Chapter 218: The Team Was Destroyed!
The next day at noon, a news bird landed gracefully on the deck of the Dragon Hunter Pirates' flagship—the Leviathan Warship.
(TL: I change the name of his ship to look cool)
"Captain, the new bounty posters have arrived," Najenda reported, approaching Ryuunosuke with a stack of documents in hand.
She handed the top one to him.
It featured Ryuunosuke standing proudly at the bow during the Battle of Marineford—arms crossed, a storm behind him, his gaze sharp and unshaken. Whoever had taken the shot clearly had the eye of a Level 10 photographer.
The image radiated authority, command, and dominance.
"Two billion, huh?" Ryuunosuke chuckled. "The World Government's got a flair for numbers."
He smirked.
"At this rate, I wonder if any bounty hunters are foolish enough to come after me."
Then he saw the line beneath his bounty:
"The Fifth Emperor of the Sea."
"Fifth Emperor…" he muttered. "Not bad. Can't say I disagree."
Considering his feats—from the chaos at Marineford to the conquest of Dressrosa—few could argue with the title. His reputation and strength now stood on equal footing with the Yonko.
The others had new bounties as well:
Nadezhda: 890 million Berries
Kuroro: 1.1 billion
Yahiko: 970 million
Enel: 900 million
Their power was no longer a secret. With this official recognition from the World Government, Ryuunosuke's reputation value surged once again—and the climb would only continue.
These posters weren't just bounties.
They were advertisements.
Every paper, every reprint, spread the legend of the Dragon Hunter Pirates further across the sea.
"Captain," Nadezhda continued, "we're two days out from White Ball Island."
"Oh, and the ancient Eternal Pose you gave me—it's reacting."
She pulled out a weathered compass-like device and placed it on the table.
The Eternal Pose was visibly shaking, its needle jerking erratically.
"Underworld" Ryuunosuke murmured. "So even Pluton is in the New World."
"Once we're done with White Ball Island, we head for the underworld."
He paused, then asked, "Any progress in training the crew?"
"There is progress… but it's slowed."
Najenda's tone dipped.
"They're improving physically, but everyone's hit a bottleneck. It's no longer as explosive as before."
Ryuunosuke nodded thoughtfully.
"Too much growth too fast. They need real combat to consolidate their strength."
He tapped the hilt of his sword.
"Only battle can push them further."
---
The next day at noon.
"Perururu… click."
"This is Najenda, First Division Captain of the Dragon Hunter Pirates. Gunnado, respond."
"Gunnado?"
"Gunnado, are you there?"
"…"
Click.
The Den Den Mushi drooped its head in silence, going still.
Najenda's expression changed instantly.
Without a word, she turned and rushed to the upper deck.
On the training platform, Ryuunosuke was sparring with Kuina and Akame.
It was a three-way sword duel, wooden swords clashing with the harsh ring of Armament Haki.
No words. Just precision, rhythm, and control.
Najenda didn't interrupt.
She stood silently, watching.
Eventually, Ryuunosuke disarmed both of them with swift, elegant strikes.
He turned toward her, still holding his sword lazily over his shoulder.
"Najenda. Something wrong?"
Her silence spoke volumes.
She had stood there long enough not to be respectful—but out of caution.
Something was off.
"Captain…" she began slowly. "Gunnado's squad is in trouble."
She recounted the failed call, the silence, the disconnection.
Ryuunosuke's expression darkened immediately.
Even Kuina and Akame stiffened.
They had never seen their captain look like this.
He wasn't angry often. And when he was… it was never for himself.
"Do you know what you did wrong, Najenda?" Ryuunosuke asked, voice low.
Najenda froze.
Then her eyes widened.
She dropped to one knee without hesitation.
"I… I should've reported it immediately."
Ryuunosuke's tone remained cold. "Exactly."
"Next time—no matter what I'm doing… even if I'm sleeping—you bring this to me right away."
"Now, reverse course."
"Full speed to the G5 Branch!"
Najenda' bowed deeply and ran to relay the command.
Ryuunosuke took out his personal Den Den Mushi.
"Morgans."
"Tell me what's happening at G5."
The news king's voice came through immediately.
"I was about to call you, Captain Ryuunosuke."
"G5 was attacked. Completely."
"No survivors."
"I've already sent the profiles of the attackers via News Bird. I'm also investigating their background and affiliations."
"I'll update you as soon as I get more."
"…Thanks, Morgans. You've done me a favor."
"You ever need something—just say the word. The Dragon Hunter Pirates owe you one."
He ended the call.
Then slowly clenched his fist.
His entire aura shifted.
This wasn't like the skirmishes at Marineford.
This wasn't one of his crew falling in battle.
This was a massacre.
A direct challenge.
Gunnado, the captain of the logistics and support squad, wasn't on the front lines—but he was family. And someone had wiped his entire unit from the map.
This wasn't random.
Someone was sending a message.
And Ryuunosuke had received it.
Kaido? Charlotte Linlin?
Unlikely. If they wanted war, they would come face to face.
This… this was surgical. Precise.
Whoever it was—he would find them.
And they would pay.
The Leviathan Warship surged through the sea at full speed.
Faster than any Marine ship.
What should've been a five-day journey took less than four.
And when they arrived…
The G5 Branch was no longer a fortress.
It was ruins.
Flames still flickered from charred buildings. Bodies littered the broken courtyards. The scent of death clung to the wind.
Ryuunosuke stood at the bow, silent.
The breeze whipped his coat behind him.
His crew stood at attention, watching him, waiting.
But he said nothing.
His eyes burned.
Murderous intent rolled off him like crashing waves.
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