Chapter 61: A Private Conversation
It didn't seem like Akainu was going to cause him any trouble.
"Admiral Akainu," Ian began, making himself comfortable in the chair, "did you ask me here for a private conversation?"
"Ian, you don't mind me calling you that, do you?" Akainu's voice was a low rumble. He sat in his large chair, his intense gaze fixed on Ian across the desk. He cut straight to the point. "There's a question. If you hadn't killed Jack the Drought, but had captured him alive, what do you think the consequences would have been?"
Ian considered this. It was an unexpected line of questioning.
"I think... Jack would have been imprisoned in Impel Down, the underwater prison. The Beasts Pirates are a savage bunch, and Kaido is known as the 'Strongest Creature,' a man who has been captured multiple times yet never killed. Given his temperament, he might have led his forces to storm Impel Down to break Jack out. The probability of success is unclear, the timing is unclear, and the consequences are even less predictable. The World Government and the Marines cannot afford to deploy top-tier forces to defend Impel Down indefinitely based on a hypothetical threat. We can't estimate how long we'd need to hold out. The sea is too chaotic; we can't waste resources like that. That's my personal conjecture."
This time, Ian didn't play dumb. Akainu hadn't raised this in the conference room. He had chosen to speak privately. It was clear he wanted a real answer, not a platitude.
"Ian, you are indeed intelligent and decisive," Akainu stated, a note of approval in his gravelly voice. "Your methods are different from the others in this organization. I admire your approach. I fully agree with it! There is no need for mercy when dealing with those lawless pirates."
Ian was quick to interject. "I was only speculating on the scenario if Jack were alive. Don't misunderstand, Admiral Akainu. I explained clearly in the conference room. Jack's death was an accident. I didn't intend to kill him."
Expressing logic was one thing; admitting to deliberate murder was another. Ian wasn't naive enough to reveal his hand just because of a little praise. No matter what Akainu thought, the official story was that Jack's death was an unfortunate accident!
"Take this." Akainu slid a uniquely patterned Den Den Mushi across the desk. It looked different from a standard model, almost like... it was Akainu's personal line.
"This Den Den Mushi is for contacting me directly. It cannot be monitored or intercepted. If you encounter a situation you feel cannot be reported through standard channels, you can use it to reach me." Akainu's words were heavy with implication.
Ian was Garp's disciple and enjoyed Sengoku's trust. If he had a problem, why not go to them? Why contact Admiral Akainu? Was this man already laying the groundwork for his future ambitions? How ruthlessly ambitious!
"Understood. I will use it with discretion." Ian kept his expression neutral as he pocketed the snail. "Admiral Akainu, was there anything else?"
Akainu was silent for a moment, then pointed to an exquisite potted plant on a side table near the door. "That's for you. Take it. Cultivate your patience. I've been tending to it for some time; it's about to bloom."
Ian: "..."
You're a Navy Admiral! Instead of giving out Devil Fruits, legendary swords, or treasure, you give me a potted plant? A tiger smelling a rose?
Then, Akainu added, "Ahem. If you personally don't have the time, you can assign a more... meticulous subordinate to care for it. Ensure it is kept well."
Ian: "..."
That addition was completely unnecessary! Was he afraid Ian wouldn't get the hint? He was practically telling him to hand it over to Skylark. After all this, he was just a delivery boy for a gift meant for the Admiral's daughter? Ian was a glorified courier!
Perhaps this special Den Den Mushi and the private conversation were a way of giving face, using Skylark as a pretext. Did Akainu think he had a hostage?
In a sour mood, Ian walked to the door and picked up the potted plant. He turned back to the riddle-loving Admiral and said, "Don't worry, Admiral Akainu! I will take good care of your... beloved item. Goodbye."
After Ian left, Akainu lit a cigar and took a deep puff. A moment later, he suddenly froze, a cough catching in his throat.
Cough cough...
Wait a minute.
What did that kid mean by "beloved item"?
#############
The next morning, news of the death of Jack the Drought, one of the Three Calamities of the Beasts Pirates, swept across the seas like a typhoon, becoming a sensational headline.
Forces across the New World reacted with varied and complex thoughts, but they all shared one certainty: an era of great turmoil was approaching. What was happening between the Beasts Pirates and the Marines lately? And what price would Doflamingo, who had indirectly caused the death of Kaido's "right-hand man," have to pay to atone?
Ian paid no mind to any of this. The more chaotic the seas, the more comfortably he could operate.
After his morning training, Ian leisurely planned a "half-day trip."
Jack was dead, but the four Gifters and dozens of pirate grunts he'd brought were mostly still alive. By the time Kizaru arrived, it was too late to finish them all off.
The Sabaody Archipelago Marine Base lacked a prison large enough to hold so many captives. According to regulations, these pirates needed to be transferred to the underwater prison, Impel Down, via a specialized ship and personnel.
Since arriving at Sabaody, most pirates Ian encountered were weak. Occasionally, some needed escorting to Impel Down, but Ian never needed to go personally. However, these were officers of a Yonko crew. Even if they were small fry, the name "Four Emperors" carried weight. Regulations required the escort to be led personally by the base commander or an officer of higher rank.
Feeling in a good mood, Ian decided to let his subordinates manage the base. He would personally lead the dozens of Marines escorting the prisoners to the "sister facility," Impel Down.
Peacock: "Little Ian, are you sure you don't want one of us to go with you?"
T. Peng: "Major General Ian, Fleet Admiral Sengoku specifically called. He said you should limit your movements for the next few days and stay at the base as much as possible."
Nami: "Major General Ian, why not let Colonel Peacock go? The newspapers said you were seriously injured."
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