But before he could say anything, Ian continued: "It's getting late. Go! Don't wait until Teach has been beheaded before you arrive!"
The three: "...?!"
The three of them snapped back to their senses again and exchanged glances.
Then, as if making a decision, Luffy, as the captain, pressed his hat down. "Let's set off!"
As these words fell, Sanji and Franky didn't hesitate any longer. They turned around together, and the three of them boarded the ship with firm resolve.
Immediately after that... they raise the sails!
At the moment the sails were hoisted, this golden version of the Thousand Sunny slowly sailed out of the harbor.
Luffy sat cross-legged on the bow, gazing at the setting sun that had already descended.
He took a deep breath and, with his back to everyone, raised both hands.
"I am the man who will become the King of the Pirates!"
At this moment, his voice seemed to resound across the entire sea, making everyone on the dock smile once again.
And Rayleigh, the former King of the Pirates' right-hand man, was the same. Looking at the straw-hatted boy heading toward the sunset, it seemed as if he once again saw that familiar silhouette.
With a faint smile, he said, "Mr. Ian, do you think he can become the King of the Pirates?"
"That's not important. I actually have a question I'd like to ask you."
Rayleigh: "...?"
Rayleigh was taken aback and looked at Ian in confusion. "Please speak."
"Aren't you going along?"
"Just that?"
Hearing Ian's words, Rayleigh smiled gently. "It's not suitable for me to appear right now. If I show up together with them, Marine Headquarters will get nervous!"
"That's not what I meant."
Ian said leisurely while looking at the ship. "I just wanted to ask you whether you think those three alone can successfully reach Marineford within a week. You should know that their navigator isn't on the ship."
Rayleigh: "...?!"
As these words fell, Rayleigh, who had been smiling, instantly froze. Then, as if he had also remembered something, he shouted loudly toward the ship.
"Wait, wait for me!"
Ian smiled helplessly, looked at Rayleigh, who was swimming toward the Thousand Sunny, shook his head, and then turned to look at the Kuma beside him.
"Go make the arrangements. Don't let those brats wait too long."
"Understood!"
Hearing Ian's words, Kuma, who seemed to understand something, did not hesitate at all. He closed the book in his hands, jumped up from the ground, and left the Ohara directly.
Ian then raised his head again and looked at the Thousand Sunny, a slight glint flashing in his eyes.
The Summit War...
The Summit War that the Straw Hat Pirates would all participate in, how would it turn out?
To be honest, he was really looking forward to it.
At this moment, Instructor Zephyr leaned over from the side and asked curiously: "What about us? Are we not getting involved at all?"
"Get involved for what? This has nothing to do with our Umbrella Corporation."
Ian smiled and shook his head, then seemed to think of something. "The Marines probably won't have time to deal with matters on the sea next. Inform the people below, don't let the West Blue fall into chaos."
After saying that, he directly turned around and left together with the others.
And Instructor Zephyr... Looking at Ian's back, he stroked his chin and pondered for a moment, then sighed with emotion. "It's going to be chaotic."
As he spoke, his aura condensed, and he turned to look at Binz beside him, saying calmly: "Prepare yourselves. It's time for us to go out to sea as well!"
...
"It's time to set sail, Captain Smoker!"
Tashigi looked at her superior lying lazily on the sofa in front of her, his face covered by a magazine.
"The Marine Headquarters issued the order last week. We still haven't departed. If we don't leave soon, it'll be too late."
"Too late?"
Hearing Tashigi's words, Smoker removed the magazine from his face, sat upright, yawned, then stood up. His entire presence instantly tightened, the previously idle aura completely swept away, replaced by the imposing presence: "Then let's set sail."
"Understood! Captain Smoker."
Finally receiving the order to go out to sea, a happy expression appeared on Tashigi's face.
Without any hesitation, she hurried out to make preparations.
She had to arrange everything for departure as quickly as possible; otherwise, if things dragged on any longer, she was worried that Captain Smoker would lie down again.
However, the situation that Tashigi was worried about did not occur.
As a Captain rank marine, he was equally aware of the importance of this public execution.
If an accident occurred... The entire Marine Headquarters would become a joke, an even bigger joke than when Ian, the God of Sun and the former Chief Instructor, Zephyr, defected from the Marines.
As for why he did not depart immediately upon receiving the order?
Going back to headquarters too early would easily lead to pointless wrangling.
It was better to leave when the time was about right!
Smoker put his hands in his pockets and slowly walked outside.
Looking at the sun that had already sunk into the sea, he took the cigar from the corner of his mouth, flicked it, and said in a flat tone: "Nice weather."
As soon as the words fell, Tashigi hurried over again. She seemed to have run too fast, her breathing a bit rough, but she still shouted loudly to Smoker: "Captain Smoker, everything is ready!"
"Let's depart!"
...
"It's time for us to set out! Gurararara!"
In the New World, within the territory controlled by the Whitebeard Pirates, Whitebeard, who was sitting upright on his throne, laughed heartily and looked at his sons below, who had long been unable to contain themselves.
"Let's go together and bring our family back!"
As soon as these words fell, all the Whitebeard Pirates below erupted into cheers, raising their heads to look at the old man above.
"Let's rescue Teach!"
"We must make those marines pay!"
"Let's bring our family member back!"
Marco : "..."
Even Marco, whose eyes were filled with worry, could not help but slightly curl the corner of his mouth when he saw this scene.
But then he looked at Whitebeard again and said in a cold tone: "Pops, those rats..."