Chapter 48: The Birth of the Sea King
"...I think the title worthy of Major General Ian should be..." Skylark announced, her voice gaining confidence, "Marineking!"
Ian: "..."
(Ian's inner defense shattered into a million pieces: I'm your dad! I'm Akainu!)
He took a slow, measured breath, keeping his expression neutral despite the internal storm. "Why don't you... elaborate on it?" he managed, his voice even. She had, after all, made a suggestion. She deserved a chance to explain.
Encouraged by his lack of immediate refusal, Skylark grew even more animated. She hopped up and down slightly, facing all the cadres, and began to explain with enthusiastic gestures.
"I thought so… The 'Color' part doesn't strictly have to be a literal color, right? Like Lieutenant General Momousagi (Peach Rabbit), Lieutenant General Chaton (Tea Phoenix), and the headquarters' suggestion for you, 'Snow Wolf.' Peach, tea, and snow are all colors inferred from real objects! So, the sea should be suitable too, right? Major General Ian's domain is the sea!"
She paused for effect, her eyes sparkling. "And Major General Ian is a user of the Human-Human Fruit. Humans are animals too, and above all others, they are called kings! So, Major General Ian is the king of the sea... The Marineking!"
She finished her explanation, looking immensely pleased with herself, a look of pure, watery admiration on her face.
It turned out you shouldn't underestimate intellectuals. As Ian listened, his initial horror began to be replaced by a grudging, logical acceptance. It was... actually quite brilliant?
Marineking. Marine, sea, ocean. In some contexts, it even meant "navy blue." It was perfectly appropriate, perhaps even more fitting than 'King of the Seas.'
"Great! Marineking! Skylark, you're so clever! I didn't even know a title like that existed!"
"Excellent! There is absolutely no more fitting and prestigious title than this!"
"Skylark-chan, you're awesome! Major General Ian must be super satisfied. Look how happy he is!"
Clap clap clap!
Clap clap clap!
The other cadres erupted into applause, thoroughly convinced by Skylark's eloquent reasoning.
Ian: "..."
If he set aside his... otherworldly preconceptions, the word held no negative connotation here. Thinking about it logically, it wasn't completely unacceptable. In fact, it seemed to fit his persona rather well?
Marineking.
It had a ring to it. A powerful, commanding one.
"Emm… that's it!" Ian declared, making his decision. "Uncle T., draft a report to Headquarters. No, wait." He looked at Skylark, who was watching him with hopeful, excited eyes. "I trust Little Skylark's judgment. Submit the title 'Marineking.'"
Skylark clenched her fists in quiet victory, her heart swelling. It felt wonderful to have her idea taken so seriously.
With the momentous decision made, Ian slumped into his chair and picked up the morning's newspaper. Beyond the front-page story about him, the sea was as turbulent as ever. His eyes scanned the headlines:
The new Warlord, 'Tyrant' Kuma, under orders from the World Government, has annihilated another pirate crew on the Grand Line with bounties exceeding 100 million!
The hottest diva, 'Uta,' releases a new single, taking the seas by storm!
'Fire Fist' Ace, Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates' 2nd Division, bounty rises to 550 million Berries after numerous exploits in the New World!
Looking at the familiar names, a restless energy stirred within Ian. As his fame grew, he would inevitably cross paths with these legendary figures.
Dang Dang Dang!
A sharp knock at the door broke his reverie.
"Come in," Ian called.
A Marine sergeant entered, saluting sharply. "Report to Major General Ian! As you instructed, we have set up a checkpoint at Port 44. Three pirate crews are attempting to flee the island and are currently engaged in a fierce firefight with our soldiers! Among them is a group called the Purple Otter Pirates; their captain has a bounty of over 50 million! The port is relatively clear of civilians. Do we have your orders to provide immediate support?"
Ian had anticipated this. After the newspaper headlines, the smaller fries on the island would get jumpy. The journey to the New World required time for ship-coating. Their best bet was to cut their losses and run.
Snap!
Peacock cracked her whip, a fierce grin spreading across her face. "Major General Ian, let me handle it! Hehe, I guarantee none of them will escape!"
She had missed the action yesterday and was itching for a fight. But this time...
"I'll go with you," Ian said, standing up, his presence immediately filling the room. "You are responsible for evacuating any remaining civilians in the perimeter and securing the area." A cold, predatory light gleamed in his eyes. "I'll handle the pirate hunting myself."
In the current climate, were there any truly terrifying pirates left cowering on this island? Probably not. Every single one of them was just experience points, waiting to be collected.
Fifteen days later.
The Sabaody Archipelago had undergone a remarkable transformation under the relentless pressure of Major General Ian's "anti-piracy" operations. The air, once thick with lawlessness, was now clearer, though still tense. While pirates undoubtedly still lurked in the shadows, they no longer dared to act openly. New arrivals to the island quickly learned to keep their heads down and their identities hidden, living in constant fear of being swept up by the man they now called the "Marineking."
The archipelago was steadily being purged of its status as a criminal's paradise.
In just over half a month, Ian had delivered staggering results:
Sixteen pirate crews, large and small, dismantled.
Over forty members of various kidnapping rings, captured.
Among them, three pirate crews fleeing from the New World had provided a particularly welcome surprise, their higher bounties translating into a significant boost of enhancement points. Combined with the points from his daily system tasks, the half-month cleaning operation had been immensely fruitful.
Ian had undergone eight enhancements:
Four focused on [Devil Fruit Ability], significantly improving his existing awakened skills.
Four focused on [Overall Quality], pushing his physical stats and Haki to new heights.
While no new fruit abilities had manifested, the power of his Dream World and Five Senses Destruction had grown more potent and refined. Both his Armament and Observation Haki had been honed to an advanced tier, their clarity and strength a world away from what they were during his fight with Cavendish. Since that battle half a month ago, Ian's combat prowess had truly ascended to a new level.
During this period, the human auction house in Area 1, still reeling from its initial destruction, had foolishly begun reconstruction. Just two days after the funds were secured and construction started, the "Dawn Pirates" struck again under the cover of night, reducing the site to ruins once more and making off with the reconstruction funds.
The World Government, infuriated by the audacity, had been forced to issue bounties despite the incomplete information:
Team Leader: Dan Shuke - Bounty: 55,000,000 Berries!
Crew Member: Dan Beta - Bounty: 12,000,000 Berries!
Crew Member: Dan Tom - Bounty: 36,000,000 Berries!
Crew Member: Dan Jerry - Bounty: 23,000,000 Berries!
Ian looked over the new bounty posters, a faint, knowing smile touching his lips. The "Dawn Pirates" were becoming quite the useful, if unconventional, asset. As he surveyed the changed landscape of Sabaody, he knew this was only the beginning. The calm he had enforced was fragile, and the sea, ever restless, would soon send new challenges to his shores. The Marineking's reign had begun, but the storms were far from over.