Just as his voice fell, another figure landed from the sky.
Ace pressed down his hat, rose from the dust kicked up by his landing, and grinned at Zephyr. "Gramps, it's fine, I'll keep you company."
"Get lost!"
But Zephyr had absolutely no intention of giving Ace any face. After shouting at him to get lost, he bent his body slightly and kicked off with his right foot.
Shave!
He also rushed toward the direction Ian had gone, shouting as he ran: "Oh, right, kid, go prepare a banquet for me! Tonight... No, I'm holding a three-day and three-night banquet for my grandson!"
"Uh... But I wanna go see the baby too!"
But before he finished speaking, Zephyr had already vanished from sight, leaving Ace scratching his head helplessly.
Soon after, his expression shifted into a playful grin. "Forget it, I can see the baby later! A banquet, a banquet, three days and three nights! This is amazing!"
After saying that, he happily went off to prepare the banquet.
...
Meanwhile, Ian, taking advantage of the afterglow of sunset, had already reached the destination.
Although he knew Law and Kuma, two professional doctors, were there, and there was no need to worry about any accidents, he still felt somewhat anxious as a father.
When he arrived, many people were already gathered at the door. Those who had received the message had long since come over.
Judging from the looks on their faces, the child seemed to have been born safely.
The birth of new life filled everyone's face with joy and curiosity.
This was the first life born since they came to the Island of Ohara, and also the first life born on this island since Ohara's erasure so many years ago.
"Ian!"
Ian's arrival immediately drew everyone's attention.
Seeing Law, who was holding his sword in both hands and giving him a slight nod, Ian finally felt relieved.
Just then…
Creak!
The door opened. As if sensing his arrival, Robin walked out holding a swaddled baby and said with a smile, "Ain is resting. Also, it's a boy!"
"A boy?"
Ian reached out and took the baby.
Looking at the peacefully sleeping infant, the corner of his lips rose unconsciously. Then he seemed to remember something and asked Robin: "Where's Aria?"
"She…"
Hearing Ian's question, Robin made a strange expression as she played with the baby. "She just ate and is resting with Ain."
Ian: "..."
Although Robin didn't explain in detail, Ian immediately understood. His face twisted into an awkward grin. He was just about to hand the child back to Robin and go inside to see Ain when…
"I'm here! I'm here! Kid, you didn't even wait for me!"
Zephyr's voice came as he rushed over excitedly. "Where's the child? Let me see him!"
As he spoke, he rushed to Ian's side. His eyes locked tightly onto the baby in Ian's hands.
In those eyes were expectation, nervousness, even a slight tremble at the corners of his mouth as he muttered: "Good! Good! Good!"
"Good, what good, hold him! And don't forget what I told you before!"
"Can I really? Hey, hey, hey, be careful, you kid!"
Seeing Ian hand the baby over without hesitation, Zephyr instantly became flustered.
Even though he once had a child of his own and had held his own child, at this moment, holding this new life, his face was filled with nervousness.
The muscles in his hands tensed tightly, too afraid to hold too tightly, yet also afraid of holding too loosely.
But still, holding the baby who had awakened a bit from the sudden movements, he forced out a smile.
Then, switching expressions instantly, he turned around and glared fiercely at Ian.
How could this guy call himself a father?
But Ian ignored Zephyr entirely and walked inside. As soon as he stepped into the room, he saw Ain already up, holding the sleeping Aria.
Ian asked in surprise, "Why are you up?"
"I'm fine."
Hearing his worried voice, Ain smiled and shook her head. Then she looked toward the window.
"Ian, it's a boy!"
"I already saw. You have worked hard."
Ian walked to her side and gazed out the window with her.
Outside, Zephyr was smiling like an idiot. Ian couldn't help but smile helplessly and say, "Instructor Zephyr has been looking forward to this."
"Thank you."
"Don't think a thank you is enough for me."
Ian shook his head and smiled. "I really lost big this time. Be sure to compensate me later!"
Ian: "...?"
Compensate? Compensate for what?
Before Ain could figure out what he meant, a commotion outside drew their attention.
Ain turned her head to look and saw Zephyr, who had been holding the child, suddenly lift the baby high above his head. His face was full of joy, and for some reason, his eyes were slightly moist.
"Aikes! This child shall be called Aikes! No one can interfere with your future. May your future be filled with countless unknown possibilities and hope! Even if danger comes, may you still grasp a future full of hope! My grandson, Aikes!"
As his voice fell, Zephyr turned his head, and through the window, he seemed to see the two figures inside. The corner of his mouth curled upward into a wide grin, as though saying something.
Then he turned back toward the baby, laughing heartily.
"Hahahaha!"
"Ian."
Seeing this scene, Ain finally understood everything. Her eyes turned red as she looked at Ian.
"I... You..."
"No need to thank me!"
Before she could speak, Ian winked and said with a grin: "And don't forget what I just said."
Ain: "..."
Hearing that, the deeply touched Ain looked at him helplessly, but still, the corners of her lips curved upward.
Instead of shyness, her delicate face showed a joyful smile. She nodded, her tone tinged with mysterious playfulness: "Of course…"
Before Ian could react with excitement, Zephyr's loud voice came again from outside: "A banquet! I'm holding a three-day and three-night banquet to celebrate my grandson's birth! Hahaha… everyone drink with me till you drop!"
…
Inside Marine Headquarters.
Ever since Ian and those guys disappeared to who knows where, Marine Headquarters seemed to have relaxed quite a bit.
No more Warlords of the Sea were being defeated, no need to worry about anyone destroying the New World anymore, and as for other matters... Those were all small issues, at most, a new pirate might appear, or some pirate crew might attack an island.
As long as things remained peaceful overall, these little incidents couldn't affect the plans of Marine Headquarters and the World Government at all.