Chapter 113: Destination - Big Mom!

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Ian's voice echoed through the conference room, silencing the assembled Marines. With both the instigator and the subject of their discussion present, the situation surrounding the vacant Warlord position and its controversial challenger had taken an interesting turn.

"Cut the crap, Fleet Admiral Sengoku. You know as well as I do how underhanded the World Government can be. The prisoners in Impel Down deserve their punishment, but they're not lab rats for the World Government's twisted experiments. They're the ones truly responsible for this mess." Ian's voice, transmitted through the Transponder Snail, caused the faces in the room to harden.

"You insolent Kid! Do you realize what you're saying?!" Sengoku roared, while Garp struggled to contain his laughter.

Zephyr, Akainu, Kizaru, and the others exchanged knowing glances. True power allowed one to speak freely, consequences be damned.

In this world, strength was the ultimate truth.

"Don't make me laugh. I'm still a Marine, so I'll call you Fleet Admiral. You're a good man, Sengoku, but you're too soft. Look at what the World Government's rule has done to the world. How many nobles exploit and oppress the common people while pirates take the blame? You know better than anyone. Ohara, the West Blue incident… These events prove they're nothing but power-hungry fools."

"You bastard! Where are you?! Get back here and explain yourself!" Sengoku bellowed, his face red with anger. The new generation was becoming increasingly brazen, their strength fueling their conceit.

"Mary Geoise," Ian replied calmly.

"..." 

A stunned silence fell over the conference room. A single thought echoed through the minds of everyone present: Had he actually stormed the Celestial Dragons' sanctuary in a fit of rage?

"Don't worry. I'm just passing through on my way to the New World… Overthrowing the World Government is a bit premature. I'm not quite strong enough yet."

Sengoku breathed a sigh of relief. At least the young Vice Admiral wasn't completely blinded by his own power. He knew his limits, knew when to bide his time. However, Ian's next words made him see red.

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I have a question for you. Who are the strongest pirates in the world? And what was the original purpose of establishing the Seven Warlords of the Sea?"

"The strongest pirates…?" Sengoku was puzzled. Why would Ian ask such a basic question, something known to every Marine? Nevertheless, he answered.

"The strongest pirates are the Four Emperors, the rulers of the New World. They are Whitebeard, Kaido of the Beasts, Big Mom, and Shanks. Their crews control the second half of the Grand Line, creating a power vacuum that makes it difficult for the Marines to operate. We haven't yet found a way to break their hold on the New World."

"The Seven Warlords of the Sea are seven powerful pirates granted legal immunity to plunder in exchange for assisting the Marines in maintaining balance against the Four Emperors. As you know, the Marines can only handle two Emperors at once. The Warlords act as a deterrent, a necessary buffer. That's why we need them."

Sengoku explained, reciting information known to every Marine. As he spoke, a chilling thought began to form in his mind, a possibility he hadn't dared to consider. 

A look of disbelief spread across his face. The other Marines, initially confused by Ian's questions, now mirrored Sengoku's dawning horror. Even Garp and Zephyr stared at the Transponder Snail in stunned silence. Could it be…?

"Good. Then I'll set sail and… pay a visit to these so-called Emperors. That should save the Marines the trouble of finding new Warlord candidates." Ian's voice was casual, as if he were discussing a trip to the market.

...

Those seemingly innocuous words struck the assembled Marines like a thunderbolt. Their ears rang, and they struggled to comprehend what they had just heard. They exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes wide with disbelief.

Visit… the Emperors?! Even the Admirals, Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji, along with Sengoku, Garp, and Zephyr, were stunned.

While they were among the strongest individuals in the world, challenging a Yonko was not a decision taken lightly. It required careful planning, strategic maneuvering, and a healthy dose of caution.

In the original story, the Marines had mobilized their entire force, including the Warlords, to confront Whitebeard. This demonstrated the immense threat posed by the Yonko. Yet, Ian spoke of visiting them as if it were a casual outing. Did he truly understand what he was suggesting?

Kizaru, his usual laid-back demeanor gone, blinked in astonishment. "He's… joking, right?"

"Visiting the Emperors? That's Scary! Slightly less daunting than overthrowing the World Government, but still… He can't be serious." Even Kizaru's trademark nonchalance had evaporated, replaced by genuine shock.

"Hey, Ian! Are you out of your mind?! You might have repelled Kaido, but that was a fluke! He was facing four Admiral-level opponents: you, Borsalino, Issho, and Magellan! He had to retreat! Get back here, you idiot!" Garp snatched the Transponder Snail, his voice booming with concern. He took a deep breath, his expression hardening.

Visit the Emperors?

What was he thinking?!

And from the sound of it, he wasn't planning to target just one, but all four of the rulers of the New World.

Even an Admiral wouldn't make such a reckless claim. Venturing into a Yonko's territory alone was suicide.

The entire Marine force actively avoided conflict with the Emperors. Even when clashes were unavoidable, they rarely achieved anything significant.

Confronting a Yonko required the combined might of at least two Admirals, leaving Marineford vulnerable. If a madman like Kaido decided to attack again, it would be a disaster.

Yet, Ian was planning to face them alone. He was either supremely confident in his abilities or completely insane.

Silence descended upon the conference room once more.

A Yonko wasn't just a single powerful individual, but the leader of a vast and formidable organization. Challenging an entire crew alone was ludicrous. While Ian had demonstrated incredible strength, even if he could match a Yonko, what about their commanders and subordinates?

"My justice is to protect the innocent and punish the wicked, regardless of affiliation. If I have to abandon such a simple principle, then I hereby resign from the Marines and officially claim the title of Warlord of the Sea."

"Instructor Zephyr has dedicated his life to the Marines. Can you bear to see him cast aside and forgotten?"

Ian's actions had accelerated the timeline. He despised hypocrisy and injustice, and he would not stand idly by while good men were wronged.

"Vice Admiral Ian is strong… but this is overconfidence, isn't it?" A Marine Vice Admiral muttered, his voice laced with disbelief.

He had been among those who had doubted Ian's abilities, but his track record spoke for itself.

"Sengoku-san, should we stop him?" Kizaru asked, his usual playful tone replaced by genuine concern. "There aren't many who can match his strength. But if he clashes with a Yonko, win or lose, the world will be thrown into chaos. It could be a disaster."

The atmosphere in the room was tense. Sengoku's face was grim, lost in thought.

Suddenly, Garp burst into laughter, his booming voice echoing through the room. "Hahaha! That Ian, he's got guts! I like him!"

Despite his jovial tone, his laughter held a note of concern. He shook his head and turned to Zephyr. "We old-timers are still kicking. It's not the newcomers' turn to charge into battle. Zephyr, let's catch up on the way. I was just back, and now I'm off again."

Zephyr nodded, following Garp out of the room. Sengoku, surprisingly, didn't reprimand them. He remained standing there, his face grim. After a long silence, he took a deep breath and addressed the remaining Marines.

"Dismissed. With those two old geezers watching over him, he'll be fine, even if he loses. Notify the Marines in the New World to prepare for a rescue operation."

He, too, held a sliver of hope. With the combined strength of Garp, Ian, and Zephyr, perhaps they could actually take down a Yonko crew. The odds were slim, but not impossible.

A Yonko's strength lay not only in their own power but also in the vastness of their crew and the strength of their commanders. He left another order unspoken.

Prepare to eliminate a Yonko crew. The Marines were spread thin, their forces deployed across the Four Blues. They couldn't afford another large-scale conflict.

Sengoku returned to his office and picked up the Transponder Snail on his desk. He dialed the number for the Five Elders, the highest authority in the World Government.

"This is Fleet Admiral Sengoku. I have a situation to report…" He quickly explained the situation. Events had spiraled out of his control. Anything involving a Yonko was beyond his authority to handle alone.

In the original story, the Marines' attack on Whitebeard had been approved by the World Government. The Warlords had also participated in the Marineford War. The Marines had no authority to command the Warlords; only the World Government could do so.

Silence hung heavy on the other end of the line. After a long pause, a raspy voice spoke.

"Observe and wait."

...

World Government. The Five Elders' office

A spacious hall than an office, was furnished with elegant sofas. The Five Elders, some seated, some standing, were engaged in a discussion.

"Let him challenge the Emperors. Win or lose, it benefits us. If he manages to take down a Yonko, even at the cost of his own life, it would be the ideal outcome."

"Even if he only manages to severely weaken a Yonko crew, it would be a significant advantage. We were wondering how to deal with him, and now he's presented us with a solution."

"Indeed. Youthful conceit… This is our chance to eliminate a Yonko." The Five Elders discussed amongst themselves, their expressions far less concerned than Sengoku's. They seemed almost… relaxed.

In their eyes, while Ian was powerful, perhaps even stronger than Akainu, he was still facing an entire Yonko crew. Even Kizaru, with his Logia-type Devil Fruit, would struggle to escape unscathed.

A Yonko crew wasn't just about the Emperor's strength. Their commanders also possessed formidable and often unpredictable abilities. Challenging a Yonko crew alone was practically a suicide mission.

The news of a Marine Vice Admiral planning to visit the Four Emperors spread like wildfire throughout the Grand Line. Even Sengoku couldn't suppress it.

Marine Headquarters was not only home to countless Marines but also their families. There were likely spies and informants from various factions, including the Revolutionary Army, lurking within its walls. As the news spread, the entire world erupted in a frenzy of speculation.

Mocking laughter and disbelief echoed across the Grand Line, especially in the New World. Many dismissed it as a joke, a foolish boast. However, considering Ian's track record, his victories against Warlords and his repulsion of Kaido, perhaps it wasn't so far-fetched after all.

Tashigi stood beside Ian, her expression resolute. She had chosen to follow him, ready to obey his every command.

Ian smiled at her. "Any thoughts on accompanying me on this suicide mission?"

"Huh?" Tashigi blinked, surprised by his playful tone. His words, however, eased her anxieties. She straightened her posture and replied with a serious expression. "None, sir. You are my superior officer, and I will follow your orders, whatever they may be."

"Be honest." Ian's face hardened, his demonic features intimidating.

"Well… I just have a feeling… that I won't die if I follow you." Tashigi coughed, a genuine smile gracing her lips.

"I see…" Ian turned his gaze towards the vast ocean, his eyes filled with an unreadable expression. After a moment of silence, he turned back to Tashigi. "Which Emperor is closest?"

"Big Mom. She's on Whole Cake Island in the New World." Tashigi replied.

The Marines possessed detailed intelligence on the territories controlled by the Yonko. In the original story, after the Straw Hats left Fishman Island, they had encountered Doflamingo, then Big Mom, and finally Kaido.

Initially, he had assumed it was simply a matter of plot convenience, related to Momonosuke and Sanji's respective storylines. But now, it seemed there was a strategic element to their journey.

"Then… let's start there." Ian nodded, his sights set on the Yonko who had birthed an entire pirate crew through her… unique family dynamics.

Even if his current strength slightly surpassed that of a Yonko, taking on an entire crew would be challenging. With the SMILE fruits gone, he couldn't go to Dressrosa to verify his theory.

He would have to test his hypothesis on Big Mom, the weakest of the Yonko, whose powers were also related to souls. He hoped it would prove useful.

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