Chapter 418: Reactions from All Parties
Shirahoshi quickly relayed everything she had seen to Ryuunosuke.
At the same time, she activated the Dragon Hunting Order's video function, transmitting the images directly to him.
"This is…"
Ryuunosuke's eyes narrowed as the emerald-green stone shimmered on the feed. Recognition sparked.
He had once obtained a Heart of Eternity in Shimotsuki Village. After fusing it with the Ship of Gods, that artifact had awakened Gaino, the ship spirit, giving him form and unlocking abilities long sealed within the vessel.
Could this emerald stone be another Heart of Eternity?
"Shirahoshi," Ryuunosuke said evenly, though his tone carried a suppressed edge of excitement, "bring that green stone back. Take a few of the others with it. Your mission is complete. Return at once."
"Understood, Captain Ryuunosuke!" Shirahoshi replied, smiling brightly as she turned to Dadan. "Miss Dadan, may I take these stones with me?"
That smile was so dazzling, even Dadan herself froze for a few moments before replying.
"Fine," Dadan muttered, waving her hand. "If you can carry them, they're yours. I've been stuck guarding them for that old fool long enough. Maybe now I can finally get some peace."
Grumbling about Garp under her breath, she helped Shirahoshi prepare the stones.
Wano Country
In Onigashima, King approached Kaido's chamber.
"Captain, should we involve ourselves?" he asked carefully. "If Pluto really exists, we can't let only the Dragon Hunters benefit. Even if we don't compete directly, we could lend support."
Kaido tilted back a massive gourd of sake and let out a rumbling laugh.
"Fine. We'll take a look. Orochi's nearly finished anyway—one last breath left in that rat. Once this is settled, we'll return."
King bowed and left to prepare, though the image of Najenda stirred something within him. Even if she showed no interest in him, his feelings hadn't dimmed.
Totto Land
On Whole Cake Island, Katakuri stepped forward.
"Mother, the Dragon Hunters have gone public with their search for Pluto. They claim to know its location. Shall we act?"
Because Katakuri had handled matters with the Dragon Hunters well in the past, his influence within the crew had only grown.
"Pluto…" Big Mom mused, licking her lips. "Morgans already called. We'll participate. But don't get too greedy."
She was in rare good humor. In the past, she would have stormed out to seize the weapon. But when it came to the Dragon Hunters, even Big Mom knew better than to provoke them directly.
All across the seas, factions stirred. Pirates, emperors, governments—everyone turned their eyes to the Dragon Hunter Pirates.
Meanwhile, on a deserted island along Ryuunosuke's projected route, a shadowed group gathered on the beach.
Their mood was dark.
"Why would the Dragon Hunters suddenly make such a move?" one man asked bitterly. "Do they really know where Pluto is?"
This was none other than Dazra, commander-in-chief of CP0—the World Government's most secretive arm.
Originally, he had intended to lead his forces in covert strikes against the Dragon Hunter Pirates' bases. But the memory of the Dragon Hunters' devastating war with the World Government still lingered. Another reckless provocation could spark a full-scale conflict they could not win.
So the World Government had given him a new mission: locate Pluto.
With Uranus already under their control, Pluto remained the missing key. Yet their intelligence had been vague. Dazra had only recently uncovered a possible lead—only to see the Dragon Hunters announce, live to the world, that they had already secured an Eternal Pointer to Pluto's location.
The timing was infuriating.
"Commander, what should we do?" Lucci asked grimly. "If we rush them now, we'll only become their stepping stones. They'll use us to showcase their power."
He spoke with bitter experience. During the Barrett incident, he had clashed with the Dragon Hunters' First Division. Even their 'ordinary' members wielded abilities beyond comprehension. Tatsumi's golden mecha alone had pushed Lucci to his limits. If they engaged the full crew directly, annihilation was all but guaranteed.
Dazra's brow furrowed. "If our path leads to Pluto, we cannot let the Dragon Hunters seize it uncontested. With Pluto in their hands, their power would grow to an unbearable level."
His words hung heavy.
"Oi, isn't this the World Government's lapdogs?"
A mocking voice cut through the tension.
All eyes turned. A lean figure stepped casually out of the treeline, a blade glinting at his side.
"Dragon Hunters… Second Division. Feitan."
Lucci's eyes narrowed. At once, his body shifted, muscles coiling as his Devil Fruit power surged. If Feitan was here, the rest of Second Division couldn't be far.
"Care to join me on our ship?" Feitan smirked. "It's been too quiet lately—we could use new sparring partners."
"Arrogant brat!" Dazra roared, launching a sudden strike. His fist punched straight through Feitan's torso.
"Tch… a mere divisiin member dares—"
"Boom!"
Before Dazra could finish, a blinding attack crashed down from above, forcing him back and shaking the island itself.
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