"Is this about Fish-Man Island?"
Saturn said coldly, "Your connection to that island seems closer than we thought."
"Who knows?"
Ian said indifferently, "Answer me one question, Five Elders—what do you intend to do with Fish-Man Island?"
"Are you questioning me, Ian?"
Saturn's voice grew colder. "Understand your place—"
Ian cut him off immediately, "I'm questioning you. But it's not just me—Kaido-sensei, and the entire Beast Pirates as well."
"You should understand how important Fish-Man Island is to the entire Beast Pirates."
"…Hmph."
Saturn snorted coldly. "You normally don't associate, but the moment it concerns your own interests, you band together. You really are a good master and disciple."
Members of the Whitebeard Pirates looked on in surprise.
Did this mean that the relationship between Ian and Kaido was really as tense as the rumors said—practically on the verge of war?
For their Whitebeard Pirates, that was good news.
But…
This guy was actually threatening the Five Elders!
Even as an enemy, Vista couldn't help but admire Ian's boldness at this moment.
This kid truly feared neither sky nor earth!
"It's not just us, master and disciple," Ian chuckled lightly, picked up the Den Den Mushi, and handed it to Whitebeard sitting beside him.
"Here, Whitebeard-san, say hello to him."
"What?"
Saturn suddenly startled. "You said Whitebeard?"
"Hmph, that voice—weren't you also at the Valley of the Gods back then, Five Elders?"
Whitebeard had already understood Ian's plan. He snorted coldly, "Don't forget, Fish-Man Island is my territory!"
"…"
The line on the other end instantly went silent.
Several seconds later, Saturn's slightly angry voice came through, "Whitebeard! Have you forgotten the hatred between you, Ian, and the Beasts Pirates?"
"Do I need your permission to decide what I'm doing?"
Whitebeard sneered coldly.
Ian put down the Den Den Mushi with a smile and said, "So, you understand now, Five Elders. It's the Beasts Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates. It's me, Kaido-sensei, and Whitebeard-san questioning you."
"You—can your World Government give us an answer? Otherwise, we'll have no choice but to take action."
"...You brat!!!"
Saturn's voice trembled, clearly furious. "Are you threatening me?"
"You can think of it that way if you want."
Ian spoke calmly. "Or maybe you want to try and see just how far we're capable of going?"
Saying it again—even as an enemy, this guy's behavior was truly shocking!
Vista stared at Ian without blinking.
There was no response on the other end of the phone.
Ian was in no hurry.
The power of three Emperors united—he figured the Five Elders must have done their risk assessment already.
More importantly, if they really went up against the Whitebeard Pirates and the Beast Pirates, would the Revolutionary Army and the Charlotte Family just ignore it?
By then, it would truly be a world war.
The World Government might not be afraid.
But the Five Elders would have to ask themselves—was it really worth it just for Fish-Man Island?
Not long after, the Den Den Mushi changed appearance, now showing a bald head and a pointed mustache.
"Ian, what exactly are you trying to do?"
The voice changed as well.
Ian took a moment to study the image on the Den Den Mushi. That look—wasn't it Warcury?
He replied lightly, "Let me make one thing clear, Five Elders. It's not what I want to do, it's what you want to do."
"You know how important Fish-Man Island is to the Beast Pirates, yet you still make a move against it. That's provocation."
"Honestly, I have to thank you. If it weren't for you, I never would have imagined I'd one day be able to work together with Whitebeard-san."
"Hmph."
Whitebeard let out a cold snort. "I don't care what you want to do to this brat, but don't lay a hand on Fish-Man Island!"
"That's exactly what we mean."
Ian said firmly, "If you want to start a war, then we'll see it through to the end!"
"..."
On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, there was only silence.
After a long pause, Warcury finally spoke, "We have no intention of doing anything to Fish-Man Island."
Marco's eyes suddenly widened.
The Five Elders' attitude really had softened!
"We just want to imitate your damn Hive Mining and create an organization to explore underwater mineral resources for our world government," Warcury explained.
Ian chuckled lightly. "But if it weren't for this call of mine, who knows how many people on Fish-Man Island would have already become slaves digging for your mines?"
Whitebeard sneered.
Though Ian was a bastard and a scumbag, his words were not wrong.
"If you want the underwater minerals," Ian said, "let Fish-Man Island set up their own mining company. That'll solve their unemployment problem nicely. Then you can just buy from them. I can even ask Neptune to give you a discount."
Warcury didn't say a word.
Even with a discount, buying from the Fish-Men wasn't the same as getting them to slave away for free, was it?
"In any case," Ian said, "If Neptune and Otohime don't make it out of Mary Geoise safely, and if Fishman Island ends up being invaded by you guys, then just wait and see."
He hung up the Den Den Mushi immediately.
The deck of the Moby Dick was silent, everyone stunned as they looked at him.
Was he seriously threatening the Five Elders directly?
Ian put away the Den Den Mushi and smiled, "Done."
Mary Geoise, Pangaea Castle, the center of power.
"That bastard actually dares to threaten us. Who does he think he is!"
After the call was cut off, the angry Warcury crushed the Den Den Mushi in his hand.
"But," One of the Five Elders holding a sword said calmly, "Is it really worth going to war with the entire Beast Pirates and Whitebeard Pirates just for Fishman Island?"
"..."
The Five Elders fell silent instantly.
How many years' worth of mining from Fishman Island would it take to make up for the losses from fighting these groups?
That loss wasn't even worth calculating.
"So, does that mean we just have to accept Ian's threat?"
Saturn was still unwilling.
If they let Ian act so recklessly, where would the government's dignity go?
Where would their own dignity as the Five Elders go?
"Or," Peter, dressed in a red suit, said, "Just as Ian said, we can choose to go to war with them."
"..."
No one spoke again.
If it were just the Beast Pirates, although already terrifying, there wouldn't be such fear.
But with the Whitebeard Pirates added into the mix, it was a completely different matter.
"Hm?"
Mars, with his long beard, suddenly twitched his eyelid. "Neptune and his wife have encountered the Celestial Dragons."
The Five Elders exchanged glances, falling silent for a moment.
After the brief pause, Warcury finally shook his head.
"Go stop that fool."
They had already made their decision.
The Moby Dick.
"Enjoy this trip to Mary Geoise, Neptune. Make more friends."
"Ian??"
Before Neptune on the other end of the Den Den Mushi could ask further, Ian abruptly ended the call.
He trusted the Five Elders knew what to choose.
Ian put away the Den Den Mushi and looked toward Whitebeard.
"Then it's settled, Whitebeard-san. If the World Government moves against Neptune and his wife concerning Fish-Man Island, we will attack them together."
"No need for you to say more."
Whitebeard sneered. "Fish-Man Island is my territory; of course, I'll protect it!"
"Excellent."
Ian nodded lightly. "Then, I shall return now."
"Return?"
Whitebeard suddenly stood up and casually grabbed the naginata lying nearby. The heavy end of the blade slammed hard onto the deck.
"I don't think this matter is over yet. How about you stick around for a while longer?"
"Oh?"
Ian smiled and turned back, removing Surtur from his shoulder.
"Is Whitebeard really this hospitable?"
"More hospitable than that — you're about to see it now!"
The massive naginata was raised high.
Shockwaves and haki coiled tightly around the blade.
"Move aside! Everyone, move aside!!"
Marco shouted loudly, "Pops's about to fight!!"
Ian's lips curled up as he flicked his hand; a fiery sword instantly took shape, black patterns spreading across its surface.
Golden flames spread over his body as he instantly shifted into his beast form.
If that's the case, then let's have a proper test of Whitebeard's strength.
"You brat!!"
Whitebeard roared, his naginata coming down with a heavy slash.
Fishman Island should be safe now.
Then, it was time to settle the score with this brat!
Oden, Toki, Izou, Nekomamushi, Inuarashi!
Their deaths were all connected to this kid.
And also Thatch, his beloved son!
Anger poured into that strike!
The fierce wind whipped Ian's hair as he faced Whitebeard's ruthless attack, laughing boldly.
"Come on! Whitebeard-san!"
Gripping his sword with both hands, then swinging it!
Blades clashed, shaking heaven and earth in an instant!
Boom!!!
As usual, the sky cracked open.
**********
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