Sailing: I Open Treasure Chests in the Pirate World

Ace launched into a long, rambling speech.

"I don't understand any of those things you're talking about, like 'red hair,' 'straw hat,' 'destiny,' 'devil fruit,' and I don't know if they're even real."

"However, since you say they are all related to my brother, I can't just ignore this matter."

“I can travel with you, but I’m not on your crew.”

Ian smiled, picked up a grilled king of the near sea skewers, and handed it to Ace.

"You're so awkward, Ace. Even the girl I recruited before wasn't as awkward as you."

Talk about it.

Ian has been away from the Konomi Islands, where Cococia Village is located, for several days now.

After this trip to Dawn Island is over, let's return to the Corno Islands...

"My personality isn't awkward at all!"

Ace took the grilled meat, took a bite, and the scalding hot meat made him exhale repeatedly.

"Whoosh... It's so hot!"

Ian looked at the scene before him and chuckled again.

After Ace finally managed to eat the piece of meat in his mouth, he continued to ask.

"Besides me, who else did you recruit? That big oaf from earlier, right?"

"No, that clay figure just now was Hanafda, the former Shichibukai, the Lizard King."

At this point, Ian couldn't help but glance at Ace.

Ace's talent level was indeed outstanding.

If it weren't for Ian's interference...

The one who truly defeated the Lizard King was Ace!

In just one year at sea, he defeated the famous Seven Warlords of the Sea.

Moreover, she is a Zoan-type Ancient Zoan Devil Fruit user who can do sit-ups.

That's a very strong record!

Ace nodded like a chick pecking at rice.

“I know! The newspapers say you defeated that Shichibukai and took his place.”

"Yes... I have other subordinates."

Images of Robin and the others flashed through Ian's mind.

"By the way, Ace, there's something I need to remind you of."

"My subordinates, to be precise, two of them, might really dislike you."

Ace tightened his grip on the fish meat.

"Why? Because of my identity."

"It's not just because of that."

Ian shook his head and offered a casual explanation.

"They were both from the South China Sea, and one of them was born in 1501."

Ace tilted his head, and several large question marks vaguely appeared on it.

"What did you say? I don't understand..."

"Simply put it..."

Ian gave a brief explanation.

"In 1500, your father fell seriously ill and surrendered to the navy, and was then publicly executed."

"After that, the World Government inexplicably discovered your existence."

"In order to find you, the world government and navy launched a massive search operation in the South China Sea, during which a large number of pregnant women and infants were 'disposed of,' resulting in numerous human tragedies..."

"...Hey, what's with that gloomy look on your face?"

Ace said with self-reproach and pain.

"So all those people... died because of me, right?"

"Huh? Are you out of your mind?"

Ian’s words were elegant and gentle.

"This matter involves the World Government and the Marine Headquarters, your father, your mother, and even that old man Garp cannot escape responsibility."

"But you?"

"You were just a bunch of cells back then, or even just—cough! Anyway, you shouldn't be blamed for anything!"

Rough words are not rough.

In Ian's view

No one can choose their own birth.

When the World Government and the Navy Headquarters launched the search operation in the South China Sea, Ace was still in his mother's belly!

How can you blame this on Ace, who wasn't even born yet?

Ian's words were rather harsh.

But at least it alleviated Ace's feelings of guilt.

"I'll apologize to those two when I meet them later..."

"...It's up to you, but whether they accept it or not is beyond my control."

The two people Ian was referring to were none other than Kidd and Kira.

Kira was born in 1497, and Kidd was born in 1501.

And if Ian remembers correctly.

At least Kira knew about the "South China Sea Navy's arrest of pregnant women and infants." (Chapter 43)

It is highly likely that both of these people were eyewitnesses to the "South China Sea manhunt incident" years ago...

As Ian pondered this, he suddenly frowned.

"Why do I suddenly feel like something's not quite right?"

Ace, who was eating the King of the Near Seas barbecue, looked up in confusion.

"what happened?"

"If I include you, my team composition seems a bit strange!"

Ian's expression turned a little strange.

The bear is a descendant of the Bakania people.

Bonnie was Satan's experiment.

Robin is the successor of Ohara.

Ace is the son of the Pirate King.

That is to say.

Four people in Ian's team are definitely enemies of the World Government!

Only he, Kid, Killer, and Nami have relatively "clean" backgrounds.

Ace didn't understand what Ian was saying.

"what happened?"

"It's nothing... It's all the World Government's fault!"

Ian stopped talking and sped up his eating.

Seeing this, Ace felt a strange competitive spirit well up inside him and also sped up his eating.

A vast, near-shore king.

Ian and Ace quickly devoured it.

Ace was so bloated he was like a balloon, slumped on the ground, unable to move.

Ian's belly was also stuffed full.

But he simply took a deep breath, and [Life Return] quickly began to operate.

It only takes a breath.

Ian's body then returned to its original size.

Ace witnessed this scene and was instantly shocked.

"Clam!?"

"I'm about 70% full!"

Ian touched his stomach and then looked at Ace.

"Ace, do you want to leave with me now, or do you want to say goodbye to your brother and the others?"

"I'd better go back to Mount Colbo first."

Ace glanced at the sea not far away, a longing flashing in his eyes.

"At least... I need to see Luffy, and Dadan too."

"what ever."

Ian left Ace his Den Den Mushi contact information.

"Contact me when you decide to go to sea."

"I'll come get you."

Ace accepted the string of numbers, then looked up as the Blue-Eyes White Dragon flew away.

Not long after.

The blue-eyed white dragon disappeared into the horizon.

Ace had also digested most of the roasted meat from the King of the Near Sea that he had just eaten.

He stood up, looked around, and suddenly realized a big problem.

Without a boat, how do I get back to Dawn Island?

Chapter 131 was merely the master's task. So sad~

Above the blue-eyed white dragon.

Ian, using his Observation Haki, clearly heard the "plop" sound coming from the direction of the deserted island behind him, and a slight smile immediately appeared on the corner of his mouth.

Who gave you the right to keep calling me "Hey," you impolite "Supreme Great Sword"!

Swim back to Dawn Island!

Ian rode the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, gradually moving away from the Kingdom of Goa.

Despite the very awkward attitude Portgas D. Ace just displayed.

However, Ian still managed to tame this exceptionally talented "Supreme Grade Sword".

In this case.

Ian also doesn't plan to meet the other member of the "D Clan" on Dawn Island.

After all, Monkey D. Luffy is Ace's "foolish little brother".

Ian couldn't do anything too outrageous to him.

Honestly.