Chapter 134: An Unlikely Alliance
"I might need your help with this, old man. If it's convenient, get Fleet Admiral Sengoku on the line too," Ian said, his tone light and joking, devoid of any sense of crisis.
Violet, walking ahead of the horse with Ian following closely behind, listened intently to his conversation. What is with this man? He knows my identity, that I'm a killer for the Donquixote Family. Garp... he must mean Vice Admiral Garp, the 'Hero' of the Marines! Shouldn't a conversation with such an important figure be conducted in private?
"Ian!!" Garp's roar erupted from the Den Den Mushi, so loud that even through the receiver, his fury was palpable. "Where have you gone to cause trouble now, you brat?! It's your first day in the New World! Can't you stay out of trouble for even a moment?"
"It's nothing major, Mr. Garp, no need to be so tense," Ian replied nonchalantly.
"Tch, brat, just tell me. What did you do?"
"I'm currently in Dressrosa, preparing to take down Donquixote Doflamingo, one of the Warlords of the Sea!"
"WHAT?!"
Violet: "!!!"
"..."
After a conversation heavily laced with Garp's colorful cursing, Ian ended the call, looking quite pleased with himself. He slipped his hands around Violet's waist, readjusting his grip on Speed's reins.
Violet sat frozen, barely daring to breathe. I heard everything! The man behind me... he wasn't just speaking casually or on a whim! He has a carefully laid plan to defeat Doflamingo! The country Violet had thought was beyond saving... now seemed to hold a glimmer of hope.
But Ian had dared to let Violet hear this secret. Did that mean he didn't intend for her to leave the Corrida Colosseum alive? Her panic stemmed entirely from the fear of death. Only the dead could truly keep secrets!
"V-Vice Admiral 'Sea King'... may I... may I speak?" Violet asked, her voice trembling. She was terrified she wouldn't even get a chance to tell the truth before Ian eliminated her as an enemy.
"If you want to say that you were forced to join the Donquixote Family and work for them, that you've always hoped someone would save this country... there's no need," Ian interrupted, his voice calm. "Princess Violet! Didn't I tell you? I can see through people's hearts."
Violet: "!!!"
He even knew she was a princess! Was it true? Could Jock Ian truly see into her heart?
Ian tightened his arms slightly. This time, he could clearly feel Violet's previously rigid body soften considerably.
"Princess Violet, use your ability and see clearly," Ian said, his tone shifting, becoming that of a "messenger of justice," serious and resolute. "Such a beautiful and welcoming country should not be destroyed by pirates. The justice and redemption you have endured and waited for all these years... it arrives today!"
Violet's breathing quickened, her heart pounding. There is still hope for this country... The darkness hidden beneath the passion and excitement is finally coming to an end! Unable to help herself, she placed a hand over Ian's on her abdomen, holding it tightly.
"Lieutenant General Ian, is there anything I can do...?" she whispered, tears welling in her eyes. "Anything to help you... Please, let me be your ally!"
Hot tears slid onto Ian's hand. It seemed this country of love and passion had endured a scorching oppression for far too long.
"Princess Violet, help me see the road ahead and locate Doflamingo's position," Ian instructed. "And also... Peacock, hand that little one over to me!"
He looked back to see Peacock, riding her pegasus, holding a small, blue creature in her hand.
"Here, be careful, Little Ian," Peacock said, passing the squirming figure over. "This little one is incredibly fast and strong. Don't let her get away! She dared to try and steal our supplies."
Ian took the small figure and examined it. A member of the Tontatta Tribe! The "fairy legends" circulating on Dressrosa actually referred to the dwarves living in seclusion on Green Bit. Though small in stature, they were incredibly swift and possessed strength far exceeding that of an ordinary adult.
The Tontatta Tribe had a long history; nearly a thousand years ago, their relationship with the "normal-sized" humans had been very tense. It wasn't until the Riku Dynasty took over the Kingdom of Dressrosa that they managed to coexist peacefully. The Riku royal family had promised the tribe that the island's people would send them gifts—in reality, allowing them to quietly take some daily necessities. This was why fairy legends were always associated with theft and lost items.
However, everything changed a few years ago with the arrival of Doflamingo, who once again squeezed the living space of the dwarves. The king of the Tontatta Kingdom was deceived, forcing five hundred of his people into labor for Doflamingo. Overthrowing the Donquixote Family's rule and saving their fellow tribesmen had been the goal of these little people for years. If this little scout hadn't targeted their supplies, they might never have met.
Ian thought for a moment, then spoke kindly, "Little one? Are you from the Tontatta Tribe? I've seen your kind in the navigation logs of my family's elder, Wenbrace Rolando."
The dejected little blue figure's eyes instantly lit up at the name "Wenbrace Rolando." "The family elder? Lord Wenbrace Rolando! So... are you a descendant of some great master? Oh my god, am I really that lucky? My name is Wicca, and I'm a member of the Tontatta reconnaissance team!"
Wicca swayed excitedly, her hands pressed to her cheeks, looking at Ian with sheer admiration. Ian slowly loosened his grip, knowing Wicca, now captivated, wouldn't run away. The weakness of the Tontatta Tribe... they trusted others far too easily! As long as you spoke to them seriously, they would believe you.
Over four hundred years ago, the explorer Wenbrace Rolando had arrived at the Tontatta Kingdom and aided them. Since then, he had become a figure of faith for the dwarves, with a statue erected in his honor within their kingdom. It was precisely because Ian knew this that he could "put on the right clothes" and successfully win Wicca's trust.
"Wicca, you can call me Ian Lando," he said warmly. "I'll visit Lilliput another time if I get the chance. Today, I have an important mission: to attack the Donquixote Family!"
Wicca was ecstatic. "Ah! Lord Ian Lando!!"
Ian had only said what Wicca wanted to hear. And with those words, he had become like a god in her eyes.
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