"But, Ian-nii," Jack asked, "What should we do? Should we help Shiki?"
"Help Shiki? How could you think that, Jack?" Ian casually replied. "We're just here to watch the show."
"Huh?" Jack blinked in confusion.
"Watch the show?" Law smirked. "You came all the way from the New World just to watch a show?"
"Isn't that enough?" Ian chuckled lightly. "There probably won't be another spectacle like this for a long time."
According to the information Morgans had passed along, the Marines this time are pulling out all the stops.
Garp and Sengoku are leading the charge, and accompanying them are Kizaru and Aokiji.
This level of strength is enough to wipe out any Pirate Emperor crew in the New World, to the point where Ian would hesitate not at all in running away with his friends—it's almost exaggerated.
Shiki indeed touched a nerve with the World Government.
No matter how people speak of it, the four seas are the foundation of the World Government's rule.
Compared to the chaotic Grand Line, these four seas provide the World Government with more tax revenue and Heavenly Tribute.
Of course, besides enjoying the spectacle, Ian had other goals for coming to the East Blue.
It was now the end of the year in the Sea Circle Calendar, 1511, with only a few days left until the new year.
This meant that the Nika Fruit was about to appear.
Although the actions of Shiki would likely disrupt the plot entirely, Ian still wanted to take a chance.
The Five Elders had said that the Nika Fruit seemed to have its own consciousness, which meant that if they just waited in Windmill Village, there might be a chance to obtain it, right?
By the way, they could also recruit some talents. They needed to act quickly, or who knew when Shiki might drop in and crush them.
As Ian thought this, the group had already arrived at the central square of the town.
Naturally, the square was empty, with only a metal platform standing silently in the middle.
"Was this where the Pirate King died, on that execution platform?" Drake stared intensely at the platform.
But no matter how he looked, he couldn't find anything special about it.
It was just an ordinary platform.
However, Yamato couldn't wait and leaped high, easily crossing the square and landing lightly on the platform.
"Oh! Oh!"
She looked around in amazement, as if she had witnessed something extraordinary. "Is this what the Pirate King saw before he died?"
"Eh?"
Drake couldn't help but be confused. "Would you see something different from up there?"
"Not at all!"
Yamato replied matter-of-factly.
"Then why are you amazed?"
Law felt speechless.
She really thought she had seen something extraordinary.
"Because," Ian appeared beside Yamato, standing shoulder to shoulder with her, and lightly smiled as he looked ahead, "The Pirate King died looking at a scene like this."
Though many people were there at the time.
"Exactly!"
Yamato said with a cheerful smile, "We're seeing the same thing the Pirate King saw back then!"
This was what was called a dislocated time and space.
Hancock instantly clenched her fists.
That annoying sense of camaraderie again!
Hm?
Ian, who had been somewhat admiring the view, suddenly furrowed his brows.
Enel quickly turned around to look behind them, "Someone's coming!"
"Someone?"
Law paused, "What kind of person?"
"Someone really strong!"
Yamato's expression grew serious.
"Not just strong!"
Hancock also looked serious.
"Someone really strong?"
The group instantly grew serious.
If Yamato said the person was strong, then they were certainly no weakling!
"Is it the Navy?"
Jack clenched his fists, ready for a fight.
"Probably not."
Ian's mouth curled into a smirk.
The next moment, a cyan-green slash tore through the buildings in its path, splitting everything in the way in half, and ruthlessly headed toward Ian.
"A slash?"
Hancock was taken aback, "A slash of this level?"
Her keen eyesight could tell that the strength of this slash was not something an ordinary swordsman could pull off!
Ian swung his right leg, and a vacuum wave shot out.
Mixed with an internal destruction-level Haki, the vacuum wave was accompanied by streaks of pitch-black lightning.
Boom!
The vacuum wave collided violently with the emerald green slash, causing a massive shockwave to spread out, leaving cracks on the surrounding ground and buildings as if they had been hit by a flying slash.
"Just the aftershock?"
Black Maria gasped.
What level of slash is this?
"I came here to revisit the old places, to pay homage to the late Pirate King. But I didn't expect to run into you here."
A calm voice, mixed with a hint of excitement, echoed from the distance.
At the end of the continually torn houses, a black shadow shot out from the rooftop. "Ian the Skyfire, what a pleasant surprise."
"I feel the same way. I didn't expect to see you here."
Ian smirked slightly, looking at the man who gently landed on the plaza. "I still vividly remember the duel you had with Shanks."
"Dracule Mihawk!"
The visitor wore a black coat, with a black hat adorned with white fur, and behind him was a large sword decorated with magnificent jewels. The most striking feature, of course, was his pair of sharp, eagle-like eyes.
It was indeed a surprise.
Ian never expected to encounter this guy while simply coming to pay respects to the Pirate King.
"Mihawk!"
Jack suddenly exclaimed, "The world's greatest swordsman! This guy is actually here!"
Yes, at this time, Mihawk had already earned the title of the world's greatest swordsman.
Although he wasn't the strongest in the world, unfortunately, the top-tier fighters in the world no longer included any swordsmen.
The only sword-wielding fighter, Big Mom, focused more on overwhelming strength, and had nothing to do with swordsmanship.
"A man like you appearing in the East Blue..."
Mihawk smirked.
Ian continued, "Is it because of the legendary Golden Lion Shiki?"
"Of course!"
Mihawk responded with enthusiasm. "Golden Lion Shiki, I grew up hearing his legends. He was one of the strongest swordsmen of the previous era. His legendary sword, the 'Oto and Kogarashi,' was invincible across the seas."
"I've always regretted not having faced him before. Now that he's back, I definitely can't miss this chance! Which is stronger, the new era or the old one? This time, let's settle it once and for all!"
Fortunately, this guy didn't run into the previous Shiki, or he'd probably be sorely disappointed.
As for the current Shiki, he should be satisfied, right?
"But—"
Hawkeye's eagle-like eyes locked onto Ian, and his hand reached for the hilt of the sword on his back. "To meet you here is also a pleasant surprise!"
"Come, let me witness it, Ian the Skyfire! The power of the Fourth Emperor!"
"Hey, hey, hey, you're really quite fiery," Ian couldn't help but laugh. "Isn't this our first time meeting?"
"Isn't that even better?"
Hawkeye's lips curled upward as his long sword pointed straight at Ian. "There's nothing more sincere than a battle as an introduction."
"Is that so?"
Ian reached back and ran his hand through his hair. "Really, I have no way of dealing with you."
As expected of the former Marine Hunter.
He relied on simplicity and brutality.
"Then let's get properly acquainted."
**********
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