"That's why," Ian said slowly, "I'll find a time to talk to Shanks. I'll try to make him choose the right path."
Uta didn't argue. She simply sat back down quietly.
Mihawk let out a small sigh of relief.
Even though he was now part of the Beasts Pirates, his years of friendship with Shanks had been real.
From the look of things, Ian was indeed a man of loyalty and principle.
No wonder he was respected as an emperor in the New World.
"Besides the Red-Haired Pirates," Law said, "getting the others to join us won't be easy. Shanks at least has some personal ties with you, Ian—but the Whitebeard Pirates, the Charlotte Family, and the Cross Guild? Most of them are enemies, aren't they?"
That was true.
Ian scratched his head.
The Whitebeard Pirates—there was no need to say more. They were sworn enemies.
The only reason Whitebeard hadn't come to cause trouble yet was because of the massive difference in their current strength.
As for the Cross Guild—forget it.
The Beasts Pirates' feud with Moria was just as deep as the one with Whitebeard's crew. That guy probably dreamed every night about getting revenge on Ian and Kaido.
Crocodile, on the other hand, had left Alabasta because Ian had taken the information about Pluton. No doubt, he still wanted to take it back someday.
Finally, it was Redfield.
Sigh, that vampire fruit that had never been put to use was exactly the ability that old man had long dreamed of. Back then, he even got beaten up badly just for trying to snatch it from him.
Now that I think about it, the grudges with the Charlotte family don't seem so bad after all.
But the humiliation I brought to Aunt Linlin seems to be no less significant.
Back in the day, I had made a copy of the Road Poneglyph right in front of her. Even earlier, during the Battle of Hive Island, I had dealt Aunt Linlin a harsh blow to her pride. They say she even started training seriously after that.
Still, there isn't no connection with the Charlotte family.
Kaido and Aunt Linlin have known each other for decades; they're truly like siblings.
Moreover, besides Kaido, there's another intermediary between the Beasts Pirates and the Charlotte family now.
The child that was taken from Aunt Linlin's womb back then is already six years old.
Originally, the plan was not to return the child until Aunt Linlin had completed her promise and helped produce a batch of Homies.
But as the child grew older, Kuma began to feel a strange sense of guilt.
He actually worried that Linlin might be in pain for not being able to see her child.
At first, he had worried the child would be spoiled under Linlin's care, which is why he wanted to take him back.
No wonder they call this man a saint.
So, he sent someone to meet with Aunt Linlin, and they reached an agreement.
Each year, they would take turns raising the child for six months.
Aunt Linlin naturally accepted. Without signing this agreement, she would have had no chance to see the child at all.
Of course, she wasn't willing to give up a son from the Buccaneers.
This time, the child hadn't come along with Kuma and Ginny because he was still playing in the North Blue with the Charlotte family.
Looking at it this way, the Charlotte family should be the easiest to sway.
"Let's give it a try."
Ian laughed, "What if they're willing to befriend us?"
"Ha ha ha! Lord Ian, I don't think that's possible!"
Teach heard Ian's words and grinned, "Whitebeard would never bow to us. Sure, he's old now, and no longer has the strength and presence he once did, but even as an old man, he's incredibly stubborn."
"We'll decide exactly what to do after we make contact with Whitebeard first."
Ian smiled, "At the very least, we have to get our hands on the last Road Poneglyph."
He didn't really think the Whitebeard Pirates would compromise.
But it didn't matter; asking wouldn't take much effort.
"Whitebeard?"
Ace's eyes instantly lit up. "Ian, if we're going to fight the Whitebeard Pirates, I want to go too!"
Ian knew this kid wanted to see the power of his father's old rival.
"Up to you."
Ian didn't refuse.
After all, Ace's strength had already become formidable; he could handle Vice Admiral level without much trouble.
"Yay!"
Ace excitedly pumped his fists.
"Anyway, let's start with the Charlotte family."
Ian chuckled, "Aunt Linlin should be the easiest to sway."
"Kaido-sensei, Kuma, how about coming with me later?"
"No problem."
Kuma nodded lightly.
If the matter could be resolved peacefully, that would be ideal.
But if it came to a war with the Charlotte family, that child's position wouldn't be very good.
"Linlin?"
Kaido snorted. "That old hag should settle down a bit. Leave her to me."
"If she dares to refuse, I'll use my iron rod to make her understand that she doesn't have the ability to say no!"
Ian's lips twitched.
Kaido-sensei… this is supposed to be a serious matter. Why do you make it sound so weird?
Still, it was clear that Kaido was looking out for Aunt Linlin, unwilling to let that woman be erased.
Well, that's just common sense.
With Kuma and Kaido appealing to her emotions, and Ian adding some forceful persuasion, Aunt Linlin should know what choice to make.
"After the Charlotte family, we'll head to the West Blue to find the Red-Haired Pirates and the Cross Guild."
Ian asked, "Uta, Mihawk, are you coming along?"
"No problem."
Mihawk shrugged.
If any conflict arises, he could mediate.
Red-Hair, you better be grateful to me.
"…Understood."
Uta nodded in a muffled voice, seeming hesitant.
"Lord Ian," Teach suddenly spoke up, "what about the Whitebeard Pirates? Should we leave them for last?"
The Whitebeard Pirates were also in the North Blue. Going there first to find the Charlotte family, then heading to the West Blue, and finally returning to the North Blue to find Whitebeard… wouldn't that be too roundabout?
"Because the Whitebeard Pirates are the most likely to go to war with us."
Ian answered simply.
Teach immediately understood.
If they dealt with Whitebeard first, it would alert others too early.
In any case, after six years of silence, the Beasts Pirates began to move again.
Their first target: the North Blue!
**********
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