A monster?
He wasn't a monster.
He's not even a great swordsman. A great swordsman could cleave a ship clean in half with a casual strike. His full-powered blow had only punched a hole through it.
At most, he was a somewhat powerful fighter in the West Blue.
Just enough to scare these inexperienced villagers.
Ian glanced at his axe, patted his hands clean.
At that moment, the villagers noticed and realized that the pirates had been driven away… No, it would be more accurate to say that the pirates had been completely eliminated by Ian. They erupted into cheers and shouted Ian's name.
Village Chief Martin, accompanied by his granddaughter, approached with an apologetic expression, his voice trembling slightly as he said: "Ian…"
"I'll leave the rest to you."
Ian cut him off flatly. "If there's nothing else, Robin and I will head home."
"Hahaha, leave it to me!"
Hearing Ian's words, Village Chief Martin immediately understood. He looked at Ian with gratitude, but still winked. "Don't worry, I'll take care of it. You and Robin can go home first. I just saw that wooden tub you bought, and I think it's enough for two people to bathe together."
"… "
I don't know. I haven't tried it yet!
Ian's eyes narrowed slightly as he warned again: "I'm sure plenty of pirates might wash up. Don't go saving just anyone."
Without waiting for Village Chief Martin's promise, he ruffled Della's hair, then walked toward Robin, who had been stunned for some reason, and said: "Let's go home!"
"Okay, dear."
Hearing Ian's words, Robin snapped back to herself, seeming like she wanted to say something. But in the end, her hesitation faded.
She took Ian's hand, put on a charming and seductive expression, and said: "I heard you. Heading home so fast, are you planning to test out that new bathtub together?"
But her tone and expression, so different from her gentle, graceful demeanor yesterday, made Ian frown as he looked at her.
This look also startled Robin, who looked at Ian in confusion: "Dear, what's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Ian came to his senses, pondered for a moment, then shook his head, and without another word, took Robin's hand and returned home.
Robin began happily organizing the things they had bought today once they got back, as if what had just happened was nothing but an illusion.
Yes, they had barely stepped through the door when the goods were delivered right after, clearly timed to wait until they returned before being sent over.
He probably scared Boss Rick with his previous battle.
Ian watched Robin, humming a little tune, as she finished packing and began preparing dinner.
Robin also seemed to have forgotten about what had just happened, once again showing the look of a fiancée immersed in cooking.
She donned an apron and prepared the tiger he had hunted at noon.
She was clearly ready to go all out, having bought so many seasonings.
"Ian."
At this moment, Village Chief Martin's voice came from the doorway.
Ian and Robin both turned to look at Village Chief Martin, who came running in breathlessly while carrying a box.
After entering the house, Chief Martin even glanced furtively outside.
Seeing no one was following, he quickly closed the door.
Robin: "...?"
Ian: "...?"
This scene left Ian and Robin completely bewildered.
What was Chief Martin doing?
It was completely stealthy.
But before Ian could say anything, Chief Martin sat down across from Ian and carefully held out a slightly damp box. Then he excitedly exclaimed: "Ian, good stuff, good stuff!"
"What good stuff?"
Ian looked at Chief Martin curiously. "Don't tell me you stumbled upon the Giant Bear Pirates' treasure."
His tone was quite calm, and he even took a sip of the hot tea Robin had poured before saying: "Tell me, how many Belly did you find?"
"What Belly? It's not money!"
"Then it's a treasure? Gold, pearls, or gems?"
"Not those things either. This is a treasure, yes, yes…"
But just as Martin, with an excited look on his face, was about to explain what it was, he seemed to be at a loss for words.
Finally, he slapped his thigh and said: "That swindler Rick accidentally said it was some secret treasure from the sea and even offered ten million Belly for it. I didn't dare sell it, so I brought it straight to you. Making that bastard Rick gnash his teeth in anger."
"...?!"
Secret treasure from the sea?
Hearing Village Chief Martin's words, Ian's face froze. He seemed to have guessed what it was as he narrowed his eyes slightly. "Devil… Fruit?"
"Yes, that's it! I knew you knew!"
Village Chief Martin said as he opened the box still wet from the seawater and said smugly: "Hmph, that unscrupulous businessman still wants to deceive me? This thing is definitely worth more than 10 million Belly."
"It's indeed worth more than 10 million Belly."
Ian nodded, then looked curiously at the box containing the Devil Fruit. "Any Devil Fruit, at the very least, can be sold for a hundred million Belly."
"One hundred million Belly?! Th-this much money?!"
Hearing Ian's words, Village Chief Martin was completely stunned. He stared at the unique-looking fruit in the box with wide eyes and said: "This little thing is actually so valuable?"
Then he slammed the table and said smugly: "That profiteer only offered ten million Belly and said it was worthless. Luckily, I heard what he said about the secret treasure."
"… "
Ian glanced at Village Chief Martin, who was cursing the profiteer, and picked up the slightly green Devil Fruit in the box.
Any Devil Fruit, even one with useless abilities, could be sold for a hundred million Belly.
What kind of Devil Fruit was this?
Logia? Paramecia? Or perhaps Zoan?
Speaking of which, he had once thought of looking for a Devil Fruit himself, back when the auction of the Gol-Gol Fruit at the Sabaody Archipelago had shaken the seas. He had even taken a few days off to see if he could take advantage of the chaos.
But… He found nothing, only returning disappointed to the 315th Branch to await his discharge.
Ian put aside his mixed feelings and continued to gaze at the Devil Fruit in his hand. "What kind of Devil Fruit is this?"
Unfortunately, despite his years in the Marines, he had never thoroughly studied the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia. He only remembered the appearances of a handful of them.
He stole a glance at Robin.
After Robin's initial surprise, her curiosity faded, and she remained immersed in her cooking.
Ian shook his head helplessly, but didn't inquire. Instead, he put the fruit back in its box and pushed it in front of Village Chief Martin.
However…
"Huh? Why isn't it glowing now? When I first took it out, it was clearly glowing."
Village Chief Martin looked at the green fruit.
After Village Chief Martin said this, he looked at Ian in confusion. "Why are you giving it back to me?"
"...?"
Glowing?
What glowing?
Could it be a Logia Devil Fruit?
The Glint-Glint fruit?
No, that one had already been eaten.
"Such a precious thing, why don't you put it away quickly? It's yours, I'm just bringing it here."
Village Chief Martin pushed back. Even though the 100 million Belly tempted him, he still had some self-awareness.
Looking at Ian, who was about to say something, he said seriously: "If you hadn't dealt with those pirates, we would all be finished. So keep it safe! Don't worry, I'll make sure no one spreads word of this."
Such a treasure, if word got out, would bring a disaster to them.
"And everyone's benefited. I guess after seeing your strength, that profiteer doesn't dare to lower the price anymore and has even raised it by 10%."
Village Chief Martin said with a wink. "How dare you lie to us? Everyone else and I thought you were sent back because of your lack of skills. But that Marine officer said you left by choice. Oh, speaking of Marine…"
As if remembering something, he slapped his thigh hard. "I almost forgot! The Marines are coming! Quick, come with me! A captain rank marine is looking for you!"
Just as he finished speaking…
Before Ian could stand up…
"Hahaha, no need, I came myself!"
A hearty laugh rang from the doorway. "Ian! I heard you got yourself a wife already? You bastard, not even inviting us to your wedding banquet. Come on, hurry, prepare a feast, we need to celebrate your marriage properly!"