Chapter 465: Fake Luffy?!
After hearing Rem's words, Sakazuki's previously weary expression softened, a faint light returning to his eyes.
She was right. When he made his choice, he had already accepted the possibility of criticism and internal conflict. Not everyone would understand—some never would. Even within Navy Headquarters, there were countless differing opinions.
But in the end, survival came first. The Dragon Hunter Pirates' terms had been fair, and the Navy had no better option.
Of course, not everyone saw it that way. There would always be people like Zikas—men who used their positions to chase selfish gain, even at the cost of everything else.
"Thank you, Miss Rem," Sakazuki said quietly. "We'll handle things from here. You and your crew have done enough."
"Understood."
Levi nodded, turned, and began walking toward the door. Kirito and Rem followed, offering polite nods as they left.
The matter between the Navy and the World Government was no longer theirs to settle. The Dragon Hunter Pirates had played their part—it was now up to the Navy to finish the job.
---
Meanwhile, far across the sea, aboard the Dragon Hunter Pirates' colossal vessel, Ryuunosuke's crew approached a familiar ship.
"Big brother!"
Luffy was already standing at the bow of the Thousand Sunny, waving frantically. His grin was as wide as ever, full of pure excitement.
He had been waiting for days. Ever since Ace told him Ryuunosuke was bringing "a mountain of meat," Luffy had been counting the hours.
The moment he spotted the ship, his eyes gleamed like two hungry suns.
"Ryuunosuke!" he yelled. "This time, I'll definitely beat you!"
"Kuina!" Zoro shouted from behind, his eyes lighting up as he spotted familiar faces. "Looks like I finally get to test my sword again."
For Zoro, it wasn't about rivalry—it was destiny. Facing Kuina again, not as the children they once were, but as warriors of equal resolve, reignited the fire that had driven him since his earliest days.
On the deck, Sanji was already spinning in circles. "Akame-chan! Kuina-chan! Shirahoshi-chan!" he cried, hearts practically shooting from his eyes.
And Nami—her eyes had turned into Berries. "So, how much are you paying me this time?" she asked with barely disguised greed.
Ryuunosuke couldn't help but laugh. He had to admit—he really had these Straw Hats figured out.
"Long time no see, Luffy," he said, stepping onto the deck. "How's your training been?"
"Bang!"
He gave Luffy a friendly punch in the chest.
The dull impact surprised him—Luffy's body felt tougher than before. His Haki had grown stronger.
So the glutton really had been training, not just eating.
"Captain Ryuunosuke! Fight me!" Zoro called out eagerly, hand on his sword. "My blade—"
Whack!
Nami's fist came down hard on his head. "Idiot! Don't start another fight on my ship!"
She turned to Ryuunosuke with a charming smile. "Brother Ryuunosuke, ignore him. Anyway, about my payment—"
Ryuunosuke chuckled and handed her a small ornate chest. "A small gift for you, Miss Nami. I hope you like it. By the way, is everyone here?"
He extended his Observation Haki but frowned slightly. He couldn't sense Brook's presence.
"Brook went out earlier," Nami explained quickly. "Said he found an orthopedic clinic nearby. Something about... taking care of his bones."
Ryuunosuke blinked. "...Right."
"By the way, what brings you here, Brother Ryuunosuke?" Nami asked, hugging the chest tightly. Her curiosity was burning almost as much as her desire to open it.
Ryuunosuke smiled. "Just came to check in—and to see how everyone's doing."
He paused for a moment, then added casually, "Oh, and I've already found Raftel."
"What?!"
Every Straw Hat froze.
Ryuunosuke grinned. "Want to come with me? We could reach it in no time. If you don't, I might just become the Pirate King before you."
Luffy crossed his arms, shaking his head with uncharacteristic seriousness. "No. I won't go with you."
Ryuunosuke raised a brow.
"Raftel isn't something someone tells you about," Luffy said. "You have to find it yourself. That's what makes it real. If everyone knew the way, it wouldn't mean anything."
Then his eyes lit up again. "Anyway! Where's my meat?!"
Ryuunosuke laughed. "It's coming, it's coming. But first, I need to talk to you about something important."
He gestured for Luffy to follow him toward the bow.
---
While the two of them talked, Zoro, Kuina, and Akame headed off toward a nearby island—"a place perfect for sword training," Zoro said.
Nami, unable to resist any longer, darted into her cabin and cracked open the treasure chest. Her eyes nearly turned into stars when she saw the mountain of jewels inside.
"Diamonds... rubies... gold...!" she squealed. "Oh, Ryuunosuke, you do understand me!"
Outside, Sanji had turned to stone—literally. He was frozen at the railing, staring at Shirahoshi, who had appeared in her new, human-sized form.
Her beauty had always been ethereal. But now—now it was heartbreakingly real.
"Angel... she's an angel..." he mumbled, nose bleeding as Chopper rushed to resuscitate him.
"Hang in there, Sanji! Don't die yet!"
Meanwhile, Franky was busy inside the ship, tightening bolts and hammering panels. "SUPER! If these guys break another mast, I'm charging double!"
As for Usopp—he had a thousand questions for Ryuunosuke but no opportunity to ask them.
---
At the bow of the ship, Luffy's expression turned serious.
"So, you're saying Brook's... a bad guy?" he asked quietly. "He joined my crew for some reason, didn't he?"
"Bad guy?" Ryuunosuke chuckled. "Luffy, you and I are pirates. There are no bad guys or good guys—only people standing on different sides."
He smiled faintly. "Brook's not your enemy. He just has another mission to finish."
Luffy nodded slowly. "Then... you came here for him?"
"That's right."
"Then I'll go with you," Luffy said immediately.
Ryuunosuke blinked. "You'll what?"
"I'll go with you to find him!" Luffy said. "Let's get him back!"
Ryuunosuke stared for a moment, genuinely thrown off.
That... wasn't how Luffy usually responded.
Normally, the idiot would have already forgotten half the conversation and gone back to demanding meat.
He frowned. Something felt off.
Luffy was calm. Logical. Almost too understanding.
Could it be...?
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Did I just meet a fake Luffy?
<><><><><>
[Check Out My Patreon For +40 Advance Chapters On All My Fanfics!]
[[email protected]/FanficLord03]
[Every 100 Power Stones = +1 Bonus Chapter]
[Join Our Discord Community For Updates & Events]
[https://discord.gg/MntqcdpRZ9]