Although they had never met, there was absolutely no way he could mistake him.
This man was without a doubt the most famous person in the entire world, and his handsome face was also the most recognizable face across the globe!
There was no way Chinjao could ever question that.
Who in this world could possibly not know the man standing before him?
The undisputed strongest in the world…
The monster who commanded the most powerful pirate crew on the seas…
The pirate emperor who had dominated the New World like no one before him!
"How could someone like him show up here?!"
Chinjao simply couldn't comprehend it. How could the emperor who ruled the New World appear in a place like this?
There was no way this guy was also a member of the Cross Guild, right?
And it wasn't just Ian!
Standing behind the man were two other monsters whose names echoed throughout the world!
Charlotte Linlin!
Dracule Mihawk!
One had once briefly shared the title of Emperor with Ian many years ago.
The other was the world's greatest swordsman, renowned everywhere.
How could these two be standing behind Ian?
A sharp uneasiness pricked at Chinjao's mind—he realized he might have been dragged into something truly terrifying.
But then… why was his heart pounding hotter and harder than ever before? What was it yearning for?
"Ian!!!"
The shrill scream stirred the dust on the floor. The moment he saw Ian's face clearly, Moria roared out, "You bastard still dare to show your face in front of me?!"
"Huh?"
Ian raised an eyebrow.
Moria's words were honestly a little difficult to understand.
In this world, the only person who technically had the right to say something like that to him should be that guy Imu.
"Ian! What do you mean by this?"
Crocodile's voice was so cold it could freeze the air. "Why are you here?"
He glanced past Ian to the figures behind him. "And BIG MOM… Mihawk… what are you two doing?"
He was an old acquaintance of Mihawk's, but even with that, he couldn't understand why Mihawk would be standing behind Ian right now.
As for Charlotte Linlin, that was even more baffling.
The old woman might have had ties with the Beasts Pirates, but judging from recent events… the hatred was far deeper than the friendship.
The battle six years ago at the Charlotte Family's former stronghold had been kept hidden, but it wasn't something no one knew about.
Facing the question from an old acquaintance, Mihawk only gave a slight shrug.
"I'm just working for someone now. Wherever the boss tells me to go, I naturally follow."
Crocodile's pupils instantly shrank to the size of needle points.
He looked at Mihawk in disbelief, then glanced at Ian.
Did this mean that Hawk-Eye had joined the Beasts Pirates… and become one of Ian's subordinates?
But why?
How could someone as prideful as Mihawk willingly serve under anyone—even if that person was Ian?
Seeing Crocodile's confusion, Mihawk let out a faint smile.
"I just want to see a higher view, that's all."
Crocodile's brows remained tightly furrowed.
He still couldn't make sense of what that meant.
And Mihawk clearly had no intention of explaining further.
Anyone who hadn't witnessed Ian's true power with their own eyes simply wouldn't understand.
"So—"
Redfield also wore an expression of shock at this moment.
He stared at Charlotte Linlin with disbelief.
"Don't tell me… even you, BIG MOM, have joined the Beasts Pirates?"
If Mihawk, a lone wolf, was shocking enough, Charlotte Linlin bowing to someone was impossible.
"That's not the case."
Ian smiled.
"Aunt Linlin has simply decided to cooperate with the Beasts Pirates."
"The reason I called her over was to set an example for all of you."
Linlin's mouth twitched.
This brat really had a unique talent for talking nonsense.
Are you sure dragging me here wasn't just to use me as a hostage?
"Set an example for us?"
Crocodile raised a brow, reacting immediately.
"So, Ian… you mean you're here to propose cooperation?"
"Of course."
Ian said pleasantly, "I'm here to invite all of you to join forces to bring down the World Government."
He continued, "Why don't we pirates unite and destroy the World Government together? Let's create a world ruled by pirates—how about it?"
Crocodile's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
This guy really thought others were idiots he could fool.
Crocodile thought bitterly, If the World Government really falls, will any of us still have the strength to resist the Beasts Pirates?
What pirate-ruled world? By that time, wouldn't it simply become a world under your rule?
At that moment, Crocodile and Big Mom silently reached a strange consensus.
He was certain—Ian just wanted to use them as cannon fodder.
But from this invitation, Crocodile also realized something else.
The Beasts Pirates were preparing to move.
They were about to begin the final war against the World Government.
So soon?!
The Cross Guild's current strength was still far too weak. They had gathered a bunch of West Blue pirates, but compared to the Beasts Pirates and the World Government, they weren't even worth mentioning.
"What kind of sick joke is this?! You actually have the nerve to stand in front of me and talk about cooperation, you damned brat!"
While Crocodile was still thinking, Moria finally lost all control and exploded. "I'll never forgive you!!"
It had been nearly twenty years since that war—or rather, that massacre—in Wano.
During all these years, Moria hadn't forgotten that despair or pain for a single day.
His treasured comrades had been slaughtered right before his eyes.
Kaido and Ian—those two bastards—he would never let them go!
"Oh?"
Ian's lips curled slightly. "So this is your way of telling me you're refusing?"
"Mamamama!"
A look of gloating amusement spread across Big Mom's face.
So they were planning to kill this whole group next, weren't they?
Wasn't that pretty nice too?
"Moria! Don't be reckless!"
Crocodile quickly rushed forward and grabbed Moria's wrist.
What kind of nonsense was this? If a fight broke out right now, what outcome could there be besides their total annihilation?
Back when they fought over the Vampire Fruit, Ian's strength had already overwhelmed them completely.
Ian's side was intimidating enough already, especially with Charlotte Linlin and Dracule Mihawk walking beside him—oh, and that inexplicably massive guy too.
Just the strength Ian brought alone was enough to completely overwhelm the Cross Guild.
**********
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