Talk?
What's there to talk about?
Ian probably knew Zephyr's purpose.
Either he was here to capture Robin, or to persuade him to join the Marine Headquarters.
As for what Zephyr would think after seeing Robin was his wife, Ian had no idea.
But judging from his response yesterday, this guy probably wasn't here to capture Robin.
So, without hesitation, Ian looked away, then turned around and walked away without looking back.
This reaction also left Zephyr, who had woken up early and waited at the village entrance, bewildered.
After all, he was the Marine's Chief Instructor.
The Marine's Chief Instructor!
After hearing Enchi's words last time, he had already guessed... This was a young man who, even after retirement, had not given up on becoming stronger and persisted in training.
And after hearing what Village Chief Martin said about this guy's daily training, he was even more certain.
Now that he, the Chief Instructor from the Marine Headquarters, is here, doesn't he have any desire to ask him for advice?
Had he already understood everything from the training manual he had shared before?
Isn't he worried that he will report his wife to the Marine Headquarters?
But when Zephyr saw the figure carrying a one-handed axe, leisurely walking towards the back mountain, he knew... This guy really isn't worried!
Zephyr laughed heartily, and without hesitation, he swung his left hand and punched Ian in the back. "You kid, you're really cunning."
Just as the punch, wrapped in Armament Haki, was about to hit Ian, Ian, who had been walking forward leisurely, reacted instantly without hesitation, directly raising his one-handed axe to block Zephyr's attack.
He was prepared.
The moment he saw Zephyr, Ian immediately used his Armament Haki.
Even when facing Zephyr's attack, he showed a hint of joy.
This was a good training partner.
Ever since the disappearance of a certain admiral who had been following Robin, he hadn't found a qualified training partner.
You know, a training partner this powerful who wouldn't kill you is incredibly hard to find.
Today, Ian was going to give the one-armed old man a good beating!
"You brat!"
Seeing Ian's expression, Zephyr finally realized what was happening and laughed heartily. "So, let me see how much you've grown!"
Sensing Ian's fighting spirit, even though he could only move one hand, Zephyr didn't back down. His left hand, shrouded in Armament Haki, swung.
However, having only one arm made his movements quite challenging, requiring him to constantly lean to the left and swing his fist. But looking at Ian, his axe swirling with Armament Haki, Zephyr's face lit up with a hint of relief.
Laughing heartily, he said: "Not bad. It seems you've been training hard lately. Your Armament Haki is much stronger than last time."
Then his tone shifted: "But even with just one arm, I'm not someone you can take down so easily!"
Bang!
A heavy punch crashed down, but Ian dodged it, leaving the strike to smash into the ground.
"Observation Haki? You can actually sense my attacks!"
Zephyr, seemingly enjoying the fight, roared with laughter. "Come on, keep going!"
After months of bedridden sickness, his body practically rusted. The sudden confrontation with a young marine brought a wave of excitement to even this Chief Instructor.
Even though the man before him was a retired Lieutenant...
"This feels great!"
However, as the fight progressed... Zephyr noticed something was amiss.
Zephyr was a bit bewildered as he watched Ian, who had taken several of his attacks and continuously used his Armament Haki, yet showed no sign of fatigue and instead grew more energetic with each blow.
What the hell, didn't this kid ever get tired?
Even he, the Chief Instructor at Marine Headquarters, was a bit exhausted.
Although the young man had more energy than him and wasn't seriously injured, he took so many of his attacks and showed no signs of fatigue. Instead, he grew more energetic with each blow. This was too much of a rip-off!
Especially since this wasn't a life-or-death battle!
If this kept up…
After an indeterminate amount of time, Zephyr, feeling a bit exhausted, looked at Ian, whose strength and even energy had grown stronger.
He couldn't help but curse and stop his movements. "No more! Your Devil Fruit is too shameless!"
The sudden stop left Ian a little disappointed. But he couldn't very well pummel an old man in front of his two students.
So, he could only stop helplessly, glance at Zephyr across from him, and shake his head in disappointment.
That look, as if asking, can't you even keep up?, immediately irritated the usually good-tempered Zephyr. "I lost an arm and am still recovering! Otherwise, I could fight you three days and nights without stopping!"
He snorted again while glancing up and down at Ian. "Not bad. Your Armament Haki and Observation Haki have both grown, as have your physique and strength. And I saw you just mastered the complete Six Styles of the Marines."
So much progress, in such a short time, he had to admit, this boy was growing at an impressive pace.
"The Light-Light Fruit, huh? Able to absorb sunlight to restore stamina and heal wounds, while also enhancing the body and strength under the sun."
He had already seen Ian's Devil Fruit ability and grinned at Ian. "I have to say, this devil fruit really suits you. Seems you actually took seriously what I gave you to study."
"You should know it's impossible for me to go to Marine Headquarters."
Hearing Zephyr's words, Ian, holding his one-handed axe on his shoulder, said calmly: "So, tell me, what did you come looking for me for?"
However, something unexpected happened.
"Who's looking for you? Kid, don't flatter yourself too much."
Zephyr laughed heartily at Ian's words while looking at him with disdain. "I just heard Enchi say the scenery here is nice, so I came here to rest."
"..."
Ian looked at Zephyr speechlessly, but didn't say anything else. He carried his one-handed axe and said: "Well then, if that's all, I'll be going."
"Go away! Don't disturb me while I rest."
"..."
Seriously!
Ian glanced at Zephyr, then turned and continued toward the back of the mountain.
But before he had taken a few steps, another flat voice echoed from behind him.
"I heard from Enchi that you seem to be waiting for something. That's why, for the past fifteen years, you haven't had a true battle with a strong opponent?"
"..."
Waiting for what?
What else could he be waiting for, of course, for the system to activate!
Yet he never expected that nearly twenty years would pass, and it still hadn't arrived!
Ian paused with a complex expression, and Zephyr's voice echoed again.
"Every powerful person has experienced countless life-and-death battles, and only the powerful have the opportunity to awaken the Conqueror's Haki. The weak, fearful of battle, simply cannot awaken the Conqueror's Haki."
"And though one should not overly rely on the power of a Devil Fruit, since you've already eaten one, you should also develop its ability properly."
"Consider these words as my thanks for you retrieving this arm of mine."
At that, Ian raised his eyelids slightly and, after replying faintly: "Thank you!"
He turned and continued toward the back mountain without looking back.
Zephyr also looked at the figure with emotion. After a moment's silence, he shook his head and said with regret: "This is really unexpected!"