Chapter 72 - A sneak attack

As the whole world listens to Sengoku's announcement of the war ending, they remains shocked in their places.

They had wanted for him to die in this war along with his crew.

They had wanted the blood of the infamous pirate king Gol D. roger to be extinguished. They wanted Ace to die.

But what had they got?

None of that. Whitebeard was still alive. Ace was saved, and the marines had suffered devastating losses.

It was an utter failure.

****

The marines started taking care of their wounded with all the capable personnel helping, while the admirals stood there just watching. Akainu especially was sporting an angry look as he looked at Shanks.

Whitebeard shared a look with Ian, as they both nodded.

"Red hair, It's an honor to meet you. I would like to have a drink with you later" Ian said as he addressed Shanks who was near him.

Shanks smiled.

"I would like that too." He replied before he told them that he had to leave and went on his way. He had stopped them from fighting anymore, and since Sengoku gave his words then there was no point for him to stay any longer. Though if he didn't come, perhaps the marines would have lost their admirals against the old man and Ian.

"Let's go back Brat, tonight we are going to have a huge party!" Whitebeard said his piece from the side as he addressed Ian. He had a huge smile on his face as he laughed boisterously.

He then started retreating along With Ian to the Moby d.i.c.k and where the commanders were waiting.

The both of them and Shanks had thought this was the end of this war. As both the marines and pirates had announced the end of the fight.

Whitebeard was filled with happiness as before Ian helped him, he had even been prepared to die if it meant he was able to save Ace.

But now not only did he do it, but he had also affirmed his status as someone not to be messed with from now on. No one would dare to attack his territories ever again for fear of his wrath… and even if the marines caught one if his pirates they would release them for fear of his retaliation.

After all just one pirate emperor did this to them. They wouldn't dare bother him again or he might band with another emperor like Shanks and then it would be their doom.

While Ian, since he had seen Sengoku announce something similar in the anime, he felt that the war was over.

As such he had let down his guard.

And it was at that exact moment, when they had reached a distance from the marines who were helping each other and tending to their injured, that someone made his move.

Luckily for Ian before partaking in this war, he had gained the instincts of the mink people. And it probably was what had saved his life this time.

Because as they were running back towards the ship, suddenly there appeared a human.

He was a male with normal average facial features. His body looked skinny and his eyes bloody as if he didn't sleep for a while now.

He had a sword at his hands that he swung at Ian's throat at a speed that appeared slow but made it so that Ian couldn't dodge.

Ian was unable to guess how this person had sneaked up on him, as even Whitebeard and the marines had shocked looks on their faces. And the old man changed directions soon after and came to help him. But in his minds they knew that it was impossible to dodge this attack.

But to the shock of the people watching, Ian made an impossible move as he got out of his own shock. He instinctively moved out of the range of the Strike by moving his head backward making the sword miss him.

He then crossed his hands in front of his face and braced for the impact of the shockwave from the attack.

It was such a casual strike of the sword that anyone watching would be convinced it contained no strength.

But the shockwave that happened after it, was one so huge that it made a gash on the earth with almost 100 m of distance.

And at the end of this trench was Ian.

His upper clothes were shredded while he was still in a defending position with his arms closed.

He shook his hands to free his body from the dust, and in the way took off the wrecked shirt.

He glared at the assailant in silent rage.

He had let down his guard. Which already pissed him off, but what was more important is that if he hadn't gained the instincts of the mink race, he might have died to this sneak attack. He had been able to see the attack but he knew he couldn't dodge normally. It was only because his body moved with instinct that he was alive now.

But he was sure that he wouldn't be able to feel the presence of this person even if he didn't let down his guard. After all even now he can't hear his 'voice'…

This made the thought of him dying easily sprung into his mind. All this time he had been training and evolving his body but he still almost died… his conviction to grow stronger was strengthened even more now.

When he took a more focused look on his assailant his eyes furrowed in worry.

Standing where he was looking was a man 198 cm tall, this dark skinned man has an expressive feel about him, and he has a burn mark on his right foot.

He has a round face with a cleft chin, a large nose, small lips, and his light red eyes are thin.

He has shoulder length, curly, brown hair, and he has an impressive wild growing beard.

And though he was skinny he has toned arms, a defined torso with a straight waist, and toned legs.

He was wearing old fashioned clothes that are mostly light-colored and loose, and he wears multiple bronze bracelets on both wrists. He is usually seen wearing a cap. The sword in his hands was so normal looking Ian suspected he had just grabbed it from the ground of the battlefield.

The reason Ian furrowed his brows is that he felt this person was so strong that he may have to go all out against him. But there was something wrong with his body, he was sure of that, but he couldn't put his hands on it…

Ian silently focused on his ring and brought out a weapon. It was the weapon he was the most proficient in, the one he trained the most on and had mastered. The Spear.

But this spear was different than the usual, as it was a double edged spear.

Not even the admirals and the fleet admiral made him get serious enough to bring out his weapon.

At this point, Ian was going to fight with his all.