The news from the World Economic News did not just shake the World Government.
The entire world had now been swept into a storm.
Everywhere, people had fallen into fear and panic.
"Kaido actually submitted to Ian? That monster has taken command of the entire Beasts Pirates?"
"How strong are the Beasts Pirates now?! Even Douglas Bullet, the so-called Demon Heir, has joined them!"
"Are you kidding me? Is there any pirate crew in the world stronger than them?"
"This isn't about whether a stronger crew exists. The real question is—are the Marines even stronger than the Beasts Pirates as they are now?"
"Who in this world could possibly stop them? Is the new Pirate King about to appear?"
"Who else could it be but Ian? Even his sensei, the so-called strongest one-on-one fighter Kaido, wasn't able to withstand even a single clash against him! How could anyone else be stronger?"
"The true strongest man in the world has finally been born! Kaido? Whitebeard? In front of Ian, they are nothing!"
"Hahaha! I'm going to pledge myself to Ian! He's the man destined to become King of the World!!"
"The power of pirates has swelled to such an extent… what on earth will become of this world now?!"
Some celebrated, while others despaired.
But one thing was certain: the storm that Ian and the Beasts Pirates unleashed had in an instant swept across the entire world, leaving countless people sleepless.
Even the most isolated and uninformed could not help but hear Ian's name, or that of the Beasts Pirates, spoken from the mouths of others.
Yet compared to the common folk across the seas, who were not directly involved, the ones truly shaken to their cores were the powerful figures at the very top.
"You've got to be kidding me! That bastard Kaido was taken down that easily?!"
On Cake Island, Charlotte Linlin was left utterly dumbfounded.
Even her favorite cakes no longer stirred her appetite.
No one knew better than her what kind of terrifying power that bastard Kaido possessed.
And yet… that bastard had been stripped of everything so easily by that brat Ian?
Was this really not some kind of joke?
"Mother, the Beasts Pirates' strength has already become far too overwhelming," Katakuri said gravely, having rushed to her the moment he saw the newspaper. "We must carefully consider what to do next."
How should they deal with the Beasts Pirates now?
Even though Linlin and Kaido had once been close allies, the current reality was different.
The one leading the Beasts Pirates was Ian. Kaido had been reduced to just one of Ian's war generals.
Big Mom fell into deep thought.
Yes… what should she do now?
How should she face the Beasts Pirates in their current state?
Or rather, what moves would the Beasts Pirates make next?
Would that brat Ian, after gaining such power, still leave room for the Charlotte family to exist?
Linlin's eyes narrowed coldly.
So in the end… would they have no choice but to look toward the World Government?
MIanwhile, in a certain sea of the New World, the massive, eerie Thriller Bark sailed quietly across the waters.
Inside the gothic castle at its center, the senior cadres of the Cross Guild gathered together.
"Oh! To think he's become this strong…"
Reading through the newspaper, Redfield's aged yet still sharp face brimmed with astonishment. "Ian the Skyfire… he's grown far stronger than the last time we crossed blades."
"Oi, oi, oi—this isn't the time to be marveling at that guy's power!" Shiryu of the Rain muttered in frustration. "Whether it's Ian or the Beasts Pirates under his command, they've already become way too strong!"
"If his next move is to claim the title of Pirate King, then who on earth could stop him?"
"That damned brat!!"
Moriah roared through clenched teeth, his rage spilling out like venom. "Him and Kaido both—those two bastards! I'll never forgive them!"
"Don't dwell on it. What can we even do right now?"
Shiryu spread his hands helplessly. "Ian doesn't even need to take action himself. If he sends Kaido or Bullet with a few officers, we wouldn't stand a chance."
"Oh, really?"
Redfield's lips curved into a faint smile. "That might not be so certain."
"Oh?"
Shiryu's eyes lit up. "So you're saying, old man, your strength has completely recovered?"
Redfield didn't answer. He simply set the newspaper in his hand aside.
"Tch."
Clicking his tongue in annoyance, Shiryu lost interest and turned toward the true decision-maker of Cross Guild.
"Crocodile, what do you think? Things don't seem to be going too well for us right now."
"The Beasts Pirates are no longer an enemy we can handle."
But Crocodile remained calm. "The ones who should be panicking the most… are not us."
A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Let's see what the World Government has to say first. They might end up needing our strength."
Yes, the first step was to reach out to Charlotte Linlin.
That old man Whitebeard would surely have no interest in this matter.
But that old hag… she was a different story.
At the far end of the New World, aboard the Moby Dick.
The Whitebeard Pirates had fallen into silence.
"Well then…"
Vista sighed and shook his head. "What are we supposed to do now?"
There was no longer any clear way to defeat Ian.
The difference in strength between the Whitebeard Pirates and the Beasts Pirates had already become absolute.
Even if Kaido's crew only used half of their power, it was still far more than the Whitebeard Pirates could withstand.
On the deck, every division commander stood in silence.
Yes… what could they possibly do now?
It had already become absolutely impossible to defeat the Beasts Pirates. But what about the grudges that had been building up for so long? Should they just be forgotten?
But how could anyone simply forget?
Everyone's eyes turned to the silent Whitebeard.
At this moment, only he could make a decision.
Whitebeard himself fell into hesitation.
"Let's wait and see."
Finally, Whitebeard spoke. "Those ambitious fools in the first half of the New World won't be satisfied. And the World Government will never allow Ian to wield such power."
"That's right!"
Marco quickly agreed with his respected captain. "The World Government will never let Ian off! Maybe all we need now is to wait."
"Exactly!"
"That's right!"
"That Ian won't be arrogant for long!"
Laughter erupted across the deck, as if all problems had suddenly been solved.
But there was one exception.
The fourth division captain of the Whitebeard Pirates, Teach, hung his head in silence.
Suddenly, he cautiously lifted his gaze and glanced at his captain.
Pops… you really are getting old.
Then, after all this hesitation, it's time to make a decision!
As long as Ian can survive this crisis!
Elsewhere in the New World.
Shanks put down the newspaper and sighed softly. "What will happen next?"
On a desolate island in the first half of the Grand Line.
A man with hawk-like sharp eyes curved his lips into a smile. "Ian… the strongest man in the world? That title suits you perfectly. I can't help but look forward to facing you again!"
In the Sabaody Archipelago, at Shakky's bar.
"How is it, Rayleigh?"
Shakky slowly exhaled a ring of smoke, smiling gently at the man drinking quietly at the bar. "Seems like the person you're all waiting for isn't making an appearance yet."
"Hahaha."
Rayleigh smiled helplessly. "That's why this world is so unpredictable."
"No one can foresee what will happen next."
"But—"
He took a sip of his drink.
It didn't matter.
As long as it was someone capable of completely changing everything, that was the person they had been waiting for.
**********
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