Ian praised him without hesitation, then glanced at the unconscious pirates scattered across the deck. "Why didn't you finish them off?"
"I already did!"
"... Check their ship. See if there's anything worth taking."
Seeing Ace's innocent expression, Ian didn't bother explaining further and simply gave the order.
Maybe because of the good meal earlier, Ace was being unusually obedient.
Even though he didn't understand what Ian was planning, he still went to search inside the pirate ship.
That satisfied Ian. At least Ace didn't ask too many questions. Otherwise, he might've dumped him on the nearest island and made Garp pick him up himself.
Before long, Ace came running out cheerfully, holding a small chest. "Awesome, Mr. Ian! There are three million Bellys in here! I didn't think these pirates were this rich!"
"Three million Belly..."
Ian's mouth twitched again. It had been years since he'd seen so little money.
But before he could say anything…
"And also..."
Ace turned sideways, still smiling. "There's someone else in the cabin. She said she was captured by these pirates."
As he spoke, a girl with short orange hair stepped out from behind him.
Ian had noticed her earlier but assumed she was just a random child, so he hadn't paid much attention.
But now, seeing her up close, she looked oddly familiar.
Sure enough, as Ian frowned and studied her, the orange-haired girl looked fragile and shaken, her eyes still filled with fear.
"Thank you for saving me."
She said softly. "My name is Nami. I live on a nearby island."
Her fearful eyes flashed with hatred. "These pirates raided my village, killed my family, and took me away. If you hadn't saved me..."
Her voice trembled. "I don't know what would have happened to me."
Ian: "..."
Nami?!
What the hell!
As for the nonsense Nami said afterward, Ian completely ignored it. She said she had been kidnapped by pirates, but for all he knew, this little Cat Burglar might have just mixed in with them to steal their treasure!
However, Ace seemed to believe Nami's story. Hearing her words, anger flashed across his face as he looked down at the pirate he had already beaten to the ground.
"These pirates are so vile! We must hand them over to the Marines!"
Ian turned speechless at that. Just moments ago, this guy had been wallowing in self-pity, and now he'd forgotten he was the son of the King of the Pirates and wanted to hand the pirates over to the Marines?
Seeing Ace ready to jump over again, Ian asked, "What are you going to do over there?"
"Ah, shouldn't I tie them all up?"
"No need for that. Just stay put on the ship."
After saying that casually, Ian walked to the bow of the ship under their confused gazes, raised the axe in his hand, and, before either of them could react, brought it down.
In an instant, a terrifying aura surged from Ian's body, and within seconds, the old pirate ship was sliced cleanly in half.
Ace: "..."
Nami: "..."
Ace and Nami, who had been pretending to be a victimized girl, both stared wide-eyed.
Especially Nami, her eyes were filled with disbelief.
This guy can cut a ship in half?!
Her body began to tremble.
Before, she had only been pretending to be frightened, but now she truly was.
After all, she had just been planning to sneak aboard and steal something.
Now, she could only pray her earlier thoughts hadn't been noticed.
What kind of monster was this man?
"Mr. Ian, you're really incredible!"
Ace finally came to his senses, looking excitedly at Ian with a grin. "You cut that ship in half so easily! Oh, right."
He then held out a chest filled with three million Belly. "There's also this."
"Keep it for yourself."
Ian said, putting away his axe and waving his hand dismissively. "If we can't find a ship in a few days, you can buy a small boat and row back yourself. Besides..."
He glanced at Nami, who was bowing her head, trying to make herself less noticeable. "We're heading straight for the Paradise."
"Straight there?"
Ace asked in confusion while holding the treasure chest. "We're not going to the Conomi Islands anymore?"
Nami: "...?!"
The Conomi Islands?!
Why were these two terrifying men going there?
Nami's pupils shrank. She hesitated, wondering if she should ask about their intentions.
"No need to go."
Ian said, shaking his head with a smile. "The person I was looking for, I have already found her."
Then he smiled at her. "Miss Nami, I need your help with something."
Nami: "...?"
Wait... Was he here for her?
...
Meanwhile, elsewhere, after Garp hung up the Den Den Mushi without hesitation. It was as if a heavy burden had finally been lifted from his heart.
His serious face relaxed with relief, and soon enough, his usual cheerful grin returned as though nothing had happened.
Just as he was about to drink and enjoy himself…
"Purururu."
The Den Den Mushi rang again.
Garp raised a brow, thought for a moment, then picked up the call.
Before the other side could speak, he laughed heartily.
"Ahaha! I already told you, there's no…"
Before he could finish, Ian's calm voice came through.
"Mr. Garp, you wouldn't want your grandson, who carries the King of the Pirates' blood, to be delivered to Marine Headquarters by me, would you?"
"...?!"
Hearing that, Garp's face instantly changed, but just as quickly returned to his usual grin, as though nothing had happened.
"Ahahaha, so you found out? How did you know? Did Ace tell you? Well, since you already know, I suppose you can guess what I mean."
"I don't know."
"You really are a sly one."
Garp chuckled, picking his nose. "So what do you need from me? Just so you know, I'm a marine, I don't do illegal things."
"... You have done more than a few illegal things."
Ian muttered while rolling his eyes. But without hiding anything, he continued: "There's a group of Fish-Men pirates lurking in the Conomi Islands. They have colluded with the local branch and are ruling the island."
"There's such a thing? Alright, got it. That old guy, Sengoku, has been annoying me anyway. On my way back, I'll stop by and check it out myself."
Garp said while frowning slightly before asking curiously, "But how do you know all that? Have you been to the East Blue before?"
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