The gods show up

Ian and co continued on their path following after the form of both Khal'druin and Ariel through the whirlpool.

But the strange thing was, they weren't sailing through it. In fact, the ship was not touching the sea at all. It was floating in the middle of this whirlpool that was seemingly leading them down towards the bottom of the sea.

Every now and then, they would see weird things happening.

Like birds passing right beside their ships and entering into the whirlpool from the side.

Nothing was logical anymore.

At one time, Bert had taken his sword and slashed at the whirlpool out of boredom, and when it opened a bit, a jungle appeared.

Needless to say, Ariel, scolded him fiercely. Stating to him to stop being reckless.

He then finally explained to them that they were not heading to the bottom of the sea.

But rather Laughtale, and its location wasn't on this world. But another dimension and this was the portal.

Right now, they were at the end of their rather short journey, spanning only a few hours.

And just before they had reached the end, Ian stirred awake.

****

Ian blinked his eyes.

He turned his eyes to look at his hand and kept clenching it and unclenching it.

'This power… why do I feel like I can one-slap Ariel to death?' Ian had this funny thought in his mind.

This was natural.

He had finally entered the fourth stage. And this time the feeling of strength it gave him wasn't like the last time when he knew it was temporary.

No, this time he could afford to be arrogant like this.

Not one person in the whole of the history of the world had reached this stage.

Of course, excluding the sea kings, Empyreans, and Diavoloi.

But even against them, he was sure he wouldn't lose right now.

Ian smiled a bit.

'Such a strength is enough for me to rest assured from now on.' Ian thought to himself.

But even if he said that he knew he didn't finish his journey just yet, and he will strive to grow, even more, that was for sure.

Among his new abilities this time, he found out that just like his golden fire manipulation, he had gotten the ability to manipulate Water.

He can use it as he liked, and even use it to amplify the restraining quality it had on devil fruit.

Furthermore, he can change its temperature and manipulate ice if he wanted to.

But the only thing taken in stride from both fire and water abilities was that they especially worked on Diavoloi.

The fire was good against them and would leave wounds that won't heal easily, and for the water, it could restrain them too. Since after all, they are the reason devil fruits have the weakness of water.

The increase in his physical power and the rest of his abilities was also not to be underestimated.

Although his form was smaller if taken next to Ariel for example, but when he had said earlier that he felt like he could one-slap him, it was pretty accurate.

If he used his whole physical ability, he was sure he could throw Ariel away easily.

Ian smiled. He then got up from the ground and flexed his body as popping sounds were heard.

From the side, Elene came over and said.

"You're just in time. Come, we are about to reach our destination." She held her hand for him and he took it.

He then joined the rest and they all looked at the end of the whirlpool tunnel.

"What? Where are we?" Ian was perplexed.

His crewmates around him chuckled.

"Told you he would be shocked." Stella sticks her tongue at Robin.

"You call that shocked? Pfftt" Robin laughed.

Reiju then explained to him seeing that the rest were chatting among themselves.

"Ariel and Khal'druin took us through this whirlpool, which apparently leads to laughtale which is in another dimension." She went straight to the point.

Ian gave a nod and watched how they finally passed through the end of the tunnel.

Once they did, they landed on the sea once again, only this time, in front of them was an island.

A huuuuge island that appeared to be strangely artistic as if designed by the best artists of the world.

But a key point was that this island that was so big, was actually only a small part of a bigger island, as evidenced by the broken halves of the buildings missing.

Ariel and Khal'druin sped past them and flew await back through the whirlpool.

"Until the next time, young Ian" They both gave their goodbyes.

Ian smiled at them and nodded before he turned to survey the surroundings.

"Then this should be Laughtale?" Ian muttered.

And a voice that he hadn't heard in a while answered him this time.

"Indeed, young Ian. We finally meet this time." Ian turned to look at his surroundings searching for the voice when from the air, a being flapping its wings landed on top of a building on the island in front of them.

This was the first time since coming to the world of one-piece Ian had actually seen a Dragon.

Excluding the carp that leapt and became an eastern dragon, this one was a real western dragon.

It majestically unfolded both wings and excitedly roared at the sky. Its body was full of beautiful runic marks that lit up in red color. Its posture and form exuded such strength and majesty that Ian almost kneeled out of reflex. He hurriedly caught himself and also held the crew using his power.

But it didn't mind at all, only laughter ran out at that time.

It appeared to be as happy to meet Ian as he was.

Next without allowing Ian any time to take everything in, he felt the second presence.

From the water, a similarly majestic creature surfaced.

Its body was serpentine in shape and it had only two frontal limbs similar to arms. At their ends there were no digits, instead, there was one single long and sharp looking claw.

On its Dragonoid head, it had a huge horn protruding that gleamed sharply.

"We talked not too long ago, but it's a pleasure to meet in person finally." The new addition said.

Ian was stunned in place for a second. Just a few minutes ago he was feeling confident about himself… and now existences that might as well be the gods of this world came up.

Was this to make him shut his mouth the next time?