Ian landed lightly upon the floor.
From the height he fell, the impact should have been catastrophic — momentum had built up like a crashing wave — yet the moment he touched down, the surge of Haki burst outward, slowing his descent to a gentle drop at the very last instant.
He paid no mind to Kizaru or Saturn at all. His gaze was fixed solely upon Vegapunk, whose expression was frozen in stunned disbelief.
"No way…"
Sweat rolled down Kizaru's forehead, his voice strained and bitter. "No one told me this guy would show up here… not a word."
Only those who had faced Ian at full strength knew the terror this man embodied. And after so many years, his power could only have grown even more terrifying.
"What is going on here!?"
Saturn's voice cracked with shock, disbelief twisting his features. "Ian! Why are you here!?"
Was he here for Vegapunk? But how could he know Vegapunk was hidden in this place? None of it made any sense. The esteemed Five Elders' mind was a chaotic mess, utterly unable to grasp the situation.
Then Vegapunk's response snapped everything into place.
"Ian!"
Where a moment ago he wore a face of pure astonishment, now Vegapunk broke into an excited smile. "You arrived so quickly!"
Even buried in research, a scientist like him would never forget that face.
Kizaru and Saturn's eyes widened in unison.
Vegapunk's reaction meant only one thing…
"A friend brought me here," Ian said with a calm smile, stepping toward the doctor as he spoke.
At that moment, Kuma dropped through the opening above and landed heavily behind Ian.
The brat from the Buccaneers!
Saturn would never forget Bartholomew Kuma. But right now, Kuma barely registered. All of his focus had shifted to something far more alarming.
His old, withered eyes widened with murderous fury as he turned on Vegapunk. "Vegapunk, you betrayed us!"
No wonder Ian found this place!
Vegapunk scratched his cheek awkwardly, his voice small. "Sorry… even I didn't intend for things to turn out like this."
"But why, Doctor?" Kizaru asked, baffled as he stared at his friend of many years. "Compared to the Government… you'd rather side with Ian? With the Beasts Pirates — pirates of all people?"
Vegapunk hesitated.
Ian chuckled. "Probably because the Doctor believes that compared to the World Government… we're more likely to win this war."
"Spare us your arrogance, Ian! Who do you think you are!?"
Saturn roared, voice filled with rage.
Even Joy Boy eight hundred years ago — a figure so terrifying — had failed. What made this brat think he was any different?
"Because I believe," Vegapunk finally spoke again, tone firm and resolute, "that compared to the World Government… the Beasts Pirates have a better chance of changing this world for the better."
"Now—having inherited the will of the very first pirate, Joy Boy—Ian will lead the Beasts Pirates to challenge you!"
Ian's lips twitched.
I haven't inherited anyone's will.
"What?!"
Saturn's pupils shrank. "Joy Boy? You bastard! Vegapunk, you were researching the Void Century!"
"I have always been searching!"
Vegapunk no longer held back. Passion surged in his voice as he shouted, "The world needs the truth!"
"This world could have become better eight hundred years ago—it was you! It was the World Government that forcefully stopped that progress!"
If the technology of that great kingdom had spread across the seas, what would the world look like today?
Technology may bring conflict, but it drives progress even more.
Greater technology means greater productivity, producing more wealth and giving people better lives.
But all of it was halted by the World Government.
Saturn's cheek muscles twitched.
Kizaru lowered his eyes, hiding his gaze—and his expression.
"So then," Ian turned toward the massive furnace behind Vegapunk.
Within the liquid inside, faint specks of starlight floated and shimmered.
"Doctor, is this the energy source you've been developing?"
"Correct!"
Vegapunk instantly shed the earlier solemnity. Excitement lit up his face as he thumped his chest and declared, "This is it! I have named it the Mother Flame! It will change the entire world!"
Once completed, even a single spark could generate unimaginable power.
This new form of energy would undoubtedly bring earth-shaking transformation to the world!
"That's wonderful."
Ian sighed sincerely.
With this thing, the dormant Pluton—after eight hundred years—could finally awaken again, revealing its world-shattering might!
"Then, Doctor," Ignoring Saturn and Kizaru entirely, Ian grinned. "Come with us—bring it along."
"…"
Saturn's eyes narrowed to pinpoints.
Impossible!
Vegapunk cannot leave. The Mother Flame must stay!
Five Elders — one of them silently relaying orders to his distant peers in Mary Geoise, while roaring aloud with fury, "Borsalino! What are you waiting for?! Kill Vegapunk!"
There was no room left for hesitation.
Vegapunk had to die.
And the energy source he created must be secured.
"Ahh…"
Kizaru let out a long sigh. "Why did it have to come to this…"
Why must he face a lifelong friend as an enemy? But the cruelty of being a cog in society lies in having no choice.
"Borsalino…"
Vegapunk's expression turned heavy and conflicted.
Though he had resolved to betray the World Government, the man before him was undeniably an old and dear friend.
"Doctor… forgive me—"
Kizaru breathed out softly as his body began to shift into light.
But—
"Who allowed you to turn into light in front of me?"
Ian merely tilted his head, glancing back with the corner of his eye.
Buzz!!
Crimson lightning erupted from his body, crashing down upon Kizaru in an instant.
A tidal wave of overwhelming will — unavoidable and absolute.
"Ugh—!!"
Kizaru groaned, his body trembling violently as he staggered backward step after step.
The form of light he had become forcibly returned to flesh.
Red lightning coiled and crackled over his body's surface.
"What is this…?"
Kizaru's expression twisted bitterly. "My whole body's gone numb!"
"Such a level of Conqueror's Haki…!"
Saturn felt his scalp prickle, heart pounding in shock.
Just his Haki alone was enough to completely suppress Borsalino!?
Ian… just how much has he grown over these past few years?
"Bullet."
While pinning Kizaru down with one hand, Ian spoke casually, as if this battle hardly required any effort from him.
From the ceiling, a massive arm reached down, seizing the furnace and merging it into itself without pause.
The giant hand then swung toward Vegapunk next.
**********
Support me on my patreon and read upto 20 early chapters.
patreon.com/PirateKing24