Chapter 494: The Grand Drama Begins
Ian nodded, then asked about Tashigi's situation.
He had originally thought that since Kuina had been transferred under Vice Admiral Tsuru's command, Tashigi might have followed as well. However, the answer he received surprised him—Tashigi was still with Smoker.
It seemed that Kuina had caught Vice Admiral Tsuru's attention perhaps because she was a Devil Fruit user, recruited as an elite female Marine! Maybe later, after Kuina made contributions under Tsuru and rose to the rank of Captain, she might gain the authority to lead her own squad, just like Tina.
Thinking this, Ian suddenly realized that his junior sister had truly grown up. Perhaps one day in the future, she would become a mature and beautiful Marine like Tina, earning great prestige within the organization.
Since Kuina had chosen the path of the Marines, Ian would do his utmost to help her. Hmm, maybe he could secretly pull some strings behind the scenes, letting her capture some big-time pirates with bounties over a hundred million...
Lost in thought as he walked, Ian and his group followed the Marine Rear Admiral to the 64th Red Tree Zone, where a Marine warship was waiting for them. The ship then turned around and set sail toward Marineford.
...
Meanwhile, at Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral Sengoku was calculating Ian's arrival time.
He had previously sent CP6 agents to deliver a message to Ian, hoping to prevent Ian from meeting with Shanks. However, the news that came back gave Sengoku another headache.
It seemed that everything involving Ian gave Sengoku a headache. Sometimes he wondered if that brat Ian had appeared specifically to mess with him.
Not only had Shanks met with Ian, but according to CP6's reports, they had even held a banquet together. This indicated that Shanks seemed to appreciate Ian quite a bit. Who knew what they had talked about...
First Whitebeard, now Red-Haired Shanks. That kid Ian had some kind of magic that made two of the most fearsome Four Emperors look favorably upon him.
Now, not only his strength but also his background was growing more formidable. This made Sengoku hesitate again about whether to go through with this transaction.
Over at the Marine Science Unit, Dr. Vegapunk had been pressing for Germa's technological data. But Sengoku, feeling increasingly threatened by Ian, was reluctant to hand it over. He was truly in a bind now.
Ian had already boarded the warship and would arrive soon. Sengoku had to make a decision quickly within this time.
After thinking it over, he looked up and asked the lazy Aokiji, who was lounging in his office like a slob, "Kuzan, any news from Sakazuki?"
Aokiji opened his eyes and nodded. "I just got word this morning. The Whitebeard Pirates' escort delivering Teach has arrived. According to the original plan, in another two or three days, we'll see the outcome!"
Sengoku tapped the desk lightly, pondering. "If Teach's plan really succeeds, the Marines will have to honor the agreement and make him a Warlord. But have you considered what Ian's reaction will be if Teach becomes a Warlord?"
"I don't know," Aokiji shook his head. "I can only say that we can't let them meet at Marine Headquarters. If they do, they might start a full-scale fight, and Marineford might not survive it."
Sengoku nodded in agreement but suddenly asked, "Then do you think, if Teach is recruited as a Warlord, that brat Ian will turn against us?"
"...Hard to say," Aokiji sat up, unusually serious as he thought it over. "Logically, Ian needs his Warlord status. It's because of this status that his crimes of assassinating a Celestial Dragon and burning Mary Geoise were pardoned. If he doesn't want to be hunted by the Marines again, he won't easily give up being a Warlord..."
"So, even if his enemy becomes someone on the same level as him, he'll just have to endure it?" Sengoku asked.
"Hard to tell. He's a special case," Aokiji shook his head. "That's why I say it's hard to predict. He's the youngest among the Warlords, but because of his youth, he might act impulsively and unpredictably. If he can't swallow his pride and chooses to give up his Warlord status just to kill Teach, there's nothing we can do... No one knows how much his strength has grown by now."
Sengoku had already thought of everything Aokiji said. But precisely because he could think of it, he was even more frustrated and annoyed.
He slammed his fist on the desk in frustration and said gloomily, "I said from the start that we shouldn't have let him become a Warlord. But the World Government and the Celestial Dragons..."
Sengoku felt like cursing but held back. Dealing with such useless allies made him feel exasperated. If it weren't for the Celestial Dragons desperately wanting to retrieve that identity chip, allowing Ian to become a Warlord, he wouldn't be in such a passive position now.
With Doflamingo's fall and Crocodile's imprisonment, the Warlords had lost two members. The Marines had been considering replacements. Ever since Lafitte visited Marine Headquarters, Sengoku had thought that if Teach's plan succeeded, letting him take one of the Warlord seats might not be a bad idea. But now, if they added Teach as a Warlord, they risked losing Ian as one as well...
Sengoku picked up the report on his desk analyzing the relationship between Ian and Whitebeard Edward Newgate, carefully studying it, wondering whether to take this gamble.
The gamble was whether Ian would turn against the Marines over the Warlord position...
Sengoku was not a gambler. He was known for his meticulous thinking. But now, he too had to face a choice.
After a long pause, Sengoku finally made his decision. He put down the report and said to Aokiji, "When Ian arrives at Marine Headquarters, we must block all news from him. Use the Pacifista matter to stall him as much as possible. Don't let him leave Marineford. Once Akainu sends confirmed news and everything is settled, we'll see his choice..."
Aokiji nodded. He knew Sengoku had decided to take the gamble. Compared to the temptation of bringing down a Four Emperor like Whitebeard, losing Ian as a Warlord was nothing.
Now, it all depended on whether Teach could succeed...
After their discussion, a Marine communications officer ran in to report that Ian had arrived at Marineford.
Sengoku took a deep breath, calmed himself, and said, "Let him come in."
The communications officer left. Before long, Sengoku saw Ian enter his office, accompanied by a man he didn't recognize.
Who was that man with the white turban? Sengoku stared at Enel with some confusion.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, you look well," Ian greeted Sengoku with a smile, then turned to Aokiji. "Admiral Kuzan, hello."
Aokiji nodded noncommittally, his gaze also lingering on Enel, just like Sengoku's.
"This is the new boatswain of my crew. I brought him to see the world," Ian introduced Enel to the two, then found a chair and sat down.
He patted the briefcase in his hand and said, "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I've brought Germa's data. I went through a lot of trouble to get it from the Vinsmoke Family. So, do you need to verify its authenticity? Or shall we proceed directly with the transaction?"
Sengoku finally turned his attention back to Ian. He spoke, "Ian, the reason I called you here is to tell you something. The Pacifista you wanted had already been transported, but there was a slight issue along the way. They were sent back to the Marine Science Unit for recalibration. So, our transaction has to be delayed."
Hearing this, Ian frowned and stared straight at Sengoku. Sengoku, however, maintained a calm expression, meeting Ian's gaze.
After a long moment, Ian relaxed his brow and smiled at Sengoku. "What a shame. So how long will it take to complete the transaction?"
"At least two or three days for the recalibration," Sengoku said.
"Alright then," Ian picked up the briefcase and stood up. "I'll wait back at Sabaody Archipelago. Let me know when there's news."
But Sengoku shook his head. "Ian, it's best if you stay at Marineford. I don't want you running into Celestial Dragons on Sabaody and causing more trouble."
"Don't worry, I'll make sure to avoid them," Ian said with a grin.
"No. You stay here," Sengoku said firmly. "Admiral Kuzan and Admiral Borsalino will accompany you as guides. They'll show you around Marineford."
With Sengoku's words, the atmosphere in the room turned icy and tense. Though Aokiji and Enel showed no expression on the surface, their muscles were secretly tensed. Ian, too, stared coldly at Sengoku...