Chapter 64 – The Dragon Guards Are Coming!
Ryuunosuke activated his electric powers once more and instantly returned to the ship.
With the combined boost of Armament Haki and electricity, his speed surpassed even the Navy's Soru technique.
After that brief interlude, everyone returned to their routine of training and sailing.
A week later, the crew arrived at the waters surrounding Little Garden.
At the same time, a massive Navy fleet appeared on the opposite horizon.
"Admiral Kuzan, we've locked onto the Dragon Hunter Pirates' location."
"Also, Crocodile has officially withdrawn from pursuing them."
"At our current pace, we should intercept them by tomorrow."
The navigator and lookout quickly updated Kuzan on the situation.
Kuzan slowly sat up from his recliner and removed his eye mask.
"So it's finally time to meet them, huh?"
"I wonder just how powerful this so-called 'Super Rookie' really is..."
Gone was the lazy expression. In its place was a rare seriousness.
Kuzan had been closely monitoring the Dragon Hunter Pirates for some time. He'd read through all available intel—again and again.
And with each new piece of information, his unease grew.
In just a few months, the Dragon Hunter Pirates had risen from an obscure crew in the East Blue to their current level.
Their numbers. Their strength. Their cohesion.
All of it had developed at an astonishing rate.
But what shocked him most was their quality.
The previous battle with Chrollo said it all—this wasn't just a pirate crew. It was a gathering of monsters.
Which led him to wonder—what kind of monster was their captain, Ryuunosuke?
"Brother Kuzan," a voice called gently.
Gion approached him with a worried look. "We'll be facing their captain tomorrow... Honestly, I'm a little scared."
"Scared we might lose."
Though such words might kill morale, her concern was valid.
She hadn't bothered Kuzan throughout the voyage, but seeing his expression grow darker by the day told her everything.
Kuzan replied calmly, "I can't guarantee we'll take them down."
"But I can guarantee—we won't fail this mission."
"Stop the fleet," he ordered.
The entire navy force came to a halt by a small, deserted island.
Kuzan stood, picked up his recliner, and looked toward the shore.
"Fire Mountain, we'll rest here for a while."
"We'll wait—for the intel, and for that person to arrive. Only then will we move."
"Until I give the order, we train and rest here. No time limit."
Without another word, Kuzan walked onto the island and set his recliner down on the sand.
He lay there quietly.
A Den Den Mushi sat on his chest, proof that while his eyes were closed, he wasn't truly asleep.
Waiting for someone important.
The others followed orders and began setting up camp, training, or preparing for what came next.
Meanwhile, back on Ryuunosuke's ship...
"Looks like some interesting guests are arriving," Najenda said with a soft smile, leaning on the railing.
"Yeah... and that emblem looks familiar," Ryuunosuke added, squinting at the ship anchored near the distant shore.
A distinct flag flew from the mast—the World Government's insignia, along with another unique symbol.
A group of figures stood waiting on the beach.
"The Heavenly Dragon Guards," Ryuunosuke said casually, recognizing the emblem.
He remembered meeting one of them before, back in the East Blue—on that luxurious merchant ship guarding the nobles.
Now, here they were again.
And that symbol left no room for doubt.
"Heavenly Dragon Guards? As in... those guys who protect the Celestial Dragons?" Ace asked, raising an eyebrow.
"What are they doing here?"
"Morgans," Hawkins said flatly.
"I always knew the 'Big News' family had serious connections... but I didn't expect this."
"They actually sent the Heavenly Dragon Guard because of him?"
Hawkins had done a divination earlier and only received one clue: a news bird.
Which could only mean one thing—their current trouble likely stemmed from that recent incident with the news birds.
"Morgans, huh..." Ryuunosuke chuckled.
"That guy really is our biggest benefactor."
"Najenda, Kuina—stay on the ship and guard the Evil Warship."
"The rest of us... let's go meet our guests."
With that, Ryuunosuke stepped off the ship.
Behind him, Tsukuyomi, Akame, Ace, Hawkins, and the others silently followed, awaiting his signal.
But interestingly, the Heavenly Dragon Guards didn't attack immediately.
They simply waited on the beach.
Soon, Ryuunosuke reached the soft, sunlit shore.
"Captain Ryuunosuke of the Dragon Hunter Pirates," he called out with a grin.
"I take it you're here for me?"
There was a gleam of anticipation in his eyes.
This was the combat force of the World Government.
If he could defeat them here—in broad daylight—then both the World Government and the Navy would recognize him as a genuine threat.
And once Morgans spread the news...
Lu Yu would go from being notorious to being legendary.
He could almost see the reputation points raining down.
And that made him smile.
One of the guards stepped forward.
"I'm Morski, Captain of the Sixth Squadron of the Heavenly Dragon Guard."
"I'm here to offer you a deal—come with us quietly. It's the only way you might live a little longer."
A heavy pressure radiated from his body as he spoke, his aura flaring.
At the same time, his form began to shift.
Ryuunosuke tilted his head, still smiling.
"So... you already know my answer?"
"Then let's not waste any more time."
Lightning exploded from Ryuunosuke's body as he dashed forward.
But the moment he moved, chains shot out from the trees and wrapped tightly around his body.
"Gotcha!" Morski laughed triumphantly.
"Still a rookie at heart!"
"Even if I don't know what your Devil Fruit is exactly, you're definitely a Devil Fruit user."
"And these chains? Specially made for people like you."
"Seastone. Just for you."
He stood proud, radiating arrogance.
But Ryuunosuke didn't weaken. Didn't collapse.
Instead, he looked at Morski like he was an idiot.
"Wait... Is that seriously the intel Morgans gave you?" Ryuunosuke asked, his tone dripping with mockery.
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