After Stussy left, an old friend, Morgans, hurried over to find out what was happening.
"What?"
When he learned what Ian intended to do, Morgans got so excited that every feather on his body stood on end.
"Ian, you're going to go to war with Kaido? You're going to completely take over the entire Beasts Pirates?"
"That's right."
Ian nodded lightly.
"This is—so—cool!!"
Morgans was so thrilled he almost fainted on the spot.
"The world's strongest pirate crew is finally going to be officially formed?"
"Hahaha! Please let me report on it firsthand!"
Morgans bowed deeply to Ian.
"If I miss a news story like this, I might have no choice but to… end myself!"
Well, missing a single news report probably wouldn't drive him that far.
Still, Ian didn't mind.
Wouldn't it be fun to have Morgans spread the results of the war to the whole world the moment it ended?
Ian only asked that Morgans not report anything before the battle was over.
As always, he didn't want anyone meddling in this ultimate master-and-apprentice war.
Soon, after the troops were assembled, the day of departure arrived.
Ian stood aboard the Golden Dragon, with his loyal companions behind him.
Full of spirit—how should one put it? Full of spirit?
"Then,"
Ian raised his right hand and gave the final command,
"Set—"
"Ian!!"
A wild, boisterous laugh rang out across the distant sea.
Ian, just about to announce the fleet's departure, was genuinely taken aback.
"Huh?"
The corner of his mouth twitched as he looked toward the distant sea.
A massive metal ship was rapidly approaching.
Bullet stood at the bow of the ship, laughing wildly. "Could it be that this force was prepared just for me?"
"Hahaha! Its scale is already on par with the Navy's Buster Call!"
He was overflowing with excitement. "Perfect! Absolutely perfect! There's no better moment than now!"
Ian's eye twitched.
This bastard wanted to launch a third challenge while so many ships were gathered at the port?
He really knew how to pick his timing.
Indeed, with so many warships and weapons, it would maximize his Awakened Devil Fruit's power.
But a fleet that had taken so much effort to assemble—how could he let this guy mess it up?
"Don't get in the way, Bullet," Ian shouted. "This isn't the time to fight you. If you want a challenge, wait until I come back."
"Who cares about you!"
Bullet roared with laughter. "A challenge, of course, is for the challenger to decide when and where it begins!!"
This bastard didn't listen to anyone at all.
Ian sighed.
Fine, spend a little time dealing with him.
Keep the damage to a minimum.
If the third challenge succeeds, this guy would become one of his subordinates.
Hey, and it would also give Kaido-sensei an unexpected surprise.
Once he defeated Kaido-sensei and absorbed the Wano branch, the Beasts Pirates under his command would officially be above the level of a Yonko!
Who knows if the Rocks Pirates were ever this extravagant!
Thinking of that, Ian's irritation oddly turned into pleasure.
"Oh! The Demon Heir! Douglas Bullet!"
Morgans, holding a phone, snapped photos wildly toward the rapidly approaching Bullet while asking, "Ian! What's going on? Is this guy here to cause you trouble?"
"You'll find out soon enough."
Ian said casually.
He gave the order, "Everyone, get off the ships for now. Clear all the vessels."
The pirates didn't understand, but since this was Ian's command, they had no choice but to obey.
All the pirates disembarked, leaving only an empty fleet in the harbor.
"Brother Ian, are you sure this is okay?"
Jack asked.
He wasn't worried about the outcome of the battle.
Come on, how could Brother Ian possibly lose?
He had never seen Ian lose in his entire life.
Of course, except for the training with Lord Kaido.
He was just worried that Bullet's power might destroy the fleet.
Even with their influence, bringing in another fleet would be a huge hassle.
It would just cause unnecessary delays.
"It's fine."
Ian smiled as he watched Bullet and his massive metal ship approaching.
"He won't have the chance to cause much damage."
"Understood."
Jack nodded heavily. Since Brother Ian said so, he had no doubts at all.
"Come on! Ian!!"
Bullet's laughter shook the sails of the warship as he drew closer.
"This is the final battle!"
Ian simply raised his right hand. "Surtur."
It was time to get serious.
The fire spirit resting on his shoulder obediently flew into his hand, and in the blink of an eye, it transformed into a golden sword.
"Let me show you the strongest power I've gained after all this training!!"
Bullet laughed maniacally as a purple aura spread down from his body, sweeping across the sea in an instant.
The ships docked in the harbor were instantly engulfed.
And the purple waves didn't stop there—they surged toward the buildings on Hive Island further back.
"Oh, this won't do."
Ian clenched his hand lightly, and in an instant, the Golden Sword turned a deep, crimson red.
With a casual flick backward, a surging wave of scarlet erupted like a tsunami.
The raging flames collided directly with the purple wave spreading across the sea.
The purple wave was instantly burned away, leaving not even a trace of residue.
"How is this possible!"
Bullet, enveloped in the purple light, looked stunned.
Had his ability been destroyed?
Could Ian's flames really reach this level?
But it didn't matter!
A few fewer buildings on the island were inconsequential; with these warships, it was more than enough!
The power of the Clank Fruit activated. Every ship on the sea was swallowed up, merging to form a massive purple monster hundreds of meters tall.
"Unbelievable!"
Law stood on the shore, tilting his head in amazement. "Isn't this over the top?"
"The key," Drake said quietly, "is that the entire body of the giant is wrapped in Armament Haki… such an absurd amount of Haki!"
"One strike from that could devastate the entire Hive Island."
"So strong!"
Yamato's gaze was grave.
After awakening, Bullet's presence had intensified to an exaggerated degree!
But…
She lifted the corner of her mouth in a faint smile.
On the dock, Ian looked almost insignificant, like a mere insect, compared to the enormous creature whose lower half towered in the water.
The crimson blade in his hand seemed no bigger than a toothpick.
"Hahaha! Ian! Prepare to die!!"
A massive fist, tens of meters wide, crashed down like a falling mountain.
Lightning of intense Conqueror's Haki discharged violently as the punch thundered toward Ian.
Ian smiled.
Whoosh!!
In the next instant, he vanished from where he stood.
"What?"
Inside the giant, Bullet's eyes instantly narrowed.
So fast?
Ian was like a streak of black lightning, flashing through the air.
Too late!
The massive fist crashing down couldn't possibly hit him!
Bullet raised his other arm, trying to grab Ian.
But it was already too late.
Ian was about to reach the giant's chest.
"Damn it!"
Bullet roared, and countless black spikes shot out from the giant's chest, wrapped in dual-colored Haki, aiming to pierce Ian.
Ian chuckled lightly and swung his Destruction Sword with his right hand.
"Heaven and Earth Ashes."
A crimson slash suddenly appeared in the sky.
The black spikes vanished without a trace, and the giant's chest was torn open in an instant.
"Waa! What?!"
Bullet spat blood, screaming in disbelief.
Had his Armament Haki offered no protection at all?
**********
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