Not far ahead, there was a town.
The Drum Kingdom didn't have large cities, but it had many small towns scattered across the snowy forest, creating a very cozy and intimate atmosphere.
However, when Ian and his companions approached the town, the warm atmosphere was instantly shattered.
Yamato, riding a rabbit, jumping into the town, only caused a bit of surprise among the people, but soon, their attention shifted to the two giants walking at the front, eager for a drink.
With every step they took, the ground trembled, causing the snow on the rooftops at the town's edge to fall off in a flurry.
"Gi-Giants!!"
In an instant, one corner of the town erupted in chaos.
Giants, even for the people living in the Grand Line, were legendary creatures.
The town was instantly thrown into disarray, with the citizens trying to flee in panic.
"Gah bah bah bah! I think we're a little too scary!"
Brogy laughed heartily.
"This isn't good!"
Dorry also laughed, saying, "Looks like no one wants to trade with us!"
"It's fine."
Ian just slowly walked forward, "Let's just let them be quiet for a bit."
Since they were all commoners, this level of reaction was to be expected.
Buzz!
The air instantly began to vibrate, and dark lightning erupted from Ian's body, surging with immense power, a wave of force crashing forward like a tidal wave.
"Oh! Conqueror's Haki!"
Dorry marveled, "He's got the qualifications of a king!"
"Cool!" Brogy succinctly remarked.
"Let's go."
Ian smiled as he took a step forward.
The town had fallen completely silent.
Both sides of the street were filled with people standing bent over.
Ian controlled his strength very well, enough to make these ordinary townsfolk feel an overwhelming fatigue, but not enough to make them completely exhausted.
However, even so, it was enough to make people cast fearful gazes toward them.
Sorcery!
This is sorcery!
"Where is the tavern in this town?"
Ian casually asked a nearby civilian.
Without hesitation, the man quickly raised his hand and pointed in a direction.
"Thank you very much."
Ian nodded lightly at him.
Then, he led the group toward the direction of the tavern.
However, just as they were about to reach the tavern...
"Stop! Who are you people?"
A group of soldiers in heavy military coats stood in front of Ian and his group. They trembled as they looked at the two giants behind Ian, but still gathered the courage to raise their guns and point them at them.
"The Drum Kingdom is a member of the World Government! Do you want to make enemies of the World Government?"
"World Government?"
Jack curled the corner of his mouth.
"Well, we've made enemies of them too many times already."
Black Maria grinned.
"Truly ignorant!"
Hancock was slightly angry. "Not even one person recognizes Ian! What ignorant people! They don't even know who they're making enemies with!"
Ian, however, smiled lightly.
He didn't mind people who stood up for others.
"Ian, do you want to deal with them?"
Yamato hopped over, riding on a rabbit.
At this moment.
"Stop! Everyone, stop!"
A voice filled with fear echoed. A man stumbled out from a small alley, rolling twice on the ground before quickly getting up and standing in front of the soldiers.
Oh?
Ian raised an eyebrow.
He stared at the man.
A black coat, a very distinctive hairstyle, with strands of hair extending upward, backward, and to the sides—his hair was huge.
This man is—
"Dr. Hiriluk! What are you trying to do, you quack?"
A soldier immediately scolded him as soon as he saw the newcomer. "Are you not satisfied with practicing medicine without a license, now you want to collude with invaders?"
"…"
The man, named Hiriluk, hesitated for a moment, his forehead sweating as he glanced behind him. His eyes met Ian's, who was smiling.
The man trembled suddenly and hurriedly said, "Don't do anything foolish! Don't you recognize this man? Ian the Skyfire! A high-ranking officer of the Beast Pirates, the owner of the Golden Dragon ship, the man with a bounty of 2 billion berries!"
Not just him, even the officers aboard the Golden Dragon had arrived!
How could these monsters be enemies that an island like Drum Kingdom could afford to provoke?
A small mistake, and the entire country could be destroyed!
"Ian the Skyfire!"
Even those who were less informed had heard of this name.
The soldiers' faces turned pale instantly, and they collapsed to the ground in fear, not daring to say a word.
"Hehehehehe, Ian! It seems your reputation really precedes you!"
Dorry laughed loudly.
"Not a big deal," Ian chuckled lightly.
It's about the same as stopping a child's crying in the middle of the night.
It's manageable.
"…"
Hiriluk's chest heaved violently, gritting his teeth as he turned around to face the enemy he knew he could never defeat.
The man suddenly raised his hands. "I mean no harm! I'm just curious, what are people like you doing in a secluded and narrow country like ours?"
"Oh, this guy's not bad."
Yamato looked at him in surprise.
Clearly, he was weak, probably couldn't even defeat the soldiers lying on the ground.
But after knowing who we were, he still dared to face us directly.
"My friends need some drinks."
Ian said with a smile, "Could you please bring over as much alcohol as you can? The more, the better."
"Of course, we'll pay."
"Gahaha! This is no pirate behavior, Ian."
Brogy laughed loudly, "But yeah, bullying defenseless civilians has no sense of achievement."
"Alcohol?"
Dr. Hiriluk's eyes immediately lit up. "Is it just alcohol?"
"And medical books."
Law stepped forward. "I'm also a doctor, and I'm very interested in the medical techniques from Drum Island. So, I hope you can share some knowledge."
Medical books?
That request might be a bit difficult, but if it's for the sake of this country...
He quickly turned to the soldiers and shouted, "What are you waiting for? Hurry up and contact Wapol! Tell him to do as asked!"
The soldiers snapped out of their daze, and one of the leaders, dressed as such, hurried back. "I'll make the call right away!"
Hiriluk breathed a sigh of relief.
The requests from Ian and the others weren't too unreasonable. Even Wapol, that idiot, shouldn't cause trouble over this.
"You're not afraid of us?"
Hiriluk heard a voice from behind.
It was Ian the Skyfire.
Hiriluk took a deep breath again and turned around.
He revealed a calm smile. "How could I not be afraid? To be honest, the sweat on my back has frozen into ice, I'm scared out of my mind! But—"
"Someone had to step up just now, right?"
"Impressive!"
Dorry and Brogy both bent down to look at him, instantly making Hiruluk's body tense, but what he received was the generous praise of two giants. "Courage is knowing your own helplessness, yet still daring to stand tall."
"Haha, haha," Hiruluk scratched his head awkwardly. "It's not that impressive, really, just—"
He said seriously, "The pirate flag I believe in tells me! A man will always have moments when he throws caution to the wind!"
"Oh?"
Law said, a bit surprised. "You were a pirate before?"
Hiruluk waved his hand. "I haven't been one for a long time. Now I've found a new life goal! But the spirit of the pirate flag still inspires me!"
"Gah bah bah bah!"
"Hehehehehe!"
The two giants laughed heartily. "This guy's really interesting! Ian, let him drink with us later!"
Ian shrugged. "If he doesn't mind, I have no objection."
"Of course, it's fine!"
Hiruluk had completely relaxed by now.
The world-famous pirates aren't that hard to get along with, huh?
If anything, this is true pirate style!
If you want to do it, then just do it.
But at this moment…
The captain of the soldiers who had left earlier came stumbling back.
Hiriluk quickly asked, "Did Wapol give the order?"
The soldier looked panicked, "I just reported the arrival of the Beasts Pirates, and His Majesty Wapol hung up the phone immediately. After that, we couldn't get through at all!"
"What!!"
Hiriluk instantly broke into a cold sweat.
Ian was usually kind when he achieved his goals.
But what happens if his goals aren't met?
Wapol, you idiot, what the hell are you doing?
This is about the survival of the entire nation!
The calm attitude from before was now completely gone, replaced by a soaking sweat.
However, Ian's lips curled up into a smile.
His observation haki immediately spread toward the highest mountain peak in the center of the island.
That was where the kingdom's palace was located.
"It seems like someone doesn't want to see me," Ian said.
Ian could clearly sense that someone was frantically preparing to escape. "Well then, I'll go see him. You all wait for me here!"
"Quick, quick, quick!"
Meanwhile, inside the castle, although he appeared young, the short, chubby man with a metal barrel attached to his chin was in utter panic. He was Wapol, the King of the Drum Kingdom, and the user of the Munch-Munch Fruit.
"Pack up all the treasures! We'll escape to the sea immediately!"
That's the Beasts Pirates!
No matter how arrogant he was, Wapol didn't think his army could defeat the Beasts Pirates, especially with Ian, the man with the two-billion bounty, leading them!
Escape!
There was no other choice but to escape!
The soldiers in the castle quickly packed their belongings, filling several carts. Next, they just needed to take the cable car from the mountaintop, switch vehicles, and head directly to the port to escape.
"Quick, quick, quick!"
Wapol sat on a large hippopotamus, giving orders. "We might be attacked at any moment! Hurry up and get moving!"
"Run?"
At this moment, a calm voice drifted from the top of the castle, "Where do you think you're running to?"
Wapol froze.
Then he blankly looked up.
He saw the figure standing atop the castle.
"Eh!!"
How is this possible!
How could they have arrived so quickly!
**********
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