One Piece : Winged Dragons of the Beast Pirates

Mmm...

The darkness faded away.

Gion slowly opened her eyes.

Everything was clear.

Her first reaction was pain.

Her head hurt, her stomach ached.

It was a deep, heart-wrenching pain.

Had she lost?

Lost so easily.

She had been completely powerless in front of that person.

But... did she somehow survive?

Gion struggled to sit up, only to realize she couldn't.

Thick chains were wrapped tightly around her, binding her like a wrapped dumpling.

Gion attempted to break free, gathering her strength.

Though she wasn't skilled in raw strength, the power she could unleash was far beyond what mere steel could withstand.

After all, how could simple steel compare to a body forged through countless training and trials?

But these chains were no ordinary ones.

Even though Gion could feel a sharp, tearing pain in her stomach, and her muscles were trembling with exertion, she couldn't break free from them.

"Stop struggling," a voice said. "These chains are specially made by my father. They're made of an alloy that can't be broken by brute force."

At that moment, a little girl with pink hair walked in. She looked calmly at Gion.

"The injury on your stomach isn't something simple stitching can fix. My father used some artificial tissue organs to patch you up. If you keep struggling, those tissues will detach."

Gion finally realized that her actions were futile and stopped moving.

"Who are you?"

"Reiju. Vinsmoke Reiju."

The little girl lifted Gion up. "Father said that if you're awake, he'll take you to see Lord Ian."

Such strength for a girl?

Gion was slightly surprised.

Then...

Ian.

So she was indeed captured?

Sister Tsuru, looks like I've caused you some trouble.

Reiju carried Gion through the complex buildings of the Germa Kingdom and soon arrived at a large open terrace.

Ian and the officers of the Donquixote family were having a barbecue there.

The weakened Gion looked up at the sun.

The sun was tilting westward—was it already the afternoon of the next day?

"You're awake?"

Ian, who was grilling a large skewer of meat, didn't even look up. "Remember to thank Judge. A regular doctor couldn't have handled that kind of injury."

Struck by the Sword of Destruction, the flesh on Gion's stomach had been completely wiped away, along with parts of her intestines.

"I don't have a habit of thanking sinners."

Gion sneered.

"Hmph."

Judge sneered as well.

If it was for the revival of the family, becoming a sinner didn't matter.

Nearby, Sanji, who was grilling meat, couldn't help but glance up at Gion.

Such an ungrateful person.

His father had saved her, after all.

"A sinner?"

Drake let out a cold snort.

He was completely darkened now.

He no longer trusted the Navy or their so-called justice.

"You woke up just in time."

Ian picked up the skewer in his hand.

It was already sizzling and fragrant.

Not bad, my cooking skills are pretty good after all.

Ian casually handed the skewer to the drooling Yamato beside him.

Wiping his hands, Ian turned to Gion. "I was about to contact the World Government to discuss what we could exchange you for."

"Exchange?"

Gion froze. "You want to use me as a bargaining chip with the World Government?"

"So, you should be thanking me," Ian said, nonchalantly pulling out a transponder snail. "I've spared you once more."

The first time was yesterday when she had chased after him after he was ready to leave.

But Gion, instead of feeling grateful, was filled with shame.

For her sake, did the World Government have to pay an even higher price?

"Wait!"

Gion suddenly realized something. "Did you say the World Government?"

How did this guy get in contact with the World Government?

She watched Ian skillfully dial the number, a bit confused.

"Brrr, brrr, brrr."

The transponder snail started to ring.

"Quiet down."

Ian said.

Soon, the call was answered.

"Ian-sama?"

A man's voice came from the other side.

"How is it, old friend? What are they saying on your side?"

Ian asked.

"You're really bold, aren't you? You dare to kidnap a Rear Admiral from the Navy Headquarters, and now you want to trade her with the World Government?"

"The World Government?"

Gion's eyes widened.

This guy… is he old acquaintances with the people from the World Government?

"Don't say it like that, Goat," Ian replied lazily. "I can't be blamed for this. I was about to leave, but that Rear Admiral, Gion, insisted on chasing after me. What could I do?"

"If you hadn't gone to look for Doflamingo, none of this would have happened."

On the other end of the line, the Goat was the CP0 agent who had once gone to Wano to negotiate the Sea-Prism Stone trade with Ian. Over the years, it was him who handled business dealings with Ian, making them quite familiar with each other.

"Enough with the nonsense, Goat," Ian smiled at Gion. "Just tell me, what are you willing to give up for Rear Admiral Gion? We've been doing business with your World Government for years, so no need to beat around the bush."

Gion couldn't believe what she was hearing.

Doing business with the World Government?

Drake couldn't help but sneer.

This is the World Government… this is the World Government that the Navy swears loyalty to!

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