Thinking of that, Ian didn't hesitate. He looked at Gini and said directly, "Eat that Devil Fruit."
"Huh?"
Gini, who had been watching with interest, looked at Ian in surprise. "Just eat it like that? No preparation?"
"What's there to prepare?"
Ian rolled his eyes. "Just eat it. What, are you planning to throw a banquet?"
"Hehehe…"
Ian: "..."
Was this guy really planning to host a banquet to celebrate eating a Devil Fruit?!
Ian's face twitched while staring at Gini speechlessly.
Being stared at by his own boss like that, Gini showed an embarrassed smile, then lowered his head to look at the Devil Fruit in his hands.
Even though this was a Devil Fruit he had been looking forward to, when he was truly about to eat it, he felt nervous.
After all, there were negative rumours about the Devil Fruits at sea.
"Boss, then I'll eat—"
Gini took a deep breath and looked up with determination, but before he finished, suddenly: "Mmph!"
Ian, clearly impatient, grabbed the Devil Fruit and shoved the entire thing into Gini's mouth, jamming it in his throat.
Gini rolled his eyes, but Ian still held his mouth shut.
Such a thing was nothing to the people of this sea.
Eventually, Gini swallowed it, gasping hard afterward. He looked up at Ian with a resentful expression. "Boss…"
"See? You swallowed it."
"But it tastes horrible!"
Gini stuck out his tongue with a disgusted expression. "Also, isn't eating just a small bite enough?"
"It is."
"B-boss..."
"Don't get hung up on pointless details."
Ian smiled brightly at him. "Now, check your ability—"
But before he finished…
Bang!
A figure suddenly crashed toward them, scraping past Gini and slamming into the cabin door, then a calm voice followed.
"That kid's going to be killed by me! And you guys are still chatting casually?"
Hanafuda's voice sounded again, suppressed with anger. "And you even fed him my Devil Fruit."
As his voice fell, Ian, Kuma, and Gini noticed Ace, who was pushing himself up from the door.
Especially Ian... Seeing Ace beaten, his expression showed rare surprise.
Beaten?
Wasn't this the guy who supposedly lost to Ace shortly after Ace went to sea? Wasn't he even weaker than Moria?
How did Ace lose?
But thinking carefully, it wasn't strange. Ace hadn't officially set out to sea yet. His strength wasn't at the later level.
"You must be the captain of this ship, right?"
Seeing Ian unmoved, Hanafuda spoke impatiently. "Such a cold captain, watching your gifted crew get beaten, yet still looking so indifferent?"
Ian: "...?"
Who was indifferent? He was watching Ace stand back up!
Just as Ian was about to say something…
"Mr. Ian would never do that!"
Ace had already gotten up, clearly injured. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his right hand and glared at Hanafuda. "I attacked on my own. If Mr. Ian made a move, he would defeat you in one hit!"
"One hit? Hah."
Hanafuda sneered dismissively. "Who do you think he is? An Emperor of the Sea? Defeat me in one move? Don't joke."
He glanced at Ian, then at Ace. "Someone with a bit of ability but who hasn't even entered the Grand Line can only strut around in the four blues. In the New World, there are countless people stronger than him."
Ian: "..."
"You people who have never even entered the Grand Line only think he's strong."
Hanafuda looked at Ace, who lowered his head, thinking he had shamed him, and his lips curled into a satisfied smirk.
He reached his hand out toward Ace, speaking with admiration. "Kid, your name is Ace, right? You're very talented. Join me. I'll take you to the New World. I'll show you real power, people who can conquer the seas."
"..."
The scene fell silent again. Hanafuda, intending to recruit Ace, waited patiently with a smile, imagining Ace shaking his hand.
But Ace didn't respond. Instead, scratching his head, puzzled, he looked at Ian. "Mr. Ian... Are there many people like you?"
"Eh..."
Ian's face twitched. Faced with such innocence, he didn't know what to say.
After rubbing his chin, he muttered, "There are quite a lot."
A retired Marine Lieutenant, honestly, not that rare on this sea.
"I see…"
Ace looked shocked. "I thought Mr. Ian was already really strong. Even grandpa acknowledged your strength. I didn't think the sea had so many people as strong as you!"
"I didn't expect someone so cold to have self-awareness."
Hanafuda stared at Ian briefly, then shifted back to Ace. "So? Follow me. No, follow the great man I serve. Even the World Government fears him!"
"Even the World Government fears him?"
Ace spoke in disbelief. "Wow, someone stronger than even the King of the Pirates exists in this sea!"
Hanafuda: "...?"
What?
King of the Pirates???
Before the stunned Hanafuda could react, Ace stood up again and stared at him. "But I refuse!"
Ace said firmly. "I'll defeat the strong people you mentioned and become even stronger!"
Hanafuda: "?!"
Hanafuda snapped out of it, his expression turning disdainful. "Arrogant kid. You think a little talent makes you capable of defeating monsters? I'll personally crush your arrogance!"
"No, I'll be the one defeating you!"
"Then let me see your strength!"
The two were ready to clash again when a hand stopped Ace.
Ace: "...?"
Before Ace could ask…
"We're short on time. No time to watch you duel."
Ian said. "Kuma, take care of him."
"Yes, Mr. Ian."
Without hesitation, Kuma stepped forward, ignoring Ace's protest, and approached Hanafuda.
Interrupted, Hanafuda looked annoyed. "Don't you know interrupting a duel is extremely rude? And you..."
He sneered at Ian: "I thought you had some self-awareness. I guess not."
"Sorry, we're in a hurry."
Kuma adjusted his glasses. "My daughter is waiting for treatment. Please move aside."
"Arrogant bastard."
Hanafuda laughed angrily. "Fine, I'll make you understand. Strength isn't determined by size!"
But Kuma, eager to treat his daughter, didn't want to waste time. Since the man in front of him refused to move, Kuma simply raised his hand toward him.
Seeing Kuma's ordinary-looking hand, Hanafuda lifted his scythe.
In an instant, the two clashed.
"Pad Cannon!"
As expected, Kuma didn't even take a single step back. With his ungloved right hand, he struck Hanafuda before he could react.
Who the hell was this guy? No, who was capable of commanding someone like him?
But it was too late. With a boom, Hanafuda, who had underestimated Kuma, was blasted into the ocean by Kuma's Pad Cannon.