Chapter 49: The Calm Before the Storm
Crew Member 4: Dahn Page - Bounty 32,000,000 Berries!
Ian and his four subordinates had laughed for a long time after seeing the new bounty posters.
These days, the title "Adjudicator of the Sea" had gradually faded from common use. With the widespread news reports, Ian was now truly known to the world as Major General "Sea King"!
After half a month of relative peace, however, the tranquility on the island was about to be shattered by a group of new arrivals...
New World, Dressrosa
Donquixote Doflamingo, rarely situated in a dimly lit room, was speaking to someone via Den Den Mushi. The snail mimicked the other party's stern expression.
"Young Master, we have withdrawn the nearby patrol warships as per your instructions. If those guys from the Beasts Pirates want to pass through, they can do so anytime today."
Doflamingo held a newspaper in his hand, reading the report about Ian by the faint light. "Well done, Vergo." A wide, sinister grin spread across his face. "'Sea King'... what an incredible title! Fufufufu... Let those fearless brutes from Onigashima officially wipe him from the face of the world!"
He laughed impudently, crumpling the newspaper in his grasp.
New World, Egghead Island – Vegapunk Research Institute
"Vegapunk, how many times have I told you? I am an Admiral of the Navy now," a man in a yellow striped suit with curly hair complained, munching on a piece of barbecue near a grill. "It would be quite embarrassing if it got out that I'm being used as a pack mule."
This was Navy Admiral Kizaru, Borsalino. He hadn't been at Marine Headquarters much lately; besides missions in the New World, he'd been frequenting Egghead Island to... assist with various tasks for the science team.
Next to him stood the man hailed as the world's greatest genius, Dr. Vegapunk. The scientist had gray hair and wore a skull cap that resembled an apple stem. He looked frail, hardly someone with the strength for heavy lifting.
"Borsalino, don't be so fussy. We're old friends. Do you really think I can move this stuff?" Vegapunk retorted.
"Ask one of them!" Kizaru pointed dejectedly at the two powerfully built men also enjoying barbecue nearby. "They're clearly stronger than me, right?"
One of the men, who looked like a sumo wrestler, was Sentomaru, Captain of the Marine Science Unit and Vegapunk's personal bodyguard. The other was one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, the "Tyrant" Bartholomew Kuma. At this moment, Kuma was smiling amiably, getting along well with everyone—a stark contrast to his violent, legendary reputation.
"Gramps! I'm tired too!" Sentomaru chimed in, happily stuffing more barbecue into his mouth. "Can the Admiral be lazy? I want to be a general too!"
Kizaru ignored Sentomaru and instead looked up at Kuma. "Hey, Big Bear. You've been making some serious waves at sea again lately. Is Bonney's illness completely cured? I heard she was sent back to the Sorbet Kingdom this time? Without that girl around, it feels a bit too quiet. I'm almost uncomfortable."
Kuma smiled warmly. "Yes, the treatment is complete. She must avoid sunlight for another year. In just a few more months, Bonney will soon be truly free." As he spoke, a happy, relieved smile spread across his face, though Kizaru could detect a hint of deep sadness behind it.
A Navy Admiral, a Warlord of the Sea, a scientist... This was a quirky gathering of individuals one would never see anywhere but on Egghead Island, sharing a meal together.
Vegapunk approached Kizaru, holding a newspaper. "Speaking of big news, this young man named Jock Ian is truly impressive! Borsalino, according to the information, he's a human who ate the Zoan-type, Human-Human Fruit? Is it possible to bring him to the island to cooperate with the Science Department's work?" Vegapunk rubbed his hands together in anticipation, his eyes gleaming with scientific avarice.
The Human-Human Fruit wasn't particularly rare. But what effect would it have when eaten by a human? Why had Jock Ian risen so meteorically through the new generation of Marines? Vegapunk was desperate to find out.
"'Sea King' Jock Ian..." Kizaru drawled, taking a slow sip of his drink. "It's nearly impossible to get that guy to cooperate with the science folks. He's currently the rising star the brass is heavily promoting. His every move is beyond my direct control. Vegapunk, stop causing me trouble and give up on this idea." Kizaru knew exactly what Vegapunk was thinking and advised him to drop it.
"Oh, he doesn't have to come in person," Vegapunk persisted, undeterred. "Surely we could get a blood sample from him, right?"
Gulp... gulp...
Kizaru downed his drink in one go and scratched his head. "There's nothing I can do with you, you modern-day Frankenstein. I can only say... I'll try my best."
Kuma, listening to their discussion, took the newspaper and looked carefully at the content related to "Sea King Jock Ian."
A Few Peaceful Days Later – Sabaody Archipelago, Grove 10
Several new restaurants, snack shops, and food stalls had opened for business. Ian and his team patrolled the area as usual.
"Oh! New shops have opened here?" Ian remarked, genuinely surprised. "Wasn't this a gathering spot for kidnapper gangs not long ago? I remember it being pitch black and the buildings all dilapidated. To be rebuilt so well in such a short time?"
Nami looked up at Ian, her eyes full of admiration. "It's all thanks to you, Major General Ian! Since the anti-piracy operations began, you've cleared this area out multiple times and demolished most of the derelict buildings. With the human auction house gone, the remaining kidnapper gangs have no foothold left—they've either been killed, fled, or are incapacitated. So, the area is getting back on its feet, and public security is firmly under our control. Just like you said on your first day landing on the island, there are no more lawless zones here!"
This man, she thought with pride, always kept his word.