As he spoke, he looked at Ian. "Mr. Ian, are we going somewhere to have fun? I thought we were just going straight back. This trip has been pretty boring."
These words instantly aroused the curiosity of the others.
Even Zephyr stroked his chin, a slight glint flashing in his eyes, and nodded. "Last time we left too hastily and indeed didn't take a proper look. That place is quite interesting. Aria and Aikes would be interested in it."
Ian: "..."
Hearing everyone's words, Ian immediately fell silent. In the end, he turned his head to look at Kuma beside him. "Kuma, make a trip! Bring everyone over. We can take the opportunity to do some sightseeing along the way."
After saying that, he turned to look at Violet again. "Sorry to trouble you to host us."
"No trouble, no trouble at all."
A happy smile immediately appeared on Violet's face, and she solemnly performed a salute. "It is our honor."
Immediately after, without any further hesitation, she said, "Excuse me," and returned directly to her own ship, intending to first notify Dressrosa so everyone could prepare to receive them.
After Violet left, at this moment, Gerd also walked out with a solemn expression, then she said to Ian: "Mr. Ian, I already heard about the matter from Hajrudin. Thank you for saving my life. To be honest..."
With a trace of a bitter smile, she continued: "After being captured by those guys, I didn't know what to do at all. I really thought I was going to become a slave of the Celestial Dragons. I even thought about whether I should just die like that. I absolutely couldn't disgrace the name of Elbaph."
As she spoke, before Ian could say anything after hearing these words, Gerd suddenly knelt on one knee.
With a serious expression on her face, she performed a warrior's salute.
"I, Gerd, will accept your employment until the end of your life. Thank you for saving my life."
Everyone: "...?!"
Hearing Gerd's words, everyone froze in place.
Especially Hajrudin, whose expression changed as he anxiously shouted: "Gerd..."
"Sorry, Hajrudin. It looks like I'm going to withdraw from the New Giant Warrior Pirates."
Gerd looked at Hajrudin apologetically. "But no matter, we are still companions and comrades-in-arms."
"I..."
Hajrudin stared blankly at Gerd. When he saw the seriousness in her eyes, he understood that she had already made her decision, but he still asked in a solemn tone: "Are you sure?"
"I'm sure, Hajrudin. I have already sworn in the name of a warrior!"
"Alright, I respect your choice."
Hajrudin smiled bitterly and nodded. Then he looked at Ian. "Mr. Ian, Elbaph will absolutely not forget your kindness!"
Ian: "..."
Looking at the two who had already discussed everything, Ian was somewhat surprised by Gerd's decision, but he still nodded.
Looking at Gerd, he smiled and said, "Welcome to the team! Gerd."
"It is my honor to follow a strong person like you, Mr. Ian."
Gerd also revealed a smile. Then she quickly composed herself again and stood at the stern of the ship, gazing at the gradually receding Sabaody Archipelago.
A trace of anger involuntarily appeared in her eyes, and just as she was about to say something, it was as if she saw something, and she suddenly froze in place. "The Sabaody Archipelago... has it been attacked?"
As soon as these words fell, the others beside her also looked toward the Sabaody Archipelago.
When they saw that explosions had occurred on the previously calm islands and flames were burning everywhere, everyone was stunned.
"Which lunatic is it? Someone actually attacked the Sabaody Archipelago?"
Even Zephyr was dumbfounded. "They are even crazier than us!"
After all, Sakazuki is up there right now. Are they really that fearless of death?
Ian: "..."
Unexpectedly, it still happened.
Ian also came back to his senses from his astonishment, his expression somewhat strange as he looked at the Sabaody Archipelago.
He wonders whether Teach and the Straw Hat crew will be able to escape this time.
Oh, and that old fellow Garp is there too. I wonder what choice he'll make this time?
Ian withdrew his gaze.
Noticing Gerd beside him wearing a schadenfreude-filled expression, he thought of Dressrosa just now and seemed to think of something else, then he said to Gerd, "Gerd, do you want to cause some havoc?"
"Me?"
Hearing Ian's words, Gerd immediately felt eager to try, but she soon calmed down again and smiled bitterly. "Let's forget it. There's an Admiral on the island, and I can't cause trouble for the Umbrella Corporation as soon as I join, right?"
"No need to worry. It's just going to cause some havoc. There won't be too much trouble."
Ian smiled and shook his head. "Since you're already a member of the Umbrella Corporation, this matter can't just end like this. Of course, rest assured, the Hogen Family is doomed. Even if we don't take action, that mafia won't survive. For now, let the auction house that auctioned you off pay the price first!"
As he spoke, he pondered for a moment, then directly took out a Devil Fruit from his chest and handed it to Gerd. "Eat this, and you'll be able to go cause some havoc."
"A Devil Fruit?"
Gerd was stunned. Then she looked at the Devil Fruit in Ian's hand, but soon withdrew her gaze. "This is too precious, Mr. Ian. You already saved my life. If I eat this Devil Fruit as well..."
But before she could finish her words, the Devil Fruit was directly tossed toward her, forcing Gerd to hurriedly catch it.
"Just eat it. To be honest, I don't even know how to deal with it."
Ian shrugged. "It feels like keeping it is just a nuisance. Unfortunately, Hajrudin won't eat it."
Speaking of which, those guys shouldn't be crossing over at this time!
Could it be because the storyline is different now, or is it the so-called fate again?
Gerd: "...?"
A nuisance, how could the treasure of the sea be a nuisance?
Gerd looked at Ian helplessly, but she also understood that Ian probably hoped she would eat it, which was why he said that.
Therefore, after taking a deep breath, she no longer hesitated. She directly threw the entire Devil Fruit into her mouth and swallowed it.
Then she frowned, pondered for a moment, as if thinking about something, but she didn't feel anything at all.