Chapter 358: Go Home and Farm!
After hearing Sabo's explanation, Ryuunosuke nodded quietly. It made sense—he too had been involved in the assault on Impel Down. Their actions had sent tremors through the World Government, and now the waves were catching up.
---
Meanwhile, on the Navy's side...
"That ship... that's the Dragon Hunter Pirates, isn't it?!"
"Ace of the Whitebeard Pirates is with them too. Both have bounties in the billions...!"
"Should we... retreat?"
"You're not seriously suggesting we fight them, are you?!"
The moment the naval forces spotted Ryuunosuke's fleet, panic began to spread among the ranks. The Dragon Hunter Pirates alone were a threat few dared to face.
But now, with Fire Fist Ace and Sabo—the Revolutionary Army's Chief of Staff—standing alongside them?
No one here had the will to engage.
Some of the younger officers, fresh from training, gripped their rifles tightly with trembling fingers. This was their first deployment—and it looked like it would be their last.
Then, a chilling presence stepped forward from one of the main vessels.
He wore a Vice Admiral's coat, but what caught everyone's attention were the sharp claw-like gauntlets on his hands and the violent, blood-soaked aura surrounding him.
"I want to see for myself if these so-called Dragon Hunters are as terrifying as they say," the man muttered.
"Vice Admiral Kashiguna, please reconsider!" his adjutant said urgently. "Even if we retreat, HQ won't blame us. That crew... they're monsters!"
The adjutant, wasn't some green rookie. He had once encountered the Dragon Hunters from a distance when they bypassed naval forces and stormed straight into Mariejois. He'd never forgotten that overwhelming presence.
And now they were directly in front of them.
But Kashiguna only clicked his tongue.
"Hmph! What kind of navy turns tail and runs when facing pirates?"
"If we flee here, we might as well disband the entire fleet."
He turned to his men and roared, "Prepare to fire!"
---
Back on the Ship of God, Ryuunosuke's eyes narrowed.
"So, we've got a new Vice Admiral playing hero," he muttered. His figure flickered—and in the next second, he was gone.
---
"Are you the commander of this little fleet?" Ryuunosuke's voice suddenly echoed behind Kashiguna.
The Vice Admiral froze.
Ryuunosuke stood calmly behind him, arms crossed, his presence suffocating. "Brand-new Vice Admiral... got claws, a coat, and an ego. But not much else, I see."
"You—how dare you sneak—!"
Shing!
Before Kashiguna could finish his sentence, a blur of silver and flame swept through the air.
Tsukuyomi materialized beside Ryuunosuke, her blade already plunged deep into the Vice Admiral's chest. The next instant, black fire erupted from the wound, engulfing his body.
He didn't even get a chance to scream before disintegrating into cinders.
Ryuunosuke glanced at the terrified adjutant still rooted in place.
"And you?" he asked, his tone casual. "I think I've seen your face before."
"I—I'm Captain Rudie, sir! I..."
Ryuunosuke stepped closer and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Take your men... and go home."
Rudie stared, dumbfounded.
"The Navy's justice?" Ryuunosuke said. "It's been hijacked. It no longer deserves your loyalty. Go back to your hometown, tend to your fields. Protect your family. You'll do far more good there than wasting your life here."
With those words, Ryuunosuke vanished once more.
He had better things to do—like drink.
---
"Go home... and farm?"
Rudie repeated those words under his breath. His mind spun.
The Navy had allowed countless atrocities, including slavery, to flourish for decades. Yet it wasn't the World Government, nor the Admirals, who had put an end to it.
It was a pirate crew.
The Dragon Hunter Pirates had ended the slave trade, freed entire regions, and done what the Navy was supposed to.
"…Maybe this really is the end of the old Navy," Rudie muttered.
His hands clenched, then slowly loosened.
"…Let's go home."
He turned around, barking orders to the other soldiers.
"I'm done chasing shadows."
And he wasn't the only one.
Several other marines, shaken by the scene, silently agreed. Some even wept—not out of fear, but from the weight of realization.
They weren't the heroes anymore.
---
Elsewhere, in the Royal Palace of Dressrosa…
The atmosphere was strangely calm.
In one of the grand halls, Doflamingo stood casually near the window, his shades hiding his eyes as he looked over the city below.
Behind him, Law stood frozen in place.
"Mr. Corazon..." he muttered.
Doflamingo grinned.
"Rosinante, your little fanboy wants to see you," he said, waving a hand.
From behind a silk screen, a man stepped forward.
Wearing a sheepish, apologetic smile... was Rosinante.
"L-Law..." he said quietly. "I'm sorry. For everything..."
Before he could finish, Law ran forward and collapsed into his arms, trembling.
For years, Law believed Corazon had died protecting him. That he'd burned away in silence while Law escaped with the Operation Fruit.
And now... he was alive.
"…Why?" Law asked, his voice breaking.
Doflamingo leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
"The Ope Ope no Mi was always meant for you," he said.
"But we were afraid you'd rely too much on us. We needed you to grow strong—even if it meant putting you through hell."
Rosinante nodded.
"Watching you from the shadows wasn't easy. But we had to make sure you didn't waste the power... or your potential."
Law stood there, stunned. Every piece now made sense.
His pain. His rage. His relentless pursuit of justice.
It had all been part of something larger.
"…Then I... I have nothing more to ask," Law whispered.
Rosinante smiled warmly. "Come back. Our family's door is always open to you."
"…Alright."
Law nodded slowly, a rare peace settling over his expression.
Doflamingo walked over and tossed him a sealed scroll.
"The spoils from our latest expedition, plus a special mineral vein. All yours."
"You're better suited to handle it than I am."
"We're all Dragon Hunter Pirates now," he added. "Don't forget that."
Law's eyes glinted with understanding.
He had always drifted between revenge and duty. But now… he had something else.
A home.
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