The navy and World Governnt agents along the coast wasted no ti, quickly dispersing and clearing the area, leaving it open for the two monsters.
Ian gently landed, his wings stirring up a cloud of dust.
"Nice to et you, Vice Admiral Kuzan."
Ian took the initiative, greeting Kuzan with a friendly tone, "Have you eaten?"
"The chef on the ship made seafood rice. I've had it a lot, so I'm a bit tired of it, but it's still delicious."
Kuzan answered honestly, "How about you? If you haven't eaten, why not try it together?"
"Is that so? I actually enjoy seafood."
Ian smiled warmly, "We'll definitely try it next ti."
"Really?"
Kuzan nodded, then looked down at the girl Ian was holding, Gion, and asked, "Gion, are you alright?"
Gion simply shook her head, feeling like she had caused trouble. At least she should be polite. She said, "I'm fine, sorry for causing trouble."
"What are you saying? You're not to bla for this."
Kuzan turned to look at Ian.
"I think she should be blad."
Ian said, "If she hadn't co after , this wouldn't have happened, right?"
"Are you suggesting that a navy officer should just stop chasing pirates?"
Kuzan scratched the back of his head, "I've never heard such a theory."
Ian just smiled, "Anyway, can I inspect the battleships now?"
He looked toward the five massive navy warships docked on the shore.
Kuzan shrugged, "Whenever you're ready."
Ian shouted toward the sea, "Babanuki!"
The pirates vigorously rowed their small boats toward them.
The group quickly split into three teams, each boarding a Navy warship.
Their task was to thoroughly inspect the ships, leaving no corner unchecked, to prevent the World Governnt from hiding anything aboard.
Although Ian had no interest in these warships whatsoever, appearances had to be kept up.
"Also this."
Kuzan tossed Ian a small box.
With a swift movent, Ian extended his tail to catch it and opened it with his other hand.
Inside was a pink fruit, its surface covered with spiral-patterned scales.
Perfect.
Ian secretly rejoiced, but his face remained indifferent. After casually checking the fruit's integrity, he tossed it back into the box.
"Don't worry. It's just a failed product," Kuzan said lazily. "No one cares about it except for you guys."
Though he said this, Kuzan had still taken the ti to confirm with Dr. Vegapunk that it was indeed a failure before bringing it over.
"Anything else?"
Ian looked at Kuzan seriously. "Any more of the creations using Kaido-sensei's bloodline factor?"
"I wouldn't know, and besides," Kuzan yawned, "don't forget the terms of our deal."
Even if there were, they were not part of this transaction, brat.
Ian snorted coldly. "I'm curious. Since Vegapunk can replicate Kaido-sensei's bloodline factor, would he do the sa with yours under the World Governnt's orders? Maybe one day I'll get to see your clones fighting for the World Governnt."
Gion looked stunned.
But Kuzan was unfazed. "That would be great. With them, we could finally get so rest."
"Then, how would those not needed be treated?" Ian sneered.
"Of course, they'd retire."
Kuzan looked hopeful. "Actually, the Navy's retirent benefits are pretty generous."
Ian imdiately laughed and said, "Oh, really? I think soone as powerful as you, Vice Admiral Kuzan, deserves better treatnt. How about joining our Beast Pirates? I can even give you a country to rule over."
"Ah, how extravagant," Kuzan said with a sigh, but then shook his head. "But unfortunately, despite my carefree appearance, I'm actually quite devoted to one cause."
This guy... nothing gets through to him.
And seriously, where do you see the carefree playboy in him? Saying he has a horse face is an insult to horses.
After a mont of silence, on one of the warships:
"Lord Ian! Inspection complete!"
Babanuki shouted toward Ian. "Everything's fine! Aside from the lack of ammunition, there are no issues!"
Ian turned to Kuzan.
The Vice Admiral shrugged. "You never said there had to be ammunition."
What a stingy move from the World Governnt.
They've got the cannons all set up, but adding a little ammo wouldn't hurt.
"Get the ship moving."
Ian ordered.
"Yes!" Babanuki grunted as he ran toward the deck to prepare the ship to leave.
"Ah, well, since the inspection is done... Ian, my friend,"
Kuzan raised his hand, pointing at the Gion that Ian was holding. "Shouldn't you return her to now?"
"You'll need to wait a little longer," Ian said. "Otherwise, if I return Rear Admiral Gion to you too soon, with your abilities, Kuzan, these ships will never be able to leave."
Facing soone who could freeze the sea with ease, trying to make a quick getaway was not a wise decision.
"Don't worry," Ian reassured Kuzan. "I'll stay."
Kuzan thought for a mont, then didn't say anything further.
The five warships slowly powered up, and with the wind's help, they began their journey, gradually sailing toward the distance.
They would et with the Golden Dragon, then continue sailing without stopping.
Ian quietly watched as they departed, not taking his eyes off them until the ships were completely out of sight, vanishing over the horizon.
It was then ti for him to leave.
Almost in the next instant, flas erupted beneath Ian's feet, propelling him upward like a rocket.
However…
"Ara ara, causing trouble is no good."
Kuzan's reaction speed was astonishing. In the blink of an eye, he used his terrifying jumping ability to keep up with Ian.
"I've returned your people."
Ian, in a swift motion, hurled the figure of Rear Admiral Gion toward Kuzan, firmly emphasizing the promise he'd made.
Kuzan paused, catching Gion, but the imnse force behind her body caused him to fall downward.
With that exchange, the distance between Ian and Kuzan was quickly stretched.
But…
"Ice Age!"
Kuzan waved his hand.
The air instantly froze.
The atmosphere and clouds themselves beca solid ice, massive blocks of ice as large as mountains quickly ford and stretched across the sky, trapping Ian in the frigid cold.
It was an exaggerated display; this ice power was far stronger than that of Yamato.
But…
Roar!!
Golden flas erupted from within, shattering the blue ice into pieces. The broken chunks of ice didn't even have ti to fall before they were vaporized by the flas.
"Now, this isn't the way to send soone off," Ian said, looking down at Kuzan. "Do you think you can freeze the sun?"
"The sun?"
Kuzan stepped through the air, his right hand aid at Ian. "Though, it seems like I can't freeze this guy, just like with Sakazuki. Ice Block: Two-Pronged Spear!"
Two massive ice javelins ford above his head, and in the next mont, they shot toward Ian like cruise missiles.
Shrouded in Armant Haki and guided by Observation Haki, these javelins were powerful enough to pierce through mountains!
Ian smirked, and flas surged behind him as golden flas condensed into two javelins as well.
Whoosh!
Two soft sounds echoed as the fiery javelins shot forward.
In the next instant, the two javelins, one of fire and the other of ice, collided in midair.
White mist and golden flas surged together, creating two massive explosions in the sky.
Riding the blast winds, Ian soared high.
However, the smoke from the explosions was quickly pierced through by the ice, and a massive ice bird spread its wings.
Then, ca Kuzan's slow and deliberate technique na: "Ice Block: Exploding Ice Bird!"
Ian raised his right hand high, and a giant fireball gathered in his palm, "Blazing Inferno of the Winged Dragon!"
The massive fireball crashed down, overwhelming the ice bird with its sheer size.
The Ice Bird, undeterred, charged headfirst into the attack.
Ice and fire clashed once more with ferocity, the extre cold and high heat causing the weather in the sky to beco chaotic.
Half the sky was filled with swirling snow, while the other half distorted from the intense heat.
"This should be enough," Ian laughed loudly, flas shooting from his back as he flew off. "Your ice can't defeat my fire."
It was no joke—Ace from thirteen years later could hold his own against Kuzan in an ability battle, and Ian certainly didn't think he was weaker than the battle-hardened Ace from Marineford.
Below, Kuzan sighed as he watched Ian retreat.
"Just as troubleso as the rumors said," he remarked with a sigh.
**********
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