead, he left with Luffy and the others.
However, after leaving Baroque Works, although the okama Bon Clay wanted to join the Straw Hat Pirates, he still had one wish to fulfill—to meet the Okama Queen Ivankov. So, after discussing it with Luffy and the others, he left first, planning to return and join the Straw Hat Pirates only after meeting Ivankov.
But for some reason, through a twist of fate, Bon Clay never made it to Impel Down to see Ivankov. Instead, he reunited with Luffy and the others at Water Seven.
Ian didn't know the specifics of this, but he could roughly guess some of it.
So he felt that this time, the Straw Hat Pirates had probably been screwed over by him. Because he had taken Robin away, the composition of the Straw Hat Pirates had naturally changed.
For Luffy and the others to rescue Robin at Enies Lobby versus rescuing the okama Bon Clay were two completely different things. Although Ian knew that with Luffy and Zoro's fearless personalities, they would raise hell no matter which companion was captured, in Ian's eyes, the whole vibe had completely shifted!
Why did this scene feel so full of bromance!?
Forget it! Ian quickly tossed aside the newspaper, not daring to read any further.
However, even though it was just a quick glance, Ian still spotted Franky's figure in the news photo. It seemed Franky would still end up joining the Straw Hat Pirates. After all, for Luffy, anyone he found interesting, he would drag into his crew.
That kid, back when he first saw Dorry the Mink, he had even thought about recruiting Dorry to join...
As for the impact on the Straw Hat Pirates, Ian couldn't worry about that now. Luffy was Luffy, Ian was Ian. Luffy might have been the protagonist of the original anime, but for Ian now, he himself was his own protagonist. He could only focus on himself first.
After the Ark sailed for another day or so, Sabaody Archipelago was already in sight.
From a distance, Enel watched the colorful bubbles constantly rising from Sabaody Archipelago, finding it quite fascinating. He had never seen such a sight back in Skypiea.
As for Ian, it was like revisiting an old haunt. But this time, Ian's identity was completely different.
"Captain, where should we dock?" Dorry asked Ian.
Ian thought for a moment and said, "Find a spot between Grove 60 and 69 to anchor. If I remember correctly, that area is for Marine and government officials. It'll be safer to dock the ship there."
Sabaody Archipelago was a famous tourist destination, with a complex mix of people and plenty of crime. If they left the Ark Maxim in lawless areas, that golden ship would probably attract wave after wave of villains. Even flying the flag of a Warlord wouldn't stop them. By then, just dealing with those guys would keep Ian busy enough. So it was better to stay in a more orderly area.
Come to think of it, back when he was on Sabaody, he even had a family! He wondered how those people were doing after he left. Were they even still alive?
When Ian's ship appeared near the island's coastline, it had already drawn quite a bit of attention. Countless pirates arrived at this island every day, and the Ark Maxim, gleaming gold in the sunlight, was incredibly flashy. The pirates who spotted them couldn't help but feel envious. But fortunately, they also recognized what the flag on the ship represented, so they didn't dare act rashly for now.
The Marines stationed on the island also spotted Ian's ship. When Ian and his crew docked, a Marine Rear Admiral came to greet them. But no matter how Ian looked at it, he felt these Marines were more on guard than welcoming.
However, Ian couldn't be bothered to care. This kind of attitude from the Marines was directed at all Warlord members.
Ian packed the information about Germa's battle suit technology that Reiju had given him into a leather briefcase. Carrying the case, he led Enel and the others off the ship.
"Sir Ian!" The Rear Admiral, wearing a Marine coat, stared at Ian with a serious expression and said, "I have already informed Marine Headquarters of your arrival. Fleet Admiral Sengoku requests that you proceed directly to Marineford and not linger on Sabaody Archipelago."
The Rear Admiral's words were tactful, but Ian understood the implication. He couldn't help but smirk and say, "Hmph, he's actually worried about those Celestial Dragons vacationing on the island, isn't he?"
"Uh..." The Rear Admiral was stunned. He hadn't expected Ian to be so blunt.
That was exactly it. Given Ian's past track record, Fleet Admiral Sengoku was genuinely concerned that the Celestial Dragons out enjoying themselves on the island might run into this jinx again.
After all, since the Mary Geoise incident, the Dragon Hunter Pirates' reputation had spread among the Celestial Dragons. They both hated and feared Ian. Maybe seeing him would even scare them off.
But Sengoku didn't dare take that risk. What if some clueless young Celestial Dragon, not knowing their place, tried to capture Ian after encountering him? That would be disastrous!
So Sengoku felt it was best to summon Ian to Marine Headquarters as soon as possible.
Seeing the Rear Admiral's awkward expression, Ian didn't say anything more. He just nodded to show he understood and then asked, "Where's the ship?"
From Sabaody Archipelago to Marineford, there was still a stretch of sea in between. The distance was short, but they still needed a boat to cross. Although Ian was a Warlord, his ship wasn't allowed to travel through that area without permission. He had to take a Marine-designated vessel.
Ian knew this rule and didn't plan to break it for now.
"This way, please follow me!" The Rear Admiral gestured, then led Ian and the others through the mangrove forest.
The spot where Ian's ship had docked was Grove 62, which housed the Marine base on Sabaody Archipelago. So along the way, they saw plenty of Marine facilities and rows of soldiers running with rifles on their shoulders.
As they walked, Ian suddenly noticed a bulletin board. It seemed to have some internal Marine notices and commendation information. Out of curiosity, Ian stopped to take a look.
But to his surprise, he found news about Kuina on that board!
This commendation order had been issued not long ago. Although it was posted in an inconspicuous corner, it was indeed from Marine Headquarters. Ian quickly skimmed through it and found that Kuina had been promoted to Lieutenant Commander!
And she was a Lieutenant Commander at Marine Headquarters! The reason was that she had captured several pirate crews in a row recently. One of those crews' names made Ian laugh and cry.
Because that crew was called the Buggy Pirates...
Buggy had actually been captured by Kuina!? How did that happen...
Thinking this, Ian couldn't help but grab the Rear Admiral and ask, "Is Lieutenant Commander Kuina currently at Marine Headquarters?"
The Rear Admiral frowned, took a closer look at the commendation order, and nodded. "That's right. This newly promoted Marine Lieutenant Commander has been recalled to Marine Headquarters. Why? Do you know her, Sir Ian?"
"Yeah, we've met a few times. She even tried to capture me once!" Ian brushed it off, then asked, "I remember she was under Captain Smoker. So that means Captain Smoker is also at Marine Headquarters?"
"Captain Smoker is indeed at Marine Headquarters, but Lieutenant Commander Kuina seems to have been transferred to Vice Admiral Tsuru's command!" The Rear Admiral said with some envy. "Vice Admiral Tsuru's unit is the most famous female Marine squad in all of Marine Headquarters!"
"Oh!?" Ian was a bit surprised. He had thought Kuina was still with Smoker, but it turned out she had caught Vice Admiral Tsuru's eye?
After thinking it over, Ian felt it was for the best. Smoker was a decent guy, a truly upright Marine, but his personality was too rebellious. Kuina following him, a famous problem child in the Marines, probably wouldn't lead to much. She might even end up with him at the G-5 branch, which was full of rotten Marines...
On the other hand, being under Vice Admiral Tsuru was completely different. Tsuru was the Marine's Chief of Staff, a highly important strategic advisor with significant influence. If Kuina could win Vice Admiral Tsuru's favor, her path to promotion in the Marines would be much smoother.