To be honest, Ian really didn't want to fight the Marines.
Wouldn't that just be doing the Cross Guild a free favor?
Crocodile hadn't even begged him for help—so why let the guy freeload?
But still... they were really getting on his nerves.
He had originally planned to just sit back and enjoy the show. Yet these damned Marines just wouldn't give up.
Well then, there was no helping it. Might as well entertain them a little.
In a flash, Ian had already launched himself into the sky.
"Surtur, I'm leaving this to you."
As golden flames surged from his body, Ian handed over the small box containing the Vampire Fruit to his Soul Weapon, Surtur.
"Yes, Master!"
Surtur hugged the box—about the size of his own little belly—and nodded vigorously. "I'll protect it with my life!"
And in the very next instant, his golden wings spread wide, tearing through the raging fire as the golden god shot down like an arrow loosed from a bow.
"Let's do this," Ian said calmly.
"IAN!!"
Zephyr landed on the deck of a Marine ship and used it as a springboard, launching himself upward.
His clenched right fist struck toward Ian with fierce momentum.
"Oh?"
Ian raised an eyebrow. "Looks like you've got yourself a fancy new arm, huh, Mr. Zephyr? Don't you owe me a thank you for that?"
Zephyr's right arm was clearly mechanical. Even though he wore a suit and gloves to hide it, bits of metallic sheen still glinted through the seams.
Back in the North Blue, Ian had sliced off one of Zephyr's arms and badly injured his right ribs. The man had nearly retired because of it.
Fortunately, Dr. Vegapunk—the world's top scientist under the Marine Science Division—had worked his genius.
Thanks to his near-divine craftsmanship, Zephyr once again held the power to dominate the seas.
That mechanical arm was far more than a simple prosthetic.
Zephyr's punch came crashing down on Ian with massive force, coated in Haki that crackled like black lightning.
But Ian simply raised his right hand to meet it.
Boom!!
A fierce gale exploded in the sky, sending waves rolling across the ocean below.
But—
"What!?"
Zephyr gritted his teeth in disbelief.
His iron fist hadn't even touched Ian—it was stopped midair by an invisible barrier of Haki.
This brat's Haki… it's already that strong!?
Damn it!!
If that punch had landed, the battle would have been over!
Even after witnessing Ian's immortal flame body, Zephyr still believed he had a chance at victory this time—his confidence came largely from that mechanical arm!
Equipped with specialized sensory components and connected directly to his nervous system, the arm felt no different from the real one. It even offered faint tactile sensation.
Inside it were artificial muscles, powered by a unique energy core installed near Zephyr's right ribs, allowing it to unleash terrifying strength.
According to Vegapunk, this was his highest achievement in prosthetic technology.
But that wasn't the most important part.
What truly mattered was this—
The arm was made of Seastone!
No matter how powerful Ian's abilities were, one touch from this arm would end the fight.
And yet… he never landed that blow!
In just over a year, this brat's Haki had evolved that far!?
The surging Haki didn't just block the punch—it blew Zephyr backward!
"Zephyr-sensei! Please don't be reckless!"
There was no time for Ian to counterattack. Giant icy spears suddenly shot up from below, racing toward him.
But before they could even get close, they were completely vaporized by the searing flames that surged around Ian's body.
"Ara ara…"
Aokiji stood atop the ship's main mast, gazing up at Ian, who floated above the sea bathed in golden flames.
"If I'd known we'd be fighting this guy, I would've asked Borsalino to come."
"My powers are pretty useless against him…"
"Hahaha! Come on, Kuzan-san, don't be so down!"
Tokikake grinned from the yardarm of the massive ship.
"We've got four people, after all."
Gion, already with her blade drawn, stood on the opposite crossbeam.
"Don't let your guard down!!"
Zephyr landed heavily on the deck of the massive ship, his eyes fixed on the sky, face grim.
"This guy's strength… I don't need to say anything more!!"
"…"
Shiryu was speechless for a moment.
Sure, he was happy with how things were going, but weren't these bastards getting a bit too full of themselves?
They were on their ship right now. Would it kill them to at least acknowledge that?
"Navy scum!! Go to hell!!"
Badened with madness, Byrnndi World roared and lunged toward the marines again.
A vein popped on Shiryu's forehead.
Bastard!
The situation was already troublesome enough—why did he have to make it worse?
Without hesitation, Shiryu lunged forward and slammed Byrnndi World down to the ground. As he pinned him, he shouted back, "Moria! Get over here and help!!"
Moria, who had just recovered from being stomped under Ian's foot, quickly rushed over to help Shiryu restrain World.
"Good!!"
Crocodile, who had been using his sand to trap the panicking villagers, finally let out a sigh of relief.
At least some of his teammates were still reliable.
"Just hold him like that, Shiryu! Moria!"
Just as he had expected, the marines' top priority was Ian—they had no extra energy to deal with the rest of them!
He turned his head to the side, eyes locking onto Red, who was locked in fierce combat with Garp.
All that was left was to stop that maniac Red!
What the hell was that bastard thinking anyway? Getting beat up by Ian wasn't enough—now he wanted a taste of the Hero Garp's fists?
Red was indeed being thoroughly beaten by the Marine hero.
He was being pushed back relentlessly, completely overpowered.
Garp's punches sent him flying with each blow. Red was gritting his teeth, holding on with nothing but sheer stubbornness as he endured the onslaught.
And yet… the bastard was still smiling!
What the hell was so funny?!
Red was laughing.
Even as he coughed up blood from Garp's strikes, the grin on his face only grew brighter.
"Just like back then, you old mad dog!"
Redfield laughed loudly.
"Your fists still haven't changed… they're just as decisive and merciless as ever!"
Time had indeed worn down the old dog's body, but his strength remained as terrifying as always.
"What kind of stupid nonsense are you talking about?!"
Vice Admiral Garp didn't have much interest in getting tangled up with him. His attention was mostly focused on Ian in the sky.
"Unshakable belief—that's strength! The wavering are weak and fragile!"
"Galaxy Impact!!"
Unshakable belief is strength?
Redfield laughed loudly.
"Exactly right!"
Then—
Boom!!
An enormous shockwave instantly engulfed him.
But—
"Hm?"
Garp frowned.
That guy Redfield suddenly felt different!
His aura had grown stronger!
Up in the sky, Ian looked down at the four Navy officers eyeing him like prey.
His wings trembled slightly as he descended like a gust of wind.
"Hah!!"
Vice Admiral Gion roared, her famous blade wrapped in dark Haki. In an instant, she swung out a powerful flying slash filled with overwhelming momentum.
But Ian didn't even bother dodging the attack—he directly smashed the slash to pieces with his body.
"Damn it!!"
Gion grit her teeth.
This guy's body was already incredibly strong, and now his Haki had reached an absurd level. Ordinary attacks couldn't harm him at all!
"Ice Age."
The air temperature suddenly plummeted. The entire surface of the ship instantly froze over with a layer of thick ice.
Even Shiryu and others on the deck, fighting, were covered in frost.
But this move was meaningless against Ian, who was diving down.
He didn't feel any cold at all—his blazing flames completely neutralized the extreme chill.
"Really no choice left, huh? Time to throw punches?"
Aokiji complained loudly, frost forming on his fists as they were covered in icy gloves, his Haki turning pitch black.
"What are you complaining about? Let's go!"
Zephyr jumped up again.
But this time, all four charged together.
"Pig Rush!"
Tokikake pushed his arms forward. His arms turned earthy brown, and a huge amount of mud surged from them, forming a giant wild pig that charged at Ian in midair.
This guy is also a Logia-type user!
A Logia of the Earth-Earth Fruit!
But for Ian, ordinary dirt meant nothing at all. He charged headlong through the massive boar, smashing right through it and leaving behind a scorching cavern that oozed molten lava.
"Eh? My powers don't seem to work either!"
Tokikake shouted in surprise.
**********
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