One Piece : Winged Dragons of the Beast Pirates

On his back.

"Am I really on Lord Ian's back now? Lord Ian's back is so big and warm."

Hancock, teary-eyed, softly lay on Ian's back, looking deeply moved. "Is this... heart-to-heart?"

Ian couldn't help but smile slightly at the corner of his mouth. Pretty cultured, huh?

However, with your chest thickness, and my current size, our hearts are still a bit far apart.

The two younger sisters were about to say something but held back. Why was their usually cold and distant sister acting like this? 

Meanwhile, Yamato just felt strange inside, like wanting to hit someone.

What is this weird woman doing? 

Ian was genuinely worried they might start fighting behind him, but luckily, his flying speed wasn't slow, and soon they arrived at Sabaody Archipelago.

Neptune's subordinates were already waiting there. Ian and his group applied a waterproof coating, then followed the Fish-Man troops sent by Neptune into the deep sea.

It was the first time they entered the deep sea, and Hancock's sisters didn't seem to react any better than Yamato had before.

They were both filled with amazement and awe.

Whenever a giant sea monster passed by, Hancock's two younger sisters would scream in fear.

But Hancock didn't seem to care. She knew that no matter what happened, Lord Ian would protect them.

The young girl would secretly steal glances at Ian, her gazes gentle and affectionate, full of admiration and love.

Ian pretended not to notice.

However, Yamato, whenever Hancock secretly glanced at Ian, would suddenly turn her head towards her. But all she saw was Hancock gazing at the deep sea around them.

Thus, Yamato grew even more suspicious.

But this suspicion didn't last too long. The dark, empty sea was far too boring, and after two times of Yamato yawning and falling asleep on Ian's shoulder, her sleeping position was anything but graceful—she had wrapped her arms around his neck.

Hancock instantly clenched her fists, her face turning slightly pale.

Ian silently sighed.

He had a headache.

Fortunately, the fish-man squad sent by Neptune was quick. Soon enough, Fish-Man Island appeared.

This time, there was no need to rush in. The squad guarding the island's gates respectfully welcomed Ian back.

They entered Fish-Man Island and went straight to Ryugu Palace.

Their friends immediately approached them.

"Big Brother Ian! What happened with the Kuja Pirates?"

Jack rushed up and asked, "The newspaper says the Kuja Pirates were destroyed? And they didn't even mention you guys."

"It was a trade-off," Ian replied. "I gave the World government a favor, and the navy abandoned their plans for Amazon Lily."

Jack sighed in relief. "I knew it! Big brother Ian could never fail!"

Behind Ian, Hancock's eyes suddenly brightened after hearing Jack's words.

This guy... seems like a good person.

At the same time...

"Ian," Black Maria also noticed the three sisters following Ian, especially Hancock.

She was so beautiful!

In front of this girl, Black Maria felt self-conscious. "Who are they?"

Ian then turned around to introduce, "This is Hancock, Sandersonia, and Marigold, the three sisters from Amazon Lily. Hancock is an extraordinary genius, so I'm inviting her to join the Beasts Pirates."

"Lord Ian praised me as a genius—"

Hancock was struck by another arrow. She leaned against her sister, clutching her chest, almost intoxicated to the point of pain. There was no sign of the pale face from earlier in the deep sea.

"So happy!"

Eh? Is something interesting about to happen?

Law immediately lifted the corner of his mouth into a smile.

Even Viola stared intently, almost eager to use her ability to read Ian's mind.

"Ian?"

Black Maria looked toward Ian.

Ian straightened up and said, "All the objectives have been achieved. It's time to go back. I'll go say goodbye to Neptune now."

The reaction from the Neptune couple was similar to Tritoma's. They both tried to keep Ian from leaving.

Otohime said, "Ian, stay a few more days. After my efforts these past few days, the number of people willing to move to Wano Country has increased to over 4,000! And it will continue to grow!"

"No need, Queen Otohime."

Ian shook his head. "With the current situation, no matter how hard you try, it won't make a significant difference. We need to make the people of Fish-Man Island realize that the life in Wano Country is not exactly what they imagined."

"But what should we do then?"

Otohime appeared slightly anxious. Her eyes suddenly brightened. "How about I come with you to Wano?"

Though her body was fragile, her spirit was strong. In the original story, she even dared to follow the Celestial Dragons to Mariejois.

"You're not suited for it, Queen Otohime. You already agree with this plan, but the citizens of Fish-Man Island may not believe you."

Ian smiled. "Perhaps, you could have Fisher Tiger come."

After the uproar in Mariejois, Tiger had become a hero of Fish-Man Island.

Reputation still had to be above that of Queen Otohime at this moment.

If he could support the immigration plan, the subsequent progress would likely be much easier.

"Tiger?"

The couple exchanged a glance.

In any case, Ian and his group would return to port once again.

The Golden Dragon had already completed its plating, and now was the time to sail home.

Unlike the trip here, this time, the ship was carrying over a thousand Fish-Man pirates and more than four thousand Fish-Man Island residents.

It could be said that fortunately, the Golden Dragon was large enough, or else it wouldn't be able to accommodate so many people.

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