King gritted his teeth.
He knew very well that if this kid truly decided to make a move against him, there would be no way to escape.
There was nothing he could do to stop it.
King could only sigh and flap his wings, quickly flying away.
"Looks like the final battle will indeed have to be on Onigashima," Black Maria said with a smiling face.
"Isn't that perfect?"
Ian smiled. "The place where it all began is also the place where it will end."
The fleet approached the coast and boarded the elevator Bullet had created. Soon, they were all transported to the inner seas of Wano Country.
From there, they moved directly toward Onigashima.
Heading up from this point was almost like approaching the backside of the island; they were already very, very close.
The final battle was about to begin.
"There's an inner sea inside the island?"
Bullet looked genuinely surprised. "Truly a unique terrain."
"This island really is quite special,"
Ian said casually.
Speaking of which, didn't Bullet's ability basically allow him to open Wano Country on his own?
He didn't even need the help of a lord; he could directly unearth the Pluton buried deep underground.
But digging it up now would be meaningless—the energy source wasn't ready yet.
Even with access to ancient technology, Uncle Queen's progress in energy research wasn't fast.
After all, Vegapunk only developed the Holy Mother Flame many years later.
Before long, they arrived at Onigashima.
When that enormous skull appeared in their sight, Ian felt a long-lost surge of excitement in his chest.
Finally, the moment had arrived.
"Ian-sama!"
A shout of delight came from afar.
Ian turned his head to see a ship quickly approaching.
Onboard was a familiar figure, someone he hadn't seen in a long time.
Seeing that shiny bald head, Ian smiled. "Fukurokuju? It's been a long time."
I almost forgot—I still carry the title of King of Wano.
Fukurokuju, this guy, has been loyal as a ninja yet stayed in this country all this time. Indeed, it had been ages since I last saw him.
"Please allow us to lend you a hand, Lord Ian!"
Fukurokuju, along with a group of ninjas, knelt respectfully on the deck of the ship.
"Then come along with us."
Ian didn't mind.
Having more or fewer people made little difference.
But if there were multiple ships… that would make a total of thirty.
Perfect!
Along the coast of Onigashima.
"Mwahahaha! Brats! Don't think you can land here so easily!"
Queen laughed loudly. "Let this brat see the results of my efforts over all these years!"
On the coast before him, strange cannons were set up, one after another.
"Combining these blueprints with other ancient technologies! The pinnacle of my technological mastery!"
Queen laughed wildly. "Fire!"
From the barrels of the cannons, dazzling beams of light suddenly flickered.
In the next moment, searing rays shot out toward the approaching fleet.
"Mwahahaha!"
Queen laughed proudly. "Disappear into ashes!"
Ian squinted slightly. "So dazzling… Uncle Queen's new beam cannons? Definitely stronger than the old version."
"Enel."
He said.
Behind him, Enel, nonchalantly leaning against the ship's rail while biting an apple, tugged at his mouth in annoyance.
Then, in an instant, he transformed into lightning and appeared in the sky. With a casual flick, thick bolts of electricity rained down onto the sea.
The lightning struck the approaching beams with pinpoint accuracy, immediately triggering colossal explosions that shook the world.
The dazzling sphere of light expanded to tens, even hundreds of meters, almost boiling the sea.
The violent shockwave pushed the towering waves straight toward the fleet.
Standing beside Ian, Yamato drew her spiked club and swung it casually, freezing both the waves and the sea surface.
The ice surged forward, straightening out the entire stretch of ocean before them, turning the turbulent sea into a vast frozen plain.
"Phew—"
Ian exhaled slowly, a mist rising in the air. "So, the battlefield has been prepared."
Yamato patted her chest proudly. "Super sturdy! We can do whatever we want!"
"Is that so?"
Ian lifted his head. At the peak of Onigashima, a figure was watching him from above.
"Ughahaha!"
At the top of Onigashima, Kaido looked down at Ian on the Golden Dragon, frozen in the ice field.
Though he couldn't see Ian clearly with his eyes, nor hear his words, Kaido already understood what Ian meant.
"All units, attack!!"
He laughed heartily. "Let the battle begin!"
Ian's lips curled into a smile.
Kaido-sensei, I already sense your Conqueror's Haki, I can already feel your ambition!
"The situation has come to this. Charge!"
"Hehehe! Then let's charge!!"
Without hesitation, Solem was the first to rush forward, laughing loudly as he leapt onto the ice, striding forward on his long legs.
Himir and the other beast giants followed closely behind.
Except for Solem, all the giants, including Himir, were clad in heavy armor.
This was no ordinary armor.
It had been crafted by Wapol from Queen Alloy, equipped with an internal power system and outfitted with a variety of weapons on the outside.
Even the beam cannon, the pride of Uncle Queen, was mounted, albeit in an older version.
Even more, the armor on Himir was mixed with Seastone.
It had to be said—Yamato's strength was also improving. The ice layer frozen on the sea was so thick that even a massive army of giants running across it couldn't shake it at all.
With the giants leading the way, Ian's pirates launched a full-scale assault.
The pirates charged across the ice field like a tidal wave.
"Hahahaha! Charge!!"
Sasaki had already transformed into a gigantic Triceratops.
"Crush all enemies for Lord Ian!"
The boxer Flock had turned into a massive gorilla.
Jinbe also charged at the front. This time, victory must be secured for Lord Ian!
At the same time, on Onigashima, a massive number of pirates surged out as well.
Leading the charge were even larger monsters!
The Overlords!
They wore armor of the same style as the Beast Giants and had even eaten artificial Devil Fruits, making them even more bizarre than before!
"Hehehe! Fight for Lord Kaido!!"
At the very front were several Ancient-type Devil Fruit users.
Using a few Ancient-type Devil Fruits that Ian had sent back earlier, combined with some they had collected themselves, Kaido had formed a division called the Tobiroppo.
Following them were powerful Shinuchi!
No tactics. No schemes.
Just charge.
On the shores of Onigashima.
"Mwahahaha! Then let's go!"
Queen transformed into a huge, heavily modified Apatosaurus.
From the eye sockets of Onigashima's skull, a jet-black Pteranodon spread its wings and took flight.
Ian stood at the bow of the ship, the corner of his mouth curling slightly.
"Ian!"
A desperate voice from Bullet came from behind.
"Go. I'll give you some time," Ian said calmly.
"Perfect!"
Bullet laughed heartily, instantly propelling himself through the air, heading straight for Kaido atop Onigashima!
"Fight freely," Ian said casually, lying on the ship's railing, "but remember to go easy on them."
The difference in forces was too great. No matter how they fought, victory was certain.
Thus, the companions joined the battle as well.
**********
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