Chapter 210: Sea King!
Chapter 210: Sea King!
After listening to Shanks' deductions, the expressions on his crew's faces grew serious.
It made sense—how could someone like Garp, already an old man by any standard, still maintain peak combat power? That kind of vitality defied nature.
And as for Ryuunosuke… he was another anomaly altogether.
Not only was he unbelievably strong, but he had also attracted a sudden surge of powerful individuals to his side—people whose strength couldn't be explained by simple talent or luck.
"Shanks… something's off," said Yasopp, his eyes narrowing.
"If your theory is right… then this power, this thing… it doesn't just boost strength. It could be a way to resist aging itself."
"And those monsters in the Dragon Hunter Pirates… Could they all be benefiting from it?"
Yasopp's tone was sharp. After all, the appearance of the Dragon Hunter Pirates had already shaken the foundations of the sea.
Even Morgans had barely been able to uncover any real information about their inner workings.
Despite their friendly ties with Ryuunosuke, the Red Hair Pirates had never been told the truth behind these strange and powerful newcomers.
Now, with Shanks' latest theory—it all clicked.
"Those guys really might be tied to something special…"
"We'll ask the kid about it sometime," Shanks said casually, then added, "But can anyone dig up more info in the meantime?"
"If not, I'll contact Garp directly."
Shanks didn't mind. He and Garp had known each other for years, both frequent visitors to the Goa Kingdom. There was trust there—of a sort.
"Not yet," Carlos said bluntly. "Let me study it first."
As a biologist, Carlos was methodical. If they could fully understand and master this phenomenon, then there was no need to involve others.
Especially not someone like Garp.
"If Garp had access to this kind of power, don't you think the Navy would already be in a better state?" Carlos continued.
"He's not the kind of man who'd keep it for himself. Tsuru, Sengoku… they'd have it too."
"But after the war at Marineford, Sengoku aged rapidly. His decline was obvious."
"No—Garp never had this power."
Shanks nodded slowly.
"I'll give you one month," he said at last.
"If you haven't figured it out by then—I'm calling Garp."
With that, Shanks turned and left the cave.
The rest of the crew followed, leaving Carlos to his studies.
They trusted him. He was good at what he did.
Meanwhile, in Shimotsuki Village...
"The Four Emperors are here again…"
"It was only a matter of time before someone found out."
"We need to act faster."
Shimotsuki Koshiro opened a small wooden box. Inside, nestled in soft cloth, was a white stone that seemed to breathe—pulsing faintly with a strange, living energy.
Perururu...
Koshiro picked up a Den Den Mushi and made a call to a mysterious figure.
---
"Shanks, huh?"
The voice on the other end was calm and firm.
"Don't worry about him. This stone… only those of the Shimotsuki Clan can truly harness its power."
"And now that Kuina has joined the Dragon Hunter Pirates, let's avoid stirring any deeper darkness."
"Understood," Koshiro replied.
He gently closed the box and stored it safely away.
---
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Sensei! Shikas has a fever—we need you!"
A young voice called from outside.
Koshiro immediately composed himself, straightened his robe, and hurried out to care for his apprentice.
At the same time, aboard the Dragon Hunter Pirates' ship...
Ryuunosuke and his crew had just welcomed Escanor back aboard.
The G-5 Navy base had been secured and handed over to Gunado, the bomb fruit user and head of the Logistics Division.
With the Dragon Hunter Pirates' reputation spreading across the seas, few dared to challenge them anymore.
Of course, that didn't mean none would.
Some fools still walked the earth.
That's why Gunado was left behind—to handle the crazy ones.
"Captain," Escanor said, walking beside Ryuunosuke. "This world... it's far more gentle than the one I came from."
"But the Devil Fruit I use—it holds something... ominous."
"Do you think I should get rid of it?"
Though Escanor hadn't used his stored solar magic during the last fight, his Devil Fruit powers now allowed him to channel his magic perfectly—something that defied all logic from his original world.
And yet... that same Devil Fruit carried a strange, lurking aura. One Escanor couldn't ignore.
"Don't worry about it for now," Ryuunosuke said with a calm smile.
"Our focus now is strength."
"Whatever mysteries lie within those fruits... we'll deal with them in time."
Hearing this, Escanor nodded and released the tension in his fists.
If Ryuunosuke wasn't concerned—then neither was he.
"Captain," Najenda approached, holding a Den Den Mushi. "Doflamingo has agreed to submit. He's requesting to meet with you directly."
"He's in Dressrosa."
"And it just so happens our current route crosses that island."
The message came from Yahiko himself.
The truth? Doflamingo had been scared senseless.
Between Escanor's godlike strength, Enel's lightning storms, and Yahiko's meteor barrage—he'd seen enough at Marineford to know when to fold.
If the Dragon Hunter Pirates decided to abandon him as a pawn, his life would be over in an instant.
He wasn't stupid. Just arrogant.
Ryuunosuke laughed. "So he's finally come around."
"Fine. Let's stop by Dressrosa. Resupply. Sightsee."
"Besides, the underground trade networks Doflamingo controls… might come in handy."
Ryuunosuke didn't bear much hatred toward Doflamingo.
He saw him for what he was—an ambitious man, brutal but pragmatic. A survivor.
In fact, to turn on one's own father and brother like he had—that took a level of conviction Ryuunosuke could almost respect.
But in the face of the Dragon Hunter Pirates' overwhelming strength… Doflamingo was just another domino.
"There's a massive gap between him and us," Ryuunosuke said calmly.
"And when power like ours casts a shadow…"
"…even kings kneel."
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