One Piece : Winged Dragons of the Beast Pirates

"Alright," Ian said as he watched Gion step aside. "I'll hold them off. Go after Judge."

"Okay!" Yamato puffed out her cheeks in frustration, clearly unhappy. 

But despite her displeasure, she turned and sprinted in the direction where the Germa Kingdom forces were retreating. Wherever she ran, the sea froze beneath her feet, forming a wide path of solid ice.

"Ian, be careful," Black Maria urged him with concern.

Meanwhile, Jack silently followed Yamato. 

What a joke—did Big Brother Ian really need anyone worrying about him? He was invincible!

"Follow them," Doflamingo commanded, then glanced up at Ian. "I'll leave this to you, Ian."

"Piece of cake," Ian replied calmly.

"Fuffuffuffu!" Doflamingo chuckled as the Donquixote Family swiftly moved to pursue Germa 66.

Once they had all left, Ian no longer suppressed his temperature. 

In an instant, a thick white mist enveloped the sea, accompanied by the sharp hiss of evaporating water. The icy path Yamato had created melted away in mere moments.

It was unbearably hot!

Gion used Moonwalk to leap into the air, gritting her teeth as she gazed at Ian, who hovered above the ocean with wings aflame.

How terrifying were his flames? And this wasn't even his red fire yet.

"Don't worry about it," Ian said nonchalantly. "I'll leave once I've finished here."

Gion felt a string in her mind tighten to its limit. 

This arrogant brat wasn't taking them seriously at all! 

Vice-Admiral Tsuru observed Ian closely, her expression calm but her gaze sharp. 

Elementalization, huh? 

But it was a unique type of elementalization, one that even Haki couldn't penetrate. 

To defeat someone in this state, it would likely require a very specific ability. 

Still, that brief moment when her previous technique failed to work caught Vice-Admiral Tsuru's attention. 

Ian glanced back over his shoulder. Yamato and the others had already run far ahead. 

"Well, I suppose it's time for me to leave too," Ian said casually, addressing the Marines. With a flap of his wings, he turned and added one last parting shot: 

Justice? Haha.

How utterly laughable. 

Of course, he wasn't oblivious—Vice-Admiral Tsuru hadn't been fighting with her full strength either. 

There was a strange, unspoken understanding that sometimes arose between Marines and pirates. 

"...!" 

Gion felt as if she heard a sharp snap in her mind. 

The string that had been stretched taut finally broke. 

"You bastard! Stop right there!!" 

Gion roared, stepping on air as she charged forward furiously. 

"Gion!!" 

Vice-Admiral Tsuru, whose serene expression had been unwavering until now, finally showed alarm. "Stand down!" 

This was bad. Today's exchange of words had completely thrown Gion off balance. 

And indeed, that was the truth. 

Gion had never been someone prone to anger or rash decisions. 

But right now, she felt that if she couldn't defeat this brat, it would mean everything he'd said was true. 

Then prove it! 

The Navy really isn't as righteous as she imagined!

Ian flapped his wings and moved forward, hearing a roar from behind.

Wait, are you seriously still chasing me?

Ian had initially ignored her, just flying ahead on his own.

But then, flying slashes came at him from behind. While they couldn't harm Ian in his immortal Phoenix Form, they were still annoying.

Moreover, if this person continued to chase, she'd catch up with Yamato and the others.

"You really don't know when to quit," Ian finally stopped and turned around. "I've already let you off easy."

"A mere pirate! Still daring to talk big!" 

Though angry, Gion didn't forget the precautions when fighting Ian. She didn't get too close.

But—

This is the sky, how can you possibly be faster than me with just the Moonwalk?

Ian transformed into a fiery figure, wings shaking, flames pouring out behind him as he shot toward Gion like a meteor.

So fast!

Gion quickly retreated, swinging her sword and releasing flying slashes at Ian.

But these attacks were, of course, ineffective.

"Then let's have a sword fight."

As Ian soared through the air, he drew a large crimson sword.

Gion's pupils shrank.

Here it comes!

A weapon made of red flames!

But there's nowhere to hide!

"Gion!"

Behind her, Sister Tsuru was closing in.

If only I can hold him off!

As Gion's eyes narrowed, she poured all her strength into enhancing her beloved sword.

She swung her sword through the air.

Clang!!

The crimson sword collided with the pitch-black blade.

As dark lightning crackled, Gion felt an overwhelming heat.

But…

She blocked it!

In Gion's heart, she silently cheered.

As expected, as long as her Armament Haki was strong enough, she could block his red flames!

Ian, however, paid no attention. He simply swung his sword down with a heavy, forceful strike.

Gion steadied her mind and raised her blade to block.

This guy's swordsmanship was nothing impressive; he was just swinging the sword with brute strength and speed.

If he wasn't in a state where he couldn't be attacked, she could've pierced his chest with a single strike—

Suddenly, Gion felt her sword grow light.

"Eh?"

From the corner of her eye, she saw her beloved sword, Konpira, break into mid-air, its blade snapping in half.

"The sword's quality is pretty good!" Ian laughed heartily. "It was able to block three of my strikes!"

Don't get it wrong—Gion's Armament Haki wasn't stronger than Marco's.

It was just that her sword was of exceptionally high quality.

It took the third strike for Ian to completely destroy it.

And then...

The crimson blade pierced into the woman's abdomen.

Gion reacted swiftly, desperately using her Armament Haki to defend.

So much so that the destructive blade only managed to puncture the tip.

But it was enough.

"Ahhhhhh!!"

**********

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