Chapter 480: The Center of the Vortex, Dragon Hunter
The seas of the New World churned with chaos. Everywhere, fleets surged toward Raftel, chasing the same unreachable dream. Yet amid the uproar, one emperor remained quiet—Charlotte Linlin of the Big Mom Pirates.
Unlike the others, her ambitions had little to do with the Pirate King's throne. What she desired more than treasure or fame was the power of the giants.
At that very moment, Big Mom's fleet was en route to Elbaf, the legendary land of giants. Rumors whispered that Linlin had offered something the giants could not refuse—a proposal so tempting that the elders of Elbaf themselves had summoned her.
But what few realized was that the well-known Warrior Village was not the true Elbaf. It was only a frontier settlement. The real home of the giants lay deeper, hidden beyond the mountains and storms—where the true titans of the race resided.
Linlin once claimed that if she had the giants' allegiance, she could crush the other three Emperors with ease. And coming from her, it wasn't empty talk.
The power of Elbaf's true warriors could reshape the balance of the seas.
---
One Day Later – The Red-Haired Pirates
"Shanks, we'll be within range of the Dragon Hunters soon," Ben Beckman said, frowning as he leaned on the railing. "What exactly are you planning this time?"
Their previous encounters with Ryuunosuke's crew had been anything but pleasant. Though the Red Hair Pirates still shared a fragile bond with the Dragon Hunters, it was fraying fast.
"I'm going to Raftel," Shanks said simply.
Beckman raised an eyebrow.
Shanks' gaze drifted toward the horizon. "Last time, when Roger's crew reached Raftel, I stayed behind. Buggy caught a fever, and someone had to watch him. I missed it—the greatest voyage of all time. Even after all these years, I never stopped searching for the truth Roger found there."
"So you still mean to go," Beckman muttered. "Even after all that's happened."
Shanks smiled faintly. "A promise is a promise. When we reach Raftel, I'll keep my word. Whatever happens next—you'll decide it."
Beckman's lips twitched into a small grin. "Then let's head there. Maybe that man of yours can finally rest."
His gaze shifted toward Yasopp, who sat silently polishing his rifle, his face shadowed. Yasopp said nothing, but his knuckles were white.
---
Every Emperor of the Sea now moved according to their own grand designs.
Whitebeard sought legacy.
Kaido pursued strength.
Big Mom craved the giants.
And Shanks chased the truth left behind by Roger.
But above them all, a deeper storm brewed—the one surrounding Ryuunosuke.
---
"Lord Roy, are we truly going to negotiate with Ryuunosuke?" Imu asked quietly as the sea breeze whipped across the deck.
"Not a negotiation," Roy replied, eyes half-lidded. "A transaction. Whether it succeeds or not depends entirely on him."
He looked out at the distant waters, where the Dragon Hunter Pirates were said to be anchored.
"They're not as simple as the world thinks," he continued. "Several of their members have gone missing recently. I suspect one of them holds the ability of reincarnation. But what are the limits of such a power? Even death might not stop them."
Despite his calm voice, tension flickered behind his eyes.
Since leaving the Guardians, Roy's path had narrowed to one—the death of Lilith.
Without Ryuunosuke's emergence, that plan would have taken decades more to realize. Now, for the first time in eight hundred years, he had found someone who might tip the scales.
He couldn't afford to wait any longer.
"The Infinity Stones are valuable to them," Imu said. "They'll agree to the trade."
Roy shook his head. "The Stones are powerful, yes—but they're supplementary. For someone like Ryuunosuke, they're not essential. He's the type who only moves for what truly matters."
That was why Roy had orchestrated chaos through Carmel—to force Ryuunosuke's hand.
"If the Stones don't tempt him," Imu pressed, "what will?"
Roy smiled faintly. "That's the problem. There may be nothing we can offer that he truly wants. All we can do now is let him decide. If he refuses… then we adjust."
He closed his eyes, listening to the steady rhythm of the sea. "We've reached the edge of the vortex. From here on, everything depends on him."
—
Elsewhere, on a darkened island in the New World, a storm raged.
"Sevian has been assimilated," Wade reported grimly. "No transmissions for three days. And Jin from the Evictors was captured by the Dragon Hunters. He'll likely be converted soon too."
He turned to his superior, Jeff, his tone heavy. "Should we contact Keshia and tell her to abort the mission?"
Jeff's face darkened. "No. Let Keshia handle her own decisions. Where's Rowley?"
"Tracking Roy," Wade replied. "Apparently, Roy's heading straight to the Dragon Hunters. He's hoping to form some kind of alliance. But with Ryuunosuke's personality, I doubt it'll go smoothly. From what our intel shows, the real Ryuunosuke isn't even on that ship right now—only a clone."
Jeff's expression turned colder. "If Roy walks into that without knowing, he's courting disaster. And what about Krulu Busulud? Has he reported in?"
"Not yet," Wade said. "He's gone completely dark. Keshia and Ryuunosuke were last seen pursuing him together. If he returns now, he might lead both of them here."
Jeff exhaled sharply. "Then let him stay gone. The Keshia of today doesn't follow our orders anymore."
He glanced out at the storm clouds gathering over the sea. "Sooner or later, the entire world will be drawn into this vortex. And when it does… the hunt for dragons will begin."
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