Chapter 47: A Title of One's Own
"Since he set sail, he's gained a lot of fame, as well as the praise and admiration of beautiful girls," Shakky had remarked, her tone casual yet probing. "He didn't seem like the kind of cruel, violently threatening pirate. Was it necessary to kill him too?"
Ian had planned to leave immediately. But hearing her words, his hurried steps halted. The rhythm of his heartbeat gradually quickened, as if an inexplicable emotion within him demanded to be voiced.
He turned around, a cold sneer on his lips. "Hah, you lofty figures are all so interesting to talk to. What exactly constitutes a 'serious threat'? Who gets to decide who 'shouldn't be killed'?" His voice grew sharper, edged with a simmering anger. "The Kingdom of Rommel... after nightfall, commoners were killed one after another. The Marine soldiers who rushed to provide support were slaughtered for reasons unknown."
He took a step closer, his gaze intense. "So... the lives of those ordinary people don't count as lives? Their murders can be ignored, can be deemed innocent, can even be whitewashed and forgotten! This world is truly insane..."
"Then let me give you my answer," Ian declared, his voice dropping to a low, firm tone. "No matter how weak an ordinary person is, they are still a human being! I don't belong to this faction, nor that faction. I only do what I believe is right. Those of you who have never known what it's like to be common folk should stop interfering. That day, I was determined to kill 'Hakuba'."
…
After listening to Shakky's recount of this exchange, Rayleigh was silent for a long time before finally taking a slow drink.
"'Those who have never been ordinary people should stop interfering...'" Rayleigh repeated quietly, leaning against the bar, his gaze drifting out the window into the distance. "Such a young Marine star, with limitless potential... No matter how you look at him, he doesn't seem like an ordinary person himself. Can he still truly understand the feelings of the common folk?"
Shrouded in a haze of smoke, Shakky replied offhandedly, "Who knows? Maybe he's talking about a past life. Haha, it seems like there will be some big changes on this island in the future."
…
Early the Next Morning
Newspapers across the world extensively covered the news of the "White Horse" Cavendish's execution by Ian. Once again, the fame of the "Adjudicator of the Sea, Jock Ian," spread further across the seas. A place once known to pirates as the "Gateway to the New World" had now, in the hearts of pirates in the first half of the Grand Line, completely transformed into a "nightmare zone."
The reports exaggerated the circumstances of Cavendish provoking the Marines and heavily emphasized Ian's "hard-fought battle" with him. They highlighted Ian's valor and underscored the newfound difficulty of passing through the Sabaody Archipelago. Want to enter the New World? First, you had to ask yourself if you were stronger than Cavendish!
Commodore Ian was also promoted one rank by Headquarters and officially became Major General Ian!
…
That Afternoon – Sabaody Archipelago, Grove 66, Marine Base
After an internal fax document arrived, Ian gathered his team members in the conference room.
"Amazing, little Ian! You're so awesome!" Peacock's eyes were full of admiration, looking at Ian as if he were a superstar. "Being granted an exclusive [Color] + [Animal] title is a privilege reserved for Admiral candidates!"
The morning papers had only mentioned Ian's promotion to Major General. Such a terrifyingly fast rise had already shaken the seas. Now, there was this internal fax about a proposed title. Just how many more miracles was this man going to perform?
"Hehe, Major General Ian is invincible!" Nami chimed in from behind Ian's seat, where she was massaging his shoulders. "Becoming a Vice Admiral, or even an Admiral, is only a matter of time!" Seeing Ian get promoted excited her more than anyone else.
"Major General Ian," T-Bone stated seriously, standing at attention. "I have also received orders. I am to be permanently transferred from my guerrilla coordination role to become a permanent subordinate under your command. Please take care of me from now on!"
"Okay, okay," Ian said, waving a hand. "I didn't call you all here just to listen to you talk about this." He got straight to the point. "The title! What should it be? I need you to help me brainstorm! The alternative titles provided by Headquarters aren't worth looking at! Hurry up, think outside the box and tell me your ideas!"
Ian rubbed his temples. The deadline from Headquarters was only this afternoon; the selected title had to be submitted by evening. If he was choosing his own title, he had to leave time for Headquarters review.
Skylark, holding the Headquarters document, began to read aloud: "The alternative titles this department has provided for Major General Ian are... 'Brown Lion'! 'Snow Wolf'! 'Purple Eagle'! 'Vermilion Bird'! 'Black Python'! There are five in total. Major General Ian is not satisfied with any of them."
T-Bone spoke up first: "I vote for 'Brown Lion.' The king of the jungle, the monarch of beasts!"
Nami offered her opinion: "'Snow Wolf' sounds good, majestic and handsome."
Peacock grinned mischievously: "I think 'Black Python' is more fitting. Dark and fierce, hehe, very much like our little Ian."
Ian slammed a hand on the table. "Stop, stop, stop! Did I ask you to vote? If you're not going to use your ears, you might as well donate them! Didn't Skylark just say that none of them satisfy me? These titles have nothing to do with me! Style! Where is my personal style?!"
These guys had even started voting. Ian was furious. It wasn't that these titles were inherently bad or unpleasant-sounding. He just felt they were generic, assigned for the sake of having a title, and didn't reflect his characteristics at all. Judging by the precedent of the three Navy Admirals, once you had a title, you'd likely be known by it across the seas for life, your real name forgotten. This was a decision for a lifetime; he had to be cautious.
Skylark, who had been listening quietly, timidly raised her hand. "Well, everyone... I have an idea that I think fits Major General Ian's character very well."
Ian's eyes snapped to her. Last time, when naming the "Dawn Pirates," Skylark had shown a knack for meaningful names. Her new idea had to be at least better than the ones Headquarters provided.
"Look at little Skylark, see how cultured she is!" Ian said, gesturing toward her. "Look at the rest of you again! Learn from her! Come on, little Skylark, tell me what you're thinking."
Ian asked eagerly, anticipation written all over his face.
Skylark stood up, took a deep breath, and said with conviction, "What about... 'White Tiger'?"