Ian just gave him directions, and he's already lost?
Damn, it's a miracle that Zoro is still with the Straw Hat Pirates!
"No need."
Facing Enel's question, Ian shook his head and smiled. "Don't worry about him. Perhaps at the last moment, he'll find the right way?"
"I really don't understand what you're talking about."
Enel picked at his ear again. "Do you really think that bunch of kids can attract the attention of the Big Mom Pirates?"
"Who knows?"
Ian shrugged. He still smiled, but his eyes flickered slightly.
Come to think of it, Capone Bege was already gone, Robin was no longer on their ship, and, most importantly, Jinbe… since Whitebeard was still alive, Jinbe hadn't come seeking the protection of the Big Mom Pirates.
Moreover, this was no longer the Straw Hat Pirates two years after their training. Although Princess Vivi and Teach were now on the ship, it was unclear how they would escape this time while facing the insane Big Mom.
Ian slightly lifted his head. "Leave everything to fate! As for the rest, it's none of our concern. We just need to handle our own matters."
…
Time passed slowly.
Aside from Zoro, who had lost his way, no one knew that four of them were hiding here.
Although there was a small incident, the birthday party and engagement ceremony proceeded as scheduled.
As for the Straw Hat Pirates… although the Big Mom Pirates were furious that these guys were causing trouble at such a critical moment and wanted to vent their anger on the Straw Hats, that was all.
The Big Mom Pirates did not even take notice of those rats.
Even the birthday party and engagement ceremony weren't postponed because of the rats.
Everything proceeded according to the designated plan.
Since the Umbrella Corporation wasn't coming, there was no need to actually ally with the idiots of the North Blue, as Big Mom had said. They would simply plunder the Vinsmoke Family's technology and resources.
Perhaps once they absorbed the Vinsmoke Family's technology and resources, they would have the ability to defeat the Umbrella Corporation.
When the appointed time arrived, the protagonists, the newlyweds, emerged amid everyone's blessings.
Laughter and singing filled the venue, and a massive cake appeared before everyone.
However, as soon as the master of ceremonies spoke…
Suddenly, right in front of everyone… the cake toppled?!
Everyone froze, and one thought flashed through their minds: [Who dares to cause trouble at the birthday party and engagement ceremony of the captain of the Big Mom Pirates?]
Not only that, several figures suddenly appeared before everyone.
They were none other than the Straw Hat Pirates, whose names had recently spread across the seas!
…
Meanwhile, not far away, on Ian's side.
After hearing Enel's words, Ian stood up, stretched, and looked at Enel, Zephyr, and Gini.
Smiling, he said, "Get ready. It's time for us to act. And don't forget, just take the people away. Don't interfere in anything else!"
…
The sudden appearance of the Straw Hat Pirates instantly threw the entire banquet hall into chaos.
Especially the moment the cake collapsed, everyone in the Big Mom Pirates panicked, but by that point, there was nothing they could do. Their mother… had gone mad.
The banquet instantly erupted into chaos.
Seeing Big Mom lose control, all the invited guests showed expressions of fear and began frantically fleeing to safe places.
When the Vinsmoke Family, who had been controlled, was rescued, the already chaotic scene became completely uncontrollable.
The Big Mom Pirates no longer hid their schemes, and Vinsmoke Judge became furious with shame.
Both powerful factions began fighting, and with the Straw Hat Pirates involved, what was supposed to be a festive banquet instantly turned into a battlefield.
This scene made Ian, hidden in the shadows, laugh.
The Straw Hat Pirates began fleeing, the Big Mom Pirates angrily pursued, and the Vinsmoke Family blocked the attacks.
In Ian's eyes, it seemed as if everything had returned to the originally intended plot.
Marshall D. Teach had taken over the roles of Capone Bege and Jinbe, helping the Straw Hats break out of the Big Mom Pirates' encirclement.
Zoro, who was lost, appeared at a critical moment, shielding his companions from attacks, and Sanji carried the bride while running…
Everything was so familiar.
Seeing this, Zephyr asked in confusion, "What's with you? Why are you suddenly laughing? Did you think of a good plan?"
"No, I just thought of something interesting."
Ian shook his head while smiling, then his gaze fell on a figure within the Big Mom Pirates. "That's the user of the Book-Book Fruit, Charlotte Mont-d'Or, right?"
"That's the one!"
Zephyr nodded, then furrowed his brows and touched his chin. "What should we do now? The Big Mom Pirates' captain is already out of control. If we rush in, subdue someone, and take that person away, won't she turn back and attack us?"
"If you ask me…"
Enel, who was observing the chaotic scene, was already eager to act and speak with anticipation, "Just knock these guys flat!"
"Or should we use my Devil Fruit ability?"
Gini touched his chin and pondered, "I could sneak up while invisible and see if I can quietly take him away."
"No need, let's wait a bit."
Faced with everyone's suggestions, Ian decisively rejected them all. His eyes narrowed slightly as he watched Big Mom go mad, "Perhaps the Big Mom Pirates will be lured away later?"
The other three: "...?"
What was he talking about?
Although the Straw Hat Pirates' strength had indeed increased considerably, with their current power… they still didn't have the ability to escape from the Big Mom Pirates' encirclement!
Even adding in the Vinsmoke Family wouldn't change that.
The Vinsmoke Family, while rulers of the North Blue and very strong, still fell far short against the Big Mom Pirates.
Moreover, this was the Big Mom Pirates' base, Whole Cake Island. Trying to break through with just a small number of people was simply a dream.
However, facing the puzzled three, Ian's eyes flickered, and he said again, "Wait a little longer."
…
Unexpectedly, with the help of the Vinsmoke Family, the Straw Hats successfully boarded their ship.
Having lost so much reputation, the Big Mom Pirates would not let the Straw Hats go so easily.
The battle in the West Blue a few years ago had already humiliated the Big Mom Pirates greatly.
Luckily, the Umbrella Corporation had grown stronger over time, showing the seas that it wasn't that Big Mom Pirates were weak, it was that the Umbrella Corporation was just too strong.
But if this time the Straw Hat Pirates escaped, how could the Big Mom Pirates survive in the New World?
No matter what… they absolutely could not let those guys go!