Meanwhile, aboard the Ship of Gods.
"Captain, there's a merchant vessel up ahead," Najenda reported, peering through her spyglass. "Looks like it belongs to the Kingdom of Alelochi. Probably a noble family's ship."
She paused for a moment, narrowing her eyes.
"From what I can tell, there are barely any combatants on board. Should we engage?"
Ryuunosuke leaned against the railing, his gaze lazily drifting toward the distant sails. The sea breeze ruffled his coat, but his eyes remained calm and calculating.
"This trade route overlaps with our path to the Valley of the Gods, doesn't it?" he muttered.
Najenda nodded. "Yes, Captain. That's why we crossed paths with them."
Ryuunosuke gave a slight nod.
"The Kingdom of Alelochi... if I remember right, it's just a small agricultural country, isn't it? Fertile land, but not much else."
He turned to Najenda, voice cold yet measured. "No need to go all out. Take half their cargo and let them be."
"Aye, Captain," she said, smiling. "I'll send Akame and Kuina. If they go, the merchants might stay calm. If we send Uvogin instead… well, you know how he is—he'd probably blow the whole ship apart for fun."
Ryuunosuke chuckled, but then his expression changed.
He straightened up suddenly, brows furrowing. His Observation Haki had picked up something—or rather, someone.
"You'll… go personally?" Najenda blinked. It was rare for the captain to make appearances unless absolutely necessary.
Ryuunosuke didn't answer immediately. He was still focused, scanning the ship. Then, he said it.
"I saw an old acquaintance."
Without another word, Ryuunosuke gave the order. Several squad leaders and regular crew members leapt down with him, landing gracefully on the deck of the merchant vessel.
The sudden arrival of some of the most feared pirates on the Grand Line instantly threw the entire merchant crew into chaos. Every one of these pirates had bounties in the billions of berries—and they had all just landed at once.
It was like using an intercontinental missile to kill a mosquito.
The negotiator, barely holding himself together, stepped forward with trembling hands.
"Esteemed members of the Dragon Hunter Pirates… whatever valuables you want, please, take them. We only ask that you spare our lives and allow us to keep some food and water."
He looked like he'd aged ten years in a matter of minutes.
Ryuunosuke ignored him entirely. His eyes had already locked onto the one person he came here for.
His voice rang out confidently.
"I'm Ryuunosuke, captain of the Dragon Hunter Pirates. I'm here to officially invite you to join my crew."
The entire merchant ship fell silent.
Even the Dragon Hunter crew members—save for Najenda—looked confused. Akame and Kuina exchanged glances, their expressions darkening slightly.
And why the hell did the captain just invite some random woman from a no-name merchant ship?
Hmph. The captain's being a flirt again, Kuina thought, arms crossed.
First it was the priestess from Skypiea, now this? Tch.
Of course, Ryuunosuke was completely unaware of the storm of suspicion swirling around him.
He had a good reason. Really, he did.
And the most confused of all was Nojiko herself.
She stared at him as if he were some kind of myth brought to life.
The man labeled by the World Government as the most dangerous pirate alive.
The man who built the Dragon Hunter Pirates from nothing—now one of the most powerful crews on the seas.
Allied with titans like Whitebeard and the Red-Haired Pirates.
She'd heard the stories. Everyone who followed the news knew of him.
But… she'd never met him.
So why did he know her name?
"Why me?" Nojiko asked, swallowing the shock. Her voice was steady despite the confusion on her face.
"Because you're a skilled navigator," Ryuunosuke said without hesitation. "And our crew needs one."
He took a step closer, his tone softening.
"Of course, you're free to refuse."
Najenda, standing at the back, nearly dropped her jaw. Navigator? All she's ever shown is a talent for piracy and being trouble. When did anyone care about her actual skill with maps?
Nojiko blinked. "But… how do you even know me?"
Ryuunosuke smiled faintly. "Nami spent a few days aboard my ship not long ago. She spoke of a sister—one even more talented than she is when it comes to sailing."
Nojiko's eyes widened. "She said that?"
It was hard to believe. Nami rarely gave compliments—especially not about her own skills.
But hearing it from Ryuunosuke… it made her heart beat just a little faster.
The intensity in his eyes was different. It wasn't lust, greed, or pity. It was recognition.
And for the first time in her life, someone recognized her not just as Nami's sister, but for what she was—a navigator.
"…I'll join," she said, surprising even herself with how quickly the words came.
"But…" she hesitated. "Please don't harm this merchant ship. The crew here… they're just civilians."
The moment the words left her lips, she realized she might've gone too far.
I haven't even joined yet, she thought nervously, and I'm already making demands of the captain…
She glanced at the crew—some of whom were clearly annoyed.
What if one of them took it the wrong way?
Would they turn on her?
Would she be punished?
"Alright," Ryuunosuke said casually, waving a hand.
"We'll take half of their cargo and leave them with food and water."
Ryuunosuke turned toward her, his expression calm but sincere.
"Welcome to the Dragon Hunter Pirates."
He then called out, "Chrollo, gather the valuables. Leave the water and food untouched."
As Vhrollo and the others moved quickly to fulfill the order, Ryuunosuke gave Nojiko one final look.
Then, without waiting for her response, he turned and leapt back onto the Ship of Gods.
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