Chapter 156: The Identity of Heracles — Joining the Dragon Hunter Pirates!

Chapter 156: The Identity of Heracles — Joining the Dragon Hunter Pirates!

---

After hearing Ryuunosuke's words, Heracles couldn't believe his ears.

Did he really say he'd trade all that... for planting technology?

Sure, those were results from his own research. But that wasn't what he truly wanted.

That's why Heracles had kept everything secret.

Even someone like Dorag only knew about the existence of a special island, but not the planting technology itself.

Because Heracles understood—if this technology ever got exposed, it would bring endless trouble.

So how the hell did Ryuunosuke know it was his planting technology!?

Lost in thought, Heracles furrowed his brow.

"...Are you sure about this?" he asked cautiously.

Ryuunosuke interrupted before he could finish. "If you're not interested, that's fine. It's not like I can force you, right?"

Ryuunosuke's voice was calm but confident.

He wasn't joking—he'd read countless strategy novels and seen all kinds of anime. Negotiation was second nature to him now.

As for Heracles final decision? He wasn't worried.

He'd given Heracles respect. Even more, he'd given him a choice.

And unless Heracles was an idiot, he'd know which option to take.

Heracles fell silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

"I understand. Thank you for your trust, Captain. From this moment on, I'm a member of the Dragon Hunter Pirates."

Heracles dropped to one knee before Ryuunosuke, placing his frail, withered hand over his heart.

"Welcome aboard," Ryuunosuke said with a faint smile. "This is your welcome gift. Use it now. Once your body stabilizes, we'll talk more."

Ding!

The system prompt rang in Ryuunosuke's ears, confirming his guess—Heracles had been officially recognized as a crew member.

With the system's mark now embedded in him, a surge of powerful energy began pouring into Heracles body...

"Gah!" Heracles suddenly coughed violently, spitting out a mouthful of dark blood.

His frail body clearly couldn't handle the energy infusion.

"Shit—take this!" Ryuunosuke crushed the life essence in his hand and quickly helped Heracles swallow it.

Heracles didn't hesitate. He didn't know what was happening, but trusted Ryuunosuke enough to act.

The moment the life essence entered his body, an overwhelming wave of vitality surged through him.

Plants nearby instantly responded—vines and leaves coiling around Heracles, wrapping him tightly.

Soon, a cocoon-like structure formed around him.

But Ryuunosuke wasn't worried. His Observation Haki sensed Heracles breath inside the cocoon—steady and growing stronger.

All he could do now... was wait.

---

Five days passed in a flash.

Ryuunosuke was lying on a thick tree branch, taking a nap, when Najenda approached.

"Captain, how much longer do we wait?" she asked. "Word just came from the Whitebeard Pirates. The Navy's been mostly redeployed. If we don't move now, we might miss our shot."

"When Heracles wakes up, we move," Ryuunosuke replied without opening his eyes. "And don't worry about the Navy. I've already accounted for their response. There won't be a problem."

He wasn't bluffing.

He knew exactly what the Navy was planning.

But most importantly—he didn't want to attack innocent people.

They were pirates—the freest beings in the world.

If they were going to steal, it would be from nobles. Ryuunosuke had no interest in hurting civilians.

To him, those who bullied the weak and feared the strong were nothing but scum—not worthy of the title "pirate."

Najenda nodded. "Got it. I'll let Marco know."

As she left, Ryuunosuke's focus returned to Heracles.

It had been five days.

Even though Heracles energy had stabilized, it would be a lie to say Ryuunosuke wasn't a little anxious.

Heracles case was special—not just because of his physical condition, but because of the powerful energy infused by the system.

If he'd known earlier, he might've given Heracles the life essence first—before the recruitment.

But it was too late for regrets.

---

That evening...

Crack... Swish...

The plants cocooning Heracles started to shift and rustle.

Vines curled away, and the outer layer cracked open with crisp, snapping sounds.

Ryuunosuke jumped down instantly, landing beside the cocoon.

The shell peeled away, revealing Heracles standing tall—no longer wearing his old beetle armor.

Now, he stood before Ryuunosuke in full human form.

Ryuunosuke blinked in surprise.

There was something strangely familiar about the man in front of him.

But he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

He knew this man... he was sure of it.

And not just as anyone—he was someone significant in the world of One Piece.

But the memory refused to surface.

"Captain," the man said with a respectful tone.

He used a ragged piece of cloth to cover himself modestly and knelt down once more.

"I feel better than I've ever been," he said. "The energy and life essence fused perfectly in my body. That's why it took so long—I've undergone a complete transformation."

Ryuunosuke nodded, still staring at him.

"Heracles… that's not your real name, is it?"

The man looked up and smiled faintly.

"No, Captain. My real name is Mont Blanc Noland."

Ryuunosuke's eyes widened.

"Noland!?"

"You're... Wait. Four hundred years ago? Because of the pure gold?!"

It hit him all at once.

This guy's iconic chestnut-shaped hair wasn't tied back anymore, which threw him off.

But that name—Mont Blanc Noland—he'd heard it before.

The legendary figure, long presumed dead.

And wasn't Cricket—the guy he met on Jaya Island—his descendant?

"Yeah," Noland nodded. "I was conducting experiments when my body started to fail. I thought I was done for. But then I stumbled upon a semi-finished piece of pure gold in some ancient ruins."

"I didn't have the technology to purify it... but it was enough to keep me alive—until now."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Check my Pâtreon for (40) advanced chapters

Pâtreon .com/Fanficlord03

Change (â) to (a)

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Discord Link Here:

https://discord.gg/MntqcdpRZ9