Ian's Invitation! Operation: Hunt the NEO Marines!

Although Ian is somewhat educated, he really doesn't know much about science and technology.

I rummaged through the shelves of this enormous library and found several books that recorded ancient technologies, but I still couldn't make heads or tails of them.

But Ian knew very well that the techniques recorded in these books were remarkable.

Vegapunk was once referred to as an archaeologist on various forums in his previous life, with some saying that he was actually just a translation group of ancient technology.

This demonstrates the high value of these technologies.

Making a copy of all the scientific data here would certainly not be a bad thing.

However, the project is massive, with tens of thousands of technical books and periodicals stored here, making it impossible to replicate in a short period of time.

However, Ian wasn't in a hurry. After all, the Giant Kingdom and Hachinosu Island weren't far apart, and his good friends would be able to send them to him as soon as they were copied.

And then...

Ian looked at Aokiji had a melancholy expression.

"Kuzan, you seem to have a lot to say."

Aokiji seemed to snap out of his daze instantly, scratching his face in surprise. "I don't recall us being close enough to call each other by our first names."

"Never mind, are we going to make our move now?"

It doesn't matter anymore; the confusion in my heart has almost dissipated, and now I would have no regrets even if I died.

"Hey!"

Sauron was shocked. "Ian, aren't you and Kuzan friends? I thought you came together!"

"Oh my, it would be strange if pirates and marines were friends, wouldn't it?"

Aokiji said casually, without the slightest fear or tension, but rather appeared very calm.

"Although I no longer plan to join the navy."

"That's it!"

Sauron was a little nervous and quickly said to Ian, "Ian, just like Kuzan said, he no longer intends to be a Marine. You are no longer enemies, there's no need to fight each other anymore!"

Aokiji felt a warmth in his heart.

In any case, being able to reunite with an old friend in the final moments and dispel any doubts in one's heart—isn't that a good thing?

"Please, Ian, spare his life!"

The enormous giant even bowed deeply to Ian, showing that he and Aokiji truly shared a deep bond.

Ian just smiled. "I didn't say I was going to kill him, did I?"

"Oh?"

Sauron immediately looked up, his eyes lighting up.

"I've said before that Marine Admiral Aokiji definitely deserves to die, but Kuzan, the wanderer who left the Navy, is a different story."

Ian said calmly, "The World Government is too powerful, isn't it? I don't think any power that would be hostile to the government should be wasted."

"That's right!"

Sauron was incredibly excited, nodding his enormous head repeatedly. "To overthrow the World Government, we need to unite the forces of all sides!"

"Only by uniting all forces can we accomplish what Joy Boy failed to achieve eight hundred years ago!"

"So,"

Ian extended his right hand. "Kuzan, would you like to join my ranks? This is a very serious invitation."

To be honest, Aokiji was completely stunned after hearing Ian's words.

"Ah?"

Not to mention Aokiji, even Sauron was bewildered.

Although Aokiji has no intention of continuing as a Marine, isn't it a bit much for a pirate to invite this former Admiral to join his crew?

"Ah la la,"

Aokiji felt somewhat confused. "Although I no longer plan to join the Navy, I don't think we can just shake hands and make peace."

Is this guy joking?

Has he forgotten that just a few months ago he personally killed Kake in front of him and burned off one of his own arms?

"Since I've already decided to give up being a naval officer, I might as well let go of the past grudges as well."

Ian casually remarked, "In the past, our relationship was like that of a hedgehog and the navy—enemies who couldn't help each other. But now, can we be friends?"

"Then let's forget about it."

Aokiji's lips twitched slightly. "I'm still having some trouble accepting this extreme reversal of identity."

"What an ungrateful bastard!"

Hancock smirked, clenched her fist, and black Inazuma began to dance on it. "Ian, since he dares to refuse you, then kill him right here."

"Saying they've defected from the Navy and betrayed the World Government is just a temporary expedient for survival."

"Let me take him down!"

Yamato simply pulled out his spiked club.

It's more satisfying to beat up guys who use ice!

"This..."

Sauron was also feeling a bit overwhelmed.

What should we do now?

Although he no longer has any prejudice against pirates, he is very clear that he absolutely needs the help of pirates to overthrow the World Government.

However, he couldn't very well just ask his old friend, who had a strong sense of justice, to actually become a subordinate of the Pirate Emperor, could he?

Ian smiled and said, "Then let's leave it at that."

"Ah?"

Aokiji was taken aback.

Sauron was stunned, and everyone else was stunned as well.

"Ian!!"

It 'Yamato and unbelievable.

Ian simply said calmly, "Don't worry about it. I've said it before, all forces that oppose the World Government should be cherished."

He gave Aokiji a deep look. "My invitation is valid indefinitely. Think it over carefully, Kuzan."

This guy...

Aokiji frowned.

What is this guy thinking? Why is he being so lenient with himself?

Does he really believe that one day he would willingly join his ranks?

"Oh dear, let me think about it."

Since that arrogant bastard Ian had said so, Aokiji certainly wouldn't refuse.

Being able to survive is certainly not a bad thing.

Having already decided to leave the Navy, Aokiji still had many things he wanted to do and certainly didn't want his life to end like this.

Sauron breathed a sigh of relief. That should solve the problem, right?

Yamato glared at Aokiji Yamato resentment; the white-haired girl was still very unwilling.

Ian patted her head and said with a grin, "Alright, don't be so downcast. We still have a banquet to attend, cheer up!"

"That's right!"

Prince Loki laughed heartily, "A grand banquet has been prepared for you in the palace to welcome you back! Now, enjoy yourselves!"

Ian turned to look at Aokiji, "So, Kuzan, wanna come along?"

Aokiji's lips twitched slightly. "No, I'll pass."

Continuing to be around these guys makes me feel cold all over; I can't feel at ease for even a moment.

Let's say goodbye sooner rather than later.

"I see?"

Ian didn't seem to mind, and just smiled and said, "Then you've missed out on a lot."

"That's right!"

Prince Loki laughed heartily, "The banquets in our Giant Kingdom are always the most enthusiastic and grand!"

Aokiji just gave an awkward smile.

No matter how grand the banquet, I have absolutely no interest in attending it now.

So Aokiji stayed behind and continued catching up with Sauron.

Ian and the others were invited to the royal palace for a banquet.

"Are you really sure it's okay to just leave that guy like this?"

Hancock couldn't understand Ian's decision. "That guy is Marine Headquarters Admiral. Is it really that easy for him to betray the World Government?"

"Having heard what Sauron just said, he had no choice but to betray him."

Ian simply said, "So instead of killing him here, wouldn't it be better to give the World Government another enemy?"

For Aokiji, who has already left the World Government, the World Government is of course his greatest enemy.

That alone is enough reason for Ian to spare his life.

More importantly, in the original work, Aokiji even joined the Blackbeard Pirates, so why can't our Beasts Pirates?

Ian believed that sooner or later Aokiji would join his ranks.

Since the Beasts Pirates will be the World's Strongest, Aokiji doesn't seem to have a better choice if he wants to do something for his justice.

Waiting for Kuzan to come and feed the demon with his own body.

While Ian and the others were receiving a warm banquet from the giants in the Giant King, Aokiji had already finished catching up with Sauron and quietly left the Giant Kingdom alone.

He silently rode his bicycle alone, gradually disappearing into the distance on the sea.

What should we do next?

Should we go find Teacher Zephyr? But NEO Marines doesn't seem like a promising future.

Or should I first relax on the sea and truly see the world?

I can't really accept Ian's invitation to join the Beasts Pirates, can I?

But before all that, it's more important to make a phone call to Mr. Sengoku.

After they had traveled some distance from Wano Country, Aokiji took out Den Den Mushi and made a call.

Marine Headquarters.

Fleet Admiral's Office.

"Kuzan?"

Fleet Admiral Sengoku was somewhat surprised when he received Aokiji's call. "What? Have you already found Zephyr's whereabouts?"

"That's not it,"

Aokiji's voice sounded somewhat awkward, "Well, I really don't know how to bring this up."

"Ah?"

Sengoku frowned. "What happened?"

"Um, how should I put it?"

Aokiji was still somewhat hesitant, but he slowly said, "Mr. Sengoku, I don't plan to return to Marineford after this."

"Ah?"

Sengoku was taken aback again, and for a moment he didn't quite understand what Aokiji meant.

After a few seconds of silence, he asked incredulously, "Kuzan! What do you mean by that?"

"Oh, that means..."

Aokiji took a deep breath. "I'm going to resign. Starting today, I'm no longer a member of the Navy, Sengoku- san."

"Boom!"

Sengoku smashed the desk in front of him with a single punch, yelling incredulously, "Kuzan, have you lost your mind? What nonsense are you spouting?"

He suddenly realized something, "Is it because of Zephyr?"

"Did that old Zephyr say something to you again?"

"To say that it has absolutely nothing to do with Teacher Zephyr seems rather unrealistic."

Aokiji said, "But perhaps it's more that I've stopped believing in the Navy's justice?"

"In short, I've caused you trouble over the years."

The call was disconnected.

The Marine Fleet Admiral stood there stunned for half a minute before roaring as if he had just woken up from a dream.

"Garp!!"

The naval hero rushed to the Fleet Admiral's Office and immediately learned the whole story from Sengoku.

"Hahahaha!"

Iron Fist Garp was laughing so hard he almost cried. "That kid just became Admiral and he's already resigning? He hasn't even received his salary for a few months yet!"

Is this the important point?

The Marine Fleet Admiral furious, his hair standing on end. "What's wrong with that brat? Garp, as his mentor, don't you have anything to say, you old bastard?!"

The naval hero paused for a moment, his smile fading slightly, before saying, "Didn't Kuzan already say that he no longer believes in the Navy's justice?"

The Sengoku fell silent instantly.

The news quickly reached Mary Geoise, Gorosei were naturally furious.

"It's that Zephyr again!! Find him!! We have to find that bastard no matter what!"

They didn't care about justice or injustice; they naturally assumed that Aokiji's betrayal was influenced by Zephyr.

However, even with their increased anger towards Zephyr, the government couldn't spare any more resources to search for the NEO Marines, as they were already doing everything they could.

Ian and his companions didn't linger in the Giant Kingdom for long, as it wasn't their first time there.

After a brief get-together with friends, we immediately returned to Hachinosu Island.

The copied ancient technical documents will be personally delivered to him by his good friends after the reproduction is completed.

On the return journey, the news of Marine Admiral Aokiji's resignation once again shocked the world.

First, former Admiral Zephyr betrayed the country, and now current Admiral Aokiji has resigned. It's hard for people all over the world not to be talking about this.

What's wrong with the Navy? Why are these things happening one after another?

The Affiliated Nation were filled with anxiety; had something gone wrong within the navy?

However, these questions cannot be answered for the time being.

Almost as soon as Ian arrived at Hachinosu Island, Tesoro rushed over to his door.

"Lord Ian!"

Tesoro handed over a Den Den Mushi with a strange expression. "It's a contact from the Cross Guild."

"The Cross Guild?"

Ian took the Den Den Mushi with some surprise.

"Ian,"

Having apparently heard Ian's words, a familiar voice came from the other end of the Den Den Mushi: "Let's talk."

Crocodile?

Ian raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Interesting. Tell me, what do you want to talk about?"

"NEO Marines,"

Crocodile said, "Don't you think they're a bit of an eyesore?"

"Anyone who dares to act recklessly will be met with a devastating Dyna Stone. The New World will not tolerate such a formidable individual."

"Oh?"

Ian smiled, his interest piqued. "So, you're interested in Dyna Stone?"

Aren't you interested?

Crocodile sneered.

"Just say what you have to say."

Ian said calmly, "How do you plan to make your move?"

"Hahaha! I knew it, asking you was a good idea!"

Crocodile smiled and said, "The key issue is how to lure that Zephyr out."

"The NEO Marines has occupied a territory, but the true key figures, such as Zephyr, are nowhere to be found."

"If we directly attack the NEO Marines, we will be met with an attack from Dyna Stone."

"So?"

Ian was getting impatient.

Why does this jerk like to keep everyone in suspense so much? Where did he learn this bad habit from?

"So, let's find some unrelated people to attack the NEO Marines."

Crocodile said calmly, "Wouldn't it be better if Zephyr couldn't find a target for revenge? That way, he'd have no choice but to step in and stop it himself."

"Oh!"

Ian smiled with interest. "That's a good idea. So, you contacted me specifically because you're afraid that if this matter is exposed, you'll be the only ones attacked, right?"

So you're trying to drag someone down with you, huh?

"You could also try contacting Charlotte Linlin and your teacher, or even Whitebeard."

Crocodile said.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Ian burst into laughter.

Good idea.

That's definitely a good idea.

Diversify the risks.

Even if Zephyr discovers the truth behind the attack, can he really fight all the monsters of the New World at the same time?

"That's interesting. I'll accept."

Ian said.

There's one more chapter I'm writing, but I got back too late. I'll start catching up tomorrow...