Chapter 466: Replenish Your Brain!
"Compared to Brook, I trust you more, big brother!"
"So I'll believe what you say!"
"Besides, didn't you bring me some meat?"
Luffy beamed, eyes sparkling with pure innocence.
Ryuunosuke froze for a moment, speechless.
For a second, he thought Luffy had matured—that maybe the Straw Hat captain had finally developed a shred of sense. But no. The moment Luffy mentioned food, Ryuunosuke realized he'd been overthinking it.
Luffy was still Luffy.
But in a way, Luffy's words were true. Between Ryuunosuke and Brook, he'd naturally choose his "big brother." After all, Brook had joined the crew impulsively, and Luffy never questioned things too deeply back then.
Since then, he'd fought countless battles—yet most ended safely thanks to the Dragon Hunter Pirates' unseen protection. Even when danger came close, Zoro and Sanji were always there to guard his life.
Now that Ryuunosuke had exposed Brook's true strength and mysterious background, Luffy's instincts were simple but sharp. He wasn't a genius, but he wasn't stupid either.
When it came to people he trusted—he was rarely wrong.
---
"Luffy," Ryuunosuke said, smiling, "what do you want to eat this time?"
"Meat!"
"I've already prepared it. The best cuts from Sky Beast meat and Sea King ribs. Sanji's cooking it now."
He leaned in, smirking. "Didn't you say you wanted to try using Life Essence for flavor? I'll let you test it this time."
Maybe—just maybe—the Life Essence could boost more than Luffy's muscles. Maybe it could finally replenish his brain cells.
"Yay! Meat!!"
Luffy sprinted toward the kitchen.
"Sanji, you ready yet?!"
"OUT!" came Sanji's furious roar from inside. "This batch is for Nami-swan, Robin-chan, Akame-chan—NOT FOR YOU!"
A crash followed by the sound of a punch.
Moments later, Luffy went flying out of the kitchen, a lump growing on his head—but somehow, a huge chunk of meat still hung from his mouth.
Even in rage, Sanji still spoiled him.
---
"Big brother," Luffy said through a mouthful, "you said you know where Raftel is. How'd you find it? Don't tell me you got the Eternal Pointer from Bullet?"
Ryuunosuke chuckled. "That's part of it. But we found the true location through our own methods. The Raftel Roger reached wasn't the real one—it was only a branch island."
Luffy froze mid-bite. "Sugeee! Amazing!"
Then his eyes widened. "So… that Brook guy, he's from that Guardian team you mentioned, right? Are they strong? Like… stronger than the Yonko?"
He asked it with childlike curiosity—but the ambition in his tone was unmistakable.
He had already reached Fourth Gear. His power rivaled an emperor's top commander. And with Ryuunosuke's help—and his "brain supplement" training—Luffy's growth had accelerated far beyond normal.
The sea itself was changing because of it.
Not just the Straw Hats—the entire pirate world was evolving. The Beasts Pirates had grown stronger from their battles with the Dragon Hunter crew. The Whitebeard remnants had reignited their will. Even Big Mom's children had begun serious training.
The age of the sea was burning hotter than ever.
---
"If a single Yonko crew fought a Guardian team," Ryuunosuke said with a faint smile, "they'd be wiped out instantly."
"But if all four Emperors attacked together… then maybe—maybe—they'd have a chance."
Luffy's jaw dropped. "So strong!?"
"Want to see for yourself?"
Ryuunosuke's grin turned sly. "Miss Keshia, the one who came with me, is also a Guardian. If you want, you can experience it firsthand."
"Really?!"
Luffy's face lit up like a child being offered dessert.
To him, Ryuunosuke's mischievous smile looked nothing like mockery—it looked like kindness. The same expression Rayleigh had worn during their brutal training on Rusukaina.
That same expression that meant: This is going to hurt, but it's for your own good.
"Miss Keshia," Ryuunosuke called, "would you mind sparring with my little brother here? He wants to see a Guardian's strength."
Keshia tilted her head. "Your brother…? The Straw Hat boy?"
Her brow furrowed slightly. She could defeat Ryuunosuke if she wanted to go all out—so being asked to spar with Luffy felt strange.
She didn't dislike him. But the gap between them was… astronomical.
Still, she respected Ryuunosuke's request.
"Very well," she said calmly. "If Captain Ryuunosuke asks it, I'll oblige."
With a flick of her wrist, she leapt from the deck, landing gracefully on a frozen stretch of sea.
"Brother! Don't worry, I won't embarrass you!" Luffy shouted, pounding his fists together. "Watch me beat her!"
He had no idea what he was walking into.
The battle lasted less than a heartbeat.
A shockwave echoed. The sea cracked. And the next thing anyone knew—
"Duk."
Keshia was already back on the deck, brushing nonexistent dust from her gloves.
"Your brother's very… spirited," she said casually. "But weak. So very weak."
She sighed, shaking her head. "Forget it. I won't say more. I'll be resting for a while. If you need me, call."
She leaned against the railing, gazing out over the calm, endless sea.
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