Near the G-2 Branch, the Orange Ship—several times larger than a standard warship—patrolled the surrounding seas, searching for any traces related to Fox.
However, even after half a month of searching, they had found no leads.
Not that anyone on board particularly cared. They had little desire to actually find Fox, and most of the past fortnight had been spent hunting down pirates.
Thanks to the Orange Ship's vigorous efforts, the number of pirates in the area had dropped significantly. Nearby nations like Alabasta benefited greatly, their coastal residents enjoying much greater safety.
On the top deck of the Orange Ship, Ivan lay lazily with his head resting on a pair of soft, pale thighs. A constant, gentle pressure against the back of his skull, combined with Nami's skilled head massage, made for an indescribably comfortable life.
Taking the cola Tashigi handed him, Ivan swirled the dark red, bubbling liquid in his glass while checking his system panel.
His assassination of a Celestial Dragon had caused the Approval Ratings of several Templates to increase to varying degrees.
[Due to your arrogance as a strong individual, [Gojo Satoru · Reverberation] Approval Rating +10%]
[Template: Gojo Satoru · Reverberation (Approval Rating: 77%)]
[Due to your meticulous execution of the mission, [Yamato] Approval Rating +5%]
[Template: Yamato (Approval Rating: 61%)]
[Due to your title attracting worldwide attention, [Homelander] Approval Rating +15%]
[Template: Homelander (Approval Rating: 16%)]
[Congratulations! You have acquired the skill: Heat Vision!]
[Heat Vision: Consumes stamina to fire red, high-temperature beams from the eyes.]
With the Approval Rating increase, Ivan gained a new skill: Heat Vision.
Similarly, he had no intention of using Heat Vision with his main body. He planned to assign this skill to one of his alternate identities.
Since he had established the [Shadow Garden] to sow confusion and divert the attention of the World Government and the Marines, the organization naturally couldn't consist of just one person.
Therefore, in the future, whenever he drew different character Templates, he would use them to fabricate various members of the [Shadow Garden].
Ultimately, when the [Shadow Garden] was on the verge of annihilating Mary Geoise, his true self would appear.
He was the darkness. He was the end. He was the Shadow!
"Boss! An explosion ahead! It looks like some of our comrades are fighting pirates!" From the crow's nest, Patton's hawk-like eyes scanned the surroundings, quickly locking onto a specific direction.
Ivan's eyes lit up. He rose from the soft thighs. "Full speed ahead! We're providing support immediately!"
Over ten minutes later, Ivan arrived at the distant battlefield.
Both combatants were old acquaintances of his.
On the Marine side was his former colleague who had challenged him, the attractive young woman Hina. Her opponent was one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea—Lizard King Hanafuda!
Currently, in this small-scale battle, Hanafuda held complete dominance.
Hina's graceful figure was covered in wounds of varying depths. Blood soaked her clothes, tracing winding paths down her skin.
She could only barely hold her ground against Hanafuda's onslaught; it wouldn't be long before she was defeated.
It was at this moment that Ivan arrived, causing both combatants to pause simultaneously, their gazes snapping toward him in unison.
Upon seeing Ivan's exact appearance, Hina was overjoyed. With a flick of her fingers, several pitch-black spear shadows shot through the air, forcefully driving Hanafuda back.
She approached Ivan using Moon Walk and called out loudly:
"Colonel Ivan, please help me! Hanafuda covets the Devil Fruit in my possession and has dared to ignore his duties as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, brazenly attacking me!"
Ivan helped the injured Hina onto the Orange Ship. After learning the details of the situation, he frowned slightly. "This is no ordinary pirate anymore. We must strike with full force!"
"Wait, boss, are you really going to attack the Lizard King Hanafuda? He's one of the Seven Warlords!" At this moment, Patton looked at Ivan with concern and worry.
After all, the Seven Warlords of the Sea were a special system established by the World Government. Each member consisted of the most powerful pirates, forming one of the "Three Great Powers of the Grand Line" alongside the Marine Headquarters and the Four Emperors!
Every member of the Seven Warlords possessed extraordinary strength, capable of attacking a small country single-handedly.
Although Boss Ivan was strong—having previously defeated Colonel Hina—he likely wasn't a match for any of the Seven Warlords, let alone someone as formidable and brutal as the Lizard King Hanafuda!
Unlike other Seven Warlords without significant backgrounds, Hanafuda had once belonged to the Beast Pirates and was a close friend of the Four Emperors' Kaido.
This alone spoke volumes about Hanafuda's fearsome power!
Nami and Tashigi reacted completely differently from Patton. One was Ivan's number one fan, while the other had been saved by Ivan and placed all her trust in him. Both had unwavering faith in Ivan.
Tashigi, her face flushed with conviction, expressed absolute trust in Ivan: "Patton, don't worry. Colonel Ivan is very strong. Even a Seven Warlord is no match for him!"
Nami nodded in agreement. "That's right. Ivan has never let us down!"
Faced with these two blind admirers, Patton had no choice but to advise Ivan: "Boss, you need to stay calm. Hanafuda is a ruthless character!"
Ivan patted Patton on the shoulder. "Patton, you're good in many ways, but sometimes you're just too cautious. As my subordinate, you need to trust your boss!
Give the order to bring the ship closer. I'm going to teach that bastard Hanafuda a lesson and avenge Hina!"
Not far ahead, aboard the Tyrannosaurus Pirate Ship, Hanafuda held a scythe, watching as the Orange Ship sailed toward him.
Beside him, a subordinate dressed in black tight-fitting clothes hesitated. "Boss, another group of Marines is approaching. Should we continue fighting? Marine reinforcements will likely arrive soon!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a sharp claw gripped his head and squeezed hard, causing it to burst open like a watermelon.
Hanafuda's face twisted into a ferocious grin, his tone dripping with brutality:
"Fool! What does it matter if another group of Marines shows up? Remember, I am the Lizard King Hanafuda! Bring the ship closer. I'm going to slaughter them all!
Hehehe... As long as no one survives, the Marines won't know I attacked them, and they won't be able to hold me accountable!"
Soon, the Tyrannosaurus Pirate Ship drew near the Orange Ship, closing the distance until the crews on both sides could see each other clearly.
Hanafuda glanced at Ivan and sneered mockingly:
"So it's the so-called Marine prodigy, White Dove. What, do you plan to attack me like that foolish woman did?"
"I'm in a good mood today, so I'll give you a chance. Hand over that Zoan-type Devil Fruit, and I might spare your lives. Otherwise, you'll end up at the bottom of the sea!"
Ivan shook his head. "I must refuse!"
Hana-Fuda was taken aback, his expression turning even more ferocious. He sneered and shook his head. "What a fool. Remember when you go to hell—I gave you a chance..."
Boom!
Hana-Fuda abruptly stopped, unable to finish his words, because Ivan reached out, grabbed his head, and slammed it down onto the deck!
As Hana-Fuda's head shattered the deck amid splinters of wood, Ivan said coldly:
"Sorry, but right now, I just want to kill you!"