One Piece : Winged Dragons of the Beast Pirates

Ian stood at the bow of the Golden Dragon ship, the island in the distance already coming into clear view.

"Heh heh heh, looks like this business won't be easy to handle," Doflamingo said, standing beside him, holding a telescope and gazing toward the island in the distance. "A very dangerous person has personally come here!"

"It can't be Iron Fist Garp, can it?"

Ian squinted his eyes, but the distance was too far, and he couldn't make out the figure clearly.

"It's definitely not Garp, but…"

Doflamingo handed Ian the telescope. "It's his disciple."

Garp's disciple?

Ian picked up the telescope to take a closer look.

What came into view was a fluffy mushroom-shaped head, which looked a little awkward in shape.

He wore an eye patch on his forehead, a long black coat with a blue T-shirt and white pants underneath, and was now staring over at them with lifeless eyes.

Ian lowered the telescope. "Tsk, what an exaggeration."

"That's Kuzan," Doflamingo said with a grin.

Everyone knew that the current Fleet Admiral, Kong, was already getting up in age and would likely retire from the Navy in the coming years.

Once he retired, it was certain that the current Admiral Sengoku, would become the new Fleet Admiral.

As for the position of Admiral, it would be filled by one of the three:

Borsalino, Sakazuki, and Kuzan.

They were the most notorious figures in the Navy Headquarters in recent years, the so-called "Admiral candidates."

"Babanuki!" Ian shouted.

"Ian-sama!" Babanuki hurried over.

"You lead the others and come with me to take over the warship," Ian issued orders as he turned around. "As for the rest, get on Doflamingo's ship, don't get any closer. In fact, return to the ship now."

"Ian!"

The white-haired girl stared at him eagerly.

Ian raised his right hand, tapping her forehead lightly with his index and middle fingers. "Forgive me, Yamato, but next time."

"Don't treat me like a kid!"

And naturally, the white-haired girl started yelling at him.

But, forgive me, Yamato.

That's Kuzan, after all.

A true monster in every sense.

No matter how cautious you are, it's never enough. A single mistake could lead to serious trouble.

If it were up to me, I'd turn around and leave right now.

So, after Ian's insistence, the rest of the crew boarded the Donquixote family's ship, which immediately turned around. The Golden Dragon continued forward, heading toward a nearby island.

"Well, well, they're quite cautious, huh?"

On the island's shoreline, Kuzan observed the departing ships, scratching his head. "Why do I have to deal with such troublesome kids?"

Is it just because I'm operating in these waters?

I really envy Borsalino—he's off to Paradise to hunt down the Sun Pirates.

"Clear the way!"

He shouted, "Let them pass."

Aboard the Golden Dragon.

Ian looked at the World Government ships slowly scattering and turned to the woman he was holding by the chains. "See? There's no need to be upset, Rear Admiral Gion. The World Government is really taking you seriously, aren't they? All this trouble just for you."

Gion remained bound by unyielding chains, her head lowered, her face grim and silent.

Ever since the day she overheard Ian's conversation with the World Government about their deal, she had been like this.

Her expression was full of doubt, as if questioning everything.

Finally, just as they were nearing the island, Gion raised her head. Her hair, singed by Ian's earlier blow, had grown out considerably since, though it was uneven, looking as if a dog had chewed it.

"Why?"

She asked.

"Why?"

Ian was taken aback for a moment. "What do you mean, why?"

"Why are you doing this?"

Gion gritted her teeth.

Did I do something wrong?

Ian looked confused.

Why does she look like she's carrying some deep grudge?

She wouldn't think I'm one of those Navy lackeys, would she?

For goodness' sake, I was just talking about things the World Government has done.

Is telling the truth forbidden now?

Then, Ian spoke, "I just can't stand the way you twist the facts."

Twist the facts?

Gion froze for a moment.

The next second, her beautiful face contorted in anger.

This bastard said I twist the facts?

Who's the one twisting the truth here—

If pirates are evil, does that mean the World Government is justice?

For the first time in her life, Gion thought about this question.

She gritted her teeth again.

It's all this damn brat's fault, making her think in strange ways.

The large ship didn't completely dock but stopped some distance away from the shore.

After all, the ship was too big; if it got too close to the shore, it would be hard to turn around later.

The Golden Dragon ship lowered several smaller boats, carrying Babanuki and a group of pirates off the ship, but they didn't dock immediately.

Ian entered Human-Beast Form, and in a burst of dazzling golden light, he picked up Gion and flew toward the island.

"Are they here?"

Kuzan took out a pair of flashy sunglasses, put them on, and gazed up at the dazzling gold. He spoke up, "Everyone spread out. This guy isn't someone you can just approach casually."

A moment of carelessness, and one would be reduced to ashes by a single flame.

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