Shichibukai? What Kind of Trash Is That?

Near the G-2 Branch, the Orange, several times larger than an ordinary warship, searched the surrounding waters for any trace of Fox.

Even after searching for half a month, however, they still had no leads.

No one aboard cared in the slightest. They had no desire to find Fox and had spent most of the past half month clearing out pirates instead.

Thanks to the Orange's vigorous efforts, the number of pirates in the area had dropped sharply. Nearby countries such as Alabasta had benefited as well, and their coastal residents were much safer.

On the Orange's upper deck, Ivan lounged on a pair of pale thighs, the soft sensation constant against the back of his head. With Nami massaging his head as well, life was indescribably comfortable.

Taking the cola Tashigi handed him, Ivan swirled the dark reddish-black, fizzy liquid in his glass and checked his system panel.

His assassination of a Celestial Dragon had raised the approval ratings of several templates to varying degrees.

[Because of your arrogance as a strong person, Satoru Gojo: Echo approval rating +10%]

[Template: Satoru Gojo: Echo (approval rating: 77%)]

[Because of your meticulous execution of your mission, Yamato approval rating +5%]

[Template: Yamato (approval rating: 61%)]

[Because your title has drawn worldwide attention, Homelander approval rating +15%]

[Template: Homelander (approval rating: 16%)]

[Congratulations, you have obtained the skill: Heat Vision!]

[Heat Vision: Consumes stamina to fire red, high-temperature rays from both eyes.]

With the rise in approval rating, Ivan had obtained a new skill: Heat Vision.

Once again, he did not intend to use Heat Vision as himself. Instead, he planned to give the skill to an alter ego.

Since he had founded the Shadow Garden to divert the World Government and the Marines' attention, the organization naturally could not have just one person in it.

So, as he drew different character templates in the future, he would use them to create fictional members of the Shadow Garden, one by one.

At the very end, when the Shadow Garden was about to wipe out Mary Geoise, he would appear as himself.

He was the darkness, he was the end, he was the shadow!

"Boss, there's been an explosion in the waters ahead. It looks like some of our colleagues are fighting pirates!" From the lookout, Barton scanned the area with his eagle eyes and quickly fixed on a particular spot.

Ivan's eyes lit up. He rose from the soft thighs. "Full speed ahead! We're going to help them now!"

A dozen or so minutes later, Ivan reached the distant battlefield.

He was well acquainted with both sides of the fight.

On the Marine side was Hina, the mature beauty and colleague who had challenged Ivan before. On the other was Hanafuda, the Lizard King of the Shichibukai!

By now, Hanafuda had gained the upper hand in this small battle.

Hina's delicate body was covered in wounds of varying depths. Blood soaked her clothes and wound its way down her skin.

She could barely hold out against Hanafuda's attacks and would be defeated before long.

Just then, Ivan arrived. Both combatants froze and turned their gazes toward him.

When Hina got a clear look at Ivan, she was overjoyed. Her fingers flew, sending several pitch-black spear-like shapes shooting through the air and forcing Hanafuda back.

She used Geppo to approach Ivan and called out:

"Captain Ivan, please help me! Hanafuda covets the Devil Fruit in my possession. He actually dared to disregard his duties as a Shichibukai and attack me outright!"

Ivan helped the injured Hina aboard the Orange. After learning what had happened, he frowned slightly. "This is no ordinary pirate matter anymore. We have to hit back hard!"

"Wait, Boss, are you going to attack Hanafuda the Lizard King? He's a Shichibukai!" Barton said, looking at Ivan with concern.

The Shichibukai were a special institution established by the World Government. Every member was a pirate of the highest caliber, and together with Marine Headquarters and the Four Emperors, they were known as the "three great powers of the Grand Line"!

Every member of the Shichibukai possessed extraordinary strength. A single one of them could even attack a small country on their own.

Although Boss Ivan was strong and had defeated Captain Hina before, he probably wasn't a match for any of the Shichibukai, let alone one of their strongest members, the brutal Lizard King Hanafuda!

Unlike the other Shichibukai, who had no backing, Hanafuda had once belonged to the Beasts Pirates and was close friends with Kaido, one of the Four Emperors.

That showed just how powerful Hanafuda was!

Nami and Tashigi reacted very differently from Barton. One was Ivan's number-one fan, while the other had been saved by Ivan and had devoted herself to him wholeheartedly. Both trusted Ivan completely.

Tashigi flushed red, her faith in Ivan absolute. "Don't worry, Barton. Captain Ivan is very strong. Even a Shichibukai is no match for him!"

Nami nodded in agreement. "That's right. Ivan never lets us down!"

Barton could do nothing about these two blind devotees. He could only urge Ivan, "Boss, please calm down. Hanafuda is a dangerous man!"

Ivan patted Barton on the shoulder. "Barton, everything about you is good, but sometimes you're too cautious. As my subordinate, you have to believe in your boss!

"Pass the order down. Bring the ship alongside theirs. I'm going to teach that bastard Hanafuda a lesson and avenge Hina!"

A short distance ahead, aboard the Tyrannosaurus pirate ship, Hanafuda held his sickle and watched the Orange sail toward him.

Beside him, a subordinate dressed in a black bodysuit hesitated. "Boss, another group of Marines has arrived. Are we still going to keep fighting? I'm afraid Marine reinforcements will be here before long!"

The moment he finished speaking, a claw gripped his head and squeezed hard, making his perfectly good head burst like a watermelon.

Hanafuda's face twisted, his tone savagely brutal:

"Idiot! So what if another group of Marines has arrived? I'm Hanafuda, the Lizard King! Bring the ship alongside theirs. I'm going to slaughter them!

"Hehehe! As long as nobody survives, the Marines won't know I attacked their people, and they won't be able to hold me accountable!"

Soon, the Tyrannosaurus pirate ship drew close to the Orange. The two ships were so near that their crews could clearly see one another.

Hanafuda glanced at Ivan, then gave a derisive snort and sneered:

"So you're the so-called Marine rookie, White Dove. What, do you want to attack me too, like that stupid woman?

"I'm in a good mood today, so I'll give you a chance. Hand over that Zoan Devil Fruit, and I can spare your lives. Otherwise, you can wait to sink to the bottom of the sea!"

Ivan shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I refuse!"

Hanafuda froze, his expression growing even more vicious. He shook his head with a savage grin. "What an idiot. When you go to hell, remember that I gave you a chance..."

Boom!

Hanafuda stopped abruptly, unable to finish. Ivan had reached out, grabbed him by the head, and slammed it toward the deck!

After Hanafuda's head smashed through the deck, Ivan spoke coldly amid the splintered wood:

"Sorry, but all I want right now is to kill you!"