Giant Kingdom, at the coast.
A bicycle was quietly parked there.
By the shore, a man without a uniform but wearing a teal overcoat sat silently, roasting an absurdly large fish. It was Aokiji.
He muttered in complaint, "Ah la la… Weren't the giants of the Giant Kingdom supposed to be warm and welcoming? I'm honestly disappointed."
Not only had they refused to give him a proper welcome, but they didn't even let him set foot in their village.
They ordered him to stay by the shore until granted permission, without offering him so much as a sip of water.
If he wanted to eat, he had to catch fish from the sea himself and cook them over a fire.
"Gabababababa! That's not something we can help with!"
Heavy footsteps echoed as two giants approached from the distance. "We are pirates, after all. Isn't it only natural to feel a little tense when a Marine Admiral suddenly shows up?"
Aokiji looked up at the two figures. They were Dorry the Blue Ogre and Brogy the Red Ogre—captains of the Giant Warrior Pirates, whose names had shaken the world over a century ago.
Since their return to the seas more than a year ago, their bounties had risen in unison to 800 million berries each—an astonishing figure even by global standards.
Under their leadership, the Giant Warrior Pirates had once again become a nightmare in the minds of people across the world.
Without a doubt, they were among the Marines' greatest enemies.
From that perspective, it made perfect sense for them to be wary of the Navy—especially of a Marine Admiral like him.
"But didn't I already say it?"
Aokiji sighed and flipped the roasting fish over. "I'm only here on vacation, to catch up with an old friend. There's no need to treat me like the Navy. Can't you just see me as a tourist?"
"Don't talk nonsense."
Dorry and Brogy plopped down right in front of him, lowering their heads to glare at him. "Do you really expect pirates to trust the Navy?"
"I figured as much."
Aokiji sighed again. "Then… when can I meet Saul?"
"What Saul? We have no idea what you're talking about."
Dorry was blatantly lying with his eyes wide open.
Before returning to Elbaf, he truly had no idea who Saul was. But after coming back, he quickly learned the truth.
Saul was a giant from outside Elbaf, guarding extremely important information.
He didn't know how this Marine had learned about Saul's existence, but of course, he couldn't just take him to meet Saul.
To be honest, a Marine Admiral was still a troublesome presence for the Giant Kingdom.
Not troublesome in terms of combat power.
While an Admiral was indeed powerful, the Giant Kingdom was not incapable of dealing with one.
The real problem was that he represented the Marines—and by extension, the World Government.
Acting rashly against him might lead to diplomatic disputes.
The Giant Kingdom was not a member of the World Government and had always ignored its authority, but that didn't mean they wanted to go to war with it.
So, it was best to wait for Ian to handle this.
After all, Hive Island wasn't far from the Giant Kingdom.
"Ah la la…"
Aokiji scratched his head in mild frustration.
This was troublesome. He had reached the Giant Kingdom, but these giants were nothing like the rumors—neither simple nor warm-hearted.
What should he do now?
His actions could not be known to the World Government.
The excuse for this trip was to search for Zephyr-sensei, but no matter how you looked at it, there was no way the NEO Navy's headquarters would be set up in the Giant Kingdom.
After all, everyone knew the close relationship between the Giant Kingdom and Ian.
That meant he couldn't use his Admiral status to apply pressure.
As for starting a direct fight… that would be far too unreasonable.
Elbaf had sheltered Saul for so many years, and Aokiji couldn't bring himself to harm the giants of this country.
And so, the situation reached an impasse.
What should he do now?
Saul should be somewhere in this country—that much was certain. But finding him was another matter.
"Hm?"
Aokiji suddenly froze, lifting his head to look toward the distant sky.
Up there, a small dot was rapidly approaching.
His expression instantly grew solemn.
Standing up, he fixed his gaze on the object speeding toward them.
The closer it came, the clearer its form became.
It was a massive, golden humanoid creature—nearly the size of a giant.
Aokiji recognized it.
It was a flame monster born from Ian's ability, carrying his fire in its entirety. Normally, it would transform into a weapon to aid Ian in battle.
But the flame monster wasn't the real focus.
The key detail was that on its head and on each of its broad shoulders stood a figure.
"Jieh-hieh-hieh-hieh!"
Dorry also stood, laughing heartily. "The person you need to talk to is here. From here on, you can speak with him instead!"
"Ah-la-la… this is about the worst possible news," Aokiji sighed. "I never imagined Elbaf and Hive Island were so closely connected."
Even more connected than he had thought.
He hadn't shown a hint of hostility, and yet Ian had already arrived.
Was it going to end here?
How tragic.
He couldn't even take the time to catch up with an old friend.
The golden creature's back spewed blazing flames as it streaked through the sky like a meteor, descending toward the Giant Kingdom's coast in mere seconds.
Its landing alone unleashed searing heat, causing the seawater below to steam.
Even Aokiji, in his ice form, could feel the scorching temperature.
"Gabababababa! Ian! Sorry to trouble you to come all this way!"
Brogy waved cheerfully toward Ian, who stood atop the flame giant's head.
Ian smiled. "A friend's request should always be answered right away. Besides—"
He lowered his gaze, looking directly at Aokiji.
"I'm curious too. Admiral Aokiji, what brings you here? It's only been a few months, yet have you already forgotten the pain of your arm being burned off?"
Aokiji's mechanical left arm clenched instinctively. A faint twitch appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Didn't I say from the start? I'm just here to catch up with an old friend."
That bastard was still pretending.
Don't tell me you came here knowing nothing.
"Looking for friends?"
Ian smiled.
"Forget it. Whatever your purpose, since you dare to disturb my friends, I guess you're ready for what's coming."
Aokiji let out a slow sigh.
Even with the help of Zephyr-sensei, plus Gion and Tokikake, they were powerless against this guy.
Now he was alone. Aokiji couldn't find any reason to survive.
"Is it really impossible to see Saul one more time? I have many questions for him."
That was Aokiji's final plea.
Of course, he held no real hope.
But—
"Then I'll give you a chance."
Suddenly, Aokiji looked up in shock at Ian standing atop the fire spirit's head.
"As long as you can defeat them, I'll spare your life."
Ian said seriously.
On either side of the fire spirit's shoulders, Yamato and Hancock, who came with Ian, jumped down.
The two stunning beauties wore excited and hopeful smiles.
They both knew the key to mastering the Conqueror's Haki Infusion lay with this guy right in front of them.
He was strong enough to bring them a significant challenge.
But not as overwhelmingly powerful as Ian, who would leave the two of them helpless.
He was absolutely the best choice.
**********
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