An island in the New World.

This is Hanafuda’s lair.

It’s a bit amusing to mention, but this place is actually a massive zoo.

The island is clearly divided into several areas like forests, grasslands, mountains, and lakes, each home to ancient creatures that should have been extinct.

All these creatures were painstakingly collected by Hanafuda from the ancient islands scattered throughout the Grand Line.

It’s clear that this guy is extremely interested in prehistoric creatures.

In the central building of the island, after taking care of some pirates left behind, Ian obtained all of Hanafuda’s laborious achievements over the years.

There were five Ancient Zoan-type Devil Fruits, lined up in front of him.

Although Ian had already seen more spectacular scenes, like fifty fruits laid out in front of him, those were artificial Devil Fruits. Compared to the real Ancient Zoans, they didn’t quite match up.

“Oh!!”

Viola couldn’t help but exclaim, “These are all Ancient Zoans? That guy really did well!”

Even the entire Beast Pirates didn’t have that many Ancient Zoans!

Hanafuda, on his own, was nearly catching up to the Beast Pirates, the world’s strongest pirate crew.

However, this remarkable Hanafuda himself no longer had the chance to hear Viola’s praise.

After finding these fruits, he had already been sent off to play with his beloved little treasures.

Right now, he should be happily wandering inside the belly of some beast—or rather, several beasts.

A mere Warlord of the Sea, dead is dead.

The government wouldn’t care, and Ian certainly wouldn’t either.

He was just staring at the fruits in front of him.

“Zoan-type Dog-Dog Fruit, Ancient Species, Hyena Form.”

“Zoan-type Human-Human Fruit, Ancient Species, Giant Ape Form.”

“Zoan-type Elephant-Elephant Fruit, Ancient Species, Terror Elephant Form.”

“Zoan-type Insect-Insect Fruit, Ancient Species, Ancient Centipede Form.”

“And,”

Ian picked up the Devil Fruit in the center, lightly chuckling, “Zoan-type Cat-Cat Fruit, Ancient Species, Smilodon Form.”

Although its name is “cat,” the fearsome cat is also known as the fake saber-toothed tiger, a unique type within the saber-tooth tiger category.

It combines the agility of a cat with the brute strength of a tiger.

It could be said that this is quite perfect for Kuina.

After all, for a swordsman, both strength and agility are nearly the most important attributes.

This time, the haul is truly massive.

Including the Snake-Snake Fruit, Titanoboa form, which Solem casually took back from the auction, a total of six Ancient Zoan Devil Fruits were obtained.

Even Kaido-sensei would be envious upon hearing this, right?

Ian didn’t even know who should eat these fruits since most of his subordinates are already Devil Fruit users.

Ian turned around and looked at Tesoro, who also had a slightly astonished expression on his face.

“Want one?”

Tesoro was slightly stunned.

Is he really being offered such a precious Devil Fruit just after joining?

He could feel Ian’s regard for him!

But Tesoro shook his head. “Lord Ian, I’m not interested in Zoan types.”

Transforming into a beast and engaging in close combat with people doesn’t align with his combat aesthetics.

“Don’t Want?”

Ian wasn’t bothered.

The most crucial part of Tesoro wasn’t his combat ability.

Ian never intended to have him fight on the battlefield.

Ian planned to hand over the business of the Beast Pirates to him to manage.

In the movie, this guy managed to rise from nothing and become the world’s richest person. Now, with this huge platform, Ian couldn’t even imagine how far he could go.

So, this guy just needs to quietly stay in the back as a professional manager. Sending him to charge into battle would be a waste of talent.

As for these fruits…

Ian glanced again at the Ancient Zoan Fruits on the table.

To be honest, after taking all the young ones with him, the Beast Pirates’ headquarters was a bit short-handed.

He decided to give a few of them to Kaido-sensei.

After all, Kaido-sensei was very generous, even sharing half of the artificial Devil Fruits with him.

After obtaining the fruits, Ian didn’t rush to leave and instead stayed on the island for a short while.

In fact, he didn’t have to wait long. Just half an hour later, two figures fell from the sky like meteors.

“Oh!”

Ian smirked, “That was fast.”

“Ohhhh!!”

Morgan, who had been lingering, was even more excited, unable to contain himself. “They’ve arrived?”

Although this meeting couldn’t be reported, just witnessing it with his own eyes was enough to make him extremely excited.

The meeting between the leader of the Revolutionary Army and the Pirate Emperor!

Such a thing in the past was unimaginable!

A dark green cloak fluttered in the wind as Dragon landed and walked towards Ian. “Sorry to keep you waiting, Ian!”

Morgan’s eyes sparkled as he watched him.

The leader of the Revolutionary Army, the infamous “Rebellious Dragon”!

The only one on the seas who had made it his goal to overthrow the World Government and spread this slogan across the world!

It could be said that the Revolutionary Army, led by him, was the true enemy of the World Government.

After all, even the Pirate Emperors of the New World had no intention of directly opposing the World Government.

Tesoro’s eyes were also filled with unmasked joy.

The Revolutionary Army!

With them, following Ian, there was a real chance to avenge Stella!

“We just arrived not long ago,”

Ian said sincerely, “You guys got here quickly.”

He glanced behind Dragon, where a person wrapped in thick clothing was being carried by Kuma.

It must be this man’s ability, right?

The Paw-Paw Fruit, which could bounce anything away— it was almost like cheating with how powerful it was.

“Mr. Ian,” Kuma eagerly walked up, “Let’s go back to Hive Island!”

He was desperate to treat Ginny.

After all, Ginny’s condition had become very serious, and she didn’t have much time left.

“With my ability, we can get back in the shortest time possible!”

“Oh?”

Ian raised an eyebrow, then smiled, “Then show me your performance.”

Soon after, on the coast of the island, Ian and the others boarded the same ship they came on, even Dragon had already gotten on.

Kuma stood on the shore, right behind the ship’s stern, holding Ginny in his left arm. He had already taken off his glove on his right hand, and now he raised his right hand high.

“What is he planning to do?”

Yamato nudged Ian with her shoulder, curiously asking.

“You’ll see,” Ian chuckled.

If he explained beforehand, it wouldn’t have the same sense of surprise.

However, it turns out the powers of the Paw-Paw Fruit could be used like this?

But it makes sense.

If it can bounce people, why not objects? It’s just a matter of size.

**********

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep