Three figures soared through the sky.
Inside a massive bubble, Ian crossed his arms over his chest, gazing leisurely down at the vast ocean below.
He had to admit, with Kuma's help, even crossing the sea had become an effortless task.
"Now that I think about it," Ian murmured, "the last time I left Wano kuni and set out to sea... that must've been ages ago."
There was a trace of nostalgia in his voice. "I really do miss those days—sailing the Grand Line, fighting fierce battles, and carving our own path through the waves."
In recent years, the Beasts Pirates had encountered nothing that required Ian's personal intervention.
The days of charging across the seas with his comrades, facing powerful enemies, were long gone.
In this world, besides Imu, was there even an opponent worthy of his full strength anymore?
These days, even the mid-tier officers of the Beasts Pirates were enough to handle most of the problems that arose across the New World.
"Who could possibly trap you on Onigashima again?"
Kaido snorted coldly.
Ian chuckled. There was another reason—aside from the fact that most matters didn't require his personal attention.
"If I start running around like I used to," he said, smiling faintly, "someone might just lose their mind."
Kaido sneered. "And that wouldn't be a bad thing, would it?"
Although Ian had never said it outright, Kaido had guessed as much—the World Government was likely hiding a terrifying power still unknown to the world.
Something so dreadful that even someone as fearsome as Ian regarded it with caution.
"That's why I've come out now," Ian said with a grin.
Over the past six years, his strength had reached an entirely new level.
Even though his Devil Fruit powers had yet to awaken, Ian was confident—there was no one left on the seas who could defeat him.
Joy Boy from eight hundred years ago, and Imu, who had survived from that same ancient era—perhaps they were terrifying once. But to Ian now, they were no longer worth fearing.
Arrogant? Perhaps.
"Kaido-sensei," Ian said suddenly, "if Aunt Linlin refuses my invitation, I won't hold back."
"I told you already, that old hag's mine!" Kaido snorted. "Even if I have to beat her senseless, I'll make sure she behaves herself!"
"And me as well, Lord Ian!"
Kuma, who was traveling with them, spoke earnestly. "I'll help persuade Charlotte Linlin too."
"Then I'll leave it to you two."
Ian nodded lightly.
He could only hope that the two of them could really make Aunt Linlin listen to reason.
Otherwise… tch.
The North Blue.
The Charlotte Family.
Six years ago, their main base had suffered devastating destruction.
That time, both the Marines and the Beasts Pirates launched a sudden, coordinated assault, nearly reducing the island to ruins.
Fortunately, after six years of rebuilding, the island had once again become prosperous.
In fact, this reconstruction had made it even more in tune with the Charlotte Family's unique style.
To put it simply—it now looked almost identical to the former Whole Cake Island: sweet, colorful, and seemingly made entirely of desserts.
At the center of this reformed kingdom stood the grand and magnificent palace, rebuilt to be more splendid than ever before.
"Mamamama! My dear son, come! Taste this food your mama specially had prepared for you!"
Charlotte Linlin—who had grown even sturdier over the years—sat before an enormous table, laughing heartily.
Beside her sat a little boy.
He looked only about six or seven years old.
But while his face still held the innocence of a child, his body was terrifyingly muscular and tall.
Despite being so young, his height already exceeded three meters—taller even than the great Emperor Ian himself.
Even more shocking was how his bulging muscles strained against his clothes, making it hard to believe such a young child could have built such a physique.
Yet, despite his intimidating build, the boy wore a simple, goofy smile on his face.
"Thank you, Mama!"
The boy beamed with joy as he looked at the food placed before him, smiling brightly as he thanked his mother.
And the food before him wasn't piles of cakes or pastries—it was mostly simple stir-fried vegetables and stews, with very little meat.
"Mamamama! My son doesn't like sweets! You're the first one in the entire Charlotte Family, you know that?"
Linlin raised her massive hand and gently patted the boy's head. "But Mama forgives you, because you're my most beloved son!"
"Mama's the best!"
The boy laughed again, almost instinctively.
"Mamamama! Good boy! You're Mama's precious son!"
Aunt Linlin roared with laughter.
Watching her son devour the meal with such appetite, a proud, tender smile formed on her face.
Eat more, my good boy.
Only by eating well can you grow stronger—and help your dear Mama one day.
She had never cared so deeply for any of her children before.
Because this child was special.
He was the most extraordinary among all the children she had ever given birth to.
Not only was he a descendant of the Buccaneer, inheriting his father's terrifyingly powerful physique—
But more importantly, he had also received a gift from his mother.
Yes, this child not only possessed the incredible body of the Buccaneers, but also inherited from Charlotte Linlin her indestructible skin and monstrous strength.
This child was born with an unprecedented talent.
Charlotte Linlin had realized it the very moment she first saw him.
Given thirty years, he might very well grow strong enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ian himself.
The only pity was that this child was not hers alone.
Compared to her, the boy was far more attached to his father—much more, in fact.
He even found it more natural to call that man Kuma's wife "mother" than to call Linlin by that name!
Charlotte Linlin, of course, could not accept such a situation.
So every time the boy was sent to stay with her, she showed an enthusiasm she had never displayed before—playing the role of a devoted, caring mother with all her might, just to make the boy grow closer to her.
For this purpose, she had even stopped giving birth to new children in recent years, devoting all her affection solely to him.
And it seemed her efforts were finally bearing fruit.
When the boy first met her, he was so timid he could barely say a word. But now, he could affectionately call her "Mama."
Charlotte Linlin believed that sooner or later, he would come to see her as the most important person in his heart.
And when that day came… hmph, Ian, just you wait for me!
**********
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