When Ryuen showed up again, there was someone else behind him.
But as everyone looked at this new figure, they exchanged glances.
Just as Ryuen had said... this person looked even worse than he did.
"Kuina, I saved your life! How could you—"
Before Ryuen could finish, he suddenly felt a chilling gaze on him.
He looked up—Nami was staring right at him.
So he immediately shut his mouth.
If he didn't, his debt might carry over to his next life.
The others didn't want to speak first either, so they all turned to look at Hog. After all, when Ryuen lost his temper, the only one who would get bullied was himself.
"Uh... Uncle Gaban, what happened to you...?" Hog asked under pressure.
"What happened? Look at my face! I used to be pretty handsome, but now... tsk..."
"It's completely ruined!" Gaban, who was beaten to a pulp, took a deep breath and said grumpily.
"Oh, come on. You were never good-looking to begin with..." Ryuen said calmly from the side. Then, he walked over to Nami and sat down next to her.
"Ryuen, you ungrateful brat! To prove you guys had nothing to do with Enies Lobby, I took a huge loss this time!" Gaban huffed angrily.
That comment was a mistake. The moment he said it, everyone's eyes turned to him.
Only Ryuen got up, walked to a nearby fridge, and took out two boxes of lychee-flavored ice cream. He tossed one to Gaban, then opened his own and started eating with a wooden spoon.
Gaban didn't hold back either—he unwrapped his ice cream and enjoyed it down to the last bite.
"Uncle Gaban, I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but we don't need anyone's protection. And that includes you." Ryuen finished his ice cream and spoke seriously.
Gaban was stunned for a moment, then fell silent.
The moment he fought Ryuen, he already knew that the Dream Exploration Team had incredible potential.
Their dream wouldn't stop because of setbacks.
At this moment, Gaban suddenly wondered—was the prophecy about the final island really true?
He looked at Ryuen, recalling their fight at sea earlier today. Even though he had given it his all, he could still tell that Ryuen was holding back.
Especially his Conqueror's Haki—it was unbelievably strong! That realization shocked him.
But to draw a complete world map, they had to find Laugh Tale, the final island. And what was buried on Laugh Tale... was something the World Government could never accept.
Gaban raised his head and looked at the Dream Exploration Team.
From their eyes, he saw a conviction stronger than anyone else's.
And yet, against the mighty World Government, he still couldn't see how they had any chance of winning.
Gaban lowered his head, took a moment, then looked up at Ryuen and said, "Ryuen, kid, I know you've had a smooth journey so far. Until now, you haven't faced any real setbacks."
"That's your pride. But let me tell you, that's also your weakness—your biggest weakness!"
The moment Gaban said this, the whole team fell into deep thought. Even Robin, who had only joined recently, was no exception.
They weren't children. They understood the meaning behind Gaban's words.
Their ultimate goal was to complete the world map, and of course, that included reaching Laugh Tale, the final island of the Grand Line.
But now, it seemed like Gaban, who had already been to the final island, still didn't have confidence in their strength.
"Go on..." Ryuen said calmly.
Gaban glanced at Ryuen and continued, "Your Dream Exploration Team has had it too easy. I just can't believe that in the final battle, you'll be lucky enough to claim victory."
"When everything is lost—when you have no dreams and no hope left..."
"Ryuen, all of you... have you ever thought about what happens when your luck runs out? Can you still live as freely as you do now?"
After hearing Gaban's words, everyone looked a little lost.
That same confused look was just like the one everyone had when they first met Ryuen.
Almost instinctively, they all turned to look at him.
At this moment, they only listened to Ryuen. Even Gaban, the old man beside them, noticed what was happening and turned his gaze toward him.
Without saying anything, Ryuen raised his hand, rubbing his fingertips together. A bright and scorching flame appeared!
The moment the flame ignited, the temperature inside the villa's lobby rose sharply. At the same time, Gaban had already teleported a hundred meters away!
His face had turned completely pale.
"This is the same as the fire that destroyed Enies Lobby..."
"Uncle Gaban, don't say such things! The Enies Lobby incident has nothing to do with our Dream Exploration Team!" Nojiko cut him off before he could finish.
Gaban's expression shifted—first from shock to relief, then from relief to realization, and finally to certainty.
He walked back into the villa's lobby, sat down on the sofa, and took out his soaked cigar, placing it in his mouth and taking a deep breath.
The rest of the Dream Crew stayed silent. They knew Gaban had more to say.
After taking a few dry puffs, Gaban looked at Ryuen and said slowly, "Kid, I've seen this kind of flame before. Not just me—anyone who has reached Laugh Tale has seen it."
"I'm sure of it—Ryuen only learned to create this fire recently! And in all of history, nothing has ever appeared before!" Robin said firmly.
The others didn't speak, but they all agreed with Robin.
"I'm telling the truth. The flame Ryuen created—we really saw something like it on Laugh Tale!" Gaban insisted.
For a moment, the Dream Exploration Team fell into silence.
Everyone looked at Gaban, then turned to Ryuen. While they were still confused, Ryuen had already started to understand.
He looked at his palm, rubbed his fingers together, and a small, intense flame rose up.
"Holy Mother's Flame, huh..."
"Even though I'm sure it's not the same thing, maybe—just maybe—this fire of mine could take its place!" ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by NovᴇlFɪre.ɴet
"Hahaha!!" Ryuen mumbled to himself before bursting into laughter.
"Is he losing it?" Kuina nudged Nami.
Nami wasn't sure either. "I'll check on him tonight..."