Set Sail, Ian!

Umit arrived weighed down with worry and left overjoyed.

Yes, he did not even stay for a meal.

This time, not only had the task of purchasing Seastone been completed, but he had genuinely become a partner of the Beasts Pirates.

So there was no time to get carried away. Umit needed to return immediately, prepare a fleet to transport the Beasts Pirates' goods, and mobilize all his resources to find partners for the Beasts Pirates in the Four Blues and Paradise.

Ian was naturally delighted by this.

That way, their excess production capacity could also be turned into wealth.

Wealth itself was not important, but wealth could bring many things.

Ian had paid close attention to Wano Country's development over the past five years.

Umit had barely left when Teacher Kai sent someone to summon Ian.

Honestly, Ian was somewhat surprised.

Teacher Kai never involved himself in the Beasts Pirates' business. Otherwise, Ian would never have been the one managing all foreign trade.

His teacher was the purest sort of hands-off boss. He was only interested in powerful things, whether weapons or enemies.

So why was he being called over this time?

Had Teacher Kai suddenly decided he wanted to beat him up again?

Ian headed for Teacher Kai's room on the top floor of the main building.

What surprised him was that King and Queen were here as well.

"Mwahahaha, kid."

The moment he saw Ian, Queen eagerly burst into laughter. "Closed another deal?"

The Beasts Pirates' income had increased greatly over the past few years, and Queen had naturally benefited enormously as well. Many materials he wanted could now be purchased in bulk without restraint.

So although he had initially had some complaints about Ian's actions, Uncle Queen had since learned to keep his mouth shut.

"I secured a very important partnership."

Ian briefly explained the deal he had made with Umit.

"Being able to sell our weapons all over the world has another benefit besides making money," Ian said. "Through financial ties, we can build a network with the major powers in every sea."

What kind of network?

Naturally, a network of interests.

No matter where they were, those capable of dealing in arms were inevitably ruthless figures—local tyrants and regional overlords.

If Teacher Kai truly started a war that swept across the whole world in the future, these people would always be useful.

"Whatever."

However, Teacher Kai did not seem particularly interested in this. He merely took a swig of liquor. "Back when I was in the Rocks Pirates, there was someone who looked after me."

Ian raised a brow. "You mean Charlotte Linlin?"

That woman's relationship with Teacher Kai was truly enough to stir the imagination.

Even the cold and merciless Teacher Kai had cried over Charlotte Linlin's defeat, while Charlotte Linlin had indeed taken good care of Teacher Kai when he was young.

Besides what Ian had learned from reading the manga before his transmigration, he and Yamato had also asked Teacher Kai about his days in the Rocks Pirates over the years.

Though Teacher Kai usually could not be bothered to talk about it, when he was in a good mood, he was willing to share stories from his past with the kids.

In Teacher Kai's telling, Rocks was a selfish, unreliable piece of trash; Whitebeard was a naive, foolish idiot with tremendous strength; and Golden Lion was an arrogant, spoiled, domineering, stubborn moron.

Only when it came to Charlotte Linlin did Teacher Kai, despite cursing her as greedy by nature and addicted to pleasure, drink as he revealed a complicated look in his eyes and say that he did not dislike that woman, and that being with her was not a memory that annoyed him.

At the time, Ian had really wanted to ask whether Teacher Kai had contributed to any of Charlotte Linlin's many children.

But he had been afraid of getting beaten up, so he let it go.

Now that Teacher Kai mentioned someone from the Rocks Pirates who had looked after him, Charlotte Linlin was naturally the first person Ian thought of.

"No."

But Teacher Kai shook his head. "It was someone else. I thought he'd died long ago. I only just learned that he's still alive."

Ian nodded and waited for Teacher Kai to continue.

Still, Teacher Kai actually had friends besides Charlotte Linlin.

"He said he'll be dead soon, and the only thing he can't stop worrying about is his son and daughter."

Teacher Kai looked at Ian and spoke calmly. "He said he wants to entrust his daughter and son to me."

Ian raised a brow. "Oh?"

That made him remember.

Ulti and Page One, right?

Their father was Teacher Kai's old acquaintance, and they had indeed been entrusted to Teacher Kai.

"I'm leaving it to you, kid."

Teacher Kai let out a drunken burp. "Go bring those two brats back."

Ian was instantly startled. "Teacher Kai, do you mean I can finally set sail?"

Those siblings couldn't possibly be in Wano Country, could they?

If he was to bring them back, then he naturally had to go out to sea.

"Worororororo!"

Teacher Kai smiled meaningfully. "Kid, you've naturally earned the right to venture out onto the seas now."

It was hard for Ian not to feel excited about this.

Ever since Teacher Kai had picked him up at the age of two, he had never left Wano Country in eleven years. He had spent most of that time on Onigashima and had long since grown sick of it.

"Then,"

Ian asked, "where are they?"

Teacher Kai named a place. "Hachinosu Island."

"Hachinosu Island?"

Ian froze. "The Hachinosu Island that used to be the Rocks Pirates' base?"

That place was far too familiar.

If he remembered correctly—

"That place is Ochoku's territory now,"

Teacher Kai said casually. "That old acquaintance of mine stayed on Hachinosu Island when the Rocks Pirates broke apart. He got married and had children there."

Ochoku, once a member of the Rocks Pirates, was a renowned pirate in the New World.

Ian thought for two seconds. "Teacher Kai, you don't mean for me to go to war with Ochoku, do you?"

"Didn't I say so? You just need to bring those two brats back."

Teacher Kai shot him a glare. "Ochoku may be an idiot, but it's still too early for you to fight him."

Ian nodded lightly. "Understood."

"Then go make your preparations! Leave right now. I've already had a ship prepared for you at the dock and Port of Stealth."

Teacher Kai grinned. "Enjoy it—a school trip for you brats."

Leaving right away? Was it really that urgent?

It seemed Teacher Kai's old friend truly did not have much time left.

He had originally planned to ask whom he could bring along, but there was no need now.

So, was it finally time for us to take the stage?

Ian thought.

"Then I'll go find Yamato and the others."

Ian took his leave.

After he left.

Queen said somewhat uneasily, "Boss Kaido, is it really okay to let the brats go on their own? Should we have that bastard King secretly follow them?"

It was not that he did not trust them. These brats were practically the future of the Beasts Pirates, especially Ian and Yamato.

"No need. Brats can't grow without weathering storms."

Teacher Kai merely drank. "Besides, that kid Ian no longer needs protection."

"Unless that bastard Ochoku personally makes a move. But he knows very well that if he dares lay a hand on my brats, I'll grind him into dust!"

Mr. Kaido had truly changed far too much over the years.

King silently reflected.

At the very least, Ian and Yamato had both become the people he cared about most.

Ian quickly found Yamato training by the shore. The little girl had transformed into a white wolf, breathing freezing air as though she intended to freeze the sea.

"Yamato, go pack your things. We're preparing to set sail."

"Set sail?"

The white wolf turned around. "Are we going inland?"

"No, I said we're setting sail."

Ian said, "Where we're going is..."

"The world."

It was time to see this world.

Yamato's eyes immediately lit up.

"The world?"

Happy May Day, everyone! And while we're at it, please send some monthly votes at the start of the month.