Super Card System

Perhaps due to Ian’s appearance, it hindered the two Marine Admirals, Kizaru and Aokiji, which is why the Straw Hat Pirates did not face the crisis of annihilation.

This led to Kuma’s arrival but, unlike the other timeline, he did not send the Straw Hat Pirates flying. Instead, he entrusted the crew to Ian, instructing him to take them away from the imminent danger.

In Ian’s view, Kuma probably believed that since Luffy is Dragon’s son and Ian is a Revolutionary Army officer, he wouldn’t just ignore them. However, Kuma, facing the risk of exposing his identity, couldn’t involve himself further, hence passing the responsibility to Ian.

However, now that Kuma has relinquished his hold, Ian is left with a headache. Glancing at the Straw Hat Pirates, he noticed that there were three new additions compared to their time on Skypiea.

One was the skeletal musician, Brook; another was the cyborg, Franky; and the third was the original Mr. 2, the okama Bon Clay.

Well, the first two additions weren’t surprising to Ian, considering the route Luffy and the crew took. However, what’s the deal with the okama, Bon Clay?

With this motley crew handed over to him, how is he supposed to guide them?

Zoro, Luffy, and Sanji are manageable; Ian could give them guidance in swordsmanship and Haki. But how is he supposed to teach Chopper, Nami, Usopp, and Robin?

Ah well, let’s take it one step at a time.

Thinking this through, Ian addressed the group, “Let’s go. I’ll take you to a place to lay low for a while.”

With the guidance of the Ark Maxim, Ian had already instructed Doroni and Mathew to find a secluded location to anchor, so now Ian led the crew through the mangrove area of Sabaody Archipelago.

At this moment in Sabaody Archipelago, chaos reigned. It began with a group of Supernova pirates causing trouble with the World Nobles, followed by the onslaught of Marine Admirals. Then, Ian unleashed his power, causing destruction to a part of the Sabaody Archipelago. Now, the entire island was in a state of turmoil, with tourists racing to board ships and even pirates doing the same. As for the local inhabitants, particularly those residing in unlawful areas, some took advantage of the chaos to plunder, while others trembled in fear, holed up in their hideouts, afraid to venture out.

This resulted in Ian and his group not encountering many people on their way.

“Huh? Isn’t this the direction to Shakky’s bar?” Nami, being the navigator, was naturally sensitive to directions. As they walked, she noticed something was amiss and couldn’t help but ask.

“Yeah!” Ian nodded. “We’re all going there. I need to see Uncle Ray!”

Luffy suddenly became excited and caught up, “So you know Uncle Rayleigh too!?”

The Straw Hat Pirates had already met Rayleigh…

Ian shot an irritated glance at Luffy. “What do you think you’re following me for?”

If not for this particular connection, Ian wouldn’t bother with Luffy. Handling what he received from Kuma felt like a hassle now.

Brook and Franky hadn’t met Ian before and didn’t know much about him. Seeing Luffy, Nami, and the others chatting and laughing with Ian, even Chopper, typically reserved, sticking close to Ian, they found it all quite peculiar. However, they remained silent, simply observing.

As they arrived at Shakky’s Rip-off Bar, Ian took the lead and pushed open the door.

“Ha! It’s Ian, little brother?” Shakky, busy behind the bar, was delighted to see Ian and immediately greeted him.

Rayleigh was also present. Spotting Ian, a smile lit up his face as he said, “I knew it was you!”

Ian, slightly curious, asked, “Uncle Rayleigh, did you know I was on the island?”

“Yeah,” Rayleigh chuckled, “Not many can stop Admiral Kizaru, which saved this old man some trouble…”

Great, both Kuma and Rayleigh, are too lazy…

Ian rolled his eyes but then chuckled, walking over and embracing Rayleigh, patting his back. “Uncle Rayleigh, long time no see!”

Rayleigh, with a pleased expression, patted Ian’s shoulder, admiringly observing him. “Looks like you’ve grown a lot in this time.”

“Thanks to your excellent teachings!” Ian smoothly flattered him. Then, he turned to Shakky, opening his arms, “Shakky, a hug?”

“You rascal, don’t try to take advantage of Shakky!” Shakky grinned, “Have a seat. I just made some coffee or do you still want your usual tea?”

“That depends on the price, haha!” Ian laughed and gestured for everyone to take a seat.

Luffy and the others casually took their seats, but Urouge and Trafalgar Law were visibly shocked. Hearing Ian calling Rayleigh by name, triggered a sudden association for them.

“Hey, is he… Is he the Dark King Rayleigh?” Urouge couldn’t help but quietly ask Luffy.

“Ah, yeah!” Luffy chuckled and nodded in affirmation.

This revelation made Urouge and Law noticeably reserved. They had never expected to encounter a legendary figure in such a modest bar.

On the other hand, Enel was unfamiliar with matters concerning the Blue Sea and had no idea about the significance of the name “Dark King Rayleigh”. Hence, he casually took a seat without much thought.

Rayleigh, observing the group as they entered, had a fair idea. He deduced that Enel, Urouge, and Law were possibly Ian’s associates, as their presence here seemed unlikely otherwise.

After exchanging some recent updates, Shakky took the initiative to ask Ian, “Ian, did you come here specifically to find me?”

“Yes,” Ian nodded. “I received information suggesting that the Marines are assembling in the Edd War region, and it seems to be related to the Whitebeard Pirates. I came to inquire for accurate information.”

“Your information is correct,” Shakky said as she held a cigarette in her right hand, taking a drag and exhaling smoke gently. She continued, “But are you planning to get involved in this war?”

“Well, you see,” Ian furrowed his brow, “I owe the old man a big favor. Back in Salamis, if he hadn’t suddenly appeared and forced Admirals Kizaru and Kuzan to retreat, I might have been captured. I owe him a lot for that. Moreover, Ace is my brother. I can’t just stand by and watch the Navy attack them as part of a plot…”

Before Ian could finish, Luffy suddenly stood up, his eyes widening in surprise. “Ian, did you just say… Ace!?”

Ian glanced at him, not saying a word, but simply nodded.

Luffy became visibly anxious and hurried over to Ian, asking with urgency, “What are you guys talking about? What’s the deal with the Navy and how does it involve Ace?”

Ian was unsure whether to divulge this information to Luffy. He knew that if he did, knowing Luffy’s character, he would definitely want to go help Ace. So, Ian tried to calm him down.

“I don’t have specifics about the Navy’s setup in the Edd War region!” Shakky shook her head. “But I feel that joining in rashly might be too risky. You don’t have much manpower to make you a force within these two behemoths…”

“I’m well aware of that,” Ian nodded. “So I’m thinking of visiting Fish-Man Island. Perhaps I could ask Jinbe to come along. He has deep ties with the Whitebeard Pirates and wouldn’t stand idly by.”

“Jinbe, the Fish-Man Hero?” Shakky furrowed her brow. “However, I have some bad news to share. Just two days ago, the intel I received mentioned that Jinbe has been secretly arrested by the Navy!”

“What!?” Ian was shocked and couldn’t help but stand up. “Is it because he opposed the Navy’s action against the Whitebeard Pirates? But… the Shichibukai haven’t received any summons from the Navy…”

Before he could finish his sentence, Ian suddenly realized – he himself was a Shichibukai. If the Navy was summoning the Warlords for the upcoming conflict, there was no way he wouldn’t have been informed. He had been at the Navy Headquarters two days ago, and they hadn’t even mentioned this to him!

It seemed that at that moment, the Government had indeed decided to completely bypass him!

Ian and Jinbe, both Shichibukais, faced similar circumstances. One was confined within the Navy Headquarters, while the other was secretly arrested. However, the difference lay in the fact that Sengoku hadn’t mentioned the summons to Ian, so there was no excuse for his arrest. On the contrary, Jinbe opposed the Navy’s actions after receiving the summons, leading to his arrest.

The Navy perhaps held some hope for Jinbe as a Shichibukai, hence seeking his opinion. Conversely, Sengoku had no expectations for Ian, thus never inquiring from him.

Thinking about this, Ian couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief. He was fortunate to have acquired information from Kuina and managed to escape ahead of time. Otherwise, at the moment when Sengoku decided to take action, he might have been immediately imprisoned!

Ian calmed himself, taking a seat and contemplating swiftly.

If, during Ian’s confinement at the Navy Headquarters, the Navy had already issued summonses to the other Warlords, then considering the time, those willing Warlords might have already reached the Navy Headquarters.

However, not every Shichibukai would be willing to participate. For instance, Boa Hancock might not be inclined to join, especially if Luffy hadn’t been dispatched to Amazon Lily by Kuma. Yet, upon calculation, it seemed that the Navy’s available Shichibukai were actually quite few in number.

Ian remains, while Jinbe and Crocodile are incarcerated. Doflamingo has aligned with Kaido, making it improbable for the Navy to summon him back. Therefore, the only remaining Warlords are Dracule Mihawk, Gecko Moria, and Boa Hancock.

Ah, perhaps Kuma might also be counted by the Navy as one of them. After all, he was a former Warlord. Despite the suspicions raised by Kizaru and Aokiji due to today’s events, without any evidence, they would probably still consider Kuma.

With this, there are only four Warlords left. Given their deficiency in strength, the Navy might attempt various means to coerce Boa Hancock into action. They wouldn’t simply allow her to ignore everything and safeguard her own Amazon Lily. The privileges of the Shichibukai aren’t given away without reason by the Navy.

This implies that the Navy might potentially threaten Amazon Lily with a war…

Is there a way to leverage this situation? Perhaps by making the Navy’s war threat real and then, while the Navy attacks Amazon Lily, Ian could suddenly intervene from behind, weakening the Navy’s forces?

Alternatively, could there be a way to contact Boa Hancock, convincing her to comply with the Navy’s summons and, as before, act as a kind of undercover agent?