Awakening! Retreat!

Kizaru retreated without hesitation, taking Sentomaru with him.

He didn't know how the Gorosei and this mysterious, unknown Im would treat him and Sentomaru after they learned the secret.

Perhaps, as Ian said, Lord Im does not allow anyone who knows his secrets to exist, so he will be eliminated immediately after the battle here ends.

He himself had no chance of escaping from Ian, let alone from this Lord Im.

But perhaps, as the Gorosei said, Lord Im will not only not punish him, but will also reward him.

After all, it can't be hidden any longer. If the World Government is going to have a final showdown with the Beasts Pirates, then Lord Im will definitely have to step onto the stage, since no one else is qualified to fight Ian.

Given this, is there any point in continuing to keep the so-called secret?

Kizaru was really unsure which scenario it would be.

Just like his ambiguous sense of justice, he was always indecisive.

So, he might as well let someone else make the decision for him.

Go back and tell Mr. Mr. Garp Sakazuki Sengoku Sengoku, and see what they decide.

"Damn it! Borsalino, what do you think you're doing?!"

Saturn was furious, his eyes flashing with murderous intent.

Lord Im's existence is a secret; how can we let this bastard reveal it to the Navy?

Almost instantly, Kizaru's body exploded.

It was as if a bomb had been planted inside him, instantly blasting his body into pieces.

"What!!"

Sentomaru turned around in near terror.

The Gorosei attacked Uncle Ape?

Is it true, as Ian said, that the government can't allow them to exist because they know the secret of this guy named Im?

"Oh..."

Ian, who had blocked Im's punch with his sword and staggered backward, looked at the blasted Kizaru, uttering a strange exclamation while laughing.

"See? I was right. So, Admiral Kizaru, why don't you come to my side? Right now, only the Beasts Pirates can protect you."

"Ian! Shut up!!"

Saturn was furious.

At this moment, countless light particles converged towards the center, and once again coalesced into the shape of Kizaru.

The Marine Admiral turned around and looked at Saturn, a man who had always been cynical, but now had a serious expression on his face.

"Your Gorosei, as you know, Lord Im is currently being held back by Ian, and you cannot possibly stop me from leaving."

"I will definitely report what happened here to headquarters today, and how I report it will depend on your next actions!"

Saturn paused slightly.

Ian laughed and said, "Don't worry, Admiral Kizaru, I will definitely help you keep this Lord Im in check."

He wasn't just talking; the moment he finished speaking, he pounced on Im like a Inazuma.

The Crimson Sword in his hand turned the air into nothingness; its speed was clearly extremely fast, yet it made absolutely no sound.

Even someone as strong as Im couldn't ignore the sword in Ian's hand; his massive fist slammed down, knocking Ian back once more.

What a monster!

Ian sighed.

He has only used the most basic abilities; the true power of his Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit has not yet been revealed!

Well, there's no way around it. This guy's abilities are rather unique, and judging from the current situation, the sacrifices he'll have to make to fully unleash them are considerable.

But that's not enough to defeat me!

Ian continued to fight back.

Just as he had promised Kizaru, he did indeed keep Im occupied, giving the guy no time to be distracted.

At this moment, Kizaru really wanted to thank Ian, even though he knew that Ian's goal was to sow discord between their Navy and the World Government.

"..."

Saturn gritted his teeth inwardly.

He could only turn to look at Im, after all, as Kizaru had said, how could he possibly have the power to stop Kizaru?

But right now, Im has no time to look at him.

Although he had the upper hand in the fight against Ian, the sword in Ian's hand was truly terrifying, and he could be injured if he was not careful.

So Saturn could only remain silent.

Letting Kizaru leave would leave room for negotiation with the Navy, but if they were to directly attack Kizaru here, the outcome might be quite different.

The Beasts Pirates so formidable. Now that Vegapunk and Holy Mother's Flame have been taken away, they've been pushed to the brink. If they lose the Navy's support now, the situation will be extremely unfavorable.

"Let's go, Sentomaru."

Seeing that Saturn had made his decision, Kizaru naturally didn't hesitate and left with the Battle Throwing Pill.

"You bastard!"

Saturn finally turned around and looked at Ian, who was fighting fiercely with Im.

It's all because of this bastard!

Ability activated!

For a fleeting moment, Ian's body was restrained.

But it only lasted for a fleeting moment.

In the next instant, Ian was free again.

However, his opponent at this moment was Im, and that instant was more than enough time for the man to make a move!

A massive fist was already right in front of Ian.

Ian's pupils suddenly contracted.

Even he couldn't help but feel his heart clench when faced with Im's all-out punch!

My body hair stood on end, and my back felt icy cold.

In that instant, adrenaline surged, Ian seemed to hear a snapping sound.

Suddenly, his vision was filled with brilliant flames, and he seemed to be swallowed up by the fire.

A clear, sacred cry rang in his ears, Ian saw a massive firebird emerge from the sun and swoop straight toward him.

Boom!!

With Haki, Ian's body exploded.

Brilliant golden flames flew everywhere.

"Um?"

Im withdrew his fist and let out a soft "hmm".

Is this what they call the flame form?

It was indeed exceptionally difficult to deal with; even my Haki couldn't break through it!

Then, in the next instant, all the flames gathered together again, finally coalescing into the shape of Ian.

"Call--"

Ian let out a slow sigh of relief. "Finally, it's finished."

"... It looks different!!"

Saturn stared blankly at Ian.

The overall shape is not much different from before.

But it's only the shape.

Ian's overall demeanor became somewhat psychedelic.

It seemed to have turned into flames, yet it also seemed to possess a physical form; it was somewhere in between, like solidified flames, emitting a faint glow.

"Finally used Awakening?"

The well-informed Im instantly discerned the change in Ian. This Celestial Dragons King, who had ruled the world for eight hundred years, couldn't help but let out a cold snort.

"Arrogant fellow, only now are you deciding to go all out?"

"Awakening?"

Saturn opened his mouth.

Does that mean Ian hadn't even used his full strength before?

Just how terrifying is this guy?!

Etc!

If Im is finally using his full power now, doesn't that mean that if Lord Im wants to defeat him, he must also take back his power?

Saturn's forehead was instantly covered in cold sweat.

No, really?

"It wasn't just a decision made recently."

Ian smiled and looked up, correcting Im's statement, "It's not that he's achieved Awakening, but rather that he's finally mastered it."

"I have to thank you, Im. I had already given up hope, but I never expected that there would be someone like you in this world, who finally allowed me to take the final step."

Saturn and Im were both taken aback at the same time.

Few people in the world know more about Devil Fruit than they do.

They were well aware that only by becoming powerful enough could they facilitate the Awakening of their abilities.

Generally speaking, the more terrifying the ability, the harder it is to Awakening, and the higher the requirements for the ability user.

And that kid Ian said he only finally Awakening under pressure from Lord Im?

A look of fear involuntarily appeared on Saturn's face.

Just how terrifying must an ability be that even someone as powerful as Ian couldn't Awakening before?

How powerful will Ian become now that he has completed his Awakening?

I don't understand.

How could such Devil Fruit possibly exist?

"Interesting."

Im finally laughed. "Then come on, Ian! Go all out and show Im just how powerful you really are!"

Saturn's face was deathly pale.

Is Lord Im also going all out?

but.

"No, let's stop here for today."

Ian smiled and said, "Let me go back and familiarize myself with my newfound power first. After I find the Great Treasure and understand the truth of the world, then we'll engage in the final war."

A fierce glint flashed in Im's enormous eyes beneath his black robe. "You think you can just leave as you please?"

Ian didn't even bother to reply; he just smiled.

His body transformed into flames and shot into the sky.

The enormous, jet-black giant swung its fists with all its might.

However, even with such a powerful Haki fist wrapped around it, it was unable to extinguish the flames.

Im could only watch helplessly as the flames rose into the sky.

It's true that you can leave whenever you want.

"Drink!"

Im roared and activated his Conqueror's Haki.

A terrifying torrent of souls surged towards Ian, intending to force Ian back to his original form, just as Ian had previously prevented Kizaru from Elementalization.

However, the gap between him and Ian was far less than the gap between Ian and Kizaru. Ian soared into the sky as if nothing had happened, and the next second he transformed into a winged man of fire in the sky, flapping his wings and flying away amidst surging flames on his back.

"..."

Im simply looked up and quietly watched Ian walk away.

"Lord Im..."

Saturn cautiously approached, "That guy's abilities are just so unreasonable."

Shouldn't we offer this gentleman some comfort now?

Since Joy Boy, this man has never suffered a setback again.

Although they didn't lose out at all in this battle with Ian, Ian actually achieved all his objectives, so in the end, it was a huge defeat for them.

Im turned around, looking down at Saturn. "Are you trying to remind me that I can't do anything about that guy?"

"I wouldn't dare!"

Saturn trembled like a leaf in fear, immediately kneeling down and slamming his forehead heavily against the ground. The force he used was so great that it created a hole in the ground, and his forehead, which wasn't protected by Haki, immediately bled profusely.

"What an amazing guy."

Im's voice was calm, "Even Joy Boy back then was far inferior to him now."

After all, eight hundred years have passed, and he is now much stronger than he was eight hundred years ago.

Looking back now, Joy Boy wasn't all that remarkable back then.

That's what makes Ian so extraordinary.

"There's no time to wait for the new energy source to be completed."

Im looked up at the sky and calmly said, "I will kill Ian in the shortest possible time."

Saturn's body trembled again.

"I have raised you for eight hundred years, granting you supreme power and status, even revering you as gods. It is time for you to repay your mother."

Saturn's face was deathly pale, and his clothes were completely soaked with cold sweat.

Now, without Ian even having to lift a finger, the Celestial Dragons are doomed.

While Im was making his inexplicable declaration, Ian had already spread his wings and flown out of the Calm Belt, heading straight back towards Wano Country.

As he returned, Ian carefully sensed the changes that had occurred after his abilities Awakening.

There's no need to elaborate on strengthening basic skills.

Strength, speed, defense, agility, and recovery have all improved significantly.

Even the flames have been strengthened once again, and their destructive power has been enhanced.

However, these enhancements are not the key.

The key is that after Awakening, a new ability was born within Ian's body.

"Oh!"

Ian quickly grasped the function of this ability, and a smile involuntarily spread across his face. "This seems quite interesting. But it's not unexpected; the Winged Dragon of Ra's final ability is finally complete."

"That's right, I can't use this ability by myself."

"Go back and give it a good test."

He accelerated, transforming into a shooting star, and disappeared into the horizon.

Meanwhile, Kizaru and Sentomaru had already left the island aboard a naval warship.

Although it's still quite a distance from the Marine Headquarters, there's a Den Den Mushi).

Without much hesitation, Kizaru made a phone call to the Marine Headquarters.

"Borsalino?"

Fleet Admiral Sengoku's somewhat flustered voice came from the other end of the phone, "What's the situation on your end? Is Saint Saturn unharmed?"

With such a huge commotion already caused, and the entire Marine Science Unit base almost completely razed to the ground, it would be strange if the Marine Headquarters hadn't received the news.

It's just too far. Such a long distance means that even if Fleet Admiral Sengoku at Marine Headquarters is extremely anxious, all he can do is wait for news from the base.

Faced with the Fleet Admiral's question, Kizaru remained silent for a moment.

"Well, Mr. Sengoku,"

He scratched his short, curly hair; the soft, natural curls felt wonderful to the touch, but this couldn't dispel the anxiety and unease in Kizaru's heart.

"To be honest, things have taken a completely unexpected turn."

"What?"