Chapter 676: The Pirate King's Left Hand
Some things, when heard directly from a Four Emperor, are completely different from hearsay.
Big Mom had been famous for so many years and had witnessed many events firsthand, so Ian estimated that what she said about Kaido was likely true.
However, what puzzled Ian was whether the intelligence Big Mom had mentioned earlier about Kaido was all there was. If so, it wouldn't be of any help in figuring out how to take down Kaido.
From Big Mom's words, Ian could already tell that she had once fought Kaido. But since the world said Kaido was the strongest in a one-on-one fight, it meant that even with Big Mom's personal strength, she couldn't defeat him. However, with her numerous pirate subordinates, Kaido couldn't get the better of her either.
Since even Big Mom herself couldn't beat Kaido, then...
Thinking this, Ian felt a bit annoyed. He felt like he had been tricked. If he had known that Big Mom's intelligence on Kaido was this sparse, he wouldn't have stayed for this at all.
But just then, Big Mom continued, "Although Kaido has grown stronger and harder to kill, my Big Mom Pirates have gathered a lot of intelligence on him and finally discovered one thing—the scar on Kaido's abdomen, who caused it!"
"Huh!? Who?" Ian was startled and pressed for an answer.
"Mamama!" Big Mom laughed loudly. "That person, you've probably all heard of him. His name is Scopper Gaban!!!"
As soon as this name was mentioned, not only Ferred but even Stussy, who had been expressionless, stood up in surprise. The entire venue erupted in uproar!
"S-Scopper Gaban!?" Drago, the funeral parlor magnate, broke out in a cold sweat beneath his iron mask, exclaiming in shock, "The Pirate King Roger's left hand!?"
Hearing this, Ian also shuddered. When he first heard Big Mom mention the name, he was confused, but the moment he heard the title "Pirate King's Left Hand," he immediately understood!
Rayleigh, who was living in seclusion on Sabaody Archipelago, was known as the "Pirate King's Right Hand." Since there was a right hand, there must be a left hand. In Roger's pirate crew, Roger himself was the captain and the top dog, Rayleigh was his first mate, so there should also be someone like a chief of staff or boatswain, serving as the main strategic decision-maker or combat representative.
This was the typical structure of a pirate crew. Including the captain, the three strongest members were often called the "Big Three." Just like Ian's current Dragon Hunter Pirates, he was the captain and the first, Fujitora was the first mate and the second. As for the third, Ian had originally intended Enel to take that role as the combat representative. However, with Crocodile joining the crew, Enel's position was now uncertain because Crocodile's intelligence far surpassed his... So Ian wasn't sure whether the third member was now Enel or Crocodile.
In Roger's crew, although Rayleigh was already very strong, his personality suggested he leaned more toward a strategist type. That meant, by this logic, the Pirate King's Left Hand, Scopper Gaban, was likely known for his combat prowess...
If Ian's guess was correct, then what Big Mom said—that Scopper Gaban was the one who left the massive scar on Kaido's abdomen—made sense!
As the Pirate King's Left Hand, the name Scopper Gaban was naturally thunderous in the ears of older people.
"I... I thought he was already dead..." Ferred said, sweating profusely.
Big Mom glanced at him and said, "How could such a famous person die so easily? He's just in hiding, and it seems he's hiding in Wano Country. Kaido was probably injured by Scopper when he went to Wano before!"
With that, Big Mom looked down at Ian and said, "Understand? If you can find Scopper Gaban, the Pirate King's Left Hand, you might learn from him how he injured Kaido. That scar on Kaido's abdomen is the only wound on his body. Even with Kaido's vitality, it couldn't heal. So perhaps that will be the key to defeating Kaido..."
Ian nodded, indicating he understood. This was the intelligence he truly wanted.
But just then, Big Mom suddenly changed the subject and whispered to Ian, "Of course, Ian, if you marry Smoothie, then the Big Mom Pirates and the Dragon Hunter Pirates can cooperate to take down Kaido. Even without Scopper Gaban, it would be the same... Don't you agree?"
Ian chuckled but didn't pick up on that topic. Instead, he looked at Zeus and Prometheus beside him and exclaimed in surprise, "Damn! What happened to you two!?"
He had been feeding these two with thunder and fire energy while listening to Big Mom, so now Zeus and Prometheus had grown a whole size larger, and their power was evident.
This naturally diverted Big Mom's attention, and she angrily shouted at Zeus and Prometheus, "Idiots! Why are you two so greedy!?"
Zeus and Prometheus looked a bit aggrieved but couldn't help licking their tongues and saying, "But Mama, Ian's energy is so delicious..."
Big Mom had no choice but to point at Ian and say, "You really are something. Stop feeding them. I don't want them to lose control later and ruin the tea party again!"
"Alright!" Ian nodded, reached out, and touched Zeus's soft body, causing a flash of electricity. As for Prometheus, Ian didn't touch him.
But regardless, these two beings, infused with souls by Big Mom, now showed great closeness to Ian.
"Yo, Mama, sorry to keep you waiting!" Just then, Judge arrived with the Vinsmoke family. As soon as he saw Big Mom, he smiled and said, "Changing clothes took a bit longer..."
Big Mom nodded without saying anything. She looked around the venue and saw that most of the guests had arrived, so she announced, "Let's begin the wedding!"
Her children turned and went to prepare. Ian, however, looked curiously at Judge and his group because he didn't see Reiju. So he couldn't help but ask Judge.
Judge glared fiercely at Ian, snorted coldly, and crossed his arms, ignoring him.
This made Ian a bit awkward. Fortunately, Reiju finally arrived late, appearing in the venue.
Her expression looked a bit off, which puzzled Ian. He wanted to wave her over to sit with him but stopped himself. Reiju walked directly to the Vinsmoke family's table.
After sitting down, Reiju gave Ian a strange look.
Ian naturally noticed this look but couldn't figure out what it meant, leaving him scratching his head.
After glancing at Ian, Reiju crossed her arms and waited. At this moment, she didn't look at Stussy at all, remaining very composed.
Meanwhile, Stussy's heart was in turmoil, her gaze wandering.
Just then, the wedding music began to play in the venue. Big Mom laughed loudly and said, "Finally here!"
Then, Capone Bege appeared. He was wearing a white suit, with a rose in his breast pocket, a cigar in his mouth, and a smile on his face.
Beside him was Charlotte Chiffon, wearing a pure white wedding dress. This big-mouthed, plump girl held a bouquet in one hand and clung to Capone Bege's arm with the other. Although she looked a bit nervous and uneasy, there was undeniable happiness in her eyes.
The groom and bride walked together down the long red carpet, heading toward the flower arch at the venue. As they stepped onto the carpet, countless petals flew up, enveloping them in a sea of flowers.
Seeing this, all the guests stood up, cheering to welcome the couple. Even Ian couldn't help but clap with envy.
Because Ian knew very well that Capone Bege's love for Charlotte Chiffon was absolutely genuine!
As Capone Bege and Chiffon walked along, he wore a smug smile, responding to every guest with a grin. Only when his eyes met Ian's did they exchange a message that could only be understood without words...
It's... ready!