Ian let out a regretful sigh, but it was only momentary. He quickly adjusted his mood and frowned as he began thinking again.
Next, the Straw Hat Pirates' destination should be the kingdom of giants, Elbaph.
However, without the Giant Warrior Pirates and Hajrudin, he did not know exactly how the Straw Hat Pirates would enter Elbaph.
As for whether the Straw Hat Pirates would go there at all, Ian was not worried. As the inheritor of Joy Boy's will, no matter how many unexpected incidents occurred, he believed that Luffy would eventually arrive at Elbaph.
However, whether he should also take this opportunity to go to Elbaph… that made him somewhat hesitant.
Previously, Hajrudin had always invited him to visit Elbaph, but later, the Five Elders' attack and the Ohara Continent Plan had caused his idea of going to Elbaph to be shelved.
But he knew that Robin had actually always wanted to go to Elbaph, to meet the person who had once saved her life and her only friend from childhood.
Moreover, part of Ohara's legacy had been salvaged and taken away to Elbaph.
Robin probably wanted to bring those things back as well.
Even if the original copies could not be brought back, they could at least copy part of them and take the copies back.
"Fine then."
Thinking of this, Ian withdrew his thoughts and muttered to himself, "Let's just treat it as going to Elbaph for a bit of tourism! I can also take the chance to learn more giant combat techniques over there."
Back when they were at Little Garden, Brogy and Dorry had invited him to go to Elbaph to learn more giant combat techniques.
Just as his voice fell…
"Purururu!"
The Den Den Mushi on his body suddenly rang.
Ian's eyelids twitched slightly, but he did not hesitate and directly answered the Den Den Mushi.
"Hello?"
After speaking, it seemed that he heard something from the other side. His pupils suddenly shrank, and his tone became slightly more serious.
"I understand. Please rest assured, I will honor my deal with Whitebeard."
"Then let's meet at Elbaph. Marco."
"Click… Gacha!"
After the Den Den Mushi was hung up, Ian did not immediately put it away. Instead, with complicated emotions and a sense of melancholy in his eyes, he looked at the Den Den Mushi in his hand. Then he raised his head and looked at the sun that seemed to be chased by him as he flew, and he fell silent.
Only after a while did he softly sigh with melancholy.
"The old era and the new era?"
…
When the next morning arrived, the Egghead incident spread across the entire sea, once again shaking the whole world.
The World Government's research institute, Egghead, had been destroyed.
The world's number one scientist had been kidnapped by Umbrella Corporation. At the same time, the Marine Headquarters fleet that had gone to provide support had suffered heavy losses. Thirteen Vice Admiral Marine had been brutally killed by the ferocious cadre of Umbrella Corporation.
It could be said that after a period of silence, Umbrella Corporation had once again caused a major incident, an incident that could even rival the previous Ohara incident.
Because of this, even the World Government and the Straw Hat Pirates, who had been extremely popular recently, were overshadowed.
After all, that was a full thirteen Vice Admiral Marine!
One could imagine how severe the losses of Marine Headquarters must be.
As for the Straw Hat Pirates, who should have been the main protagonists… they instead seemed to have been deliberately suppressed.
The newspapers did not report much information about the Straw Hat Pirates. Even the ancient robot that had appeared at the time was not reported.
They merely mentioned in passing that the Straw Hat Pirates had joined forces with the Umbrella Corporation to attack Egghead!
Inside Marine Headquarters, in the office of the current Fleet Admiral.
Kuzan, who was currently filled with anger, shouted at the Den Den Mushi, "This is Marine Headquarters! We're not those hyenas from the CP organization!"
Then, with a snap, he directly hung up the Den Den Mushi, as if he did not want to listen to another word from the other side.
But after hanging up the Den Den Mushi, the gloomy and furious expression on his face instantly vanished, as if nothing had happened just now. He leisurely rested his head on his folded hands and once again returned to his usual lazy expression.
However, this also made Sengoku, who was watching from the other side, helplessly sigh.
But immediately afterward, he looked at Kuzan with a serious expression.
"You went too far this time, Kuzan. No matter what, you are the current Fleet Admiral of Marine Headquarters. You shouldn't have cooperated with Umbrella Corporation."
If this were discovered, not only would he lose the World Government's trust, but he would also be sent directly to a military court and executed by hanging!
As he spoke, Sengoku added with a meaningful tone, "You should know that only by sitting in this position can you carry out the justice in your heart."
"I know. Sorry, I was a little too angry at the time."
Hearing Sengoku's words, Kuzan did not hide anything. The laziness on his face slightly receded as he spoke with a serious tone.
"But you should understand that this is also a sacrifice necessary to uphold justice."
Sengoku: "…"
This guy…
Facing Kuzan's answer, Sengoku rubbed his forehead with a headache.
Before, he hadn't felt that this guy was this stubborn. How had he become even more stubborn than Sakazuki after sitting in this position?
Of course, he understood what Kuzan meant.
But this idea was an extremely terrible one!
Even that bastard, Garp, wouldn't use such a method!
Although that old bastard also had a good relationship with the Umbrella Corporation, he had never used the Umbrella Corporation's power to interfere in the internal affairs of Marine Headquarters.
"Although what you said does make sense, I do not agree with this kind of justice."
Sengoku said seriously to Kuzan. "Kuzan, only by sitting in this position and following the rules set by the World Government can you carry out justice under those rules."
As he said this, he stood up, turned around, and then spoke in a helpless tone.
"No matter what, I hope you can understand that although those people are indeed close to the World Government, they are also marines, and they also have justice in their hearts!"
After saying that, Sengoku did not say anything more. He merely shook his head with melancholy and walked out, leaving behind the silent Kuzan.
Only after the door was closed again did the silent Kuzan come back to his senses. With a firm and serious expression, he looked at the list of sacrifices on the table, and there seemed to be a hint of sadness in his tone.
"I know. But these are sacrifices that must be borne for the reform of Marine Headquarters."
"Sorry, everyone."
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