Still, it paled in comparison. Any being from those three interconnected realms could, upon death, be reborn in one of the other two, achieving a form of immortality, albeit without their memories.
But could a being reborn without its memories be considered the same individual? It was essentially a new entity, raising questions about the meaning of existence.
Even fragments of the Soul King's body had evolved into powerful beings like Yhwach, Jūshirō Ukitake, Pernida Parnkgjas, and Gerard Valkyrie.
Thus, despite being sealed and limbless, the Soul King was truly the progenitor of Quincies, Soul Reapers, and Hollows, the source of all three worlds. Kaguya, on the other hand, was merely the origin of chakra, the source of power in the Naruto world, a power she had gained by consuming the fruit of the God Tree.
Ian believed that as his power grew, he too could create a pocket dimension, a refuge from danger and a means to traverse the barriers between worlds.
"This is… the Vivre Card of Gecko Moria, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and a map to Thriller Bark? Where did you get this?"
"From that island." Ian replied.
"The Florian Triangle. Over a hundred ships are lost there each year. But it's actually the territory of Gecko Moria, a Warlord of the Sea."
"It's unavoidable. The World Government grants them the right to plunder, but they're also obligated to maintain balance with the Four Emperors."
Gion explained, knowing they were nearing Marineford. She didn't want this incident to influence Ian's decision. She had reservations about the Warlord system.
Granting pirates the right to plunder seemed absurd, but the Marines were outmatched by the overall strength of the pirate world. They could handle two or three Emperors simultaneously, but facing all four would be disastrous.
The Warlord system was a necessary compromise. It ensured that at least some powerful pirates were aligned with the Marines, reducing the risk of a coordinated attack by all four Emperors. "It's a foolish decision," Ian commented.
His sense of justice was similar to Fujitora's. While the Warlord system strengthened the Marines and reduced pirate activity to some extent, it wasn't a perfect solution.
The Warlords' actions were often more ruthless than those of ordinary pirates, yet the Marines were powerless to intervene. Fujitora believed that those who supported the system had never been victims of the Warlords' brutality and couldn't comprehend the despair they inflicted.
His justice was absolute, seeking to protect everyone from harm, regardless of the larger consequences. It was a compassionate approach, a stark contrast to Akainu's uncompromising stance, which prioritized eliminating threats even at the cost of innocent lives. This fundamental difference in their ideologies was a source of constant friction between them.
While Fujitora's approach was idealistic, it was also grounded in empathy. After all, failing to eliminate a threat could lead to even greater suffering in the future, requiring even more effort to rectify. Perhaps a combination of their approaches, Fujitora focusing on saving lives and Akainu eliminating threats, would be the ideal solution for the Marines.
"Damn… politics." He muttered, recognizing the underlying motivations. The Marines lacked sufficient resources, but the World Government had other forces at its disposal. They could easily bolster the Marines if they desired. Ultimately, they feared a powerful Marine force that could potentially threaten their absolute authority.
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Turning on their own allies. What a farce.
"I understand. Strength is paramount in this world. If you're dissatisfied with something, become powerful enough to change it."
"But I want to see it for myself. Adventure is one of my dreams. Zombies, ghosts, skeletons, invisible men, bats…" Ian described the rumored inhabitants of the Florian Triangle, a fitting destination for someone with demonic powers.
His true motive, however, was the abundance of souls within that region, as well as his curiosity about Brook and Perona, individuals with soul-related abilities. He wondered what he could learn from them and whether the zombies possessed souls, considering they were animated by Moria's Kage Kage no Mi.
With over a hundred ships disappearing each year, the number of souls must be substantial. While the number of souls required to increase his fusion rate grew with each increment, the Florian Triangle should be sufficient to push him beyond 35%.
Due to their adherence to the Marines' designated route, they had encountered few stray souls during their voyage. Despite the massacre on that island, his fusion rate had only reached 28%, currently nearing 29%. He couldn't miss this opportunity.
"But we're Marines. We can't interfere with a Warlord's activities, especially considering those ships entered the Florian Triangle willingly." Gion attempted to dissuade him.
"But I haven't officially joined the Marines yet." Ian replied with a mischievous grin, and to Gion's astonishment, he leaped onto a small boat, following the pull of Gecko Moria's Vivre Card towards the distant Florian Triangle.
"… That rascal! Just like Garp, always causing trouble!" Gion stomped her foot in frustration. So, his request for time to consider was just a ruse.
"Vice Admiral Gion, what's he doing…?" The Marines inquired, wondering if he was up to something suspicious. "Just a kid with a thirst for adventure," Gion waved dismissively. "He wants to explore the Florian Triangle."
"But that's Gecko Moria's territory…"
They expressed their concern. Moria's powers were even more dangerous than he was. He could steal people's shadows and create zombies, vulnerable only to sunlight. While Ian possessed potential and strength, he was still no match for Moria.
"Indeed. I'll follow him and observe. We can't afford to lose such a valuable asset. With proper guidance, he could become as strong as a Warlord, perhaps even an Admiral."
She removed her pink Vice Admiral coat. Entering a Warlord's territory required a more discreet approach. While her identity wasn't a secret, Moria's subordinates and the zombies inhabiting Thriller Bark were unlikely to recognize her.
She would also monitor Ian's actions, ensuring he didn't engage in any activities that would tarnish the Marines' reputation. If he did, she would be forced to intervene, regardless of his potential.
With that, she used Geppo, leaping across the sky towards Ian, her movements reminiscent of a dragonfly skimming the water's surface.
...
On a deserted island near the edge of the East Blue…
"News Coo, a newspaper, please!" Killer called out, approaching the large bird perched on a hilltop. He paid for the newspaper and skimmed through its contents.
"As expected, the Marines took all the credit for that incident." He commented, pointing to an article detailing Vice Admiral Gion's heroic defeat of over a dozen pirate crews, cementing her reputation as the strongest Vice Admiral, a true hero of the South Blue.
"Tch, since when did the Marines stoop to such tactics?" Kid scoffed dismissively.
After his encounter with Ian, he realized he wasn't ready to challenge the Grand Line just yet. He needed to establish his reputation further. Therefore, after three days of sailing, they had reached the edge of the South Blue, aiming to enter the East Blue.
They had heard rumors that the East Blue was the weakest of the four seas. Building a reputation there should be relatively easy. "It's Portgas D. Ace…"
A small boat approached the island, carrying a young man with freckles, black hair, a cowboy hat, a saber and pistol at his waist, and a cheerful demeanor.
A flag adorned the boat, bearing the Spade symbol from a deck of cards. Killer glanced at Kid and explained, "Like you, he's a rising star from the East Blue. His bounty is over 100 million berries, and…"