Chapter 161: Gion Wins the First Prize!

Chapter 161: Gion Wins the First Prize!

---

As the evil warship disappeared into the horizon, the jailer stood frozen, his tiny head filled with confusion and doubt.

Something about Magellan today felt… different.

Normally, anyone who dared to step foot into Impel Down with hostile intent would immediately be greeted with a venom shower, no exceptions. That was Magellan's iron rule. Whether it was Vice Admiral Garp or the infamous Dragon Hunter Pirates, Magellan had never hesitated to unleash his poisonous wrath.

But today… he didn't even lift a finger.

"If we didn't hand them over today," Magellan muttered to himself, brows furrowed, "Impel Down would've been razed to the ground…"

He could still feel that overwhelming presence lingering in the air.

"That aura… This sea is about to change."

Without another word, Magellan quickly turned and left.

Moments later, the sound of relief echoed from the toilet.

Yes, that's right.

Truth was, Magellan's stomach had already started hurting the moment Garp arrived. Before he could handle his business, the Dragon Hunter Pirates showed up. It was already chaos—and let's face it, he couldn't exactly take a dump on the wall.

That damned Poison-Poison Fruit… it wasn't just dangerous to others, but to him too.

---

Aboard the Evil Warship

"Ryuunosuke, why the hell did you save me?" Crocodile growled, glaring. "I don't like owing people favors. What do you want from me?"

Despite his distaste, Crocodile knew he was in no position to bargain. He'd lost. Ryuunosuke saved him. And now he stood on the enemy's ship with no clue what came next.

"Sorry, forgot you were still here," Ryuunosuke said casually.

Swish!

Clink—!

With a swing of his sword, the seastone handcuffs around Crocodile's wrists split apart like butter. Metal that could normally suppress even the strongest Devil Fruit user was, in Ryuunosuke's hands, as fragile as clay.

"Mario, build him a small boat," Ryuunosuke ordered. "Let him leave on his own. All our sub-ships have the Dragon Hunter Pirates' mark. I'm already under enough scrutiny from the World Government. No need to drag him further into it."

He smiled faintly as he spoke, voice calm and detached.

Crocodile narrowed his eyes.

This guy… what the hell was his deal?

He had asked why he was saved. But now, all Ryuunosuke did was give him another puzzle.

What was this bastard really planning?

"Alright!" Mario responded, getting to work right away.

In just minutes, a small vessel was built—just big enough for one person. It wasn't armed, but it would get the job done.

Akame even thoughtfully packed food and water before handing them over.

Their efficiency was so ridiculous that before Crocodile could protest, everything was ready.

"Oi! You messing with me?" Crocodile snapped. "Just say it—what the hell do you want me to do?!"

"I told you, nothing," Ryuunosuke said, waving dismissively. "I played a part in your capture, so I figured I'd make up for it by fishing you out."

No deeper reason. No hidden motive.

Just that.

But Crocodile didn't buy it.

He wanted to say, I don't believe you for a second!

Still, since the boat was ready, and his cuffs were off, he didn't push it further.

Without another word, he sailed away.

"Captain, he's one of the Seven Warlords," Chrollo said. "Wouldn't bringing him to Marineford have been better?"

"He'll go there himself," Najenda answered before Ryuunosuke could.

It was always Najenda who asked the 'why' questions around here. But after traveling with Ryuunosuke for so long, she had started to understand the way he thought.

"Najenda's right," Ryuunosuke nodded. "He'll find his way."

He turned and resumed his training at the deck's edge.

"Let's go find the old man. He took Urzi. That means he wants to see me. If we follow the path we came from, we'll catch up soon."

---

Meanwhile, Near the Same Sea

On another ship, Vice Admiral Gion stood at the helm.

"Vice Admiral Gion, Chief of Staff Tsuru specifically said not to go out during this time," a nearby Navy colonel warned nervously. "It's too dangerous. If we encounter the Dragon Hunter Pirates—"

"The Dragon Hunter Pirates…" Gion muttered, cutting him off.

Her eyes were sharp with determination.

"Hmph. Even the Blackbeard Pirates managed to take down their handyman division. Don't tell me I can't do the same!"

That's right—Gion's target wasn't the main force of the Dragon Hunter Pirates.

She was after their handyman division.

The official Division were off-limits. The Second Division—Chrollo's Phantom Troupe—had already left a psychological scar on her. The memory of watching herself being eaten alive—without even feeling pain—still made her shudder.

And the First Division —Night Raid—was always with Ryuunosuke himself. Attacking them would be suicide.

But the handyman division?

That, she could handle. Or so she thought.

---

"Vice Admiral Gion! Pirate ship sighted ahead!" the lookout shouted suddenly, running over in a panic.

"What? What ship?"

"It's… it's the evil warship of the Dragon Hunter Pirates!"

Gion froze.

She had just bought intel on their handyman division from Morgans.

And now?

She'd hit the jackpot—face-to-face with the real deal.

"Vice Admiral Gion, we should retreat!" the colonel shouted. "They're closing in fast! At this rate, we'll be overtaken within thirty minutes!"

"No."

Gion drew her sword, eyes blazing.

"I'm a Vice Admiral of the Navy Headquarters. I refuse to run. I'll capture them with my own hands!"

Thirty Minutes Later

"Vice Admiral Gion?" Ryuunosuke said, standing over her, arms crossed. "Pass me Garp's Den Den Mushi. I've got a question for him."

Gion lay bound and defeated, her pride in pieces.

The fight was over before it had even begun. Both captains of the Dragon Hunter Pirates had been present—she never stood a chance.

"You think you can use me to threaten Vice Admiral Garp?" she hissed. "In your dreams. I'll never—"

"Chrollo, feed her to your fish."

Before she could finish, Ryuunosuke turned away and took a seat.

"Hehe… got it, Captain," Chrollo replied with a grin. "If you hadn't told me she was off-limits last time, she'd already be fish food."

He stepped forward, and behind him, an enormous shadow loomed.

A monstrous fish—the manifestation of Chrollo's Nen ability—reared its head. It had grown massively, far from the 'cute little fish' it used to be. Each life it devoured only made it stronger.

"I-I'll give it to you!"

Without hesitation, Gion pulled a Den Den Mushi out of her chest and tossed it over.

Still warm.

Honestly, Ryuunosuke couldn't understand women in this world. Why the hell did they always keep weird things in there?

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