Goat Mask went off to make a call, while Ian calmly sat on a cushion, drinking tea.
Although it had felt good to talk tough, Ian knew better than anyone that the World Government was the most terrifying force in this azure world.
Even though Vegapunk had yet to invent Holy Mother's Flame and the World Government's Nation-Destroying Weapon could not yet be used, the power the government possessed still far surpassed that of the Beasts Pirates.
The virtually immortal, super-powered monster Gorosei, the inscrutable Knights of God, CP0, the Celestial Dragons' strongest shield, and Im, the King of the World who had lived from eight hundred years ago until now—the power directly controlled by the Celestial Dragons alone was enough to make one's blood run cold.
Even the Marines under the government's command alone were not something the Beasts Pirates could contend with.
Buddha Sengoku and Iron Fist Garp, still lingering at the tail end of their prime; Black Arm Zeff, now the Marine Head Instructor; the vigorous old current Fleet Admiral Steel Bone Kong; and Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji, who had already grown into formidable figures—if these people really swarmed him, no matter how strong Teacher Kai was, he would not be able to withstand them.
But it did not matter.
Unless something happened that could shake the government's rule, the government generally would not act directly.
And the Marines' enemies were pirates across the entire world. They could not possibly gather all their strength to deal with the Beasts Pirates.
So there was nothing to fear.
Before long, Goat Mask returned after finishing the call. He sat back down on the cushion and gave Ian a deep look. "We can agree to your request."
"Very good."
Ian was not particularly surprised.
The Six Powers were indeed quite valuable, if one had to say so.
Iron Body was a mutated, inferior version of Armament Haki, while Paper Art was likely connected to Observation Haki. Calling this set of martial arts a prerequisite for Haki would not be an exaggeration.
But if one insisted on saying they were extraordinarily amazing, that did not seem quite right either.
For experts, there was no need for such prerequisite techniques. To them, the Six Powers were merely ordinary martial arts.
For fodder, this set of superhuman martial arts was beyond their ability to learn. Their physical fitness could not keep up.
The only truly useful technique was Geppo.
But Geppo was not rare either. Plenty of Charlotte Family officers knew Geppo.
So compared to Seastone, which only Wano Country could supply in large quantities, what did the mere Six Powers amount to?
Although he had expected it, Ian was still slightly excited.
After all, Return to Life was one of the Six Powers' derivative techniques.
At last, he had a systematic method for training his willpower.
"Later, our people will contact the Beasts Pirates and send over the Six Powers' materials through a Transponder Snail."
Goat Mask said this.
Transponder Snails were large and could not be carried around.
"Excellent."
Ian was thoroughly satisfied. "Then let us discuss the business."
Goat Mask sighed in relief. They were finally getting to the main point. He turned serious as well. "Those above hope to increase their purchase volume of Seastone."
"Increase it?"
Ian raised an eyebrow. "By how much?"
"Half!"
Goat Mask said in a deep voice.
"That is too much."
Ian shook his head. "We cannot sell Seastone exclusively to the World Government."
"Then, Your Majesty Ian, what range can you accept?"
"Twenty percent."
Ian raised his right index and middle fingers. In the future, many farmers would enter Udon's mines, and Seastone production would rise considerably. "But in return, the purchase price must also increase by twenty percent."
Seastone was an extremely rare mineral.
Even in Udon, the largest mining site, even if they hollowed out an entire hill every day, the amount of Seastone they could excavate was not much.
Since the government wanted to increase its purchases, it naturally had to raise the price as compensation.
Goat Mask did not hesitate much. "Acceptable."
He had never expected them to truly increase it by fifty percent.
"However, we do not want all of it in money."
Ian narrowed his eyes. "The failed products of the Ancient Giant Tribe experiment—the three you sold us before. You still have their companions in stock, correct?"
First, he needed to gather all the Bravens.
Goat Mask did not hide anything either. "Of course, but they are not cheap."
"Use the price from our previous transaction."
Ian said, "We will take however many you have."
To the World Government, the Bravens might not have held much value. Compared with the future Seraphim, the Bravens were simply trash.
Forget the Seraphim—even the mass-producible Pacifistas completely crushed the Bravens in terms of cost-effectiveness.
But for the Beasts Pirates, the Bravens were a very useful addition to their combat strength.
After all, without SMILE Fruits and without the Tobi Roppo yet, the Beasts Pirates sorely lacked mid-level strength compared with the Whitebeard Pirates' many commanders and the Charlotte Family's many brothers and sisters.
"No problem."
Goat Mask also sighed in relief.
This should count as going smoothly, right?
This meeting had indeed gone smoothly. Both sides had obtained satisfactory results.
After agreeing on the time for the next transaction, this meeting was considered over.
They had originally planned to keep CP0 for a meal as a gesture of hospitality, but CP0 had no intention of staying long. After confirming that the Six Powers' materials had been sent over, they immediately took their leave.
Even though they were agents under the Celestial Dragons, they did not want too much involvement with pirates.
As Ian excitedly flipped through the newly printed Six Powers materials, he did not know that on the other side of the world, atop the Red Line in Mary Geoise, the world's center, those who held the highest authority in the world had taken notice of him.
"His name is Ian?"
Saturn, one of the Gorosei, a man wearing a small black hat with curly white hair and a thick, fluffy white beard, stood by the window and spoke blandly. "He became the ruler of Wano Country at only eight years old. It is said that he routed an entire army by himself. Kaido picked up a monster."
"Kaido also has an equally extraordinary daughter."
Mars, a tall, thin man with a long beard and long hair, spoke. "Will the Beasts Pirates grow into a second Rocks Pirates?"
"It is too early to speak of Rocks."
Nusjuro, the only Gorosei wearing a kimono, a bald man with glasses, wiped his sword. "But at least for now, this is not a bad thing. It means the Whitebeard Pirates can be kept in check. After all, Whitebeard and Kaido bear a grudge because of Kozuki Oden."
"Then we shall wait and see."
Mercury Jaygarcia Saturn, the bald Gorosei with two thick upturned mustaches, made the final decision. "As long as a second Roger does not appear, let them make all the trouble they want."
"The New World was Paradise assigned to them in the first place."
Onigashima.
After concluding their business with CP0, the Beasts Pirates returned to Onigashima.
However, only the officers returned. Most of the Beasts Pirates members were still scattered throughout Wano Country, guarding against possible unrest.
The Sword Hunt Decree and land enclosure campaign were underway simultaneously. Ian would not have been surprised if riots broke out. They had to be prepared to suppress them.
In the plaza outside Onigashima's main building, Ian, with Offline Monarchy activated, flashed around in rapid bursts.
"So this is Shave?"
At the edge of the field, Black Maria was amazed. "It seems really useful. Ian has become so fast."
"Yeah."
Jack nodded dully, his eyes shining as he watched. "But I think Iron Body is even more impressive."
Combined with a mammoth's defense, how much punishment could Iron Body withstand? He did not even dare imagine it!
"If you think it is impressive, then work hard and learn it."
Ian stopped in front of them. "These techniques are quite practical."
Although experts looked down on the Six Powers and fodder could not learn them, they were just right for his companions.
Perhaps they would help them master Haki faster.
"Look, Ian!"
Yamato's giggling voice came from behind him.
Ian turned around.
He saw Yamato, already in her Werewolf form, flashing around in rapid bursts as well.
"I learned it too!"
Ian was not surprised at all. It was merely Shave. She should have learned it after reading the materials and practicing a little.
Although Yamato's physical fitness was not enough yet, using her ability made it sufficient.
"Good!"
Seeing that Yamato had already mastered Shave, Jack's eyes became resolute as well. "We have to work hard too!"
"Oh? Oh!"
Black Maria softly joined the shout, encouraging herself.
At the same time, in a certain sea region of the New World.
A small boat rose and fell amid the wind and waves.
"Mother! I'm scared!"
A little girl clung to her mother's embrace.
"Do not be afraid, Hiyori, do not be afraid."
Her mother hugged her and comforted her softly. "You are the daughter of the invincible Kozuki Oden. No matter when it is, you must not be afraid."
"Mother..."
The little girl raised her head. "Where are we going?"
Her mother fell silent for a moment. "To atone."
The little girl half understood.
No matter what, the children were beginning to grow up.
Five years passed just like that.
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