Chapter 43 : Set Sail!!

"Ian, Big Sister Yamato, did Boss Kaido allow you guys to set sail?"

Jack exclaimed in surprise, almost shouting.

Ian rubbed his ears, his earwax almost dislodged by Jack's loud voice.

This guy not only has a big head but also an extraordinarily loud voice.

"It's us!"

Yamato was just as excited as Jack, clenching her small fists as she said, "Dad said we can all go together!"

"Out to the open sea?"

Black Maria's eyes also sparkled with anticipation.

She had never left Wano Country before.

"That's great!"

Jack shouted excitedly, "Boss Kaido acknowledged us! He thinks we're ready to represent the Beasts Pirates and take on the sea!"

What could be more thrilling than Kaido's approval?

That's pretty much what he meant.

Ian didn't think Jack had said anything wrong.

Even Black Maria, who was almost at Shinuchi-level strength, wasn't someone to be called a mere minor player.

Yamato excitedly waved her little fist, "Then let's go!"

She was ready to dash to the port.

"Don't be in such a hurry."

Ian rolled his eyes and grabbed her ponytail.

Were they really going to set out empty-handed?

"Hey!"

Yamato yelped as Ian tugged at her scalp, turning around angrily, "Ian! What are you doing!"

"First, let's go back and pack," Ian said seriously, "Kaido-sensei should take care of the other supplies, but at least you need to pack some clothes for change."

"Oh right!"

Yamato then realized what she had overlooked.

"Let's each go back and gather our things, then meet at the port later," Ian instructed.

"Okay!"

The three answered in unison.

Later, at the port of Onigashima.

On a small ship, Ian watched as Jack ran up the gangplank, panting.

"Ian! We can set sail now!"

Jack, with a large bag on his back, shouted excitedly.

"We're off!"

Yamato had already climbed up the mast early and was happily waving her little fists.

She was the first to arrive since all the clothes were the same style, and there was no need to think about matching them.

"Then let's set off."

Ian nodded.

The ship gradually left the Onigashima dock, heading towards Habu Port.

Ian stood on the deck, gazing at the endless expanse of the deep blue sea.

They had set sail from Onigashima many times before, but this time was different.

This time, they were truly leaving Wano Country, setting out to see the world for the first time.

How should he put it?

His heartbeat was accelerating.

It was hard not to feel a sense of excitement about this world.

Onigashima, top floor of the main building.

"Ahahaha!" 

Kaido, who was drinking, suddenly burst into laughter as he sensed something.

"Go ahead, kids."

He said, "You can start causing trouble now!"

Haku Port, located in the Hakumai region of Wano Country, was a port exclusively for ships navigating the inner sea.

Ian and his group disembarked here.

Next, they would need to travel by land to the hidden Mogura port.

"Lord Ian! Miss Yamato! I've been waiting for you for a long time!" 

A man greeted them at the port.

He was tall and sturdy, with a thick beard and, most notably, two sharp, prominent teeth jutting upward.

"Babanuki?"

Ian recognized this man. He was the future warden of the Udon Prison Mine and one of the prominent figures in the Beasts Pirates.

"Lord Kaido asked me to accompany you on your voyage."

Babanuki, who was a head taller than Ian, bowed deeply in front of him. "The ship, supplies, navigator, ship's doctor, cook, and sailors are all prepared and ready to set sail at any time."

"Huh? What's this about?"

Yamato immediately looked disappointed. "I thought it was just going to be the four of us."

"Fool, what are you talking about."

Ian couldn't help but tap her on the head.

None of them had any sailing experience, and without seasoned sailors to accompany them, they would probably need to discuss returning home soon. Especially since this was the New World, known for its harshest sailing conditions.

"Let's go, Babanuki. Lead the way."

Ian said.

"Understood!"

Babanuki looked up and said, "Please follow me."

He had already prepared the dragon car outside the port.

The so-called dragon car is a vehicle drawn by dragons.

Here, the term "dragon" refers to a distinctive creature from Wano Country, similar to a velociraptor. After taming, these dragons can be used as mounts, and in Wano, they are even used for plowing fields.

The dragon car's speed wasn't slow, and it huffed and puffed as it carried the five people toward the secret port.

Sitting in the dragon car, Ian gazed out through the window.

What caught his attention the most was the munitions factory not far from the port.

With its towering spires and billowing smoke, the factory, with its massive scale, resembled a small town. Seeing such a facility in this backward country gave it a somewhat magical feel.

There were many such factories in Wano.

As the dragon car moved farther away, the factory was left far behind.

The port wasn't far, and soon the dragon car arrived at the heavily guarded entrance.

Ian had been to this port many times before, but it was his first time taking the massive elevator down.

The ride took them to the bottom of a gigantic cave, the true location of the port.

"Oh!!"

Yamato exclaimed in awe.

Before them was a waterway running through the cave, extending to the end of the mountain wall.

This waterway was the channel from Wano to the outside world.

At the port at the bottom of the cave, Ian saw the ship they would be taking for their voyage.

"Oh?"

He was somewhat surprised.

The ship was quite large, over three hundred meters in length. Even among the large ships of the pirate world, it was considerable in size.

But size wasn't the main point. Ian wasn't concerned about the numerous cannon ports along the sides or the enormous main cannon at the bow. What caught his attention was the familiar sculpture at the ship's prow.

"Ian!"

Yamato nudged Ian and pointed at the bow of the ship, saying, "It's just like you!"

In simple terms, the sculpture at the ship's bow was clearly modeled after Ian's Winged Dragon form. The fierce Winged Dragon's head was embedded at the bow.

The sides of the ship featured wing-like carvings, and even the ship's main color was a luxurious golden yellow.

"This ship is called the Winged Dragon, Lord Ian. It was specially built for you."

Babanuki said respectfully, "It took two years to build and has been completed for two years. It has been docked here since then."

"No way, Kaido-sensei, did you prepare a surprise for me too?"

Ian's lips curved into a slight smile.

In the original story, Jack had his own flagship, so it seemed reasonable for him to have a personal ship as well.

"Is this for Ian?" 

Yamato immediately looked at Babanuki, "What about me?" 

She pointed to herself with her slender fingers. "Where's my ship?"

Babanuki quickly replied, "Lady Yamato, your ship is still under construction."

So, Yamato isn't deemed worthy of her own ship yet? That's why her ship wasn't built alongside Ian's? Ian speculated.

"Oh!"

Yamato, of course, didn't think that far. She simply said with anticipation, "I wonder what my ship will be like!"

"I'm guessing it will have a wolf's head?"

Ian casually remarked, "And the color should be white."

"Eh? Ian, how do you know?" Yamato was astonished.

Ian rolled his eyes, "Guess."

Black Maria covered her mouth with a laugh. Silly Yamato, she's actually quite adorable.

Meanwhile, Jack was simply gazing at the ship with sparkling eyes.

Is this the kind of treatment for high-ranking officers?

One day, he too would have a ship like this! To become a high-ranking officer of the Beasts Pirates!

"Alright, let's board."

Ian said, "Prepare to set sail."

"Okay!"

Amid Yamato's cheer, everyone boarded the ship. The expansive deck, large enough to accommodate an aircraft, sparked an idea in Ian's mind.

How about having Queen research aircraft?

A ship of this scale could easily serve as a budget version of an aircraft carrier.

The sailors on the ship were already in position. With a command from Babanuki, the anchor was raised, and the sailors began to row with long oars in the cabin. The ship slowly started moving, heading towards the waterway ahead.

The waterway was located beneath the inland sea of Wano Country, stretching all the way from the southern inland of Wano to beyond the high walls, its length being exaggeratedly long.

After what felt like half a day, the long waterway finally reached its end, and light appeared ahead.

"Are we finally going out?" 

Yamato, excited, leaped straight off the deck. "Ian! I'll be waiting for you up ahead!"

She transformed into a white wolf and raced across the surface of the water, leaving behind a frozen path of ice.

"Isn't she a bit too impatient?" 

Ian shook his head.

The Winged Dragon ship moved forward and soon exited the massive cave, revealing a gigantic waterfall ahead.

Sailing around the gap beside the waterfall, the deep blue sea finally came into view for Ian.

"Whoa." 

Ian couldn't help but sigh.

The sea they were seeing this time was truly endless.

However, the nearby waters of Wano were known for their turbulent currents and giant whirlpools.

Fortunately, the Winged Dragon ship was large enough to minimize the impact of the undercurrents.

"Ian!! Hahaha!" 

Laughter came from below. Ian looked down to see Yamato, transformed into a white wolf, joyfully running across the surface of the sea. "This is the real ocean! It's so beautiful!"

Ian smiled and said, "Don't get too excited. It might seem beautiful now, but you might find it boring in a few days."

"Never!" 

Yamato retorted loudly, "I could never get tired of it!"

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