Akainu's magma-clad fist paused mid-air as he glared at Kizaru.
"Kizaru, step aside!"
Kizaru shrugged slightly, showing no intention of backing down.
"I just don't want to clean up the mess. If this place gets destroyed, it won't look good for either of us, you know."
Blocked by Kizaru, Akainu's fury had nowhere to vent. He could only let out a heavy snort before turning and leaving.
He knew all too well that with Kizaru mediating, today's fight was impossible to continue.
After Akainu left, Ivan pretended to sigh in relief and gave Kizaru a slight nod.
"Thank you for stepping in and stopping him just now."
Kizaru waved a hand dismissively, his tone as nonchalant as ever.
"No need to thank me. I just didn't want to cause myself any trouble."
Then, he looked Ivan up and down, speaking with rare seriousness.
"By the way, your strength has improved really fast. The future of this sea will ultimately depend on you young ones."
With those words, Kizaru's figure flickered, transforming into golden light before vanishing into the distance in an instant.
Ivan stared in the direction he had disappeared, his expression gradually turning solemn.
Among the Navy's Three Admirals, Akainu's fanaticism and Aokiji's hesitation were both plainly written on their faces. Only Kizaru remained an enigma to him.
This man always appeared lazy and indifferent, yet he was perpetually unfathomable.
Shifting his gaze, Ivan walked toward Smoker, who still stood rooted in place.
Smoker hung his head, a half-extinguished cigar dangling from his lips, his voice low and hoarse.
"I'm sorry. Because of me, you've offended Admiral Akainu."
Ivan patted his shoulder and chuckled lightly.
"There's nothing to apologize for. Don't forget, we're friends."
After a pause, Ivan spoke earnestly.
"Smoker, don't be confused about justice anymore. Just hold on to the justice in your heart.
When you gain enough power in the future, you'll be able to protect more and pursue truer justice."
Smoker looked up at Ivan, the confusion in his eyes gradually fading, replaced by determination.
He nodded heavily, saying nothing more.
Yes, his current strength was too weak—so weak that those people didn't even regard him.
If he had Ivan's power, the power of a Navy Admiral, he too could uphold his own justice!
Smoker took a deep breath, crushed out his cigar, and looked up at Ivan with unwavering resolve.
"I've decided. From now on, I'll follow you. I'm no longer your superior; I'll be your subordinate."
Ivan was slightly taken aback but agreed without hesitation. "Alright."
As soon as the words left his mouth, he couldn't help but reveal a strange smile.
Thinking back over the past few years, Smoker had always been his direct superior. Now, the tables had turned, and the other had become his subordinate.
This feeling…
Was absolutely fantastic!
Seeing Ivan's barely contained, gleeful expression, Smoker rolled his eyes in exasperation.
He didn't need to guess what was going through that guy's mind.
Onigumo's death ultimately failed to stir much of a ripple across the sea, not even enough to raise Fox's bounty any further.
After all, compared to assassinating a Celestial Dragon or plundering Celestial Gold, killing a Navy Vice Admiral was truly insignificant.
Ivan stayed in Loguetown for a few more days and, after receiving orders from headquarters, returned to Rainbase with Smoker.
When the two arrived at the entrance of Rain Dinners, Smoker was instantly stunned by the sight before him.
Smoker had heard of Rain Dinners, but he never imagined it would be even more extravagant than he had pictured.
This was nothing like a Navy outpost—it was clearly a magnificent palace.
Of course, what shocked him the most wasn't the opulence of Ivan's current residence.
What astonished him even more was that the residents of Rainbase they passed along the way would stop and bow respectfully as soon as they caught sight of Ivan, their eyes filled with awe and gratitude.
It was evident that Ivan had won the hearts of the people in this city.
Snapping out of his daze, Smoker looked at the calm-faced Ivan beside him and sighed with emotion:
"Ivan, you've grown so much. Meanwhile, I've been stuck in the same place all these years."
Hearing this, Ivan frowned slightly and glanced at him sideways. "What did you call me?"
Smoker was taken aback, his lips twitching slightly, his face clearly uncomfortable.
After all, just a few years ago, Ivan had been a soldier under his command. Now, he had to address him as his superior, which was rather hard to swallow.
But since he had already decided to follow Ivan, he wouldn't go back on his word. After a few seconds of silence, he finally forced out the words, "I… Ivan, sir."
"Hahaha!" Ivan burst into laughter on the spot, his earlier seriousness vanishing in an instant.
He patted Smoker on the shoulder and gestured toward a nearby attendant with a tilt of his chin:
"Go, take Smoker to a guest room and make sure he's well taken care of."
The attendant respectfully complied and stepped forward to signal for Smoker to follow.
After settling Smoker in, Ivan returned to his own room.
Now, it was time for the lottery draw!
However, when Ivan pushed open the door and entered his room, he froze.
There, in his room, was already another figure.
Robin was wearing a simple black bikini, her figure graceful as she lay quietly on the bed, practicing yoga.
Her skin was smooth and delicate, the powerful lines of her body faintly visible under the light.
Her black hair was casually spread across the edge of the bed, and a hint of lazy allure lingered in her eyes.
Hearing the door open, she slowly stopped her movements, turned her head to look at Ivan, and curled her lips into a charming, captivating smile, whispering softly, "You're back."
Ivan looked at the scene before him and sighed helplessly.
There was no need to think about it—it was clear he wouldn't be able to draw the lottery for now.
Night had long since fallen, and everything had grown quiet.
Only the waves by the shore remained tireless, crashing against the coast one after another.
The rocks were struck with loud slaps, and fine sprays of water rose and fell, dampening the sand along the shore.
The wind swept across the sea, rustled through the grass along the coast, and carried with it a faint, intermittent moaning song.
The song was extremely soft, broken and intermittent, a moan tinged with a hint of hoarseness.
This scene continued until late into the night before gradually subsiding.
At the same time, Ivan smoothed the damp hair sticking to Robin's cheek, then sat by the bedside and began the lottery draw.
Earlier, he had willingly stepped into a trap and seized two Devil Fruits from the Navy.
Now was the perfect time for the draw!
Soon, the familiar card library appeared before Ivan's eyes. With a slight mental nudge, he clicked the draw button, and the cards in front of him began to flash rapidly.
In no time, a card materialized before Ivan.
[Congratulations! You have obtained the Template: Uchiha Madara!]
[Congratulations! You have obtained the skill: Mangekyō Sharingan!]
[Mangekyō Sharingan: The ultimate ocular jutsu of the Uchiha clan. Each pair of eyes possesses unique single-eye abilities, and when both eyes are activated, they can summon Susanoo. However, using it continuously drains eyesight and eventually leads to blindness.]
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