The Five Elders' Speculation, Sabaody Archipelago

At sea, a new little boat sailed across the surface. Ian yawned, looking a little bored.

Several days had passed since he left Gold Coin Island. After casually snatching a small boat from some outlaws, Ian had departed from the island.

As for the boat he had been riding before, he naturally abandoned it. It had been docked at the harbor, where the Navy warships were also stationed. Going back to retrieve it would likely have caused unnecessary trouble.

It was just a worthless little boat anyway. Abandoning it was no big deal.

It was worth mentioning that Ian had also used the lottery draw he received from his previous mission.

He obtained a recovery-type skill: [Creation Rebirth]!

Ian looked at his system panel—

[Host: Ian

Abilities: Hyorinmaru, Flash Step, Observation Haki, Armament Haki, Conqueror's Haki, Hadō #63: Raikōhō, Dimensional Space, Nameless Divine Wind Style, Hadō #88: Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō, Bakudō #61: Rikujōkōrō, Creation Rebirth,

Lottery Draws: 0]

Creation Rebirth was Tsunade's S-rank combat medical ninjutsu from Naruto. It could instantly repair his injuries. As long as he had enough chakra, even severe damage to his heart would heal itself, provided it was not a fatal injury like having his head cut off outright!

Ian did not have chakra, but under the system's "alteration," the activation condition for Creation Rebirth had become the consumption of stamina...

Well, that was reasonable.

After all, Ian had no Spiritual Pressure, yet he could still use Hyorinmaru, Hadō, and Bakudō.

He did not dwell on it. Transmigration and a system had both appeared already, so why the hell would he fuss over something like that?

"Oh? More news? Don't tell me the Gold Coin Island incident got out?" Seeing a News Coo land nearby, Ian looked over and directly handed it one hundred Beli.

The News Coo seemed to know who it could take advantage of. Before this, other people needed three hundred Beli to buy a paper, but the moment it saw Ian, it decisively accepted the hundred Beli, handed him the newspaper, and flew away with a few squawks...

It was as if staying here was extremely dangerous.

Ian opened the paper and, as expected, found a report about what had happened on Gold Coin Island tucked away in a corner.

It was not particularly detailed, merely mentioning it briefly and ending with apparent uncertainty.

[On an island known as Gold Coin Island in the first half of the Grand Line, the heinous criminal "Ice Dragon" Ian, with a bounty of 1.16 billion Beli, reappeared after disappearing for some time and engaged in a fierce battle with an unknown powerhouse!

Rumors say that the person who fought "Ice Dragon" Ian on Gold Coin Island was very likely Navy Admiral Aokiji...

The exact circumstances of the battle are unknown. However, after the fierce clash, all of Gold Coin Island was destroyed, and its climate changed from a summer island into a winter island!

Furthermore, according to investigations by interested parties, the World Government had conducted secret experiments on Gold Coin Island. "Ice Dragon" Ian went to the island to retaliate against the World Government and the Navy for hunting him down. This was a premeditated act of revenge...

Of course, whether these claims are true remains to be seen. Please stay tuned for the next issue of the World Economy News Paper!]

"This should be that birdman's handiwork, right?" Ian made a slight guess to himself.

This sort of newspaper definitely was not produced by the World Government.

If he was not mistaken, it was likely the work of Morgans, king of the underworld and president of the World Economy News Paper!

That guy's intelligence network was absolutely among the best in the world. Even the World Government might not be as capable as Morgans' World Economy News Paper when it came to gathering information.

Perhaps even some random bird circling overhead could be one of Morgans' informants...

Ian continued flipping through the newspaper. Information in this world was almost entirely spread by News Coos. Ordinary people could only learn about the sea through newspapers.

Major powers had their own intelligence networks. Ian had no subordinates and did not intend to cultivate any faction. If he wanted to understand what was happening across the seas, he could only rely on newspapers.

As Ian read through it, he discovered some useful intelligence.

"Oh? Hawk-Eye went to the New World? And he even fought Red-Haired? What happened? Those two best buddies actually fought? Still, not even giving Red-Haired any face... you'll probably be finished someday..."

"Just like in the original story, Kuma became one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea? That was pretty fast... Did the Revolutionary Army make a move?"

"Big Mom's tea party is about to begin... That has nothing to do with me either..."

"Oh? Interesting. The Donquixote Family formed an alliance with Big Mom? Don't tell me they're planning to target me too?"

Ian took out a fruit from his Dimensional Space and bit into it. He casually flipped through the newspaper as his little boat continued drifting aimlessly.

Although news of the Gold Coin Island incident had spread, it did not cause much of a stir because there was no definitive conclusion.

The Navy had handled things well this time. Afterward, they practically surrounded Gold Coin Island and cleared out all the outlaws on it.

Not a single piece of accurate information leaked out.

As for the reports in the newspaper, some believed them while others did not.

The World Economy News Paper was not exactly known for its accuracy. Much of it relied on sensationalism to entice people into buying it.

Aside from reports with pictures as proof, which were somewhat more credible, the rest of the rumors were merely something to read and forget...

It was precisely because of this that the incident did not become widely known.

Instead, the annual tea party, the birth of a new Seven Warlord of the Sea, and Hawk-Eye's clash with Red-Haired attracted far more attention!

Those were the topics people were mainly discussing!

As for the matter of "Ice Dragon" Ian supposedly fighting Navy Admiral Aokiji, only a few interested parties took notice and made slight guesses!

Holy Land Mary Geoise, the Five Elders' meeting room.

The five great figures who controlled the situation of the world gathered once more to discuss several matters.

One of the Five Elders said, "Ice Dragon Ian is becoming more and more of a threat. Before he reaches the New World, we must eliminate him!"

Another nodded. "We cannot leave someone from that race alive. On top of that, he ate a newly emerged Mythical Zoan. Leaving such fighting power in the first half of the Grand Line is undoubtedly a threat! The Gold Coin Island incident proves it. He must have been trying to sabotage our plans!"

"Even Owl and Aokiji working together could not defeat him. Are we supposed to deploy all three Admirals next time?" Another frowned.

The fact that CP0's commander-in-chief Owl and a Navy Admiral had joined forces yet still lost to Ice Dragon Ian had greatly shocked them!

Those two could be considered the World Government's strongest individual combatants, yet they had still lost after joining forces!

"Hmph. According to the Navy's report, Ice Dragon Ian is a member of the Olycia Tribe capable of wielding ice, and he has also eaten a special Mythical Zoan. Aokiji's powers counter him too severely. If it had been Akainu instead, the outcome might have been different!" Another of the Five Elders merely snorted, holding a different opinion.

The Navy had already submitted a detailed report regarding the battle on Gold Coin Island.

The five of them also understood some of the circumstances.

They now possessed more accurate intelligence regarding Ice Dragon Ian!

Ice Dragon Ian had most likely eaten an extremely special Mythical Zoan that could greatly enhance the ice powers of his own race!

That was why he possessed such powerful resistance to cold and was unafraid of Aokiji's abilities!

Likewise, Aokiji possessed extremely strong resistance against Ice Dragon Ian's powers. Otherwise, Owl, a Mythical Zoan user, had been brought to his knees, while Aokiji had merely been injured!

"What Mythical Zoan did that guy eat exactly... Every newly discovered Devil Fruit user is incredibly troublesome, and this sort of monster is using one..." The first Five Elder to speak rubbed his brow, feeling an intense headache coming on.

As Ice Dragon Ian made move after move, the Five Elders had openly acknowledged his threat level.

In terms of how seriously they regarded him, he was already comparable to the Four Emperors!

If someone like that was not eliminated, he would absolutely become someone capable of threatening the World Government!

"He has already displayed four different powers: ice, flames, storms, and lightning. As far as I know, the only person who could perfectly wield swordsmanship and Devil Fruit powers to such an extent seemed to be Golden Lion..." One of the Five Elders said with a headache.

In their memories, there were very few people in the world who could perfectly combine swordsmanship and Devil Fruit powers.

One of them had been one of the former three great pirates, Golden Lion Shiki!

His Float-Float Fruit could amplify his slashes, making his attacks even stronger!

"According to Aokiji, Ice Dragon Ian seems to have lost part of his memories. Could he have been some sort of product of biological technology before?" One Five Elder speculated.

"You mean the plan Vegapunk mentioned before? But Vegapunk only brought it up to us recently and has not even begun acting on it. How could anyone possibly be ahead of Vegapunk?" Another frowned.

Taking a deep breath, the Five Elder with the sword suddenly turned cold. "That kingdom researched such things in the past too!!"

"Impossible!" The other four's expressions changed slightly upon hearing that.

That kingdom was a taboo of the World Government, a history the World Government was determined to erase!

The Void Century!!

The Five Elder with the sword said gravely, "Nothing is impossible. Although several hundred years have passed, that kingdom's influence has always remained! Who can guarantee that they did not secretly leave behind some contingency plans? Do not forget that the three Ancient Weapons have been passed down from that era until now!"

"You're saying Ice Dragon Ian, like the three Ancient Weapons, is one of the products they left behind?" Another cried out in shock.

"If not, then the powers Ice Dragon Ian possesses are difficult to explain... How could one person possess so many different abilities?"

"For now, everything concerning Ice Dragon Ian is merely speculation. But we must pay even closer attention to him! The Olycia Tribe alone was already unexpected. If he truly is a technological creation left behind by that kingdom, then no matter the cost, he must be destroyed!"

"Mobilize our subordinate forces. Find Ice Dragon Ian's whereabouts, then eliminate him at any cost!"

"Seconded."

"Agreed."

"Vegapunk must also be made to act as soon as possible. The 'Pacifista' project already has a clear candidate. If he dares delay any longer, destroy his hometown! He will obediently comply!"

"I have already sent someone to inform him. The newly appointed Seven Warlord of the Sea, Bartholomew Kuma, will be delivered directly to his laboratory!"

"Should we report this matter to Imu?" The Five Elder with the sword suddenly spoke.

At the mention of that name, the other four fell silent.

One of them said, "No need. There is no need to disturb Imu yet. The current situation remains under our control!"

"With us here, this world cannot descend into chaos. Whether it is the Four Emperors or anyone else, none can threaten our rule!"

"..."

The Five Elders began discussing the events of recent days, issuing orders one after another.

The enormous organization known as the World Government also began to mobilize!

After some more time passed, Ian spotted another island.

However, as he looked at the island drawing ever closer, Ian's expression became strange.

The island was formed from numerous massive trees. Each tree bore a numbered label, while colorful bubbles occasionally rose from the ground and burst after reaching a certain height.

"Sabaody Archipelago? How did I end up here?" Ian was somewhat surprised when he saw the island before him.

After all, Ian did not have a Log Pose or anything similar. He had no specific destination and simply drifted wherever the waves carried him. Where he went was entirely up to luck...

But since he was here, Ian planned to go ashore and have a look around.

As for the New World, Ian naturally intended to go there eventually. As the most magnificent place in this world, he definitely would not miss it.

However, Ian did not plan to go there yet. He had not explored enough of the first half of the Grand Line...

Moreover, there were only a few ways to reach the New World. One could either cross the Red Line or take the route through Fish-Man Island.

Crossing the Red Line would naturally pose no problem for Ian given his strength, but it would take too much time and effort. Besides, he also wanted to visit Fish-Man Island, so he would not miss the chance.

Therefore, Ian only planned to travel by sea.

However, traveling by sea required a certain amount of navigational experience. Without experience, going underwater would only result in shipwreck and death.

Although Ian did not need to worry about attacks from Sea Kings beneath the ocean due to his strength, it was still not so simple for someone without navigational experience to successfully reach Fish-Man Island.

Ian had intended to find time to learn some navigational knowledge, but he had not found a good opportunity. After all, every time he went ashore before, he ended up fighting someone...

There had been no time at all, okay?!

"Forget it. The New World can wait until later. I'll go ashore first..." Muttering to himself, Ian steered his little boat slowly closer.