Of course, Ian wouldn't jump ship!
Even if he hadn't become a Devil Fruit user, he wouldn't have. He's not some guy who enjoys swimming in the Calm Belt.
With his strength, even in ordinary sea areas, let alone the Calm Belt, the death rate would be quite high.
After getting Captain Enchi to agree to let him participate in the operation as a non-staff member, along with a generous reward and bounty on any pirates killed, Ian stopped worrying.
And from what Captain Enchi had said, the attack was over.
This morning, Chief Instructor Zephyr was taking the new recruits on a training trip when they encountered a powerful Pirate crew and were attacked.
The students suffered heavy losses, and Chief Instructor Zephyr was also seriously injured.
Therefore, their mission this time was to return to the base and escort them to safety.
He didn't know why the Grand Line mission was assigned to the West Blue Branch. Could it be that the Grand Line's forces were so stretched right now?
But Ian didn't dwell on it.
According to the plot, although Zephyr became somewhat extreme due to this incident, he still managed to return to the Marine Headquarters.
As for what happened during that time, Ian was not sure. But it shouldn't be a big problem.
Otherwise, Zephyr, having lost his fighting spirit, wouldn't have been able to successfully bring the two students back. If the worst came to worst, they could always take the 315th branch's warship and escape.
Ian now had a vague idea of how Captain Enchi planned to obtain the full Six Style. He glanced at the relieved Captain Enchi beside him and let out a helpless smile.
This guy still wanted him to return to the Marines!
Unfortunately, Captain Enchi didn't realize that from the very beginning, he had viewed the Marines as a springboard. Even if he did become truly powerful, he would have chosen to leave.
…
The Sibia Village was actually located near the edge of the Calm Belt, so the warship, steaming at top speed, quickly passed through it.
After passing through the Calm Belt, the warship officially entered the Grand Line.
Captain Enchi seemed extremely anxious along the way, constantly urging the warship to move faster.
It was clear that Captain Enchi had great respect for Chief Instructor Zephyr!
After sailing for about another hour, they finally arrived at their destination.
Ian had originally thought the destination would be quite far away, but he hadn't expected they would arrive so quickly.
It seemed reasonable to call in the West Blue branch for support, given the Grand Line's limited manpower.
At this time, a badly damaged marine warship was moored at the destination.
The moment the 315th branch's ship drew close, Captain Enchi could no longer hold back; he jumped directly onto the ruined warship. Seeming to spot something, he rushed forward in tears.
Ian followed, looking in the direction Captain Enchi had run. He saw… Only three people.
Two men and one woman.
All three were injured, and the older one was kneeling on the deck, his face filled with confusion, as if he had lost her soul.
Another man and woman stood on either side of him, their expressions filled with sorrow and hesitation, but in the end, they remained silent while standing quietly behind.
"Zephyr-sensei!"
Seeing his former teacher in this state, Captain Enchi could no longer contain his grief. He ran to Zephyr and tried to help him up, but he couldn't.
Then, as the man and woman said something, Captain Enchi's face showed pangs of pain. He raised his head slightly, tears already covering his face.
Ian didn't join in the fun. He simply stood and watched the rather awkward display of the teacher–student relationship.
But…
"Lieutenant Ian"
A marine jumped over, an anxious look on his face. "We've spotted pirates heading this way. We must leave as soon as possible! Captain Enchi..."
"I'm not a Lieutenant anymore. Don't call me Lieutenant."
Ian said helplessly while frowning again.
"There really are such mindless pirates!"
The Chief Instructor was attacked, and the new recruits were nearly wiped out.
Even if this wasn't a big deal for the World Government, it was still a slap in the face of Marine Headquarters.
At this point, the New World's pirates probably wouldn't dare act rashly.
Killing Zephyr would be tantamount to declaring war on the Marine Headquarters.
If the World Government hadn't intervened, the two sides would have fought to the bitter end.
Ian glanced at a sturdy arm on the deck and pointed. "Pick up that hand, seal it in a bag, and refrigerate it."
"...?"
"What are you standing there for? Get to work. As for the rest..."
Ian rubbed his forehead. "I'll go ask your captain first!"
With that, he ignored the still-stupefied marine and walked towards Captain Enchi, who was also distraught and smoking with an angry expression.
"We need to leave immediately. Some pirates have caught the scent and are heading this way."
"These damn pirates!!!"
Hearing Ian's words, Captain Enchi roared and clenched his fists. "How dare they come? I'm going to fight them."
"Calm down!"
Ian blocked him and said angrily: "If I remember correctly, your mission is to escort them to safety. Are you planning to take your respected teacher and your fellow students to their deaths? If so, tell me. I'll borrow a ship and run away now."
"..."
This immediately left Enchi speechless. He looked at Ian with a frown and angrily said: "Hey, hey, brat, don't think of running away every time you face trouble! Didn't you say you wanted to awaken Conqueror's Haki? I've never heard of a coward awakening Conqueror's Haki."
"This isn't trouble, this is suicide. I'm not a marine anymore. Why would I accompany you to seek death?"
Ian shrugged, not paying attention to Captain Enchi's words. "So, what's your decision? Hurry up and make a choice."
"I..."
Captain Enchi opened his mouth, then, as if making a decision, said: "Let's retreat!"
"Then take your teacher back to the 315th branch warship. We must switch warships and escape."
"This..."
Hearing Ian's words, Captain Enchi, who had made up his mind, scratched his head in annoyance. "Zephyr-sensei seems to have suffered a severe emotional trauma and hasn't recovered yet."
"Then carry him over!"
"That won't work. I just tried to help him onto the 315th branch warship, but Zephyr-sensei refused."
Captain Enchi said helplessly. "He kept shouting about why we came to save him, saying to let him die here instead, and for us to get out."
As he spoke, he looked at Ian, who was stroking his chin in thought, and suddenly became excited.
Seeing that gesture, Captain Enchi knew Ian had an idea and quickly asked: "You have a way?"
"Yes!"
"Hurry! If the pirates catch up, it'll be over."
"..."
Ian stared speechlessly at the now anxious Captain Enchi, and said unhappily: "You're anxious now? There's a solution, but it comes with risks."
"Don't worry about the risks. As long as there's a solution, I'll take it all."
"As long as it means saving Zephyr-sensei, I can take any risk."
"Even if it means sacrificing my life for Zephyr-sensei!"
A man and woman eavesdropping nearby also had serious expressions on their faces.
"That's what you said! Remember, don't try to stop me, no matter what happens next!"
Hearing his words, Ian finally revealed a satisfied expression. Then, under the nervous gazes of Captain Enchi and the man and woman who had remained silent, he walked towards Zephyr with a smile.
But before the three could understand what Ian was up to.
"Pa! Pa!"
In front of the three, Ian slapped Zephyr twice without hesitation.
The entire deck fell silent.
Enchi: "…"
Binz: "…"
Captain Enchi: "…"
And then…
"What the hell are you doing, you bastard?"
A roar shattered the calm on deck.