Negotiations Once Again! The Fruit's Ownership! Artificial Devil Fruit

To be honest, Ian hadn't expected Zephyr to be so weak.

In fact, when the two exchanged their first punches, Ian knew he was going to win, or even have a crushing advantage.

"Are you kidding me? Even his best Armament Haki isn't much better than mine. What makes Zephyr think he can fight me?"

Once the Destruction Flame were unleashed, he couldn't stop them.

After all, this kind of flame is specifically designed for fighting opponents of higher levels. Back then, he had just Awakening Haki and couldn't even harden his power, yet he was able to injure Marco. So now, what makes Zephyr think he can stop his Destruction Flame?

Even without activating Phoenix Mode or using Destruction Flame, and just engaging in a regular fistfight, Ian felt his victory was a foregone conclusion.

Zephyr should have long lost his Admiral -level strength.

No wonder he got his hand chopped off by Whitebeard a few years later.

Thirteen years later, when Whitebeard was basically at his peak, he was captured alive by Ryokugyu, who was known as the weakest Admiral.

The difference in strength is quite significant.

By this calculation, I'd be roughly at the level of Admiral, enough to make a name for myself in this world.

But Ian really didn't expect it to be so easy in the end; Zephyr's final punch could be described as weak and powerless.

He was so frightened by himself that his mental state collapsed even more, which is why his fists were so weak and powerless.

However, it was actually Zephyr scaring himself.

Ultimately, he had not yet mastered Observation Haki Future Sight, and he could not remain as composed as Katakuri in the midst of an extremely intense battle.

Simply put, if the intensity of the battle increases, one cannot multitask to fight the enemy and change oneself at the same time. One can only maintain the normal state or directly enter the Phoenix Form for a long time.

It can only be said that Zephyr was intimidated by the strength he had displayed.

However, things will be different when I one day master Observation Haki and can foresee the Future Sight.

Of course, it's true that they could win no matter how they fought; the difference in strength was obvious, and the Navy had no chance of winning from the very beginning.

Therefore, Ian could brazenly tell the navy, "It's Time to Surrender."

Of course, surrendering cannot be done directly.

"Teacher Zephyr!"

Gion screamed.

She suddenly unleashed a burst of power, somehow managing to repel Yamato, who had been slightly suppressing her, causing Yamato to exclaim "Yay?"

Gion charged toward Ian.

Ian raised an eyebrow. That takes guts.

So.

Gion felt a golden light shooting towards her, and she instinctively swung her sword to meet it.

However, the blade was severed in an instant, and a hand grabbed her face, slamming her to the ground before she could react.

"Forehead!"

Gion out a scream, felt a sweet taste in her throat, and her mind went blank.

Then she felt herself being lifted up, like a roast duck hanging on an iron hook, and placed in the enemy's hands.

Ian grabbed the woman's face and lifted her high, somewhat puzzled, "How come after more than two years, Major General Gion, oh no, Vice Admiral Gion, you're still stuck in the same place?"

This woman's strength has hardly changed compared to two years ago.

Two years ago, he was easily defeated by his own self wielding the Sword of Destruction; two years later, he can't even withstand a single move.

Does this guy even deserve the title of a future Admiral?

On the hillside, Doflamingo's eyelids twitched as he watched Ian instantly annihilate Gion.

He had clashed with this woman two years ago.

He didn't think that now that he had Awakening, he was much stronger than this woman.

"Ian! Damn it! He's trying to steal my opponent again!"

Yamato's face was so angry that it was round and puffy like a steamed bun, perfectly fitting the description of being sullen.

"It's your own fault for not keeping a close eye on her; she came looking for a beating."

Ian said irritably.

He looked at Vice Admiral Tsuru and the many marines still fighting, his tone becoming calm, "I'll count down from three to two to one."

"Three."

Vice Admiral Tsuru sighed.

"Two."

"Put down your weapons."

Vice Admiral Tsuru said.

This wasn't the first time the Navy had been captured by Ian.

Based on his previous two experiences, this guy had no interest in abusing prisoners of war.

Thus, the battle came to an end.

Later.

In the midst of the icy snow, Smoker opened his eyes, feeling dizzy and disoriented.

My first reaction was, "It hurts so much!"

My face was burning, and I could barely open my eyes.

My second reaction was, "It's so cold."

He turned his head with difficulty and realized that he had just been lying on the snow. No wonder he felt so cold.

To his even greater surprise, a large number of navy personnel around him were sitting on the ground, looking dejected.

What's wrong?

How did the battle go?

He instinctively tried to sit up.

But by this point, Smoker felt a sharp weakness; he couldn't even sit up.

What happened?

They weren't seriously injured, were they?

He tried to raise his hand.

However, they then realized their hands were handcuffed.

His hands were handcuffed behind his back.

What happened?

What exactly happened?

He instinctively tried to struggle.

"No need to bother, Smoker,"

A familiar voice came from the side, "These are high-purity Seastone handcuffs; there's no way to break free."

"Seastone?"

Smoker strained to look up at the Pink-haired woman sitting weakly in front of him; of course, her hair was now a complete mess, making it impossible to recognize her original appearance.

But Smoker could see that the woman was also wearing handcuffs.

"Hina! What happened?"

He fainted too soon and didn't see what happened next.

"What was the outcome of the battle?"

"Given our current situation, isn't the outcome of the battle clear enough?"

Hina sighed, "Although Hina doesn't want to believe it either, the fact is that Teacher Zephyr was defeated by Ian of the Scorched Sky, and Gion was also captured by Ian. Sister Tsuru had no choice but to make everyone lay down their weapons."

"What!!"

Smoker's body jolted.

Teacher Zephyr actually lost?

How could the righteous navy lose?

So what exactly is going on now?

"So, you should understand the situation now, right, Gorosei?"

Smoker heard Ian's voice.

He begged his colleagues to help him up.

His colleague was not a power user, so there was no need to add the Seastone restraints, and he was quickly promoted to the position.

Then Smoker was finally able to see.

At the very front of the densely packed naval formation sitting on the snow, there was a guy Ian of the Scorched Sky, holding a Den Den Mushi in one hand and grabbing Teacher Zephyr's collar with the other, talking to the Den Den Mushi.

Smoker's pupils suddenly dilated.

Am I dreaming?

This scene before my eyes is something that could never happen even in a dream.

And what did Ian say?

Gorosei?

Could it be that he was speaking to the Gorosei, the pinnacle of the World Government?

"Former Admiral, current Chief Instructor Black Arm Zeff, Marine Vice Admiral, Chief of Staff Vice Marine Vice Admiral Vice Admiral Tsuru, Vice Admiral Vice Admiral Gion, a rising star and old acquaintance, and a bunch of new and veteran naval recruits, what are you going to offer me in exchange?"

Smoker heard Ian say that.

exchange?

He suddenly felt his body tremble.

Are pirates using the Marines and the World Government to make a deal? And the other party in that deal is even one of the Gorosei.

"Kid, you've got some nerve!"

Smoker heard the voices of the Gorosei for the first time; they were as old as he had imagined, and filled with anger.

"This doesn't seem to be my fault, does it? Wasn't it because the navy you sent was too weak?"

Ian's words enraged Smoker.

Then came a period of dejection.

Even Teacher Zephyr was defeated; they were indeed too weak.

What do you want?

The anger subsided, and the Gorosei agreed to the deal.

A strange emotion welled up in Smoker's heart.

He knew that he would most likely survive.

However, it was such a humiliating experience.

"As you all know, the Beasts Pirates have been expanding recently, but there are two Affiliated Nation of the government and even a Marine Base near our waters, which is getting in our way."

Ian said, "Let's trade them for it. Give them to me."

Smoker's eyes widened suddenly.

Two Affiliated Nation? One Marine Base?

"Are you kidding me, you brat! Leaving aside G-14 base, are you serious about two member Affiliated Nation? How could a government possibly attack Affiliated Nation!"

Smoker breathed a sigh of relief at the Gorosei ' answer; as expected, such an excessive request—

"Don't treat me like a fool. Take the North Blue, for example. You know better than I how Flevance perished. What are mere Affiliated Nation to you? Just publish a statement in the newspaper saying that those two countries didn't pay their Celestial Gold this year, so they're being removed from the government. Wouldn't that solve the problem?"

How did Ian answer?

Flevance?

Smoker tried hard to remember.

I vaguely remember it.

But wasn't that country wiped out by its neighbor because of an infectious disease?

The Gorosei fell silent.

But this silence instilled a sense of fear in Smoker.

He'd rather die than have the World Government agree to this condition!

This kind of shame is a hundred thousand times more terrifying than death!

but.

"We agreed."

That's what the Gorosei said.

Smoker trembled and gritted his teeth.

"Excellent!"

Ian's voice laced with laughter, "Your World Government is so straightforward; all those negotiations we've had weren't in vain."

"Since the deal is already done, let's go all the way."

The Gorosei continued, "Op-Op Fruit, kid, hand over the Op-Op Fruit to us, and you can state your demands directly."

"Op-Op Fruit?"

Ian feigned ignorance, "What is that? Never heard of it. I'm giving you one day to evacuate the people from G-14 base, and at the same time, I'm announcing the expulsion of those two countries from the government hierarchy."

Then, Ian hung up the phone.

He smiled and looked down at Zephyr, whom he was still holding in his hand. The man was staring intently at him. "Oh, what a terrifying look. But Mr. Zephyr, shouldn't you thank me? I let you off the hook."

Zephyr didn't speak, but his eyes seemed to be spitting fire.

"You lack the experience your disciples have in this area,"

Ian casually put Zephyr back into the navy's ranks, then smiled at Gion, who was tightly bound by specially made chains, and said, "Right, Vice Admiral Gion?"

This seems to be the second time she's been tied up like this.

Gion didn't say anything, she just hung her head and looked dejected.

"Then let's wait here for a day."

Ian stretched.

That's all for now.

These naval forces are also a hot potato.

It would be a huge loss to just release it.

If we take them down, the navy will go crazy.

It wouldn't be bad to switch to two countries and use an existing fortress base.

Those are Affiliated Nation of two World Government, and their economic strength is far beyond what the non-governmental Affiliated Nation under the Beasts Pirates, who were originally so poor they were practically starving, could compare to.

Ian looked towards the hilltop on one side.

Donquixote and his crew fled immediately after the battle ended. Doflamingo only bid them farewell from afar, and he certainly seemed frightened.

So, one day later.

"I have arrived at Naval Base G-14,"

Ian was on the phone with someone, saying, "This place is completely empty now. The fleet is on its way. This can become the pirate crew's largest overseas base."

"Thank you for your hard work, Uncle Jin."

Ian his sincere gratitude.

I rushed over immediately after receiving his message yesterday, and now I'm sending you the firsthand information.

After ending his communication with Uncle Jin, Ian opened the first newspaper of the day.

The article published news about two Affiliated Nation of the New World who falsified their contributions to the Celestial Gold and were subsequently removed from the government hierarchy.

Ian has confirmed that this news is not limited to this area; it has been published in newspapers all over the world.

The World Government did not deceive him.

That's good, then the recording won't be needed.

So.

"We also need to abide by the agreement on our side."

Ian crumpled the newspaper in his hand, stood up, and said, "Let's go back."

The transaction is complete, so there's no need for us to stay here any longer.

Ian casually tossed the keys to the Seastone Handcuffs and chains to the marines, saying, "Consider these a freebie. Hope we can work together again sometime, marines."

The sailors, who had sat in the snow all night, were now extremely exhausted.

However, of course, not everyone is like that.

"Kid!!"

Even severely wounded, Zephyr glared at Ian, shouting, "This won't end like this! It absolutely won't end like this!"

Ian didn't even turn his head, only scoffing, "Don't bluff, Mr. Zephyr, that will only expose your weakness."

They walked away triumphantly.

Only the navy remained in the snowstorm.

Some of the navy soldiers, who were not bound because of their weakness, hurriedly picked up the key that Ian had thrown on the ground and unlocked everyone's restraints.

"Zephyr, are you alright?"

Vice Admiral Tsuru walked up to Zephyr and asked him with concern.

Although Ian arranged for Zephyr to receive emergency treatment yesterday, his injuries were still too severe.

"... Why?"

Zephyr clenched his remaining left fist and said painfully, "Why would the government make a deal with him!"

Those are two countries!

Although he was saved, tens of millions of people from two countries were about to fall into the hands of the Beasts Pirates.

Vice Admiral Tsuru sighed and remained silent.

"No! We can't let the Beasts Pirates take over these places!"

Zephyr suddenly said, "Tsuru, notify headquarters and have Brother Kong send troops! Stop the Beasts Pirates from occupying those two countries!"

Faced with his old friend's hopeful gaze, Vice Admiral Tsuru gently shook his head. "Impossible, Zephyr. If you back out, Ian will bring this deal to the table, and the government's prestige will collapse instantly."

"Furthermore, the government will never allow us to go to war with the Beasts Pirates for the sake of two abandoned Affiliated Nation."

The light in Zephyr's eyes was gradually fading.

What exactly is justice in the eyes of the government?

Although it was all because of their defeat, and although he felt immense shame and pain, Zephyr couldn't help but think the same way.

While the entire navy was depressed, the Golden Flying Dragon had already set sail and sailed away.

on deck.

"Is this the Op-Op Fruit?"

Ian held the heart-shaped Op-Op Fruit in his hand, and his friends were all amazed.

"Five billion Beli?"

Violet wished she could use her powers to examine the fruit inside and out. "Is that it?"

"Just getting this one fruit is worth the price of admission."

Ian said.

As for G-14 base and those two Affiliated Nation, they can only be considered unexpected surprises.

"Then, Brother Ian,"

Jack asked solemnly, "Who is this fruit for?"

The legendary Immortal Surgery —of course, only Brother Ian is qualified to perform it!

If he hadn't already been a power user, Jack would definitely have eaten it himself.

"I!!"

Yamato raised his hand high.

"Fool,"

Ian rolled his eyes at her. "Eating two fruits will kill you."

"Ian, I can too!"

Hancock, upon hearing Yamato's words, eagerly chimed in.

"Don't you dare cause any more trouble."

Ian raised an eyebrow, then handed the fruit in his hand to Luo.

Luo was taken aback for a moment.

"This fruit will only be most effective if a doctor eats it."

Ian said, "Luo, you're the doctor, right? Even disregarding the boost to medical skills, the fruit's potential in combat is quite astonishing."

Although he wasn't the ship's doctor, Luo was indeed constantly researching medicine.

"Me?"

Luo suddenly grinned, then without hesitation took the fruit from Ian's hand, took a big bite without hesitation, and said, "Just what I wanted—"

He hadn't even finished delivering his cool lines when he started gagging.

"Ugh, this tastes awful!!"

This caused everyone to burst into laughter.

"There's no need to worry about the Immortal Surgery, Luo,"

Ian laughed and said, "There are quite a few ways to achieve immortality."

For example, Pure Gold.

Once Shirahoshi Awakening and can control Sea King, she can summon the lanternfish that devoured a large amount of Pure Gold.

Pure Gold can minimize the effects of time on the human body, making it possible to live for tens of thousands of years without much problem.

"You don't need to tell me,"

Luo sneered, "I have no interest in self-sacrifice."

"That's good. Let's work hard to develop it and not waste this fruit."

"Certainly!"

So, they prepared to return to the New World.

But it was precisely at this moment.

Ian received a phone call.

"Ian!!"

The person on the other end of the phone was almost delirious with excitement, "It's done! The research on Artificial Devil Fruit is finally complete!!"

Good luck on the college entrance exam! Although probably not many test takers will see this message.