Chapter 58.1 : Ian the Skyfire!!

The next day, Ian decided to indulge in a rare lazy morning, exhausted from yesterday's battle.

Until— 

"Ian! Ian! Ian! Get up, quick!" 

The door to his room was kicked open by Yamato, who stormed in and dragged Ian out of bed. 

Still groggy and confused, Ian rubbed his eyes, trying to make sense of the situation, when Yamato's loud voice rang in his ears. 

"Ian! You made the front page of the newspaper!" 

Huh? 

The newspaper? 

Later, in the dining room.

Ian sat in a chair with a newspaper spread open in his hands. 

Behind him, Yamato leaned on his back, her arms wrapped around his neck, her chin resting on his shoulder. She pointed excitedly at the article. "Look! The battle from yesterday made the news already!" 

Ian glanced at the front page, which reported on the battle that took place on Beehive Island the previous day. 

It was surprisingly accurate. 

His eyes shifted to the top of the page, checking the paper's name. 

World Economy News. 

"Even Morgans knows how to stick to facts sometimes?" Ian muttered. "Or maybe the fight was already explosive enough that it didn't need any extra embellishments?" 

Black Maria, standing elegantly behind Yamato, giggled as she covered her mouth with a hand. "Ian, now the whole world knows you fought Marco The Phoenix to a draw—and destroyed three pirate crews under Whitebeard's flag right in front of him. You're going to be famous!" 

"They're calling you 'Ian the Skyfire' in the article," she added with a sly smile. 

"Ian the Skyfire?" Ian scoffed. "Might as well call me a Star Blazer next." 

Maria chuckled, unfazed. "The paper said, 'When you swooped down as a fiery bird, it looked as if the entire sky had caught fire.'" 

Ian gave a small nod. "Not bad." 

Everyone knew that nicknames in the pirate world were often straightforward—Straw Hat, Red-Hair, Hawk-Eye, Whitebeard. Nothing too fancy. 

But "Ian the Skyfire"? 

That was definitely unique. 

"Big brother Ian!" 

At that moment, the little girl Ulti came running over excitedly, holding a piece of paper. She thrust it into Ian's hands. "Look! Your bounty poster just came out!" 

"A bounty already?" Ian raised an eyebrow, surprised by the Navy's efficiency. 

He took the poster and examined it closely. After a moment, his brow arched. 

"Looks like the Navy has some talented folks in their ranks," Ian remarked, realizing the picture was taken during the fight where he and Yamato faced off against Snake. He hadn't even noticed someone snapping the photo at the time. 

The boy on the wanted poster rolled up his sleeves, black hair dancing in the wind, exuding youthful spirit and determination.

But the most noteworthy thing wasn't the photo. 

It was the number below it. 

"Whoa!" 

Even Ian was surprised. 

"I've never seen such an outrageous amount!" 

Babanuki, standing to the side, was even more excited than Ian himself. "Lord Ian! No one's first bounty has ever been this high! This is incredible!" 

"Ian-nii is amazing! Your bounty is way higher than Dad's!" 

Ian heard an unfamiliar voice and looked down. Standing beside Ulti was another child, looking at him with awe. 

It was Page One, with bandages still plastered on his face. 

"Is that you, Pay-tan?" 

Ian gently ruffled the boy's hair. "Are you feeling better now?" 

"Yeah!" 

The little boy clenched his tiny fists with excitement. "Big Sis told me everything—Ian-nii, you saved us!" 

"It wasn't just me," Ian corrected him. "We all did it together." 

"Come on, it was mostly thanks to you, Ian-nii!" 

Jack, clearly dissatisfied with Ian's modesty, chimed in. "Without you, we never would've escaped from Hive Island!" 

"Exactly! It's all because of Ian-nii!" 

Ulti agreed wholeheartedly, nodding with enthusiasm. 

Page One's eyes sparkled even more, gazing at Ian with even deeper admiration. 

Looks like I've got myself another little fanboy, Ian thought. 

Well, no big deal. 

Still— 

Ian glanced at the bounty poster in his hand again. 

A first-time bounty with a number this ridiculous? 

Guess I'll really be making a name for myself around the world now.

Time rewinds a little earlier.

Marine Headquarters.

"Who would have thought this could happen?" 

In the Fleet Admiral's office, Admiral Sengoku's expression was grave. "A teenage kid, able to hold his own against the renowned Marco the Phoenix, even casually leaving after destroying three pirate crews."

"That bounty is certainly justified. The Beast Pirates have gained another monster, one that can stand shoulder to shoulder with King and Queen! Moreover, his future will undoubtedly be even more formidable!"

"The key issue now is," 

The one speaking was a man with a wild, explosive hairstyle sitting at the Fleet Admiral's desk—Fleet Admiral Kong. "The war between the Beast Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates; the latest news is that Whitebeard has begun moving towards Hive Island. This time, he's unlikely to back down easily."

"Fleet Admiral Kong, what did the Gorosei say? What should we do?"

"The Gorosei, you say?"

Kong recalled his visit to the Gorosei the day before.

Gorosei, those who are known as the highest authority in the world said, "Since they want to let the dogs fight, let them make a fuss. As long as they don't disrupt the balance of the New World, we don't need to interfere."

After hearing Kong's recount, Sengoku understood. "Should I go take a look? Keep an eye on them?"

"Yes."

Kong nodded.

What kind of new world layout does the government want? 

Naturally, it's just like it is now: multiple strong forces standing firm, each fighting for themselves, in constant chaos.

Since the start of the Great Pirate Era, numerous formidable pirates have surged into the New World each year. This is precisely the reason the seas are left to the pirates: to allow the elite among them to exhaust each other.

But if someone shows overwhelming strength and attempts to unify the entire New World, that is something the government does not want to see.

The war between Whitebeard and Kaido can end in mutual destruction, come to a standstill, or see one side achieve a Pyrrhic victory, but one side cannot emerge as the clear winner.

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