"Neptune, what did you say?"

Ian doubted if he had heard correctly.

"I said," Neptune's voice on the phone was serious, "The World Government cannot fulfill the long-standing wishes we've held for centuries. They will never allow our people to appear freely and equally on the seas!"

"Only you, Ian, only you can realize our dream! You are more suited to rule this world than the Celestial Dragons!"

Huh?

Ian felt confused.

Is this still the Neptune he once knew?

What kind of mental journey must he have gone through to say something like this?

"The Fish-Man Island will fully support you in overthrowing the World Government, Ian!"

Neptune's tone was resolute, "For this, Otohime and I have also done what we could."

Ian became genuinely interested, "What do you mean by 'what you could'?"

Neptune grew a little excited, "Otohime and I realized that even among the kings allied with the World Government, many are unhappy with the government."

"So during this world conference, we managed to win over quite a few kings. Together, we formed a secret organization. Of course, on the surface, our goal is to unite and check the power of the World Government."

"Oh?"

Ian was truly surprised, "There's something like that?"

"Otohime's ability lets her easily sense others' emotions, and she can even force others to empathize with her."

Neptune explained, "The eleven kings who joined the organization are all deeply dissatisfied with the World Government. Even if some weren't, Otohime used her power to bring out the dissatisfaction they hid in their hearts."

"There were originally more kings unhappy with the World Government, but only these could treat Otohime and me equally."

"..."

Ian was momentarily stunned.

Neptune—this guy actually managed to pull off such a huge move silently?

There were eleven allied kingdoms, and counting his own, that made twelve allied nations.

That was already a formidable force.

Moreover, the cohesion within this organization was probably quite strong.

Ian knew well how much influence Queen Otohime's abilities had over others.

That Celestial Dragon who had fled to the Fishman Island spent some time with her and not only reformed but was later executed by the God's Knights to save Otohime and the others.

A terrifying ability that could be called brainwashing!

The kings influenced by Otohime likely held deep resentment toward the World Government that wouldn't easily fade.

"You did very well, Neptune." Ian said seriously, "I'll give you all the support you want. Do your best to expand this organization."

Undermining the World Government was a golden opportunity that couldn't be missed.

Not to mention, if the allied nations started to fracture, who would the Navy obey?

"Yes!"

Neptune immediately grew excited. Ian's approval invigorated him.

"Leave it to me! Too many allied nations are dissatisfied with the World Government! In fact, most of the allied kingdoms resent the World Government's dominance!"

"Several kings in the organization say they can easily recruit newcomers!"

There was great potential!

"Then it's all yours."

Ian smiled. "But be careful not to get discovered by the government. I'll have someone embedded inside to cover for you."

Stussy could finally be of use again.

"That's great!"

Neptune excitedly hung up the phone.

Ian ended the call and put down the Den Den Mushi, still feeling a bit dazed.

So, Fish-Man Island was now completely on his side?

That meant he could build an unprecedented underwater force, making every fleet on the seas break out in a cold sweat.

It also meant he could freely exploit underwater resources, uncovering treasures that ordinary people could barely even dream of.

But Neptune really had changed completely — before, there was no way he would take such initiative.

Well, this was definitely a good thing.

Let him do as he pleased.

Even if it failed, it wouldn't be a loss; at least it would stir up some chaos within the World Government.

Life settled back into a quiet routine.

Ian's daily routine consisted of handling official business, training his Observation Kill, and assisting Yamato and Hancock in learning Conqueror's Haki Infusion.

More than half a month had passed since the World Summit.

"He should have learned it by now, right?"

On the square outside the Skull Building, Ian lay on a deck chair wearing sunglasses, talking to himself under the sun.

He had refined his Conqueror's Haki and learned to inject it into his body to disrupt his own aura.

He had now completed this training.

"So, how is it?"

He looked at the man in front of him. "What's different from before?"

Enel glanced at him with some disdain and casually replied, "It's a bit different. Your aura has become more chaotic."

Ian nodded slightly.

If that was the case, the training should be successful.

Enel was the strongest in Observation Haki on the island after Ian himself. Whether or not he had the power of the Goro Goro no Mi, he was still strong.

If he said Ian's aura had become chaotic, there should be no problem.

There was still no second person on the island who could foresee the future, so he couldn't test it directly.

Ian sighed quietly.

"Ian-sama,"

At that moment, a beautiful blonde woman approached gracefully. "I have some very interesting news."

"Hm?"

Ian pushed his sunglasses up on his nose and sat up from his reclining chair. "Tell me."

The CP0 spy Stussy smiled brightly and said, "That guy, Doflamingo, is going to become the king of Dressrosa."

"Is that so?"

Ian raised an eyebrow. "That bastard finally couldn't hold back."

Because of himself, Ian had stayed quietly in Dressrosa for so many years, but it seemed like Doflamingo could no longer restrain himself.

"Viola," He called out loudly, "Your homeland is about to have a new king. What do you say about that?"

"What?"

Viola, who was sunbathing nearby with her friends, hurried over, looking alarmed. "What do you mean?"

"It means Doflamingo is going to become the new king of Dressrosa," Ian said.

"Doflamingo?"

Viola immediately clenched her teeth. "That hateful man! He's acting again? He—"

The woman suddenly went blank.

Who exactly did Doflamingo attack this time?

But none of that mattered.

She had to stop that guy quickly—

But why?

Viola was caught in confusion.

Why stop Doflamingo?

What reason did she have to stop him?

"Something feels off."

Ian furrowed his brows.

Why was he trying to stop Doflamingo from taking over Dressrosa?

It seemed it was because of Viola.

But why did stopping Doflamingo from becoming the king of Dressrosa matter just because of Viola?

No, no!

Something was definitely wrong!

Even if he wasn't from the Uchiha clan, Ian felt that something in this world was definitely broken.

Could it be that he was under the influence of some power?

**********

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