Super Card System - Chapter 432
Chapter 432: Brother-in-Law!?
In fact, Ian was also guessing whether that guy Teach was plotting to take over Crocodile’s position.
He remembered clearly that Teach was indeed plotting to become one of the Seven Warlords, and Ian originally thought that he might want to replace the position of Doflamingo. However, when he thought about it from Teach’s perspective, he realized that it was not that easy.
Yes, Doflamingo’s position is now vacant, but Teach cannot prove his strength in front of the marines and the World Government because he did not defeat Doflamingo. It is impossible for him to replace Doflamingo as one of the Seven Warlords by just talking.
But if Teach himself were to defeat one of the Seven Warlords, then the situation would be different…
In a parallel universe, Teach was able to rise to power because he captured Ace, the second division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates. But Ace has not met him yet, and Teach probably didn’t expect that. So in Ian’s opinion, he has a better chance of plotting against Crocodile.
But why hasn’t he arrived in Alabasta after so many days of traveling in front of Ian and the others?
This is the most confusing thing for Ian.
And what about Crocodile? Although he had returned to Alabasta, he has not shown up since Ian and the others returned to Alabasta. Ian knew that the Baroque Works operatives would never withhold such crucial information, so he surmised that Crocodile was actively avoiding him.
As Ian contemplated whether or not to inform Crocodile of the news, he guessed that even if he did, Crocodile wouldn’t care. But just as he was lost in thought, Luffy suddenly sat down beside him and curiously asked, “Hey, Zoro’s brother, are you and Ace friends?”
Ian smiled and said, “Not just friends, we’re brothers!”
Luffy’s eyes widened in surprise. “You and Ace are brothers!? Why has he never mentioned having a brother before!?”
Ian burst out laughing at Luffy’s wildly imaginative mind. How did Luffy come up with such a wild idea that he and Ace were biological brothers?
Just as Ian was about to explain, a voice suddenly came from behind. “You idiot! Ian and I are blood brothers!”
Everyone turned to see that Ace had somehow jumped onto the ship without anyone noticing. He was squatting on the deck, grinning at Luffy and saying, “Just like when we were kids, Ian and I became brothers by drinking the oath wine!”
“Ace!!!” Luffy exclaimed in delight, running over to embrace him. “I’ve missed you so much!”
Ace pushed Luffy away with a disdainful expression, but he still smiled and said, “Luffy, I’ve been waiting for you for days. It looks like you got my message from Drum Island.”
“What message?” Luffy asked, perplexed.
It was only then that Chopper realized that the villagers had forgotten to tell Luffy about Ace’s message.
Ace also caught on, but he didn’t pay it much attention. As long as he could see Luffy, that was all that mattered to him. So he smiled and said, “Luffy, I have some good news for you. Sabo’s not dead!”
“Sa… Sabo!?” Luffy was dumbfounded when he heard that name and then trembled as he asked, “Are you sure…really?”
Ace nodded confidently and said, “Yes, I saw him with my own eyes. But I have to thank Ian for helping us meet again.”
“That’s… that’s amazing!” Luffy’s voice shook as he spoke, and tears welled up in his eyes.
Ace then told Luffy the story of what had happened. At first, Luffy listened attentively, but as he heard Ace recount how Ian, Ace, and Sabo had become brothers by sharing sake, Luffy’s mood soured. He shouted, “Ah! You guys are so sneaky! Why didn’t you take me with you?”
As for Zoro, he was stunned upon hearing this. He could clearly sense the meaning behind what Ace had said – Ian, Ace, and Sabo had shared sake and become brothers, and Ace and Sabo were Luffy’s brothers. So didn’t that mean Ian was also Luffy’s brother?
What did that make him and Luffy then?
As for Nami and the others, they were utterly shocked and dumbfounded as they looked back and forth between Ian and Ace. They had overheard their conversation earlier and learned that Ace was the captain of the second division of the Whitebeard Pirates, and even he had a bounty of 550 million berries.
With one brother having a bounty of 650 million and the other having 550 million, their combined bounty was a staggering 1.2 billion. And to think that both of these infamous pirates were Luffy and Zoro’s older brothers! Nami and the rest felt as if they were about to faint…
Even Reiju, who was nearby, was surprised by the news and couldn’t help but take a few extra glances at the Straw Hat Pirates. Was Sanji really a part of this pirate crew? Maybe it was for the best after all.
Speaking of Sanji, he had just woken up from his trance. Matthew’s hypnosis had worn off, and he quickly got back on his feet after tumbling on the deck. But he was confused by everyone’s shocked expressions and had no idea what had just happened.
However, he didn’t have time to ponder the situation as Reiju’s gaze fell upon him. As soon as he caught sight of her face, which resembled that of his mother, and with her gentle gaze, Sanji’s heart melted. He didn’t make a scene and simply pulled out a cigarette from his pocket, lighting it with his lighter and put his hands in his pockets.
Although Reiju is his older sister, Sanji’s expression doesn’t show excitement like seeing a sibling, because Sanji knows that in the Vinsmoke family, familial affection cannot be talked about.
Reiju walked towards Sanji and smiled before asking him, “It seems like you managed to escape back then…”
“Why are you here?” Sanji’s expression softened as he asked Reiju, “Did father send you to take me back?”
“No!” Reiju shook her head and said, “Father doesn’t know you’re still alive! I came here just to see you…”
Sanji felt relieved upon hearing this, as he was worried that Reiju had some ulterior motive. So, when he learned that Reiju was not sent by Judge, he finally accepted her appearance.
“Why…why are you with that guy?” Sanji pointed to Ian and asked Reiju, “Do you know him?”
Reiju really wanted to tell Sanji the truth, because she didn’t want to lie to him. But she knew that if she told Sanji that she was captured after losing to the Dragon-Hunter Pirates, and that’s how she met Ian, then she was sure that Sanji would rush up and fight Ian with all his might!
The reason why Reiju was so concerned about Sanji was because he was her gentlest brother in her heart. If Sanji knew that his sister was being bullied, his tenderness would turn into the strongest anger and he would do anything to avenge her.
But in fact, there was no enmity between Reiju and Ian, and she also knew that the power gap between Sanji and Ian was too great. So she didn’t want Sanji to be too impulsive.
So Reiju came up with an excuse and said to Sanji, “He is my friend!”
However, Reiju would never have thought that with just one sentence, Sanji would have such a wild idea!
If there was one person in the Straw Hat Pirates who understood the matter between men and women best, it was Sanji. Unlike Luffy and Zoro, who were clueless, Sanji immediately began to associate.
Friend = Boyfriend = Marriage partner = Brother-in-law!
That guy was going to become his brother-in-law!?
Boom! Sanji suddenly burst into flames. His gentle and beautiful sister was going to get married!? And the person she was marrying was the guy who had beaten him up in the Baratie restaurant!?
Damn it! He couldn’t tolerate it!
So the next second, Sanji yelled and rushed towards Ian…