Chapter 133: The Prelude to the Storm
At that moment, in Violet's sight, Ian was radiating a chilling, murderous aura. Everyone's emotional shifts were reflected in colors visible to her. There was no doubt—if Violet dared to flee, Ian would strike immediately.
I've been set up! Not only had she failed to gather intelligence, but she had also delivered herself as a hostage!
BOOM!
BOOM!
...!
While Ian was questioning Violet, a group of shirtless, muscular men brandishing various weapons surrounded the street. The civilians, seeing their arrival, quickly scattered.
The Kingdom's Self-Defense Force!
The army tasked with protecting the royal family of Dressrosa.
The man leading them held a chain, at the end of which was a large, spiked iron ball.
"Greetings, Vice Admiral Jock Ian!" the man boomed. "I am the captain of the Self-Defense Force, Kyros! Please cease harassing the citizens of this island. Who authorized you to conduct this search? If it's the World Government, shouldn't their first point of contact be our King? Or did you, Vice Admiral, perhaps... neglect to obtain the proper documentation? The gas-ability user you seek is not on our island. I must ask you to leave immediately!"
Kyros's voice was forceful, not showing the slightest deference to the young Vice Admiral.
"Skylark, paper and pen..." Ian lowered his hand. Skylark quickly approached and handed him the requested items.
Scratch, scratch, scratch...
Ian swiftly wrote a few words on the paper, handed it back to Skylark, and pointed towards the so-called army commander before them. Skylark glanced at the note, bit her lip, trotted over to Kyros, and handed it to him.
"This... this is..." Kyros sputtered, his face turning red with anger. "Vice Admiral Jock Ian! Are you mocking me?! What kind of search warrant is this?!"
He turned the paper around. A single word was written on it: "SEARCH."
Ian's Officers: "Hahaha..."
"Didn't you want a search warrant? There you have it!"
Kyros: "???"
BOOM!
BOOM!
...!
Before the conversation could continue, a series of loud explosions erupted several kilometers behind them. Pillars of flame shot into the sky, as if a massive quantity of fuel had been ignited.
Buru Buru... Buru Buru...
The Den Den Mushi Kyros carried began ringing urgently. As soon as he answered, a frantic report came from his subordinate: "Captain Kyros! There's been a massive explosion at the Corrida Colosseum! Gas... the area is filled with a large amount of gas! We can't identify the perpetrator, Captain! Requesting immediate backup!"
Kyros's hand, holding the Den Den Mushi, trembled uncontrollably. "Gas... a large amount of gas..."
Ian's expression remained unchanged, as if everything was proceeding exactly as he had anticipated.
"What was your name again... Army Commander?" Ian's voice was cool. "Weren't you just claiming there were no gas users here? Well, now there are! Step aside! You are obstructing a Marine operation!"
With that, Ian crooked a finger at Violet. Terrified but with no other choice, she complied, falling in step behind him. As she passed Kyros, she signaled with her eyes for him not to act rashly. Did Ian really think he could remain unaware of the subtle exchanges and potential secret communications between the two?
Kyros!
Before serving under Doflamingo, he was the army commander under the previous king, King Riku.
Ever since the Donquixote Family's massacre and takeover of Dressrosa, he had endured humiliation, serving the enemy for years.
His true purpose was to secretly protect the kingdom's princess, Violet!
And this former princess, Violet, was the very "Violet" now held hostage by Ian.
Kyros, being a man of honor, had shown up with his troops upon sensing something amiss in the exchange between Ian and Violet, hoping to resolve the crisis for the princess. But Ian had given him no opportunity to demonstrate his loyalty.
Now, outside the Corrida Colosseum, a man in a black cloak strolled leisurely through the panicked crowd, muttering to himself:
"Reporting to Vice Admiral Ian, the mission to create a disturbance via gas explosion has been completed. No civilian casualties were caused. One combatant of the Donquixote Family has been eliminated. Pirate Derringer, original bounty: 15,000,000 Berries."
The speaker was T-Bone, operating alone. Following Ian's instructions, he hadn't used a Den Den Mushi. His muttered report was clearly heard by Ian, who was several kilometers away.
Ian's inner thoughts: Well done, Uncle T!
The prelude is over. The main event begins now... the destruction of the Donquixote Family!
"Captain Kyros, what should we do?"
"Should we continue to block these Marines?"
"If they barge in and investigate like this, His Majesty the King will have our heads!"
"..."
Watching Ian and his group leave unscathed and quickly disappear around a street corner, Kyros hesitated for a moment before issuing an order.
"Let's head to the Corrida Colosseum first and investigate the source of the explosion!" he commanded. "As for the rest... inform the King and let him handle it."
What made Kyros wary wasn't Ian's identity as a Marine. It was the hostage he held—Princess Violet. If Ian were truly provoked and ended up harming the princess, that would be the greatest dereliction of duty.
As Ian led his team towards the colosseum, he took out a specific Den Den Mushi he carried—the one given to him by Vice Admiral Garp for direct communication.
After dialing, Garp's voice boomed from the receiver: "Ian, you brat! You should be at your new branch by now. Did you finally remember to check in with this old man? Hahaha, you're learning some manners!"
Before Garp's laughter could subside, Ian's next words completely wiped the smile from his face.
"Sorry, Mr. Garp, I'm not calling for a safe check-in or to reminisce," Ian said calmly. "Your disobedient student is about to get into a bit of trouble."
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