"This is the first one! I'll contact Morgans immediately and make sure everyone knows about this!" Jack said excitedly.
"Though it's just a Captain, it marks the arrival of a new era! Now, the Marines have become prey! They must not only fear the guns from the front but also the blades from behind!"
"That'll only hurt their morale and reputation a little," Ian said casually. "Thinking they can really take down the Marines just like that is impossible."
This was just a small move in a bigger game.
After all, how many of the countless wanted pirates on the seas have truly been taken down by civilians or bounty hunters?
Crocodile did something similar only to boost the Cross Guild's name and attract some truly reckless troublemakers.
"But at least, now the World Government is really in trouble."
Jack smiled and said, "The operations to wipe out the Revolutionary Army always end up half-finished. It only lets the Navy gather their forces. Now, they've even reached the point of putting recruitment notices in the newspapers, saying they want to recruit new Shichibukai."
Speaking of which, ever since Crocodile and Moria rebelled, the current Shichibukai are just the good brothers Mihawk and some other insignificant guy.
No wonder the World Government is so anxious.
"Maybe they really can recruit some people," Ian said casually, "The Shichibukai title still has some appeal."
Legal pirates, legal plundering, no longer hunted by the Navy, and can boldly appear anywhere in the world.
Not all pirates are like the Four Emperors who can just ignore the Navy.
"There really aren't any outstanding guys left on the seas nowadays."
Jack sneered, "Unless the World Government can poach people from under your noses, Ian."
Ian couldn't help but laugh, "That's actually a good idea."
But the little brother is right. In this era, the cream of the pirate world has indeed concentrated in these few pirate crews, maybe with the addition of the Cross Guild and the Red Hair Pirates.
There really aren't many talents left on the seas.
The World Government can only hold their noses and settle for mediocre picks.
"Oh, by the way," Ian suddenly remembered something, "Remember to contact Morgans and tell him to change the bounties. Sengoku has become a Fleet Admiral, and Aokiji and the other two have officially become Admirals. Their bounties should be updated."
The Navy has completely entered a new era.
Ian recalled a few days ago, at the inauguration speech, Sengoku declared that he would use his justice to reign over the world and erase all evil from the seas.
It made Ian want to laugh a little.
If he really wanted to do that, he'd have to turn the guns around first.
"Understood."
Jack nodded lightly.
"Hm?"
Ian suddenly sat up straight, gazing out toward the distant sea.
He sensed a presence—an astonishingly strong presence.
"The visitor comes with ill intent."
Ian stood up.
"Big Brother Ian?"
Jack instantly realized something was wrong and tensed his body.
"Evacuate the civilians on the beach. Let Jinbei take people to maintain order on the island," Ian stretched lazily. "Looks like a troublesome guy has arrived."
It was an unfamiliar aura, something he had never encountered before in his life.
But its strength was no joke—not someone to deal with casually.
"Yes! Understood!"
Jack hurried away.
Soon, some pirates came over and began evacuating the civilians on the beach. The lively, bustling beach quickly grew quiet.
"Hehehehe! I heard there's a fight?"
Amid heavy footsteps, Solem laughed loudly as he approached, followed by Himir and the beast giants.
Although they were stationed on Hive Island, they rarely moved about in crowded places—after all, their size difference was huge, and any carelessness could cause casualties.
"Just one guy. No need for such a big fuss."
Ian said calmly.
He was only worried about too much damage happening on Hive Island during the fight.
"So, it's a really powerful guy who came, right?"
Ace with shining eyes, ran over eagerly, clenching his fists. "I'm not the same as before now! My power is scary strong!"
"You kids better stay on the sidelines and play."
Ian reached out, grabbed Ace's forehead, and pushed him away.
Ace was extremely annoyed but had no choice; he quietly stood by Ian's side and waited.
"Sanji!"
Ian called out loudly.
"Big Brother Ian!"
Sanji burst out excitedly from some corner. "Are you asking me to fight?"
"Get me a drink."
Ian said.
Sanji's face immediately fell, but he still replied quickly, "Coming right up!"
When he went to get a drink, the intense battle—no, volleyball match—between Yamato and Hancock finally came to a halt.
The volleyball that Hancock missed turned into a cannonball and crashed into the sea, sending up a massive wave.
Amid the roaring noise, the white-haired girl approached with a playful smile. She looked out toward the distant sea and said, "Looks like someone incredible is coming, Ian!"
In the distance, a silhouette of a rapidly approaching ship had already appeared on the ocean.
"The aura is powerful!"
Hancock's expression grew serious.
Stronger than that white-haired bastard!
Much stronger—by more than just a little!
"Should we just sink that ship right away?"
Solem bent forward halfway, grinning as he asked.
He and Himir could join forces to use the Supreme Conqueror's Blast. One shot would be enough to blow that ship into scraps from several kilometers away.
"No rush."
Ian smiled as he spoke.
At the very least, they should figure out who the person was.
Even though this person clearly didn't come with good intentions, it was still unclear what exactly he was here for.
"Viola, take a look and tell us what's going on."
Ian called out.
He didn't even need to finish speaking—Viola, realizing what was happening, had already activated her ability!
Her Clairvoyance immediately locked onto the ship in the distance.
The next moment, she said with a bit of surprise, "It's a warship."
"A warship?"
Law spoke in disbelief. "No way. Would the Navy really dare to come here directly?"
"Hahaha! It must be because you put a bounty on the Navy, Ian! Now they can't take it anymore!" Ace laughed, making a wild guess.
"It's not the Navy!"
Viola's voice grew even more astonished. "There's only one person on the ship! That guy is—"
"Demon Heir—Douglas Bullet!"
On the rapidly approaching warship, Douglas Bullet, dressed in full military uniform, grinned viciously as he stared at the island ahead.
His Observation Haki had already locked onto the most powerful presence on the island.
"Hahahahaha! Ian the Skyfire! I've found you!"
**********
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