Chapter 500: Mental exhaustion


    While Ian considered Luffy and his crews actions as a potential turning point, to be honest, he wasnt entirely sure.


    The actions of his butterfly had already led to many changes, so it was difficult to predict whether Luffy and the others would still provoke the Celestial Dragons as in the original storyline.


    Ian estimated the chances of this opportunity arising to be about fifty percenteither it would happen or it wouldnt. ordingly, Ian had to prepare two contingency ns.


    If Luffy and his crew acted ording to Ians expectations and drew out Admiral Kizaru, then that would be ideal. Dealing with only one Admiral, Aokiji, would be manageable, as Ian had a way to prevent him from pursuing them. However, if something unexpected happened on Luffys side, and they couldnt achieve Ians expected oue, he was prepared to force his way through.


    Forcing their way through carried significant risks. Currently, not only were two Admirals present at Marine Headquarters, but there were also several elite Vice Admirals. On top of that, with fierce people like Sengoku and Garp, Ians chances werent very high.


    However, Ian had a trump card as well. Firstly, the Ark Maxim could fly, and the energy from the Jet Dial wasnt entirely depleted after descending from Skypiea. It could still support the ships flight for over an hour. This flight capability hadnt been exposed to the Marines, and they would likely be dumbfounded when it was utilized.


    Of course, Ian couldnt guarantee that this flight wouldnt encounter any mishaps. After all, Marine Headquarters had previously been attacked by Shikis flying pirate fleet, so there might be countermeasures in ce.


    As for the second n, it involved going underwater!


    Within the Crescent Moon Port at Marine Headquarters, therey a deep-sea zone where Ians long-practiced swimming skills woulde in handy. He could hold his breath and swim a long distance underwater. Most importantly, Ian wasnt a true Devil Fruit user, so seawater had no adverse effects on him. On the contrary, submerging himself in water could help evade pursuit by many of the Marines ability users.


    Underwater, whether you were an Admiral or a Fleet Admiral, you were powerless!


    However, the drawback of this n was that Ian probably couldnt take anyone else with him. The ship would also need to stay temporarily at Marine Headquarters until he returned for itter.


    In Ians view, it was best not to resort to the second n if possible. It should be considered ast resort. The preferable oue would be to rely on Luffy and Zoro, hoping they could help him escape with everyone and the ship in one go.


    Furthermore, Ian had thought about their destination once they left.


    If they escaped from Marine Headquarters, it meant they were at odds with the Marines. In that case, it would be impossible to cross the Red Line from Mary Geoise into the New World. The Marines would absolutely prevent that.


    Perhaps the Ark Maxim could ascend with the Jet Dial from the top of the Red Line, given an hour of flight time, which should be sufficient for the Ark to climb over the Red Lines height.


    However, Ian had some concerns because he had heard from others that above the Red Line, there seemed to be violent turbulence in the high-altitude cloudyers. This made flying through the Red Line a dangerous endeavor. It might be due to the climatic effects of the Grand Line, as otherwise, why would pirates throughout history, aspiring to cross the Red Line into the New World, prefer the more perilous route of the Fish-Man Inds underwater path?


    Hadnt they ever considered crossing the Red Line through flight?


    Currently, Ian was weighing his options for how to reach the New World. If he decided on an aerial crossing, he wouldnt need to visit the Sabaody Archipgo. However, if they took the underwater route, he would have to make a trip to Sabaody Archipgo to have Rayleigh apply the coating to his ship.


    After much contemtion, Ian ultimately decided that taking the Fish-Man Ind route was the better choice.


    The high-altitude route above Mary Geoise was still an unknown ce for Ian. His crewcked a navigator like Nami, and if the legends were true, encountering high-altitude turbulence could lead to the ships destruction and the crews demise.


    On the other hand, the underwater path to Fish-Man Ind was rtively safer. Rayleighs expertise in coating was unquestionable, and as long as the coating remained intact, the ship would be secure.


    Moreover, Ian wanted to inform Jinbe about the situation regarding the Whitebeard Pirates on Fish-Man Ind.


    Opting for Fish-Man Ind meant a detour to the Sabaody Archipgo. It had its advantages toobeing sufficientlyrge, the ind offered convenient hiding spots, thanks to the enormous Yarukiman Mangrove. This made it a challenging area for the Marines to police effectively.


    When the time came, all Ian needed to do was find a secluded spot tond and promptly seek out Rayleigh to apply the coating to his ship. After that, they could head to Fish-Man Ind.


    Ian carefully considered all these aspects and found the n to be quite feasible. Consequently, he prepared to act ordingly.


    In the days that followed, Ian and his crew stayed in Marine Headquarters for another two days.


    On this particr day, Sengoku sat in his office, trembling hands clutching a report as he read it.


    Cold sweat dripped from his forehead, and by the time he finished reading, Sengoku felt his heart might give out!


    Thump! Sengoku mmed his fist onto the desk, roaring at the officer from Marine Headquarters who had delivered the report, Are you kidding me!? Is this report some kind of joke!?


    The portly logistics officer wiped his own forehead with a handkerchief, his face contorted into a wry smile as he replied, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, this is real!


    In less than a week, the expenditure on food at Marine Headquarters has skyrocketed to over 180 million Belly! Are you sincerely insisting this is true? Admiral Sengoku bellowed. Are you aiming to face a military tribunal!?


    Please, let me exin, Admiral, the logistics officer pleaded. In recent times, there has been a continuous influx of personnel recalled to the Headquarters, all of them senior officers. Naturally, we couldnt afford to bex in food provisions for them. We have been doing our best to supply them. However theres one individual who simply eats too much!


    Who? fleet Admiral Sengoku asked, puzzled. Is it one of the giant race officers?


    No its not. Its the Mink subordinate of the Seven Warlords, ck Dragon Ian! the logistics officer said. He he does nothing all day, essentially loitering in the Marine mess hall. He starts with breakfast, moves on to lunch, then dinner, and even goes on tote-night snacks! Ive never seen anyone with such an appetite. He practically eats all day long. In the past few days, my chefs have been close to exhaustion. Nearly 140 million of that 180 million Belly in food expenses can be attributed to his voracious appetite alone!


    Please, fleet Admiral, were begging you. Find a way to get him to leave! The logistics officers face turned mournful. Hes one of the Seven Warlords; we cant confront him directly. We had no choice but toe to you for help


    Hearing the logistics officers words, Admiral Sengoku sucked in a sharp breath. He knew exactly who they were talking aboutit was the guy under Iansmand named Doroni.


    Previously, Ian had mentioned to him that this person had a hearty appetite and asked him to amodate him as much as possible. At the time, Admiral Sengoku hadnt realized the extent of what Ian meant by hearty appetite. Now, he was beginning to suspect he had been taken advantage of!


    Damn it! Admiral Sengoku couldnt help but curse inwardly. In just four or five days, this guy had devoured over 140 million Bellys worth of food. Was he a bear mink or a pig mink!?


    Admiral Sengoku calcted on his fingers and realized that at this rate, the monthly food expenses at Marine Headquarters would exceed billions of Bellies. He genuinely felt like he was about to have a heart attack.


    However, he had no idea how to handle this problem. Ian had been left in a form of soft confinement, and Ian seemed to be cooperating with the Marines. How could he approach Ian and tell him to get his subordinate out of the mess hall? It was an impossible request!


    At this moment, Sengoku had the feeling that he was lifting a stone to drop it on his own foot. Ians scheme had truly sickened him.


    Just as Sengoku was struggling with how to deal with this problem, suddenly, a Marine soldier outside rushed into his office in a state of panic. He didnt even bother knocking; he just burst into Sengokus office.


    Sengoku was already furious, and seeing this Marine soldiers disregard for etiquette, he nearly threw his teacup at him in anger.


    However, before Sengoku could erupt, the Marine soldier blurted out in a panicked tone, I-its urgent, fleet Admiral Sengoku! Weve just received a report from the World Government. Three world nobles, Saint Rosward, Saint Charlos, and Saint Shalria, who were vacationing on Sabaody Archipgo, have been attacked by the Straw Hat Pirates who are gathered on the ind. All three world nobles are currently in a state of unconsciousness, and the World Government is demanding that Marine Headquarters immediately dispatch an admiral to apprehend the Straw Hat Pirates and their associates!


    Suddenly hearing this news, Admiral Sengoku felt like he had been struck by a bolt of lightning.


    He trembled, clutching his forehead, and muttered, Again its that little devil? Causing trouble one after another theyre all cut from the same cloth


    Sengoku felt that his recurring headache was getting worse. He was well aware of the situation with the Straw Hat Pirates, andtely, they had been unusually active, creating chaos on a grand scale each time.


    This time was no exception, as there had been another incident involving the Celestial Dragons


    With the dragon hunters Pirates led by Ian in the past and now the Straw Hat Pirates under Luffy, it seemed that the Celestial Dragons were having a string of unfortunate encounters.


    In fact, Ians previous concerns had been unnecessary. As long as the crime of human trafficking still existed in the Sabaody Archipgo, an incident involving the Celestial Dragons was bound to happen sooner orter


    In addition to the Straw Hat Pirates, there are also several other pirates like Eustass Kid and Trafalgar Law among them, the Marine soldier continued his report. Most of these individuals have bounties exceeding one billion Berries, and they are rtively new but formidable pirate crews


    Enough! Sengoku interrupted the report, stating, Regardless of the circumstances, if the world nobles have been targeted, the Marines cannot remain idle. Just like Ian did in the past and now the Straw Hat Pirates, we must take action. Send an immediate order to Admiral Kizaru, instructing him to visit Sabaody Archipgo and capture all those who have offended the Celestial Dragons. We must provide an exnation to the Celestial Dragons


    As Sengoku made his decision, he couldnt help but wonder if this headache of his would ever go away. The situation in the world of pirates was bing increasinglyplex and chaotic.