After taking care of this, Ian took a detour to the docks.
He saw the tavern beside the docks; it had indeed changed significantly.
The former rusty metal-sheet tavern was now a full three-story building, offering not just drinks, but also meals and lodging.
Business seemed very good.
Many merchants who came to pick up goods stayed there while waiting, and despite being a three-storey tavern, it still wasn't enough.
It looked like it might need to be rebuilt even higher.
When Ian approached the entrance, before he could push the door open, it opened by itself.
Noise and laughter poured out from inside, and…
"Mr. Ian!"
"Hahaha, Ian!"
Hearing the familiar voices, Ian, who had been observing his surroundings, looked toward the source of the voices.
When he saw Ace and Zephyr, he couldn't help showing a surprised expression.
How did these two end up together?
"Mr. Ian."
"I saw this kid and dragged him over."
Zephyr seemed to notice Ian's confusion. While drinking happily, he said, "I didn't expect that after just being away for a short time, the Sibia River Archipelago would change this much."
In a sense, he was also someone who witnessed the development of the Sibia River Archipelago together with them.
That once backward and impoverished island was now becoming an important commercial center in the nearby sea area.
Thinking of this, Zephyr couldn't help speaking with a tone of regret as he looked at Ian: "If you were still in the Marines right now, you would definitely have become a pillar of Marine Headquarters, maybe even change the Marines' current state."
"You're overthinking it."
Ian also took a glass of wine, sat to the side, and said while drinking: "The Marines can't be changed by just one or two people."
Not to mention him, did the Marines currently not have people inside who wanted change?
And the result?
Some began to feel lost and eventually lived a muddled life half-heartedly with unclear justice.
Some believed that order was better than disorder, that wiping out the evil on the seas was enough, and even though they knew exactly what they were protecting behind the scenes, they still walked the path of absolute justice defined by the World Government.
And some saw too much darkness and felt they couldn't change anything, so they practiced turning a blind eye, thinking that once they reached that position, they would change everything, only to have their legs broken in the end and leave the Marines.
Even Garp was the same. These guys all thought they could change the Marines from within.
"If I had joined, it might not have been a good thing."
Back then, he simply didn't have enough strength. If he had, and entered Marine Headquarters and obtained one of those two Devil Fruits through the Marines, the first thing he'd probably do would be turn against them.
Maybe now he would already be listed among the vicious criminals wanted by the World Government.
"You're right."
Hearing Ian's words, Zephyr sighed, but still smiled as he spoke cheerfully: "But as the Chief Instructor at the Marine Headquarters, how could I just do nothing?"
Looks like Zephyr still has deep affection for Marine Headquarters!
That makes sense. This guy basically devoted most of his life to the Marine Headquarters. Even though he had some doubts about the Marines' justice now, he still never thought about leaving; instead, he wanted to change the Marines.
Ian lifted an eyebrow, seeming to be thinking about something. At that moment, Ace, who was eating a lot, suddenly asked: "Mr. Ian was part of the marine?"
"Not anymore."
Ian snapped out of it and shook his head. "I retired a few years ago. I can only be considered a retired Lieutenant."
"Mr. Ian is clearly so strong, yet you're only a Lieutenant?!"
Upon hearing this, Ace was shocked, then immediately sighed: "No wonder they say the East Blue is the weakest. Even the King of the Pirates isn't considered much anymore."
...
Zephyr's eyelid twitched slightly after hearing those words.
Then he blinked at Ian, [What's with this kid? Since when was the King of the Pirates not much anymore?]
[Nothing, someone just bragged in front of him.]
Ian shook his head and sent a look back. [He misheard and believed it.]
While the two exchanged eye signals, Ace, still shocked, suddenly regained his spirit and shouted excitedly: "No matter how strong those guys are, one day I will surpass and defeat them! I'll defeat that person who is stronger than the King of the Pirates and stands at the top!"
Ian: "...?"
Stronger than the King of the Pirates?
Who? Rocks?
Didn't that guy die already? Or that big shot in Mary Geoise?
Did Garp's grandson have ambitions this big?
Zephyr stared dumbfounded at Ace, but before he could say anything…
"All right, keep it up!"
Ian casually brushed it off, then gave Zephyr another look, [Don't listen to his nonsense!]
"... Fine. You... Good luck, I guess!"
Seeing Ian's expression, Zephyr still looked confused, but didn't press it further.
After taking a sip of wine, he looked at Ian cheerfully: "So when are you planning to go to that Ancient Town?"
"I'll wait until Kuma comes back."
Ian replied helplessly: "That place isn't troublesome. Once we go in, just take the thing and leave."
"Hahaha, then don't forget, there's a girl who's been waiting for that Devil Fruit."
"... It is indeed a good Dev Fruit."
Originally, he planned to have Kuma pick a nearby island and send him there. Then he would run via Moonwalk toward the town, grab the Devil Fruit, and return.
Simple and fast!
"Actually, I can go alone—"
But before Ian could finish, Zephyr nodded in satisfaction at his promise and cut him off: "Do you even know the way?"
Then, as if remembering something, he added, "Oh, right, I already told Sengoku that you agreed to become a Warlord. In a few days, Sengoku will probably recommend you to the higher-ups."
…
Marine Headquarters, inside the Fleet Admiral's office.
After receiving Zephyr's report, Sengoku didn't look happy at all. Instead, he appeared disappointed and a bit gloomy as he stared at the file on his desk. "He agreed, huh?"
Although he thought that if that kid agreed, Marine Headquarters could finally relax a bit, seeing the confirmation still made him feel uneasy: "Your judgment isn't that great either, Zephyr."
Agreeing to become a Warlord, what does that mean?
It means that Ian also has ambitions and might even form his own force.
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