Chapter 230: How to Return to the Original World!
Ryuunosuke had always known about Meliodas' deep love for Elizabeth Liones.
The demon prince cursed with immortality… destined to meet her again and again in each lifetime… only to watch her die over and over. Every cycle, every death—it was a wound time couldn't heal.
That was why the question Meliodas asked carried weight. If they couldn't return to their original worlds, it would tear apart more than just him.
Even though Ryuunosuke was a pirate, he didn't treat his crew as disposable. No—these people were his comrades. His nakama.
And while they may have been summoned through a system, it was thanks to them that the Dragon Hunter Pirates had reached this level of power.
Meliodas' question wasn't just his. Ryuunosuke could feel the unspoken concern in the gazes of Najenda and the others—especially the Night Raid members.
Then, the system spoke.
["Ding! Travel to the original world is possible."]
[Method 1: The host may disband the pirate crew and remove designated members.]
– This returns a portion of their reputation cost.
– However, they can never be recruited again, through any method.
[Method 2: Bring all official crew members together and break through the dimensional barrier.]
– This unlocks Multiverse Travel, allowing journeys across countless worlds.
– Each recruited member marks a world coordinate that can be revisited at any time.
As the system finished speaking, a smile curled on Ryuunosuke's lips.
"Meliodas," he said. "I know you're thinking about Elizabeth."
"I can't summon her… not yet. But I promise you—I'll get you back to your world."
"The Demon King isn't your only enemy anymore. He's ours."
Meliodas stood still for a moment, then slowly nodded, gratitude hidden behind his stoic eyes.
"Captain…"
A sly voice cut in. Ban, of course. "That woman—Elizabeth—an old flame of yours too?"
Meliodas snorted. "Ban."
Ryuunosuke chuckled, catching the rhythm. "If it's Elaine you're thinking of, Ban… I'll help you find a way to bring her back."
"Yo~"
Meliodas immediately perked up. "Elaine? So that's your woman?"
Just as expected, the teasing flipped back toward Ban.
"Bang!"
But this time, Ban dropped the jokes.
He knelt down—serious, solemn.
"Captain… you're serious? You can really bring Elaine back?"
Gone was the smirk. In its place: raw hope.
If there was anyone in this world Ban would lower himself for, it was her.
Ryuunosuke nodded.
"I don't have a method yet… but I will find one."
"Time can do strange things."
"In this world, we've already seen the Time-Time Fruit. If that exists, then a greater version might too."
"If I can get it… I'll send you back. To when Elaine still lived."
"Thank you, Captain."
Ban stood, fists clenched with purpose.
"Just say the word. Need me to kill the Demon King? Meliodas? Myself?"
He shot Meliodas a glance, who returned it with narrowed eyes.
Ryuunosuke sighed.
"Alright, enough out of you two. The guests are here."
He looked toward the ocean.
On the horizon, four warships had appeared—advancing steadily.
They weren't numerous, but Ryuunosuke recognized their significance instantly.
This was the Navy's highest-level combat force.
"Enemy?" Ban asked, grinning.
Death didn't scare him. In fact, it annoyed him—mostly because he couldn't die.
Now, with Elaine's resurrection hanging on Ryuunosuke's promise, Ban would follow him into hell itself if necessary.
All of them would.
Because of the system's contract—and more importantly, because of trust.
"No need to fight yet," Ryuunosuke said. "Let them get close."
He disappeared in a flash and reappeared on the beach. The rest followed suit.
In mere moments, the elite combatants of the Dragon Hunter Pirates stood at the shore:
[Captain: Ryuunosuke]
[1st Division: Najenda, Akame, Tatsumi, Mine]
[4th Division: Meliodas, Ban, Escanor]
[Special Forces: Enel, Conrad, Finks, Urzi, Roelki]
[Mink Tribe Warriors: Present (due to their Sulong form being critical in combat)]
Soon, the naval warships arrived, anchoring near the coastline.
At the front of the formation: Fleet Admiral Sakazuki (Akainu).
Alongside him: Admirals Fujitora, Green Bull, and Kizaru.
Behind them stood an entire brain trust: Sengoku, Garp, Tsuru, and Aokiji.
Vice Admirals followed: Gion, Tokikae, Dalmatian, Onigumo, and more.
It was everything the Navy could throw at one crew.
They had no choice.
The Dragon Hunter Pirates were no ordinary threat—they were a calamity wrapped in a flag.
But as Sakazuki stared at the small group on the shore, confusion furrowed his brow.
Where were the rest?
This crew was supposed to be thousands strong.
Now only a few stood here?
Had they been abandoned?
Or… were the others simply elsewhere?
A feeling crept into Sakazuki's chest.
Dread.
"I wonder," Ryuunosuke spoke first, casually standing with his arms folded, "what the Navy's admirals and Fleet Admiral are doing in my territory."
Despite everything, he didn't sound angry—just amused.
After all, Garp was here. Some face needed to be given.
"Captain Ryuunosuke," Sakazuki growled, stepping forward.
"Do you even realize how stupid your decision was?"
"You've made yourself the enemy of the world."
Ryuunosuke raised an eyebrow, the corners of his mouth tugging into a grin.
"Stupid?"
"Sakazuki, do you even understand why you're so despised?"
"Do you even know what it means to have a partner?"
His voice was calm—but sharp.
His crew had been slaughtered. And now that he sought justice, the World Government called it "madness."
True—if the power imbalance were real, such retaliation would be foolish.
But this wasn't just any crew.
This was the Dragon Hunter Pirates.
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