"By the way, aging will slow down. That also means normal growth will be delayed," Ian warned. "So, kids whose bodies haven't fully developed yet shouldn't even think about messing with this thing."
"Let's wait until we're grown, then."
"I don't mind either way."
Ace shrugged.
He wasn't even twenty yet, so eternal youth wasn't something he needed to worry about for now.
"As for everyone else," Ian looked at his companions. "One each. You can set it in your jewelry and carry it with you."
"Well then, we won't be shy!"
Black Maria grinned.
And so, each of the crew members received a small piece of pure gold.
After dividing it, the head-sized piece of pure gold looked no different than before; even the excuse that a layer of dust had been brushed off couldn't apply here.
Which is why it was said—this single piece was already more than enough.
On Onigashima, there were factories dedicated to such things; creating custom jewelry was a matter of minutes.
Soon, one by one, the pieces of jewelry inlaid with pure gold were completed.
Kaido made a bracelet to replace the one he already wore.
Black Maria and Viola chose to embed the gold into their earrings.
Jack was even more straightforward; he drilled a hole in his tooth and buried the gold inside.
As for convenience, Bullet took the easiest route—activating his Clank fruit ability, he fused the gold directly with his body. Now, it would never separate.
Ian, on the other hand, found himself in a difficult predicament.
He looked at the two rings held out before him by two women, each a different design, and then glanced up at the women themselves.
"Ian! Are you taking her ring or mine?!"
Yamato and Hancock spoke almost in unison, their eyes fixed unblinkingly on Ian.
"Ohhh."
Law let out a gleeful, mocking cry from the sidelines.
Ulti was gnashing her teeth in frustration, but there was nothing she could do—her strength simply couldn't compete with the two older sisters.
All she could do was sit there, helplessly watching.
Ian sighed.
Then, without hesitation, he extended both hands and took a ring from each woman.
"Ian!" ×2
Yamato immediately puffed up her cheeks, and Hancock wore a look of mournful resignation.
How could he possibly take that white-haired bastard's ring—or that snake woman's ring?!
But Ian didn't care what they were thinking. One ring in each hand!
Love was selfish and exclusive. What he was doing was undeniably unfair to both girls.
But at this point, asking him to let go? No way.
After all, he was a man destined to become King of the World. A little privilege wasn't too much to ask, right?
The final outcome? Under Hancock's sorrowful gaze, Ian was chased and beaten all the way as Yamato swung her kanabo.
Not long after, someone arrived on Onigashima.
They didn't enter Wano properly via the underground harbor, nor did they take a ship to reach Onigashima.
They came falling straight from the sky.
Bubbles, like the paw pads of a cat, dropped from above, landing on the shore of Onigashima Harbor, leaving shallow, paw-shaped dents in the ground.
And the people carried within those bubbles, transported from thousands of miles away, finally set foot on the island.
"Onigashima!"
A cute little girl with pink hair raised her hands and ran out joyfully. "I can see Ian-nii again!"
"Don't run off, Bonney."
Behind the little girl, a graceful woman with equally pink hair smiled warmly.
"Mom! I'm going to find Ian-nii!"
The little girl waved happily at her mother over her shoulder, then dashed into the depths of Onigashima. Judging by how familiar she looked, this clearly wasn't her first visit.
"My goodness, this child's energy is a bit over the top."
Ginny shook her head with a smile.
"I just hope Bonney can always stay this full of life."
Next to her, Kuma smiled and nodded.
"That's true."
Leaning against her husband's legs, Ginny watched their daughter's small figure bouncing deeper into the island. The smile on her lips radiated nothing but pure happiness.
It was wonderful.
A life like this must be the happiness she had once longed for so dearly.
"Hmph."
While the couple basked in this blissful atmosphere, another man who had come with them let out a low hum. "Alright, let's go find Ian first."
The man, with sharp, eagle-like eyes, lifted the corner of his mouth. His gaze radiated excitement. "That guy Ian is going to give me a gift, and coincidentally, I have a gift for him too!"
"Mr. Mihawk…"
Kuma sighed softly. "Maybe you should reconsider."
The world's greatest swordsman had been living on Hive Island for over six years.
Although he was renowned as the strongest swordsman in the world, he was actually far easier to get along with than most imagined.
Normally, he neither picked fights nor sought attention; he simply trained with his sword in silence.
It was hard to imagine that, in his youth, he had been so arrogant as to hunt Navy officers, earning the title of "Navy Hunter."
Over the years, the couple had actually gotten along quite well with him.
So when Kuma learned of Mihawk's intention to come to Onigashima with them this time, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of worry.
There's no way he could win.
"Kuma, no need for words. I want to see a whole new scenery!"
Mihawk said.
In the next moment, a huge bubble opened from the depths of Onigashima, and the handsome man appeared right before them.
Law, who had originally been smiling, raised an eyebrow in surprise when he saw Mihawk.
"Dracule Mihawk? What are you doing here?"
"No need for you to worry about that. Just take me to Ian," Mihawk said stiffly.
"Tch."
Law clicked his tongue. "Then let's go. Little Bonney has already been sent ahead by me."
The powers of Operation Fruit activated once again.
Mihawk felt a brief flash before his surroundings changed, and he found himself standing directly in a loft.
Before him sat Ian on a cushion, and in front of him, Bonney was chattering excitedly, flailing her arms and talking animatedly.
"Ian-nii! Listen to me!"
Ian smiled gently at the adorable little girl before him.
Bonney was seven years old this year.
She had likely entered her prime stage of childhood.
She had a certain level of thinking ability, yet still believed in some of the most fantastical tales as if they were real.
Over the years, Ian had been sending her various fantasy books to Hive Island.
Then.
Ian lifted his gaze toward the Kuma couple.
"Kuma, Ginny, thank you for coming all this way. There's something I need to give you."
As an officer of the Beast Pirates, Kuma had helped Ian oversee Hive Island all these years. His efforts were considerable, and pure gold was naturally part of the reward.
In fact, Kuma would later be tasked with delivering pure gold to others as well.
"Oh? What is it?"
Ginny asked, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
"You'll see soon enough," Ian replied with a teasing smile.
Then he turned his attention to the man striding toward him, a sword on his back.
"Mihawk, my good friend, long time no see. Any advice for me?"
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Mihawk's lips.
"Ian, let's fight!"
Oh?
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