Ian, however, simply smiled. "Don't mind Ace's words, Vice Admiral Garp. Do what you must."
Then let's see for ourselves. What kind of power does the legendary Marine hero truly possess?
"Looks like we have no choice," Shanks chuckled. "Then let us be your opponents."
Mihawk said nothing, but the blade in his hand was now coated in a deep black sheen.
"Hm? Mihawk?"
Borsalino raised an eyebrow. "You're standing on that side? Don't forget, you're one of the Seven Warlords under the government's command."
Mihawk's lips curved slightly.
He was not yet the reclusive old swordsman he would become in a decade.
Seven Warlords?
Who cares about that?
Just as he was about to say so—
"This ends here."
A voice suddenly echoed from above.
Everyone looked up.
A gust of wind descended from the sky, and from it emerged Dragon, landing between the two sides.
With a calm voice, he spoke. "Rather than hunting pirates, shouldn't the Marines be focusing on rescuing survivors right now?"
Garp's expression instantly changed.
Yes!
He had been so focused on attacking Shiki and dealing with Ian and the others that he almost forgot about the disaster facing the Goa Kingdom, with countless civilians still uncertain about their fate!
Now that the country was completely paralyzed, even destroyed, the surviving civilians could only wait for the Navy's rescue.
Ian couldn't help but glance at Dragon in surprise.
Should he say, "As expected of his son?"
With just one sentence, Dragon had managed to reduce most of Garp's fighting spirit.
"If anyone still wants to fight," Dragon said seriously, "Then let me join in as well. I'll help provoke the other side into battle."
"Oh, Dragon, huh? Long time no see," Borsalino said with the tone of an old acquaintance, complaining, "But isn't this just helping the pirates? After all, they never really wanted to fight us."
"The Revolutionary Army, actually working with pirates?"
Dragon gave him a deep look. "Compared to the World Government, pirates are much more adorable."
"Hahahaha!"
Ian couldn't help but clap his hands at that remark. "Well said, Mr. Dragon! The World Government is the true sin of this world, while we pirates are at most just flies."
Garp glared at Ian with fury.
This damn kid, he really dares to speak like that!
However, Ian was observing Dragon. This guy knew exactly who his friends were and who his enemies were.
Although pirates and the Revolutionary Army were not allies, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
If the strong pirates disappeared, life would get tough for their Revolutionary Army.
"Well then, it's over, right?"
Mihawk smoothly sheathed his sword. "Let's go."
"Surtur."
Ian spoke softly.
"Yes, Master!"
The small fire spirit instantly transformed into a giant flame monster, grabbing everyone and flying into the sky.
"Then, goodbye."
Ian waved goodbye to the navy below.
Garp's face turned grim.
But he didn't order a pursuit.
Dragon was standing in front.
With no obstacles left, flames erupted from behind Surtur, propelling its massive body like a shooting star across the sky, just like Ian.
This time, it was truly the end of the show.
"The rest is up to you, old man."
Dragon gave Garp a deep look, then vanished into the wind.
He hadn't brought many people with him, so he couldn't help much in the rescue efforts.
Besides, if he had brought the Revolutionary Army to join the search, it could have sparked a war between the Revolutionaries and the Navy.
"Ala la, it's just us left now."
Kuzan sighed.
In the end, did we really accomplish nothing?
Shiki was taken down by Ian.
But Ian and the others didn't stay behind.
"Mr. Garp, Dragon has already left. Do we continue the pursuit?"
Borsalino casually asked.
Garp shook his head. "Notify the navy in Windmill Village and the nearby naval bases to start the search and rescue immediately!"
Fortunately, the battle with Shiki didn't last long, and it was still the golden hour for search and rescue.
"Understood."
Both Borsalino and Kuzan responded at the same time.
At the same time, Borsalino felt a sense of relief in his heart.
It's good that Garp didn't say to continue the pursuit.
Fighting Ian and Shanks was one thing, but fighting the Red Hair Pirates and the Golden Winged Dragon was a whole different matter.
Windmill Village.
It didn't take long for the fire spirit to return with everyone.
The giant flame monster landed at the dock.
"Ian! How is it?"
Yamato was the first to jump over.
Ian reached out with an empty hand, catching her and then jumping back onto the deck of the Golden Dragon ship, chuckling softly, "It's simple."
"Shiki was taken down by him."
Law, who flew back holding Ace with his Moon Walk, casually added.
"That's incredible, Ian!"
It was Hancock, with an infatuated look on her face, leaning toward Ian and nudging him with her shoulder. "That was Shiki!"
Ian smiled. "Let's get ready to leave."
"Big Brother Ian, are we in such a hurry?"
Jack asked, a little surprised.
There was no choice but to hurry.
If they didn't leave now, even Admiral Sengoku might show up, and at that point, it would be impossible to leave.
Meanwhile, the Red Hair Pirates were also hurriedly preparing to set sail. From far away, Ian could already hear the sound of a child crying from their deck.
"Shanks! Take me with you!!"
Ian chuckled. Now, the plot was completely disrupted.
If Shanks didn't lose his arm to save Luffy, would the kid still be so determined to become Pirate King?
Maybe there was a chance to recruit him onto their ship after all.
But there was no time now.
Speaking of which, had Sabo already died in the attack by Shiki?
That would be such a waste.
Shiki, you've committed heinous crimes.
While their companions hurriedly prepared to set sail,
"Hey! Ace!"
On the dock below, Dadan hurriedly arrived with the mountain bandits, shouting from below.
Ace, who had been doing nothing on the deck, paused for a moment, then quickly walked to the ship's side and looked down at Dadan.
The woman hesitated, standing still for a long time before managing to say, "Are you leaving?"
Ace nodded. "I have things I want to do."
Just like Ian said, to change this world.
Since that damn father brought endless pain to the world, then I'll change all of this myself.
"Is that so?"
Dadan gave a dry laugh, somewhat at a loss as she lit a cigarette for herself, but accidentally shoved the lit end into her mouth, immediately screaming out in pain.
"Dadan—"
Ace slowly smiled at the corner of his mouth.
"By the way," Dadan stomped out the cigarette, licked her lips, and finally spoke, "Although it's still an hour away, it's a bit early to say, but—"
"Ace, happy birthday."
"..."
Ace froze.
The next moment, tears began to pour out like a fountain.
Standing to the side, Ian raised an eyebrow.
It was currently December 31st, 1511 in the Sea Calendar, 11 PM.
And Ace's birthday was January 1st.
"Dadan!"
Ace leapt forward, throwing himself into Dadan's arms. However, the impact of jumping from a height of several dozen meters slammed into Dadan, sending both of them tumbling onto the dock like rolling gourds.
"Thank you for taking care of me all these years! I'll never forget the days I spent with you! You're just like my mother!"
"Little brat! That hurts like hell! Don't jump from such a high place!"
Dadan complained loudly.
But soon.
She couldn't hold back anymore, her eyes trembling as tears poured out.
The woman held the child tightly in her arms, "You little brat! Since you're leaving, just leave cleanly! Saying things like that, are you happy seeing me cry?"
"Waaahh! Damn brat! Never listened since he was a kid! Even leaving has to make me so embarrassed! You better take care of yourself out there! Don't catch a cold! And!"
"Make sure to come back and see me!"
The two were crying messily on the dock.
"Oh dear."
Black Maria gently wiped her eyes, "That's nice."
Ian chuckled softly.
Next door, on the Red Force, Shanks, who had just finished saying goodbye to Luffy, was also smiling.
A straw hat rested on his head.
**********
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