"A single defeat shattered your courage. You don't even dare face the man who beat you. Just one failure and you lose even the courage to stand again."
Ian stared at Crocodile, whose face turned pale and livid in turns.
"And didn't your Armament Haki tell you that you've already grown weaker?"
"You bastard!!!"
Crocodile roared while trembling with humiliation.
"What about you?! A coward who hides in West Blue! You think hiding with the Devil Child means the World Government won't find you?!"
"Desert Spada!"
"You got one thing right, I've been hiding here because I wasn't strong enough."
Ian twisted his body backward as he blocked the attack.
His right arm stretched behind him while gripping the axe.
"But you got one thing wrong."
His eyes closed as a blazing light erupted from him, the axe and his body shining together like a burning sun.
"I am not hiding from anyone."
In an instant, he swung forward…
"Particle Slash!"
Boom!
As Rhitta and the golden hook clashed fiercely…
Crack!
A clear sound rang out.
Crocodile's expression changed as his sturdy hook was shattered instantly!
The shockwave created a massive crater under them.
But it wasn't over.
The shattered hook couldn't stop the terrifying force behind Rhitta; the sun-like slash continued, and Rhitta tore into Crocodile's body.
A fountain of blood burst from him as he was blasted away straight toward the ocean and crashed hard into the sea surface, sending waves skyward.
Only a single furious shout remained…
"Ian!! You bastaaaard!!!"
Why did he even start cursing?
Ian put away his axe and looked at the sea before him, which had already calmed down with no more changes.
Knowing that guy should have already sunk into the sea, Ian looked up at the sun that had yet to set and let out a slightly regretful sigh.
He originally thought it would be a fierce, evenly matched battle, something thrilling that might last a whole day and night, and he had even prepared himself for that.
But this was it?
He didn't know if he had mentally broken Crocodile or what, but aside from the initial bit where Crocodile fought with some momentum, afterward his fighting style became a complete mess.
His face even kept turning green and red.
No wonder he got weaker and weaker. How could someone who was so easily shaken ever become a true, strong man?
If Luffy hadn't knocked sense into him, even if Crocodile had obtained the Ancient Weapon, he probably wouldn't have dared to challenge Whitebeard again.
What a flimsy mentality!
Ian shook his head and gave the calm sea another glance. "Warlord of the sea?"
He muttered faintly. Then he carried the Divine Axe Rhitta and walked toward home.
The sun hadn't even gone down yet; he might as well go home and keep his wife company!
On the other side, Village Chief Martin, who had arrived at that shabby tavern, also drank with Garp.
But it didn't last long before Village Chief Martin headed back toward the docks.
He was heading there in the first place anyway; he had only stopped by the tavern on the way for a quick look.
He's not gonna lie, on its first day of opening, that makeshift tavern's business was surprisingly good.
Maybe building a proper tavern here was really a good idea?
So, after having a few drinks with Garp, Village Chief Martin went to the docks to start working.
As for getting off the work?
The sun hasn't set yet, off the work for what?
But noticing Garp tagging along behind him, Village Chief Martin looked puzzled. Wasn't this guy enjoying himself just fine back at the tavern? Why follow him here?
"Don't mind me, brother Martin. Do your thing, I'm just taking a little walk."
Garp waved cheerfully after catching his look. "It sure is lively here! It seems like Zephyr's reputation works great for selling wine!"
"Brother Zephyr is indeed very prestigious in the Marines, also thanks to brother Zephyr, and of course brother Garp as well, otherwise our wine wouldn't be selling so well!"
Village Chief Martin chuckled.
Since Garp wasn't bothered, he didn't dwell on it and turned back to his work.
He came here today to allocate the goods.
This year, far too many merchant ships had come, even more than last year, and the Sibia River Archipelago simply couldn't supply that much.
To distribute as widely as possible, they decided to allocate goods to merchant ships in each sea region.
But many ships weren't satisfied, and lately the docks had been quite noisy.
So, to offend as few as possible, Village Chief Martin had to personally come out.
He also needed to explain the grading of this year's wine properly.
"Yes, yes, we have two grades this year. This one is a bit more expensive. It's different, this wine is brewed using an ancient and long-lost technique, the flavor is richer!"
"What do you mean it tastes the same? Try again, taste it carefully! Doesn't it feel like the wine aroma is stronger and richer? A sip leaves fragrance on your lips and teeth, don't tell me you can't taste that? Hey now, what's the reason? Everyone else can taste it! Look, even the Hero of the Marines likes drinking this one! What? You can taste it now? See, I knew it, how could you not?"
"There's no more! The brewing process is extremely complicated. It takes multiple times the effort, manpower, and time compared to the normal one; we simply can't produce that much in the Sibia River Archipelago."
"Sorry, the lower grade is also delicious! Hey, I can't give you more; others still need some! Don't worry, we'll definitely expand production this year, next year there will be more!"
"If you need stock next year, you can register over there. Registered orders will be fulfilled first."
When he saw the merchant representatives go to register, Village Chief Martin finally let out a long breath.
He had been talking until his mouth was dry. Seeing a cup of wine handed to him, he didn't hesitate and gulped it down.
"This stuff sure is popular!"
Garp, who handed him the wine, burst into hearty laughter. He didn't mind at all that Village Chief Martin had been using his name to advertise.
Then, while grinning widely, he said, "Brother Martin, aren't you planning to sell your wine in the East Blue? Labor there is much cheaper; if you go there, you can make a lot more money!"
"That still depends on what Ian decides."