Two Years of Growth!

Black Arm Zeff.

The name of the man in front of me.

Former Admiral of the Marine Headquarters, Marine Head Instructor —each title is intimidating.

Ian truly hadn't expected the Navy to send him here.

But this isn't right.

If the Donquixote Family hadn't been involved in the original work, even Vice Admiral Tsuru probably wouldn't have come.

While the Op-Op Fruit is valuable, is it really necessary to bring all the former Admiral here?

Could it be that they're targeting me?

Ian narrowed his eyes and landed lightly on the ground.

Byd Morgans!

Besides that scruffy bird, there was no one else who could reveal his whereabouts.

Want Big News Morgans, huh?

You've mastered the art of profiting from both ends, and now you understand how to leverage traffic effectively.

"That's Ian of the Scorched Sky!"

Behind Zephyr, a pink-haired rookie female navy officer looked at Ian with some surprise. "Hina, this is quite unexpected. Although he looks a bit more mature than in the Bounty Poster, he really is only fifteen years old."

The woman was standing next to a white-haired man.

He puffed on a cigar, glancing at Ian's companions behind him: Yamato of the Frozen Sea, Witch Hancock, Giant Jack, Black Widow Black Maria, Bomber Drake, and a Spotted Hat Kid who wasn't wanted.

All the officers on board the Golden Flying Dragon have arrived.

The man's eyes were filled with excitement.

Previously, we only saw notorious criminals in newspapers and on Bounty Poster; now we have the chance to confront them!

Far from feeling any fear, he was actually quite impatient.

The battle was exhilarating!

Ian's attention was also drawn to the two new navy recruits.

Are those Smoker and Hina?

Since these two are following Zephyr, it means they've only recently joined the Navy, right?

Is it really a coincidence?

"Ian!"

Yamato almost impatiently tugged at Ian's sleeve, "Are we about to start fighting?"

"Wait a mininute."

Ian looked at Drake, "How is it?"

"All the best."

Drake took out the small box and handed it to Ian.

This small box instantly attracted the attention of everyone present.

Both Vice Admiral Tsuru and Black Arm Zeff had their brows slightly furrowed.

Doflamingo clenched his fists. Had Ian beaten him to it?

Ian took the small box, didn't even glance at it, and casually tossed it to Law, saying, "Here you go."

Luo caught it somewhat clumsily, and asked in confusion, "Why are you giving it to me?"

"Of course it's because you're the weakest."

Jack casually replied, "So all you need to do is protect it."

Luo gritted his teeth, "Don't underestimate me, I can fight too!"

Ian simply smiled, then turned to look at the Don Donquixote Family. "Doflamingo! Long time no see. You're here too?"

"Fufufufu!"

The stiffness on Doflamingo's face had completely vanished, replaced by a bright smile. "Ian, if you had said earlier that you were also interested in the Op-Op Fruit, I wouldn't have come."

"Oh? The Op-Op Fruit?"

Ian asked in surprise, "What Op-Op Fruit? Drake just said he wanted to come back to visit his family, he's here to see his father, right, Drake?"

"Yes, Lord Ian."

Drake nodded without hesitation, "But unfortunately, my father is an incorrigible scoundrel, and I've decided to sever all ties with him."

"Is that so?"

Ian sighed. "That's a real shame. Family ties are so precious."

Doflamingo's lips twitched.

What are you pretending for?

"Ian of the Scorched Sky!"

A calm but powerful voice came through.

It is Zephyr.

He stood atop the hill, looking down at Ian. "There's no point in pretending. Hand over the Op-Op Fruit."

"This is really quite baffling,"

Ian scratched his head, somewhat puzzled. "If I remember correctly, we're the pirates, right, Drake? But why did I hear Mr. Zephyr wanting to rob us?"

"This is the Navy."

Drake gave a disdainful sneer, "The so-called righteous navy is nothing more than oversized pirates."

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Ian laughed heartily, "You're right, Drake! You're right!"

However, it wasn't the navy, it was the World Government.

The World Government is essentially a super-enhanced version of the Beasts Pirates.

The Celestial Dragons are the rulers of Teacher Kai, himself, Yamato, and other pirate crews.

The Affiliated Nation are the islands under its jurisdiction.

And the Navy is simply the pirate crews.

The difference between the World Government and the Four Emperors has never been between officials and thieves, nor between justice and evil, but simply between large and small warlords.

"Shut up! You bastard! Your arrogance ends here!"

Gion could no longer suppress her restless heart and, just like two years ago, charged towards Ian once again.

"Gion..."

Zephyr shook his head in disappointment.

Impatience is the opposite of victory.

Why can't you understand this principle?

"Ian!"

Two voices came from behind Ian at the same time.

Yamato and Hancock exclaimed almost simultaneously, "I'll take care of this guy!"

Sometimes I really can't figure out whether your relationship is good or bad.

Ian's lips twitched slightly.

I'll do it myself then.

He took two steps forward.

"Drink!"

Gion stomped her foot on the ground, kicking up a flurry of snowflakes, and moved like Inazuma to close in on Ian. Her long sword was poised to strike, ready to unleash a dazzling slash.

Iai, boy!

However, this "immediately" has yet to arrive.

In a flash, Ian raised his right hand.

"...!"

Gion looked up at Ian in disbelief.

Ian reached out his right hand, grabbed her right wrist, and pressed it down, preventing her from drawing her knife.

"You're in too much of a hurry, Major General Gion,"

Ian commented with great interest, "Didn't Mr. Zephyr teach you that anger renders Observation Haki ineffective?"

As Teacher Katakuri said, Observation Haki is an ability that can only be used when one is calm.

Gion!

Zephyr's expression changed drastically, and without hesitation, he transformed into a blur and charged towards Ian!

Wrong!

Our assessment of this kid's abilities was completely wrong!

Taking advantage of Gion's anger, he instantly subdued her!

Although Gion was defeated by him two years ago, he didn't completely fail to use his abilities that time!

In an instant Gion's lightning-fast Iai Slash was rendered unable to even draw its sword; this was beyond the capabilities of ordinary pirates! A powerful blow was necessary!

Ian smiled, raised his hand and flicked it like a whip, causing Gion's body to twitch in the air like a snake, before swinging it back at Zephyr.

Gion was turned into a cannonball.

Zephyr quickly stopped and caught Gion.

However, the terrifying power emanating from Gion also secretly alarmed him.

Let's go.

Vice Admiral Tsuru led his troops forward, announcing, "It's time to begin the battle."

The outcome of the battle with the Beasts Pirates is not important, but we must get the Op-Op Fruit back!

That's Devil Fruit the Celestial Dragons specifically requested.

"Fight freely!"

Watching the navy surge down the hillside like a tide, Ian loosened his tie. Today, he was once again dressed in a white shirt and black suit—a veritable suit-wearing thug. "Except for Law."

"Hateful!"

Luo gritted his teeth inwardly.

I'm isolated!

"Yay!"

Yamato was the first to cheer, leaping into the air and transforming himself into a grenade fired from Grenade Launcher, tracing an arc through the air before hurtling directly towards Zephyr.

Ian wasn't worried, because Zephyr was staring intently at him.

As everyone knows, the tradition of kings versus kings versus generals is an inviolable one among pirates.

"The Three Worlds Return - Naraku is Drawn!!"

The crystal-clear, white iron rod crashed down with a deafening roar.

When!

A loud bang was heard, a surge of cold air swept through, and everything froze.

Yamato glared at the person blocking her attack, annoyed. "You're in my way!"

Don't try to be arrogant!

Gion's sword struck, directly shattering Yamato.

She glanced at it, then immediately focused her gaze on Yamato.

Although she hates to admit it, she's probably no match for Ian.

It wasn't like that two years ago, and it certainly isn't now.

The two are simply not on the same level in terms of talent.

It's the same two years, but the gap will only widen.

So, just leave him with Teacher Zephyr!

If it's Teacher Zephyr, there definitely won't be any problems!

He's a former Admiral from the Marine Headquarters! How could he possibly lose to a brat!

At the same moment, Ian's comrades behind him also began their charge.

Jack and Black Maria both immediately entered their orc forms, crushing the snow with their massive weight.

Hancock took the lead, stepping on a large Orochi and swiftly passing by Yamato. It was a serpent Hancock brought from Kuja, named Salome, which was both her pet and her weapon.

In the instant they passed each other, she gave Yamato a Yamato look.

White-haired monster, you can play with this woman then! The Admiral is mine!

"The Captive Arrow!"

He lightly touched his lips with his finger, then drew a large heart shape. Next, he drew his bow and nocked an arrow. In the next instant, countless peach-colored arrows rained down on Zephyr.

"Snort."

The former Admiral of the Marine Headquarters merely adjusted his glasses, sneered, and said, "Not worth a second glance."

The man known as Black Arm suddenly turned his right fist black, then casually swung it.

Boom!!

The atmosphere trembled, and the surging, Haki Shockwave destroyed Hancock's arrows with overwhelming force.

Oh, wow.

Ian raised an eyebrow.

As a man who once secured his position as Admiral solely through his physical prowess, Zephyr's Armament Haki is naturally top-tier.

Doflamingo, who was watching from the sidelines, had a change in expression.

This level of Haki?

"Hancock, move aside."

Ian stepped forward. "Mr. Zephyr is not a match for you yet."

"Yes!"

Hancock responded with utter obedience, stepping on the Orochi and swiftly avoiding Zephyr. At the same time, her exquisitely beautiful face was flushed red, and she covered her face with her hands, saying, "Ian's concern... it's so touching!"

"You vile snake woman!"

Yamato snorted coldly.

However, Hancock's blush and heart-pounding only lasted a moment. She coldly looked up at the Marines, "Don't get in Ian's way!"

"Perfume Femur!"

The woman leaped up and delivered a ruthless flying kick.

However, someone in the navy also leaped up and delivered a casual punch.

Fists and kicks collided, black Inazuma flashed, and the snow on the ground was blown everywhere.

Um?

Hancock was taken aback; this guy's Haki was so strong that she wasn't petrified.

Little did she know that Vice Admiral Tsuru, who blocked her attack, was equally astonished.

The Vice Admiral shared Hancock's astonishment; what incredible Haki! It blocked her ability.

The two landed at the same time. Vice Admiral Tsuru looked at Hancock's black right foot with a serious expression, noticing the invisible ripples still emanating from it.

Armament Haki of Internal Destruction level?

Ian smiled gently.

The Kuja tribe with an innate Haki physique, and Hancock is an anomaly among them. She not only possesses the Haki cultivation speed of her compatriots, but her strength is also no less.

In the past two years, her Armament Haki has become ridiculously strong.

Yamato a soft snort; compared to Hancock, her Haki was somewhat weaker.

but.

White fur began to grow on her body. The moment the white werewolf appeared, the surrounding temperature plummeted. The already icy environment became even more frigid.

The iron rod in Yamato's hand was so white it was almost transparent.

"Thunder Bagua!"

A gleaming iron rod came hurtling towards me!

Gion's pupils contracted slightly. So fast! Compared to two years ago, it was truly like Inazuma!

He instinctively swung his knife to meet the attack.

Then, my wrist trembled violently.

Gion was blasted away by the blow, the blade in her hand frozen, and her hand frozen to the hilt as well.

This brat seems completely different from how she was two years ago!

Both his Haki and his abilities are far superior to what they were two years ago!

He gathered his Haki and shattered the ice, but his hands were still somewhat numb.

Gion's expression was incredibly serious.

This guy is now a truly formidable opponent!

At the same moment, Jack and his crew had already charged into the navy's ranks.

"Fish-Man Karate - Kusarigama Tile Fist!"

Jack, resembling a centaur, swung his fist fiercely, unleashing a 360-degree Shockwave that blasted away all the surrounding marines.

His right fist was completely black!

On the other side, Black Maria wielded a massive, Blazing Flames, and with a single blow, she sent a large number of marines flying. Similarly, the head of that wheel-like hammer was completely black except for the flames that swirled around it!

Armament Haki Hardening!

In the past two years, the two of them have mastered it!

And then, after the two of them.

"Roar!"

A giant dinosaur crashed headfirst into the naval formation.

This dinosaur possessed sharp, shark-like teeth. With a sudden, powerful swing of its massive body, invisible waves swirled around its long tail—"Storm Kick: Dragon Tail!!"

The magnificent vacuum blade cleaved through a group of naval soldiers.

"Is that Bomber Drake? Is he also an ability user?"

The navy exclaimed in surprise, "It's Ancient Zoan!"

Of course, they are people with special abilities.

Ian's lips curled slightly.

Drake didn't join the Navy in this life, so he probably missed out on the Allosaurus Fruit.

So, Ian went to some trouble to buy him the same Ancient Zoan Dragon-Dragon Fruit from the black market, named Shark Tooth Dragon Form.

However, Drake really lived up to expectations.

In the past two years, he has perfectly mastered the Six Powers and Awakening Armament Haki. Although he cannot harden it yet, his strength is already considerable.

The three-headed behemoth wreaked havoc among the navy, causing heavy casualties in an instant.

"Don't be afraid! We have the advantage of numbers!"

Some naval personnel want to boost morale.

"Advantages?"

Black Maria, carrying the heavy hammer, smiled sweetly, "Then, let's use our full strength too."

She took out a small jar, which was bright yellow and looked very vibrant.

"Not bad either."

Jack nodded slightly and took out his brownish-yellow jar as well.

Drake silently transformed into his orc form, holding his dark blue jar. Unlike Jack and the other two, Drake wore a strange, expectant smile.

The three of them pressed the jar to their waists, and a beam of light instantly enveloped them.

The next moment, the three of them looked completely different.

Three sets of Battle Suit, identical except for their color, were already on their bodies. They were bodysuits with capes on the back and metal decorations at the joints.

Even more remarkably, the Battle Suit perfectly covered Jack's four legs, and even Black Maria's eight legs.

"Alright, let's begin the main event."

Black Maria smiled sweetly, raised her massive hammer, and charged into the naval ranks. "Fly!"

Boom!!

Her power surged once more, and at this moment, her entire body was engulfed in flames, destroying everything around her.

As for Jack, pieces of metal appeared on his bodysuit, forming armor that protected his body. "Fish-Man Karate - Water Shot!"

Boom!

With a single punch, a powerful Shockwave blasted everything in front of him away.

Drake's speed was astounding, and flames spewed from the jets on his heels, "Shigan - Dragon Claw!"

Many sailors couldn't even see what was happening before they felt excruciating pain and were then blown around by the wind.

Ian's lips curled into a smile.

That's great!

This is the Generation 2 Battle Suit created by Judge.

It can significantly enhance defense, increase strength, and also grant various customizable abilities.

Black Maria is fire, Jack is defense, and Drake is speed.

"..."

Vice Admiral Tsuru, who was confronting Hancock, frowned deeply.

"You're not going anywhere!"

Hancock knew what she was thinking, and launched herself forward, shouting, "Great Perfume Femur!"

Vice Admiral Tsuru had no choice but to engage in combat.

It's okay, as long as Zephyr defeats Ian, everything will be alright!

Zephyr realized this as well, so without hesitation, he charged straight at Ian.

Just defeat this guy!

Ian's lips curled into a smile. "Hey, Law, step back."

Without hesitation, Luo launched himself backward by stepping on the air; of course, he could also perform the mere Geppo.

At the same time, flames! Incomparably brilliant flames surged forth!

The next instant, amidst the flames, the Golden Heavenly God shot forward, his fist wreathed in flames bursting forth—"The Winged Dragon's Iron Fist!"

Zephyr remained calm and dodged to the side without hesitation, avoiding Ian's attack.

"Um?"

Ian raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Why are you hiding?"

Zephyr didn't speak, but charged towards Ian, his right fist covered in black, with invisible waves swirling around it.

Ian understood somewhat. "Could it be that they're afraid I'll use the King Punch?"

"Then you're worrying about the wrong thing."

Ian clenched his fist, then swung it.

His fist, besides being wreathed in flames, was also pitch black, and like that, it was surrounded by invisible fluctuations!

Zephyr's pupils contracted.

The next instant, their fists collided.

A jet-black bolt of Inazuma shot into the sky, instantly Shockwave away the snow that had accumulated for thousands of meters around it, sending it flying into the air.

The ground beneath their feet was blasted open, and an abyss-like void suddenly formed.

After a brief collision, both figures simultaneously withdrew and retreated.

Ian flapped his wings and floated leisurely in the sky, looking down at Zephyr, who had also stopped in his tracks.

The former Admiral's face was filled with disbelief.

How could that be!

He didn't hold back at all with that punch, but he didn't gain the slightest advantage!

Such terrifying power!

Haki is also a level of Internal Destruction!

That brat!!

"That's why I said you don't need to worry about me using the King Punch, Mr. Zephyr,"

Ian smiled. "Because,"

"If your opponent is only you, there's absolutely no need for this."

This is the growth we've achieved over the past two years.

Of course, the real reason is that nobody knew Black Arm Zeff would be here, so why would he start charging up the King Punch ahead of time?

Thanks to the boss of "Tian Di Pi William" for the 100-point reward, thank you!