"The Five Elders are very satisfied with the battle that took place in Wano," Stussy said, a smile on her face, showing no trace of the pale, grim expression she had worn before Ian.
"But they're a bit curious—what exactly is your relationship with Kaido now?"
"So, they sent me to investigate."
Ian thought for a moment. "Fight without breaking."
"Oh?"
Stussy raised an eyebrow.
"Just answer them like this," Ian said with a smile. "Maintaining the development of the Beast Pirates is in our mutual interest because I also want to become the leader of the Beast Pirates."
"So, our conflicts won't affect the development of the crew. Any achievements will be shared between us."
"Isn't there a saying? Brothers unite to fend off external threats. The same applies to master and disciple relationships, right?"
"I understand."
Stussy nodded lightly. "Then, let's report this result after more than a month of hard investigation."
Ian nodded gently. "How about the two things you were tasked with investigating?"
"As for little brother Luffy, he's been causing quite a ruckus in Marineford every day," Stussy said.
"He runs wild through the family area every day and has become the leader of the kids there. His daily routine involves playing pirate games with a group of Navy children."
Ian's mouth twitched. Playing pirate games in the Navy family area, huh? Seems like someone hasn't had enough of a beating from Iron Fist.
"But there haven't been any signs of a Devil Fruit appearing so far."
"As for Who's-Who, he's been stationed at Enies Lobby for the past month and hasn't gone anywhere."
"I see."
Ian let out a light sigh.
Could it be that the Nika Fruit really isn't going to appear?
"Use all the intelligence resources you have at your disposal," Ian said. "Help me find the Rubber Fruit."
Since in the original story, the government sent Who's-Who to retrieve the Rubber Fruit, it's highly likely that if the fruit appears, CP will get wind of it.
"The Rubber Fruit?"
Stussy was momentarily taken aback.
What's so special about this fruit? It's surprising that Ian would be so serious about it.
"I understand."
Although she didn't understand, Stussy could only nod.
The brief meeting ended, and Stussy hurriedly left.
She couldn't linger here for too long; otherwise, the World Government might start getting suspicious.
After all, according to the plan, she was still in the process of getting closer to Ian.
She would continue to put in more effort, like visiting Ian frequently and often inviting him to banquets.
As the saying goes, if you're going to act, you've got to go all in.
Ian finally went back to a few peaceful days of life.
However, one night, when Ian was lying in bed in his pajamas, about to sleep, a strange presence suddenly appeared above Hive Island.
"Hm?"
Ian immediately threw off his covers, looking up with a displeased expression, as if he were looking straight through the ceiling toward the sky.
"Really knows how to pick the timing…"
Ian didn't even bother changing his clothes. He opened the window, transforming into a golden dragon, his wings spread wide. In the blink of an eye, he was already soaring high in the sky.
At this moment, a man was already waiting for him.
His wild black hair fluttered in the night wind, and his dark green cloak billowed with it.
The red markings on his face were clearly visible even under the dim moonlight.
"The Revolutionary Army leader, Dragon. It's rare for you to show up. What brings you here?"
Ian honestly hadn't expected this. He never thought that Dragon would actually show up.
He couldn't remember having any interaction with this man.
"Sorry for the sudden visit. I hope you don't mind, Mr. Ian."
Dragon was actually quite polite, "For confidentiality reasons, I purposely chose this time to come."
"You know it's an imposition, so let's get straight to the point."
Ian casually said, "The leader of the Revolutionary Army, I assume you didn't come just to say hello?"
"Well then, I'll get straight to it…"
Dragon took a deep breath and spoke seriously, "I'm here to seek cooperation, Mr. Ian."
"Huh?"
Ian had to admit that Dragon's words truly surprised him.
"Are you joking? Dragon, you and your Revolutionary Army, working with us, the Beast Pirates? A military fighting for the people, cooperating with pirates?"
"You are not ordinary pirates."
Dragon simply stared at Ian, his gaze intense. "Especially you, Mr. Ian. To be honest, before coming to find you, I've already visited many of the islands under the Beast Pirates' control."
"These islands are often very peaceful. The Beast Pirates' garrisons are strong enough to eliminate any pirates who dare approach."
"Furthermore, you strictly forbid your pirates from harming civilians."
Isn't that obvious?
Every civilian is valuable labor. How could we afford to waste them?
Otherwise, who would make up for the productivity I'm lacking?
"In addition to peace, their lives have improved since the Beast Pirates arrived. The large number of factories built has created job opportunities. Even beggars can have work. Though the work is hard, it's enough to support a family. This is a situation rarely seen, even among allied nations."
Well, aren't beggars getting jobs?
Now the Beast Pirates' market targets the whole world. As long as someone has healthy limbs, they can be thrown into a factory or a mine.
However, Ian couldn't help but sigh when he heard this.
He considered himself already quite capitalistic.
The wages for factory workers were just enough to support a family.
Things like social insurance or retirement funds, he'd never even heard of.
But Dragon made it sound as though they were doing some great good.
It could only be said, this world is truly a rotten one.
Forget non-allied nations, even among allied ones, after the yearly Heavenly Tribute, few could be called wealthy, and the people's lives were far from comfortable.
When compared, the area controlled by the Beasts Pirates seems to be quite impressive.
At least it's fairly safe, and one can make a living through work.
"That's really remarkable."
Dragon had already agreed with Ian's assessment of Goro.
The Beasts Pirates had essentially become a huge country, and, moreover, a pretty decent one.
The pirates of the Beasts Pirates were no longer just ordinary pirates.
"Thank you for the compliment."
Ian felt quite pleased with Dragon's praise. As the saying goes, "You don't hit a smiling face," who doesn't enjoy hearing good things about themselves?
However...
"Let's forget about cooperation."
Ian shook his head; after all, they were not on the same path.
What he sought was ultimate peace, the highest possible status. The Revolutionary Army was, of course, an obstacle in that journey.
"But," Ian smiled gently, "On certain actions against the World Government, we could occasionally join forces. After all, our greatest enemy is the government, right?"
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Dragon, who had been a little disappointed by Ian's refusal, nodded slightly when he heard Ian's next words, "Of course!"
That was enough.
Otherwise, they couldn't really expect pirates to help the Revolutionary Army awaken the people, could they?
"Also, Mr. Ian," Dragon said seriously, "I hope to purchase weapons from you."
Speaking of which, it was quite embarrassing—although the Revolutionary Army had been established for quite some time, under the World Government's relentless pursuit, they were unable to be self-sufficient in many things.
Weapons were no exception. Their self-produced weapons couldn't keep up with the pace of their expansion.
"No problem!"
Speaking of the term, Ian immediately became imposing, "As long as you have the money, we can supply as many weapons as you want! Weapons are the one thing we have plenty of!"
"You go contact Umit, just tell him my name, and you'll get a 10% discount."
Umitt.
That shipping magnate?
Dragon's expression relaxed slightly, "Then, thank you so much!"
With this, a major issue troubling the Revolutionary Army would be resolved.
"By the way," Ian suddenly remembered something, "I heard that more than a year ago, your Eastern Army's commander was forcibly married off by the Celestial Dragons? How's it going, have you managed to rescue her?"
Dragon's face instantly darkened, "Mr. Ian, you know, Mary Geoise is heavily guarded, and Ginny is locked deep within the area where the Celestial Dragons gather. We are powerless to do anything."
Ian's mouth twitched slightly, a strange smile on his face, "In that case, perhaps you could ask Aunt Linlin for help."
"Charlotte Linlin?"
Dragon turned in surprise, "Mr. Ian, what do you mean?"
Ian smiled, "Aunt Linlin's daughter, Brulee, is a Paramecia-type Mirror-Mirror Fruit user. She can enter mirror spaces and even travel freely through them, taking others along."
"With this ability, no matter where you want to go, you can reach it, right?"
Dragon froze, then an eager expression appeared on his face, "Really? Mr. Ian!"
Ian shrugged, "Of course, I have no reason to lie to you."
"Thank you! Mr. Ian! Thank you so much! Sorry, I must take my leave now!!"
After sincerely thanking Ian and leaving contact information, Dragon disappeared into the wind.
Ian gazed in the direction where the wind took Dragon and smiled faintly, "I should be the one thanking you, Dragon."
It's time to make a big scene in Mary Geoise.
With the old man, Golden Lion Shiki, already out of the picture, it's up to you guys to help us distract the government's attention.
Guilty.
**********
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