True Despair!

On the sea somewhere in the New World, a large golden ship was anchored.

"Ian has really gone too far!"

Yamato paced anxiously on the deck, biting his fingernails in frustration. "He brought us all here, and now he's making us wait for him!"

Ian didn't come alone; he brought his friends with him.

It's true that Ian was the only one heading to Shuigu Town; he said it was too dangerous there and he was enough on his own.

"I don't understand! I just don't understand!"

Yamato shouted, "If it's so dangerous, wouldn't it be better if we did it together?"

"They probably think we're a burden, right?"

Luo sat on the ship's railing and casually remarked, "After all, the navy's lineup this time is indeed quite intimidating."

"Iron Fist Garp, Black Arm Zeff, and Admiral Aokiji,"

Jack, who had been quietly training on the sidelines, also spoke up, "It is indeed no small matter. In addition, the Cross Guild is an enemy, not a friend. If we rashly get involved, there may really be casualties."

"On the contrary, if it's just Ian alone, no one in the world can do anything to him."

Black Maria said with a smile.

That might be a bit of an exaggeration, but in reality, if Ian were alone, he would be truly invincible.

"Ultimately, is it because we're too weak?"

Yamato was in a bad Yamato, "Then I'll try my best to become stronger!"

"Hey! Snake Woman!"

She abruptly turned her head, glaring fiercely at Hancock, who was leisurely painting her toenails on the ship's side not far away. "Come on, let's fight! I feel like I'm almost ready to master Conqueror's Haki Infusion!"

Hancock merely glanced at her, offering no reply, and continued doing her own thing with an air of nonchalance.

She was, of course, very eager to become stronger.

Only by becoming stronger can I help Ian and surpass this white-haired bastard.

But why should we listen to this white-haired guy?

Who cares about her?

But at that very moment, Hancock and Yamato looked up at the same time. A shooting star fell from the sky, and Surtur, now a golden giant, landed on the ship's side.

"Oh, sorry to have kept you waiting."

Ian landed lightly on the deck. "Let's go back to port!"

"Ian!"

Yamato rushed over immediately, shouting, "Help me train!!"

"Ah?"

Ian pressed down on the guy's round forehead. "Spare me, I just fought a bunch of guys who are like monsters, I'm exhausted."

"Brother Ian,"

Hearing him say that, Jack couldn't help but ask, "Was it not going well?"

"No, that's not it."

Ian took out the small box, opened it, and showed the Devil Fruit inside to his friends. "Successfully obtained."

"Oh! This is it--"

Luo leaned his head closer.

"Zoan Bat-Bat Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Vampire Form," Ian said.

"There really is one?"

Luo clicked his tongue.

Ian glanced at the kid, as if to say, "So you're the one questioning the reliability of Ian intelligence, aren't you?"

However, there is still one problem.

Who should eat this fruit?

Ian was somewhat troubled.

There are indeed not many people around him who aren't superhumans.

Even fewer people are qualified to possess a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit.

Sanji and Zoro would be the top choices.

These two lads possess the potential to become top-tier experts.

However, none of them needed Devil Fruit to reach the pinnacle.

It doesn't seem to match the Vampire Fruit very well.

Or how about giving it to Tesoro?

Anyway, that guy is now in charge of the Beasts Pirates ' business, he's a capitalist to the extreme, and the ability of a vampire is a perfect match for him.

Moreover, the strength this guy displayed in the movie was not weak either. He once suppressed the Gear Fourth Straw Hat, and he was at least at the level of a Yonko's first mate, so it can't be said that he disgraced this Devil Fruit.

I'll ask that guy for his opinion when I get back.

In any case, the Golden Flying Dragon began its return journey.

"Everyone, please buckle up! I'm about to accelerate!"

On the front of the Golden Flying Dragon, the sculpture modeled after Ian's beast-like head now showed an excited expression, and without anyone's control, it was already moving forward rapidly.

This ship, the Golden Flying Dragon, had already been transformed into Homie by Aunt Linlin.

That's why I say the Homie is a really convenient thing to do.

However, not long after returning from the airport, Ian received a phone call.

It came from someone unexpected.

"Vergo?"

Ian was genuinely surprised that this guy had called him.

"Lord Ian,"

Vergo's voice on the other end of the phone was quite respectful, "There has been a pirate attack at G-5 base, and I think it's necessary for you to know about it."

"You say."

Ian didn't waste any words; he asked directly.

"Edward Weevil attacked G-5 base, but his mother claimed they were there to become the new Shichibukai."

Vergo didn't waste any words and went straight to the point.

Who are you talking about?

Ian paused slightly, "Edward Weevil, that White Second?"

"It's him."

Vergo's tone carried a hint of lingering fear, "The legend says he possessed power comparable to Whitebeard in his youth; it truly lives up to its reputation."

"He massacred all the naval recruits on the ship. When the base commander ordered his arrest, he destroyed five of our warships before we finally captured him."

"This is because fighting in the water is not very convenient for him, and his mother was also captured by us after being separated from him due to the explosion."

Ian quickly grasped two key points in the conversation. "A ship full of naval recruits? What does that mean? And, Weevil has been captured?"

"Yes, Lord Ian, the White Second Prince and his mother are currently being held in the prison at G-5 base."

Vergo continued, "As for those new recruits, they are from the naval training camps that Black Arm Zeff brought to the New World. Since Zephyr is going to fight the Cross Guild, they have been temporarily left at G-5 base."

"Oh?"

Ian's lips curled into a smile instantly. "There's actually such a thing?"

Is this some kind of bizarre historical inevitability?

Zephyr had his hand cut off by himself in the North Blue over a year ago, and now his students have been slaughtered by Whitebeard.

It makes one really look forward to what will happen next.

"So, what are your plans for dealing with White Second?"

Ian inquired with great interest.

"The base commander means to temporarily conceal from the government the fact that White Second wants to become Shichibukai."

Vergo said, "That guy killed the best young naval officers of the year, and the base commander wants to hand him over to Zephyr to deal with."

"That's incredibly audacious!"

Ian laughed and said, "Taking the subsidies from the World Government, yet you have to hide them from the government."

"Vergo, this is an opportunity."

He said, "Go and show the World Government your unwavering loyalty."

"I understand, Lord Ian."

The call has ended.

Ian's lips never actually curled into a smile.

So, what will you choose next, Mr. Zephyr?

Let's go back a little earlier.

On the other side, the returning naval fleet.

On the massive Dog-Head Warship.

"Garp! You bastard! How dare you!"

Hero Garp is receiving a direct reprimand from the Gorosei: "Just for a few hundred civilians, you let the Cross Guild go?"

While picking his ear, the naval hero casually remarked, "So I've made myself perfectly clear: that bastard Ian killed Kake, nearly killed Gion, severely injured Kuzan lost an arm), and Zephyr was also seriously wounded. How can they possibly fight the Cross Guild under these circumstances?"

"You all know how strong that bastard Ryde is. It won't be easy for me to take him down."

The naval hero who had previously given the Lone Red a sound beating said this without batting an eye.

"If anyone's to blame, it should be that bastard Ian!"

"Garp! What kind of attitude is this?!"

The Gorosei were furious.

Of all the navy personnel, this bastard is the most unconventional!

Inside a medical room in the ship's cabin.

Vice Admiral Gion lay quietly on the hospital bed, her skin as pale as paper, unconscious and wearing an oxygen mask.

Zephyr head and body were wrapped in bandages, sat to one side.

This former Admiral of the navy, a man who had nurtured countless pillars of the navy, hung his head dejectedly, his eyes dim and lifeless.

He had never felt so powerless as he did now.

He was killed by that bastard Ian Kake in front of him.

He could only watch, only struggle helplessly in an attempt to stop it.

But there was nothing they could do; they could only watch helplessly as Kake was burned to nothingness by Ian.

Not only Kake, Gion was also beaten nearly to death in front of him.

His ribs were completely shattered, his lungs were riddled with holes and torn apart, and even his spine was damaged.

The child was so close; otherwise, he would have been completely beyond saving.

It was all because of his incompetence.

Zephyr raised his hand and pressed it against his face.

He suddenly remembered the day many years ago when he lost his family.

He was just as powerless and in just as much pain at that time.

Pirates...

Just then, the door to the ward was suddenly pushed open, and a pale-faced Aokiji walked in.

His face was grim, and he was clutching a Den Den Mushi tightly in his hand.

"Kuzan?"

Seeing his beloved disciple arrive, Zephyr forgot his dejection and quickly stood up, saying with concern, "Why didn't you stay in bed and rest? What are you doing here?"

This kid is also seriously injured.

Ian's punch caused severe damage to his internal organs, but the most serious injury was to his left arm, which was burned off.

Looking at the teacher's concerned face, Aokiji suddenly couldn't make a sound.

He didn't know how to tell Teacher Zephyr about it.

Can Teacher Zephyr, who was already severely affected by this operation, really accept this news?

"Kuzan?"

Zephyr realized something was wrong and asked softly, "What's wrong?"

Aokiji took a deep breath.

"Teacher Zephyr, please be prepared for what I'm about to say."

Zephyr's pupils twitched slightly, and he forced a smile. "You've learned to be mysterious, haven't you? Just say what you want to say."

Then, Aokiji whispered, "G-5 base has been attacked by pirates."

Zephyr's eyes widened instantly.

G-5 base?

"Those children were patrolling near the base when they were attacked by pirates on their way back..."

"..."

Zephyr's body trembled suddenly, and he staggered back two steps. His hand instinctively gripped the armrest of the Gion bed. His already pale face became even more ashen, and his lips moved slightly.

"How are they? How are they?"

Aokiji looked at his teacher, the man who always spoke with great enthusiasm about training heroes for the navy, but now looked as desolate and withered as a fallen leaf in the autumn wind.

Although it was just a few simple words, Aokiji felt they were heavier than mountains.

"Not a single one survived..."

"..."

Zephyr suddenly froze.

His whole body was stiff, as if he had been frozen by Aokiji.

Then.

"Puff!"

A mouthful of blood spurted from his mouth, and the naval chief instructor fell backward to the ground.

"Teacher Zephyr!!"

G-5 Base.

In prison.

"You bastard! Let me out right now!"

Miss Bajin shouted, "What are you doing?! Damn Marines, didn't you say you were going to recruit the Shichibukai?!!"

She never expected that she would be arrested on the spot by the navy as soon as she arrived at the base.

Who would have thought those damn navy bastards would be so unreasonable!

After luring them off that warship, we immediately launched a bombing raid!

"Mom! When will I become Shichibukai?!"

In the cell next door, the simple-minded son, completely unaware of the situation, was grinning foolishly.

"Fool!!"

Miss Ba Jin couldn't help but curse, "Now that they're about to lose their lives, what's with all this talk about Shichibukai?!"

Just then, heavy footsteps suddenly came from the end of the corridor.

He was a man exuding an aura of deathly stillness.

In the dim light of the prison corridor, Miss Ba Jin could clearly see the old woman's face; her pupils visibly contracted sharply.

"Ze... Zephyr!!"

"Boom!!"

Zephyr kicked open the cell door where Whitebeard was being held, then hardened his arms and charged forward with a roar.

How dare you!

Armament Haki Hardening fists relentlessly pounded into Weevil's body.

"You damned bastard!!"

Those kids are the future of the Navy, the best young people who yearn for justice and want to become heroes!

They have a very, very long life ahead of them!

It absolutely shouldn't have ended like this!

"Waaaaah! Mom! Help me!"

Weevil screamed repeatedly. He was indeed tough and resilient, but he was still powerless against the powerful Armament Haki on Zephyr's fists.

"You bastard! Zephyr! Stop it right now!!"

The old woman, disregarding her foul mouth, desperately lunged forward, trying to squeeze through the gap in the railing as her beloved son was about to be beaten to death.

"Stop right there! Didn't you yourselves say you wanted to recruit the Shichibukai?! And you attacked first!!"

Do they even understand reason?!

But Zephyr paid no heed; he was determined to kill the scum who had killed his disciple!

Such scum doesn't deserve to live in this world!

At the end of the corridor, Aokiji and Garp watched all of this silently.

Aokiji looked somewhat dejected.

"Zephyr ..."

The naval hero also sighed.

Will Zephyr, who never kills, ultimately disappear?

At this time.

"Mr. Garp!"

The base commander arrived in a hurry, his face flushed red, clearly suppressing intense anger.

"Make Teacher Zephyr stop right now!"

He said.

"What's wrong?"

Aokiji suddenly had a bad feeling, as if his junior brother was about to reveal some terrifying truth.

The lieutenant Vice Admiral commanding the base gritted his teeth, "The government knows about this!"

"They want to recruit White Second as a new Shichibukai!"

Garp and Aokiji's expressions changed drastically, and they looked towards the cell almost simultaneously.

Inside the cell, Zephyr, who was beating the Whitebeard, stopped and turned around in a daze.

"Did you hear that, Zephyr?! Did you hear that, you old bastard?!"

Miss Bakkin also heard the Vice Admiral admiral's words and immediately shouted, "Weevil is Shichibukai now! You can't lay a hand on him!!"

Zephyr stood there dumbfounded.

A chilling feeling suddenly crept up from the deepest part of my heart.