Chapter 423: Secret Operation Begins!
After hearing Nojiko's report, Ryuunosuke gave a slow nod.
"The World Government moving is expected," he said calmly. "But this time… I doubt their goal is just to recover Pluto's wreckage."
His eyes sharpened. "Prepare for battle. Any World Government agents we encounter—strike them without hesitation."
He strode out onto the deck. The crew was hard at training, as they had made it a daily ritual. Ban, especially, thrived in this environment. A man born for war, he seemed almost too comfortable when surrounded by constant fighting.
Keshia, too, had adapted quickly. What had begun as awkwardness turned into seamless integration. To an outsider, she already looked like a proper member of the Dragon Hunter Pirates, another fighter in their ranks.
"Najenda, send word to all nearby crews. Tell them to prepare for action," Ryuunosuke ordered with a grin. "It's time we finished what we left undone last time."
"Understood, Captain."
Najenda hurried to the control room, carrying a cluster of Den Den Mushi to contact the division commanders. Aside from the First and Fourth Divisions and Conrad's scouting squad, the rest had already dispersed to their missions.
The Dragon Hunters' public hunt for Pluto wasn't only about ancient weapons. It was a distraction—an open spectacle meant to drag the world's attention squarely onto them.
…
Meanwhile, somewhere on the Grand Line.
"The Dragon Hunters are moving," Sabo reported with excitement. "Captain, shall we begin as well?"
He had wanted to join Ryuunosuke's Pluto hunt, knowing how much glory such an act carried. But Ryuunosuke had stopped him, insisting there was something more important. This was their moment to strike.
"Yes," Dragon said firmly. "Send the order. Contact the kings of every allied kingdom. Have their royal armies march, and announce it proudly. The world must see."
Dragon's face betrayed a rare flicker of excitement. This wasn't just another campaign. Today marked the first true step toward their revolution's ultimate goal.
"Understood!"
Sabo dashed from the chamber, contacting commanders and generals across their territories. Messages spread swiftly, igniting armies into motion.
Soon, warships began to set sail—each with a single destination.
The Holy Land of Marijoa.
Not from Sabaody, where the World Government expected intruders, but by carving a new path through the Red Line itself. Stealth and shock were their allies.
…
At that very moment, Chrollo and the Phantom Troupe had already infiltrated Marijoa.
They climbed using the remains of colossal trees left from an earlier battle. The scars of war still marred the landscape. For the World Government, clearing them had proven too costly—especially against the vitality of the Sea Kings and the deep-sea clans who lingered there. The scars became permanent features, and the Troupe exploited them.
Chrollo paused, breathing in the air. "When I first came here, I felt it. There's something unusual about this place… Now I'm sure."
"Captain, do we start now?" Uvogin asked, cracking his knuckles. His grin was hungry. "Last time wasn't enough. This time, I want to go all out!"
"Go wild," Chrollo replied with his usual calm smile. "The captain gave us no restrictions this time. Just remember—when the Revolutionary Army shows up, we coordinate. Our job is support, not to steal their thunder."
The Bandit's Secret Book glinted in his hand as he raised it.
"We're pirates, not bandits. Paknoda, Machi—begin with silence. Strike before the enemy knows we're here."
At his signal, the Troupe vanished into the shadows. Patrols in this area were sparse—the previous battle had already broken the World Government's grip here. The land itself bore too many scars to bother with constant guards.
…
Far away, on a secluded island.
"The Three Kings have appeared," Fengyue said grimly. "And yet you all sit here, doing nothing?" His voice sharpened. "The Dragon Hunters aren't something we can control. Don't you think it's time to act?"
The others lounged without urgency. Jin, reclining with arms crossed, looked at her in confusion. "Fengyue, what's gotten into you? You've been different since your last voyage. Is it because of those pirates?"
To him, no matter how fierce the new generation of pirates became, they were still transient. Guardians existed to keep the seas in balance. No upstarts could threaten them for long.
But Fengyue shook his head. "You're blind. One of their top fighters matches us in power. Their captain is worse—monstrous. If they claim Pluto, the balance of this world will break. You know what happens when the balance shatters."
His frustration spilled over. Peace had made them arrogant, dulled their sense of danger.
"If you think they're such a threat, Fengyue," Jin said dismissively, "then you go deal with them yourself."
Before he could reply, a Den Den Mushi nearby crackled to life. But this was no ordinary snail—it was a rare, ancient breed, one that could live for centuries.
"Failed."
The voice on the line was dull and heavy. Only one word. Failed.
Jin stiffened. "What? Didn't you say it was guaranteed?" His voice sharpened. "Why—how did it fail?"
The answer was bitter. "Because of Ryuunosuke. I accounted for him, but I didn't expect he'd side with Keshia. That ruined everything."
The speaker's voice belonged unmistakably to Brook.
Fengyue's eyes narrowed. Jin's arrogance faltered.
The Dragon Hunter Pirates had once again turned the tide.
And now, even the ancient powers of the world had no choice but to admit it: this crew was becoming a threat none of them could ignore.
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