Gion, the Rear Admiral, let out a piercing, inhuman scream.
In an instant, a gaping hole had been torn into her abdomen.
At this moment, Ian only needed to push the Sword of Destruction forward slightly to carve a massive wound from her stomach to her lower back.
Ian glanced at Vice-Admiral Tsuru, who was rushing toward them with a look of urgency.
In the end, he abandoned the idea.
With a swift motion, he formed a golden spiked club in his hand and swung it down with all his might.
The golden club struck Rear Admiral Gion square on the forehead.
The terrifying heat instantly singed her once-lustrous black hair, and the overwhelming force rendered Gion, who had no time to defend herself, completely unconscious.
Grabbing her by the shoulder to keep her from falling into the sea, Ian leisurely turned his gaze toward Vice-Admiral Tsuru, who was now approaching.
"Stop right there, Granny Tsuru, unless you want your little sister figure to die."
Vice-Admiral Tsuru came to an immediate halt. At sixty-one years old, her deeply furrowed brow showed the weight of her concern.
To defeat Gion in such a short time…
At least in his current state, armed with that crimson weapon, this boy's strength surpassed her own.
"Don't worry. I won't kill her," Ian said calmly.
After all, the Beasts Pirates weren't prepared to go to war with the Navy just yet.
"Perhaps… we can discuss business?"
"Business?" Vice-Admiral Tsuru replied. "What business could there possibly be between a pirate and the Navy?"
"Don't you want her to stay alive?" Ian asked, lifting the unconscious Gion as if to emphasize his point.
The time limit for the Phoenix's form had ended, and Ian reverted to his golden-winged state. "In any case, wait for my message."
"And one more thing—don't follow me."
Without hesitation, Ian spread his wings, flames erupting as he shot off like a fighter jet, vanishing into the horizon at incredible speed.
There was no way anyone could catch up to him now.
Vice-Admiral Tsuru remained in the sky, her expression bitter.
Who knew what this boy planned to demand in exchange for Gion?
Still, the fact that a deal could be made was a good thing.
As long as Gion was fine, that was what mattered.
When Ian returned to the Germa side, Yamato and the others were already waiting for him in the plaza behind the main gate.
Yamato scowled at Ian as he descended from the sky, clearly displeased. "Didn't you say everything was over?"
The young woman pouted angrily as she noticed Gion being carried by Ian like a sack.
"You sent me away, but then you stayed behind to enjoy the fight yourself! Ian, you're such a scoundrel right now!"
"She's the one who came chasing after me looking for trouble," Ian said, his tone defensive, as though trying to prove his innocence.
He genuinely didn't want to fight anymore.
"Oh, chasing after you to her doom, huh?"
Even Doflamingo, who had grown numb to Ian's antics, couldn't help but remark sarcastically.
"A rising star of the Navy, captured just like that?"
"Truly impressive, Mr. Ian!"
Umit chimed in with his usual sycophantic tone. "This woman is one of the most outstanding new-generation talents in the Navy!"
"Clearly, she's not that outstanding," Ian replied nonchalantly, then turned his attention to Judge. "Judge, this woman can't die yet. Can you treat her? Her injuries are severe."
The damage to her abdomen was significant. Forget whether she could ever have children again—her ability to even use the bathroom was now in question.
"I'll prepare for surgery immediately!"
Judge nodded quickly. "Don't worry, with wounds like these, even if she wants to die, I'll make sure she survives!"
Now that's the confidence of a top-tier scientist.
Without wasting time, Judge summoned a team of nurses who carefully placed Gion on a stretcher and carried her away. Judge followed hurriedly, preparing for the surgery.
"But, Big Brother Ian, why bring this woman back alive?" Jack asked, clearly puzzled. "Wouldn't it be better to just kill her?"
"That would be far too wasteful," Ian replied with a sly smile.
Ian glanced over. "This woman holds quite a high position in the Navy. I plan to use her to negotiate with them."
Doflamingo leaned in closer, a curious glint in his eyes. "What kind of negotiation are you planning?"
"I haven't decided yet," Ian replied plainly.
How could he have decided? He hadn't even thought it through.
Originally, he'd planned to just leave quietly, but this situation practically landed in his lap.
"We'll deal with it later," Ian said dismissively. "We've got more pressing matters right now, don't we?"
Doflamingo let out his signature sinister laugh. "Fufufufu... Yes, we do."
Despite his laughter, his expression was rigid, and an unmistakable killing intent radiated from him.
The two made their way back to the reception room they had been in earlier.
The room was in disarray, as if a fierce battle had taken place.
Well, not "as if"—a fight had happened here earlier.
In the center of the room, Donquixote Rosinante—Doflamingo's dear younger brother—was bound and sitting on the floor, disheveled and beaten. His face bore numerous bruises and marks from the assault he'd endured.
Standing nearby was a man dressed in a sharp suit, exuding a gentlemanly demeanor—Senor Pink.
Rosinante's expression was dark and despondent.
Not only had Drake turned against him, but he hadn't even had the chance to act before Senor, a Swim-Swim Fruit user, had emerged from the ground and delivered a brutal beating.
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