The massive Golden Winged Dragon spread its wings wide, soaring high across the endless sky.
After transforming into his beast form, Ian had become a true colossal existence.
His wingspan stretched nearly three hundred meters, and when he flew, he looked like a drifting golden cloud in the heavens.
With a body that vast, his back was naturally broad beyond belief.
Even with Kaido, Kuma, and Bullet—three giants in both frame and presence—resting on it, there was still ample room.
As for Yamato and Hancock, they barely took up any space at all.
"Isn't it a little reckless with just a handful of us, Lord Ian?"
Kuma's voice remained as gentle as always as he ran his fingers across the cover of his Bible.
"Since the World Government has already gone all out, the forces coming at us must be unimaginably strong."
"We're more than enough," Bullet sneered. "What use would the others be?"
He had no regard for the weak.
In his eyes, Yamato and Hancock were already the lowest threshold of what could be considered strong.
Anyone weaker than them wasn't just useless—they'd be nothing but dead weight, marching to their graves.
"Bullet's words may be harsh," Ian's voice rumbled through the skies like thunder rolling from within the clouds, "but he's not wrong. This time, our enemies will be many, and they'll be powerful. Allies without enough strength will only be dragged into harm's way—or worse, death."
"With just us, things are easier to manage."
He paused, a smile creeping into his voice. "Besides, why do you think I made sure to bring you along, Kuma?"
Kuma blinked in surprise.
It was true—his combat strength might not match Yamato's or Hancock's.
But if the situation turned dire, he alone could whisk his comrades away in an instant, ensuring their escape.
"Do you understand your importance now, Kuma? In this battle, your most crucial task is to protect yourself."
Kuma nodded heavily. "I understand."
He was their insurance this time.
"There's nothing to fear," Ian said with a confident smile. "No matter who our enemies turn out to be…"
"They'll still have to face me."
His voice radiated boundless confidence and unshakable pride.
"Ian!!"
Hancock's eyes immediately turned into hearts, sparkling with adoration.
A confident Ian was the most handsome Ian of all!
Even Kaido's lips curled slightly in approval.
This kid's strength… he really did have the right to say such words.
After all, Ian was the one who had utterly crushed him without a chance to resist.
In this world, who else could possibly stand against him?
"Alright, Kaido-sensei, it's your turn to carry us through the skies!"
Ian, who had just said earlier that he was still here, spoke up at this moment. "We agreed that everyone takes turns flying."
They needed to conserve their strength.
After all, the officers of the Beasts Pirates were already rushing toward the battlefield.
On the other side—
A lone sea vessel sailed quietly across the calm waters.
On the deck, Saturn sat beneath a sunshade, sipping his tea in silence.
Beside him, the Commander of the God's Knights, Figarland Garling, carefully trimmed his fingernails. "That Ian… is he really so troublesome?"
As a Celestial Dragon among Celestial Dragons, he rarely paid attention to the affairs of the seas.
He had, of course, heard the name "Ian the Skyfire," but he didn't know much about the man's deeds in detail.
Saturn set down his teacup, fell silent for a moment, and then suddenly spoke. "That kid… it sounds discouraging to say this, but even if all of us attacked at once, I doubt we could kill him."
"What?"
Garling's hand slipped, clipping his nail crooked. He stared in disbelief. "He's that strong? Don't tell me—"
He paused, his voice lowering, "You're not saying his power could rival that Lord… are you?"
"Of course, his strength hasn't reached that level," Saturn shook his head. "But his ability is… extremely troublesome."
"As long as he doesn't want to die, it's almost impossible to wound him head-on. And if he wants to escape, it's nearly impossible to stop him."
"That troublesome?"
Garling furrowed his brow.
"That's why this operation isn't truly about killing Ian," Saturn lowered his voice. "Eliminate the others, wipe out the Beasts Pirates, and reclaim Dyna Stone—that will be enough."
No matter how powerful Ian was, once left all alone, he wouldn't be nearly as terrifying.
"Then I'd very much like to see it for myself," Garling sneered. "To see just what kind of power that kid really possesses!"
"You will," Saturn replied calmly.
The sea vessel pressed onward. Their next stop was an island where they would resupply before sailing straight toward Wano.
Once they entered the seas near Wano, there would be no chance to resupply again if they wished to keep their movements hidden.
This was an uninhabited island.
On the shore, a large amount of supplies had already been prepared in advance. The World Government's group only needed to arrive and immediately replenish everything.
As the supplies were being moved, Saturn gave a word of praise.
"Stussy really did a fine job. Everything has been arranged in perfect order."
"It's just a pity that the Beasts Pirates have moved their headquarters back to Wano."
A man wearing a long robe and a mask spoke calmly from behind him.
"Otherwise, she could have provided us with more detailed intelligence. Right now, we still know nothing about the Beasts Pirates' current situation."
Saturn replied indifferently.
"Even if we know nothing, it doesn't matter. In terms of military strength, we absolutely crush the Beasts Pirates."
After all, he could summon the other four Gorōsei at any time.
He refused to believe that with such an overwhelming difference in power, Ian could still claim victory!
At the back of the deck, four Marines and the former Fleet Admiral Kong gathered together.
"Wahahaha! Brother Kong!"
Garp burst into loud laughter.
"It's been so long since you've been on the front lines. You're not going to hold us back, are you?"
Indeed, many years ago, Kong had already been promoted from Fleet Admiral to Supreme Commander of the World Government's military. Since then, he had rarely set foot on the battlefield again.
"Garp, you'd better worry about yourself first."
Kong laughed heartily, clenching his fist.
"If you're the one dragging us down, don't blame me for being rude!"
"Wahahahaha!"
Garp only continued laughing.
The current Fleet Admiral, Sengoku, couldn't help but smile.
"It's been so many years since I last fought side by side with Brother Kong. It brings back memories."
"We've never even seen Mr. Kong fight before."
Borsalino grinned slyly.
"This time, we finally get to witness it with our own eyes."
"Look forward to it!"
Kong tightened his fist, his spirit burning.
It had been far too long since he last fought, but his fighting spirit had not cooled in the slightest!
**********
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