Encountering Hanafuda was just a small accident for Ian and the others.
After dealing with Hanafuda, the ship continued toward its destination, Swallow Island.
However, Ace, who had his opponent stolen from him, seemed a little gloomy and muttered resentfully: "I wanted to handle him myself!"
"You're not his opponent right now."
Hearing Ace's words, Ian said lazily, "While you might be able to do sit-ups and outlast that guy, we don't have that many right now."
"Sit-ups? What is that? I don't know how to do that!"
"That's not important."
"Even if I'm not his opponent now."
Ace didn't dwell on what sit-ups were and continued pouting: "I'll be able to defeat him in the future!"
"No need. There are plenty of strong guys like him on the sea."
Ian waved casually: "You can just defeat someone else in the future, or maybe you'll beat someone even stronger than him!"
"That's right!"
Hearing Ian's words, Ace's gloom vanished instantly. He pressed down the brim of his hat and revealed a bright smile. "I'll definitely defeat someone even stronger than him!"
Then, with anticipation and excitement in his voice, he added: "I didn't expect that even someone as strong as you, Mr. Ian, has many equals on the sea, and that there are even people stronger than the King of the Pirates!"
Hands on his hips, he declared: "That's so exciting! I've decided, one day I'm going to defeat someone stronger than the King of the Pirates, surpass the King of the Pirates, and prove that I'm stronger than the King of the Pirates, stronger than everyone!"
Ian: "..."
The King of the Pirates... Although Ian wasn't certain how strong Ace's father was, there was no doubt that Roger, who sat on the King of the Pirates' throne, had one of the strongest strengths on the sea.
Defeat someone stronger than the King of the Pirates in today's world?
Ian looked at Ace with a strange expression, but when he saw Ace's hopeful, determined face, as if he had already found his goal, Ian thought for a moment and didn't crush the young man's dream.
He nodded and said in a calm tone: "Alright, do your best."
He only hoped that when the kid eventually understood that Hanafuda didn't mean that, he wouldn't lose his sense of direction again.
Ian turned his head and looked at Gini, who was happily playing with his new ability.
Ever since he ate the Devil Fruit, this guy became extremely excited, making his hand invisible one moment, then his head invisible the next, with strange light flashing in his eyes.
Who knew what he was thinking?
But Ian didn't disturb him. Stroking his chin, he gazed thoughtfully at Gini's transparent body parts.
Since they already had the Clear-Clear Fruit, going to Karakuri Island would be much easier. He wouldn't even need to go himself; Kuma and Gini could handle it.
After fulfilling his promise to Kuma, he would finally be able to go home.
However, just as Ian was lost in thought…
Bang!
The ship seemed to hit something again, making Ian stand up helplessly.
"What did we hit this time? Another pirate?"
There were really a lot of pirates in the North Blue!
"Not pirates, no, maybe it's pirates?"
Gini, who had been playing with his ability, suddenly stared with his eyes wide open. "It's... A ship! A really huge ship, boss!"
"I already see it."
Ian raised an eyebrow.
Looking at the massive ship in front of them, he already had a guess and frowned: "The Giant Warrior Pirates? No... It's the New Giant Warrior Pirates?"
"Hahaha, we're not the Giant Warrior Pirates, no, we haven't formed a pirate crew yet."
A loud, bold voice echoed: "We may not have formed a pirate crew yet, but I believe we will surpass the Giant Warrior Pirates one day!"
As the voice reached them, Ian could now see the people aboard the massive ship.
He turned his head toward Gini and asked, "Who's the navigator on our ship? How do you even collide with a ship this big?"
"Huh? Oh, right!"
Gini finally realized and angrily turned to his subordinate behind him. "Who was steering the ship? Are you blind?"
But that question made the helmsman look wronged. "Boss, actually, I dodged them, but they didn't dodge. They just charged straight at us! If I hadn't turned in time, our ship would've flipped over."
Everyone: "...?"
Everyone instantly looked up at the giants on the New Giant Warrior Pirates' ship.
The giant who found himself the center of attention scratched his head awkwardly and laughed: "We just saw a ship and wanted to take a look. Didn't expect to crash straight into you, hahaha!"
"Stop laughing, Hajrudin. Hurry and apologize!"
Another voice came from behind, definitely a female giant's voice, drawing everyone's attention again.
A tall but slender female giant appeared, with long golden hair tied into two braids.
With a helpless tone, she said, "I told you to slow down. What if you flipped their ship?"
"How can he apologize to these dwarves?"
Another giant appeared, wearing a yellow striped scarf, speaking discontentedly. "We're giants! And he's our captain!"
"So what if we're giants? Humans helped giants a lot in the past!"
"I disagree!"
"Calm down, Road. Gerth is right, I should apologize."
Hajrudin shouted at the angry Road, then turned toward Ian, preparing to apologize enthusiastically.
"No need to apologize. Just pay—"
Ian waved his hand, cutting him off, but before he could finish…
"You're really self-aware, human."
Road had a satisfied expression. "Looks like you understand the greatness of the giants."
"No, I'm just giving Dorry and Brogy a face."
Ian ignored Road completely. This guy would later even kidnap the Straw Hats, then cry and repent after getting beaten, someone without self-awareness.
Turning toward Hajrudin again, Ian said, "Just cover the repairs for the ship."
But as soon as he said that, all the giants on the massive ship froze while staring at Ian with wide eyes.
"Wait, Dorry? Brogy? You know the Dorry the Blue Ogre and Brogy the Red Ogre? Where are they?!"
"Hajrudin, calm down, wa-wait, don't jump over!"
But now that he finally had news about Dorry the Blue Ogre and Brogy the Red Ogre, Hajrudin couldn't hold back. He was about to jump toward Ian's small ship.
"Hajrudin…"
Boom!
A terrifying shockwave blasted through, making all the giants widen their eyes and stopping Hajrudin in his tracks.
They all looked at Ian in disbelief.
Hakoku Sovereignty!