"Hurry up and think of another way! Otherwise, we're really finished this time!"
Facing the endless enemies, the Straw Hat Pirates were starting to struggle.
Zoro, who already knew that Ian had arrived, fell silent for a moment.
After cutting down an enemy with his three sword style, he jumped beside Luffy and hesitated before saying, "Luffy, Ian, and the others are on Whole Cake Island. Should we ask them for help?"
As soon as those words were spoken, the Straw Hat Pirates, who had originally been somewhat despairing, were stunned, and all looked toward Zoro.
"Mr. Ian is here? Why didn't you say so earlier?!"
"Quick, quick, where are they now? Tell them to come save us!"
"We're about to die!"
However, unlike the anxious others, Zoro calmly looked at Luffy.
"But Ian said something to me. He asked whether we would wait for others to save us whenever we run into trouble."
As soon as those words fell, aside from the still-anxious Usopp and Nami, the others who had been excited all fell silent.
Even Luffy was the same.
Then, looking at the captain of the Big Mom Pirates who had already rushed toward them, he lowered his straw hat and said in a firm tone,
"Shishishi, Ian came, huh? It's not the worst situation yet. We'll definitely escape successfully!"
"Luffy!"
But those words only made Nami and Usopp even more anxious.
Before the two of them could say anything further…
"Please believe in me!"
Luffy raised his head, staring directly at the captain of the Big Mom Pirates, who had reached their side, and roared, "I'm the man who will become the King of the Pirates!"
…
"King of the West Blue, Ian the God of Sun!!!"
Mont-d'Or, who was bound, looked at the four people in front of him with a terrified expression, or rather, he was looking at the figure standing at the front.
But he quickly took a deep breath, adjusted his mood, and revealed a wise smile.
"Mr. Ian, I didn't expect that you would come to attend the banquet. I apologize, it seems that a small accident occurred. But please rest assured, we have no ill intentions. I will immediately speak to my mother and have them let the Straw Hat Pirates go."
"No need."
However, facing Mont-d'Or's words, Ian shook his head and said with a smile, "Didn't I say just now? We're not very familiar with the Straw Hat Pirates. Don't worry, we came specifically to find you!"
Mont-d'Or: "...?"
No, no, that sentence is even more worrying!
But Mont-d'Or still forced out a smile. "You came to find me? That's truly an honor! May I ask what you need my help with?"
"Don't be nervous. You will definitely be able to help!"
At this moment, Zephyr, who was standing nearby, looked toward the sea ahead and frowned.
"Are you sure we shouldn't help? Those brats don't seem to be in very good shape."
"Don't worry, they won't die."
Hearing Zephyr's words, Ian shook his head and refused. Then he looked at Enel and Gini. "Prepare yourselves. We're leaving."
"Perhaps we can't leave. It seems we've been discovered."
Enel suddenly said with pleasure. "And it's an old acquaintance."
But as he spoke, he suddenly froze.
"Huh? Why did they stop… and turn around to go back? Did they get scared?"
As soon as those words fell, Ian and the others: "...?"
Before Ian could ask what was going on, suddenly…
"Boom!" "Boom!" "Boom!"
The sound of drums began to echo.
And that wasn't all.
Along with it came a burst of laughter that resounded between heaven and earth.
Ian: "...?!"
Ian seemed to realize something. He suddenly raised his head and looked toward where the Straw Hat Pirates were.
Immediately, a figure entered his sight, his hair and clothes turned white, and around his body was a white flame that looked like flowing silk.
"Holy shit?"
Wait, this works too?!
Teacher Kaido hasn't even taught him yet!
…
If the early appearance of Sun God Nika only left Ian somewhat confused, then on the Five Elders' side, they were truly shocked.
When the news of the captain of the Big Mom Pirates being defeated, along with the photos sent back by the CP agents, arrived, the atmosphere at the center of the world's highest authority instantly became oppressive.
All of the Five Elders looked grimly at the photo placed on the table: White clothes and hair that seemed to resemble flames that were burning, and white ribbon-like streamers wrapped around the neck and under the arms.
Just by looking at this single photo, they seemed to already hear that piercing, irritating sound of drums and laughter.
Damn it, how long has it even been? This straw hat kid has already reached this step?!
Even the Big Mom Pirates had been defeated by this kid!
Although, according to the intelligence sent back by those hyenas, the captain of the Big Mom Pirates was not in proper condition. With her hunger pangs and illness acting up, she was like a madwoman with no brain at all.
But an Emperor of the Sea is still an Emperor of the Sea, a powerhouse already standing at the pinnacle of the sea.
Perhaps her threat level was not comparable to the boss of the Umbrella Corporation, but without a doubt, this pirate was only one step away from the throne of the so-called King of the Pirates.
And now…
They were actually being told that such a person had been defeated by a rookie pirate crew that had just entered the New World?!
At the beginning, they were stunned and found it somewhat hard to believe, but the moment they saw this photo, they, especially the Four Elders, somehow felt that it was only natural.
That man had returned!
Over these eight hundred years, it wasn't that no pirate had eaten that Devil Fruit. But after so many years, only this kid with a straw hat had reached this step!
If Ian, who was called the God of Sun, was merely a troublesome problem, then this kid, who inherited the will of D, ate that Devil Fruit, and even awakened it, was the true grave threat to the World Government.
Perhaps that kid's strength was still far inferior to Ian's, and he had not yet reached the level where he could threaten the World Government.
But from the moment this figure appeared once again, the meaning it represented had already become different.
Especially considering how long this kid had been at sea. He had already defeated the captain of the Big Mom Pirates.
Who could possibly be certain just how far this kid would go?
The D is the enemy of the World Government!