Chapter 396: Deep Memory!
Findus was already furious after failing to reach anyone by phone.
Now, hearing the exact reasons behind it, his rage boiled over completely.
The veins bulging on his forehead revealed his truest thoughts at that moment.
As for any further planning—he no longer cared.
Right now, he had only one desire: to reach Marine Headquarters as fast as possible and slaughter every last one of those fools.
This kind of person left unchecked would only become a disaster later.
"Bang!"
At that instant, a massive Sea King rose from the waters, its gaping jaws lunging toward the ship.
Findus leapt into the air and drove his fist downward.
With a single punch, the colossal creature was slain, crashing lifelessly back into the waves.
Oddly enough, after killing the Sea King, his chest felt lighter, as though his fury had vented a little.
"Full speed ahead!" Findus barked. "Let's see if the mission I gave them was meant for feasting and lounging around at Marine Headquarters!"
…
The next day arrived quickly.
Marine Headquarters continued operating as usual, the bustling courtyards giving no hint of change.
But behind the scenes, the secret preparations had already been completed.
On the surface, nothing looked out of place.
Yet countless officers were stationed in their respective yards, quietly awaiting the coming battle.
At the same time, Ryuunosuke and Chrollo arrived outside one particular residence.
"If Garp and the others aren't here, then she's the one to find," Ryuunosuke said calmly, eyes on the yard ahead.
"She should be the only one able to contact them without drawing suspicion."
"But why me?!" Chrollo pointed at his nose, bewildered.
The one they had come to seek was Gion.
Normally, it wasn't strange for Gion to request information. But Ryuunosuke deliberately brought Chrollo along for a reason—Gion's lingering feelings for him.
If they handled this wrong and attracted unnecessary suspicion from the navy, their efforts would be wasted.
Originally, Ryuunosuke had intended to meet Garp and the others directly.
But upon arriving, he discovered not only Garp, but Sengoku and Tsuru were gone as well.
Left with no better option, he turned to Gion.
After all, she was Tsuru's younger sister—and in such a sensitive situation, Gion was the least likely to arouse doubt when making contact.
"She'll listen to you more," Ryuunosuke said with a smile. "Go on—knock politely."
Chrollo expression soured. Captain, what kind of twisted humor is this?
He felt this was even worse than just barging in.
Still, he did as told, stepping forward to knock.
"Bang!"
The door slammed open.
"Who—"
Inside, Gion had been waiting for Sakazuki's orders when the sound startled her.
Two navy men stood in her doorway… though clearly, her door hadn't survived the knock.
But what unsettled her more was that she didn't recognize either of them.
World Government agents?
Her eyes narrowed.
"Whose command are you under? Why destroy my door? Don't you kn—"
Her words caught in her throat.
That aura.
Terrifying, suffocating… unforgettable.
Her gaze snapped to the man in front.
Captain of the Dragon Hunter Pirates' Second Division—Chrollo.
"I've been recognized already?" Chrollo groaned, humiliated.
"Captain, next time let Chelsea handle it. Her makeup skills still aren't sharp enough! Honestly, it'd be easier if I just used my telepathy to mask my aura and appearance!"
Ryuunosuke glanced at him with mock disdain.
"You leaked your own aura, and now you're blaming Chelsea?"
The next moment, he shed his disguise, revealing himself fully.
Gion froze, utterly shaken.
It was bad enough that Chrollo appeared here, but now even the captain of the Dragon Hunters himself had come—at this precise moment.
If the Dragon Hunters intended to attack the navy as well, then Marine Headquarters might truly be doomed.
"What do you want?"
Her hand tightened around her blade, every muscle tense.
Confidence? She had none. But this was all she could do.
"I had Morgans tell Sakazuki the World Government intends to move against the navy," Ryuunosuke said evenly.
"The intel is genuine. If I wanted to crush the navy, I wouldn't bother sending warnings."
"Where is Garp? I didn't see him."
"Why should I believe you?" Gion shot back.
"Because," Chrollo cut her off coldly, "if we wanted you dead, we wouldn't waste time talking."
His voice alone sent a shudder through her body.
She instinctively stepped back, gripping her blade tighter.
That fear—deep-rooted and unshakable.
And he wasn't wrong.
If the Dragon Hunters meant to attack, she'd already be a corpse.
If all they wanted was to contact Garp… then perhaps…
"…I understand."
Forcing her breathing steady, Gion reluctantly raised her den-den mushi and placed the call.
"Gion?"
Garp's voice came through, surprised. "Why call now? Did something happen at Headquarters?"
If there truly was trouble, they would need to return at once.
"Old man, why are you away from the base?"
The next voice wasn't Gion's.
Ryuunosuke's voice cut through the line.
"You brat…" Garp's tone shifted instantly, fear pressing into his words.
"Ryuunosuke… don't tell me you plan to attack the navy right now?"
For the first time, even the way he addressed him changed.
If the Dragon Hunters moved against the navy now, it would spell their end.
Garp desperately wanted not to believe it… but the possibility alone terrified him.
"Old man, don't get the wrong idea," Ryuunosuke said lightly.
"I only came to see you—and to ask whether you know the World Government intends to move against the navy. We're just here to watch the show."
"If I wanted to destroy the navy, I'd have done it long ago."
"Didn't Uncle Zephyr tell you the same?"
Relief washed over Garp's voice, though tension lingered.
Zephyr had indeed delivered that exact information, claiming Ryuunosuke told him to.
And Sakazuki himself had received the same intel from Morgans.
Now it was clear: Ryuunosuke had known all along. He even dared to step foot inside Headquarters.
"…Since you're already there, I won't return."
"When the time comes, you'll just feel stifled with me around anyway."
"Brat, don't think I don't know why you're really here. You wanted me out of Headquarters. Well, I'm gone already. Isn't that what you wanted?"
Garp's tone was half helpless, half resigned.
"The old man still understands me best."
"Fine then—my turn to put on a show."
"Don't worry. By the time you return, Marine Headquarters will still be standing."
With that, Ryuunosuke hung up the call.
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