Chapter 245: Nojiko's Debut!
At that moment, Ryuunosuke was snapped out of his thoughts by a sudden pulse of unfamiliar energy.
It seemed Nojiko's arrival wasn't just symbolic—it carried real weight.
Even if the force wasn't threatening, it left a noticeable impression on him.
He glanced toward the training area of the ship where Kuina and Akame were sparring with Nojiko, guiding her in swordsmanship.
He had to admit—the atmosphere on the Dragon Hunter Pirates' ship was lively and warm.
"Captain," Najenda's voice pulled him from his observations. She approached, holding a small notebook as usual. "Why did you choose someone like her to be our navigator?"
Just like always, she was direct—and curious.
She hadn't fully grasped Ryuunosuke's decision and was determined to learn from it.
Ryuunosuke smiled. "Because she's talented. Maybe not on Nami's level when it comes to chart-making, but she's got a natural gift for sailing. Her instinct for weather changes is uncanny. That alone makes her a solid navigator for our crew."
He turned back toward the deck, watching the crew go about their business.
"We'll deal with bigger matters—like the title of Joy Boy—later," he added inwardly. "For now, let's focus on the ship."
The next day, Nojiko had fully stabilized the surging energy within her. While she still couldn't harness it completely, the fact that she could suppress it was already a promising sign.
Ryuunosuke walked over to the helm where Uvogin was lazily spinning the wheel out of boredom.
Since Uvogin had too much energy and too few places to spend it, Ryuunosuke had given him the role of helmsman just to keep him from blowing holes in the deck.
"Uvogin, from now on, follow Nojiko's directions while we're at sea," Ryuunosuke ordered with a grin. "She's the navigator. If she needs something, help her out."
"You got it, Captain!" Uvogin replied enthusiastically, although his tone was as carefree as ever.
He was a beast in battle—a human cannonball, really—but on the ship, he was like an overgrown puppy.
Ryuunosuke turned to Nojiko, who still seemed a little reserved. "And you, Nojiko—don't hesitate to speak up. Everyone on this ship is a partner. There are no cliques here. We run on trust and teamwork."
"Yes, Captain. I understand," Nojiko replied, bowing her head slightly.
In just one day aboard the Dragon Hunter Pirates' ship, her impression had completely changed.
Ryuunosuke, despite being the captain, carried himself like an older brother more than a superior. Yet everyone respected him deeply.
The team leaders and regular crew got along like old friends, and even the so-called "miscellaneous squad" felt like family.
But, she'd also heard some truths from Akame.
During missions and battles, it was a different story.
The crews were competitive. Fiercely so.
Everyone wanted to prove themselves, to rise higher, and contribute more to the Dragon Hunter name.
Still, it was strange.
Was this really the infamous Dragon Hunter Pirates?
They felt more like a traveling family than a cutthroat crew.
Four days passed in the blink of an eye.
The sea remained calm, just as before.
At the bow of the ship, Ryuunosuke and several Division leaders were fishing, enjoying the brief downtime.
Suddenly—
"Uvogin! Hard left rudder—NOW!"
Nojiko's voice cut through the peaceful air like a blade.
Startled, Uvogin blinked at the blue sky and the mirror-like sea.
There wasn't a cloud in sight.
No wind. No shift in tide.
It was perfect weather.
"…Are you sure?" he asked, hesitating. "It doesn't look like—"
"Do as I say, or it'll be too late!" Nojiko snapped, already climbing toward the observation deck.
She reached the highest point and spread her arms, eyes closed, sensing the flow of the wind and air.
Yes. It was coming.
That thing—Sartre—was almost here.
If they didn't change course immediately, they'd all regret it.
Back on deck, Ryuunosuke heard the commotion and stood up, reeling in his line.
"What's going on, Nojiko?" he called up.
"Sartre is coming!" she shouted.
"Sartre?" Ryuunosuke echoed, raising an eyebrow. "The hell is that?"
But seeing the serious look on her face, he didn't joke further.
If she was that rattled, then it wasn't something to take lightly.
"Uvogin, change course—right now," he ordered.
The crew sprang into action, shifting the ship's path just as Nojiko had directed.
Whatever Sartre was, it wasn't visible—but Ryuunosuke's instincts told him they were avoiding something big.
He moved to the bow of the ship and found Enel yawning next to Ban.
"Captain, is the ship moving too fast? Why aren't we catching anything?" Enel asked lazily.
"The ship's fine," Ban said, stretching. "You're just blaming gravity because you can't poop."
Ryuunosuke smirked. "Enough fooling around. Something's coming."
His voice dropped, serious.
"Everyone, prepare for battle."
Immediately, the joking stopped.
Enel and Ban straightened up, their eyes lighting up.
"A fight?" Ban cracked his knuckles. "Finally."
"About time," Enel muttered, grinning.
They'd encountered a pirate ship the day before, but it had been eaten whole by Chrollo's Mind Fish.
No action. No excitement.
But now… something real was approaching.
"Captain!" Nojiko called again. "If we don't speed up, Sartre will catch up. Its range is massive!"
"Sartre?" Enel asked again, narrowing his eyes. "I still don't see any enemies. Even my Observation Haki picks up nothing."
Ryuunosuke frowned. "Same here. Even my Rinnegan sees no threats."
So how did Nojiko sense this?
She wasn't a lookout, and even Conrad—one of the Mink Tribe with telescopic vision—had seen nothing.
But she was absolutely certain.
"…Speed isn't necessary right now," Ryuunosuke finally said. "Just tell me which area needs protection."
Nojiko pointed to the right of the ship. "That's where Sartre will strike. In three minutes. If we don't do something, the ship could be destroyed."
Ryuunosuke nodded. "All right."
The moment she finished speaking, the sky darkened.
The serene ocean transformed into a brewing storm.
And then it hit them.
Pressure.
A heavy, suffocating atmosphere settled over the entire ship.
This… this was Sartre.
Not a creature, not a ship.
A storm.
A living, conscious climate phenomenon.
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