But a few minutes later—
Under the watchful eyes of all the pirates gathered around the venue, the banquet resumed.
Only now, the Charlotte Family had just two members still at the table: Charlotte Linlin and Katakuri.
The others had either been turned to stone… or were lying on the ground, badly beaten and completely unable to move.
"Amazing! Truly amazing!"
Sasaki, leading the pirates surrounding the perimeter, couldn't help but repeatedly praise, "As expected of Lord Ian! To defeat another Pirate Emperor so easily!!"
"Hahaha! Even among emperors, there are ranks!!"
Flock was equally thrilled beyond words.
The man they followed, the great Lord Ian, had effortlessly crushed the Charlotte family! Indeed, he was the man destined to become the king!
Inside the Skull Tower, Kuma was still watching the venue below.
During the battle, his expression remained calm, but now he seemed somewhat tense.
"It's okay, Kuma, everything will be fine."
Ginny quickly comforted him, "Ian will definitely handle everything."
After all, Charlotte Linlin was still carrying Kuma's child.
Though the child was forced upon them by that woman, the child was innocent.
Kuma nodded softly.
Even though that child represented a humiliating part of his past, Kuma still hoped the child would be born safely and grow up happily.
Below, the chefs had already started serving dishes.
Ian truly intended to continue this banquet.
"Ian, you're incredible!"
Sanji, the head chef of Hive Island, pushed a serving cart while excitedly chatting with Ian, quickly arranging the food on the table.
Though he hadn't joined the battle, the young chef had stayed hidden nearby, watching the entire fight unfold.
When Ian truly crushed Charlotte Linlin like a force of nature, he still couldn't help but cheer joyfully.
Ian merely smiled.
Soon, the dining table, reset neatly, was already filled with abundant food, and the giants couldn't wait to start eating.
"Kid, what exactly do you want to do?"
Aunt Linlin's right hand still hung limply, but the huge wound on her shoulder had been temporarily treated.
Although the wound looked frightening, with proper care, it wasn't a big problem.
Even if bones were shattered by direct fire damage, drinking plenty of milk could help them regrow — that was common knowledge in this world.
Hancock, sitting to Ian's left, furrowed her brows.
That old woman really had a cocky attitude.
Even though she was defeated by Ian, she still dared to speak so boldly.
Ian was unfazed. "The first condition is simple."
"From now on, don't bother Elbaf anymore. Constantly pestering only annoys people."
"Ha ha ha ha! That's not even a condition worth mentioning, Ian," Dorry, who had been drinking quietly, couldn't help but laugh heartily and said, "Since you dared to attack Prince Loki, the Charlotte family has already become our enemy!"
Linlin gritted her teeth.
Trying to sneak a win but losing instead.
Now, forget about gaining the giants' power — Elbaf not sending troops to attack the whole cake island was already thanks to her strength.
"Fine, then mention the next condition."
Ian turned to the shrinking girl hiding nearby, "Release Miss Lola."
Prince Loki lifted his head in an instant.
Ian smiled at him, "I know Aunt Linlin's personality well — once she gets back, she definitely won't let her off easily."
"My Lord Ian!!"
Lola's eyes welled up with tears, deeply moved.
Even now, he's still thinking about me!
Lord Ian! Love!
"Ian!"
Prince Loki's eyes also filled with tears.
Though he had been rejected, he still cared deeply for Lola and hoped the young girl could live a happy life.
Ian was truly a good brother — he even considered this matter!
Aunt Linlin clenched her teeth and gave Lola a fierce glare.
"Perfect. This useless girl no longer has a place for her to stay!"
Hearing her mother's blunt words, Lola's mood sank. After all, she was only fourteen years old.
"Alright."
Ian nodded and looked towards Dorry and Brogy. "Miss Lola has nowhere to go for now. How about staying with you all in Elbaf for a while? After all, Aunt Linlin spent some time living in Elbaf when she was young, didn't she?"
If she stayed on Hive Island, I'd really be afraid Hancock or Yamato might kill her.
"Ian, you brat!"
Brogy blinked.
"Of course!!"
Prince Loki hurriedly said, "Even if Miss Lola doesn't like me, I'm still willing to be her friend! Elbaf can protect her!"
He shot Ian a grateful look once again.
Good brothers!
If this isn't what good brothers are, then what is?
Even if I can't marry Lola, spending more time together is still a good thing!
Dorry and Brogy didn't refuse anymore.
After all, Lola had already cut ties with Charlotte Linlin.
And judging by the little girl's expression, there was no way she would ever fall for Prince Loki, so there was nothing to worry about.
Lola was silent for a moment, then finally nodded, "Alright then."
Lord Ian said so; it should be fine, right?
"Yay!"
Loki cheered excitedly.
Charlotte Linlin shot Ian a fierce glare.
That damn brat!
Now he's acting like the one giving his daughter away, huh?
"Then, Aunt Linlin," Ian looked at his good aunt, "it's time to discuss the formal compensation."
Aunt Linlin snorted coldly, "What do you want? Treasure or territory?"
Ian shook his head directly.
Wealth meant nothing to Ian; he wasn't interested in money.
Territory was even less so — the Hive Island sea area was far from Totto Land, with even the Wano Country sea area in between.
Even if Aunt Linlin ceded some land to him, what good would it do?
It would be impossible to manage.
"My request is," Ian's lips curled into a smile, "that when I need it, Aunt Linlin, you help me create Homies."
Homies are quite something.
Their combat power might be average, but their functionality is absolutely top-notch.
Aunt Linlin's brow immediately furrowed. "Do you think I'm your personal factory?"
Or,
Ian smirked slightly, "Aunt Linlin, you could actually stay here and really be my factory."
Aunt Linlin felt a bit breathless — right now, she truly was at someone else's mercy.
If Ian wanted her to stay, she really had nowhere to run.
Still, she grumbled with displeasure, "Am I supposed to spend my whole life making Homies for you?"
"Then make a thousand."
Ian raised his right hand, holding up one finger. "Aunt Linlin, if you make a thousand Homies for me, then we're even. No more debts."
"That shouldn't be too hard for you, right?"
Homies were everywhere across the whole world, and Aunt Linlin had even gone as far as turning the cannonballs from Queen Mama Chanter ship into Homies.
A thousand Homies was nothing difficult for her.
Her scowl softened a little. "A thousand? Fine."
"But," Ian said, but then smiled brightly. "Kaido-sensei always said Aunt Linlin is a very cunning person. I can't just trust you like that — what if after I send you back, you go back on your word?"
"You little brat!"
Aunt Linlin clenched her teeth. "What else do you want to do?"
"Though it's a bit ruthless, Aunt Linlin, how about leaving a child behind as a hostage?" Ian said.
Katakuri, who had been sitting quietly nearby, spoke up immediately.
"Then I'll stay."
He would rather stay himself than let his younger siblings suffer.
"No, no, no," Ian shook his head, his eyes drifting toward Aunt Linlin's belly.
"I think there's someone more suitable."
Charlotte Linlin's expression changed drastically. She noticed Ian's gaze and her face immediately turned pale.
"You brat, what are you trying to do?"
Ian smiled faintly. "I just think the hostage should be someone who can't resist or cause trouble, right?"
He looked at her warmly.
"Aunt Linlin, the child in your belly or any of the children who came with you—which one would you choose?"
Dorry and Brogy both couldn't help but shoot Ian shocked glances.
Ian… he's terrifying!
**********
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