Chapter 440: Enel's Mission, the Navy Arrives!
Enel's troubled expression caught Ryuunosuke off guard.
"What? You don't want to go?" the captain asked directly.
Enel shook his head, looking aggrieved. "It's not that I don't want to, Captain. I can't. My ark was swallowed by our ship. I can't fly anymore…"
The words came with frustration. That ark had been his pride, the product of years of effort. He had surrendered it willingly when he joined the Dragon Hunter Pirates. At the time, he hadn't thought much about it—after all, he had chosen to follow Ryuunosuke. But now, without it, he couldn't fulfill the mission.
Ryuunosuke frowned. "…Forget it. Gaino.."
At the sound of his name, Gaino appeared instantly, his form merging from the Eternal Ship's hull.
"What is it, Captain?"
Like the others, Gaino now called him Captain Ryuunosuke without hesitation. He was no longer just a spirit—he was part of the crew.
"Can you return Enel's ark? He needs it to reach the Infinite Continent."
Gaynor tilted his head thoughtfully. "The Infinite Continent… the moon, right? So, he needs a vessel that can fly under electrical control?"
"That's right." Ryuunosuke nodded.
His own mind had first jumped to rockets—fast enough to go up, but not exactly suited for coming back down.
"I see. Separation!"
Gaino pressed his small hand to the Eternal Ship's deck. A faint glow spread across the hull, and with a low rumble, a second vessel detached itself.
A sleek ship floated beside them, humming with energy.
"This is a daughter ship of the Eternal Ark," Gaino explained. "It's capable of flight. By the way, Captain, if you wish, I can modify the other division ships as well. I'll need special metals to supplement them. The rarer the metals, the better the results. Infinity Stones would also enhance their effects, each type granting something different."
His eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Captain… do you still have an Eternal Heart you haven't given me?"
Ryuunosuke chuckled faintly. He had nearly forgotten. Kaido had delivered one recently, and he had yet to hand it over. He drew it from his system space. "Here."
"Thank you, Captain." Gaino took the gem reverently. "After fusing with this, I may unlock new abilities… likely tied to the body itself."
Without hesitation, he swallowed it whole. His form shimmered, his eyes grew heavy, and he sank back into the hull, merging completely. The Eternal Ark fell silent. Gaino had gone into deep integration.
Ryuunosuke exhaled. "Enel, test it. If it works, depart at once and return quickly."
Enel grinned, already imagining himself soaring through the sky again. "Understood, Captain. But I can't promise I'll find it quickly… By the way, can I take my logistics division with me? If we're going back to the Infinite Continent, I have to show off. Otherwise, people will think the Dragon Hunter Pirates are weak."
Ryuunosuke laughed. "Take whoever you like. Just bring a Dragon Hunting Order with you. If there's trouble, contact me immediately."
"You got it, Captain!" Enel gave a wide grin and dashed off to prepare.
When the lightning man left, Ryuunosuke opened his system panel. His eyes scanned the wealth of information.
More than five years…
It had been over five years since he had first set sail. From the days when Akame had been his only companion, he now commanded a vast, powerful crew. Seeing the panel—each name, each ability—filled him with pride.
"Brother Ryuunosuke…"
He turned. Akame and Kuina approached, weariness still clinging to their eyes.
"Why aren't you resting?" he asked gently. After the recent battles, they deserved it.
Akame smiled playfully. Her once-haunted eyes had softened since they had confirmed their bond. "Brother Ryuunosuke, the Navy is here. I thought you'd want to know. I've already let them aboard."
Ryuunosuke's brow arched. He hadn't sensed them. Normally, he relied on his Observation Haki—but with Gaino in deep slumber, he had relaxed too much. He grimaced inwardly. I can't afford to rely too much on others.
He nodded. "I see. Let's go."
Together, the three walked to the foredeck.
There, a line of navy officers stood waiting. At their head—Sakazuki, Borsalino, and a smiling Kuzan. Around them, several vice admirals formed a wall of blue and white coats.
Ryuunosuke raised an eyebrow. "Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, what brings you aboard my ship? Do you need my cooperation for something?"
Sakazuki's gaze was sharp, but his tone was blunt. "Captain Ryuunosuke, you remember our earlier cooperation. The Navy is short on funds."
Ryuunosuke blinked, then let out a dry laugh. He had expected this eventually, but not so soon.
The Navy was a machine—a vast, money-devouring beast. For years, the World Government had bankrolled them with tribute collected from nations across the seas. Now, with the Government fractured, that gold was gone.
Keeping such a force afloat cost billions upon billions. Without their patron, the Navy was bleeding dry.
"So," Ryuunosuke said, folding his arms, "you want the Dragon Hunter Pirates to pay your bills?"
Sakazuki's jaw tightened, but he didn't deny it.
Ryuunosuke's smile widened. "I can give you money—but not endlessly. If I always pay, then the Navy becomes a subordinate of the Dragon Hunter Pirates. So, here's my offer. I'll lend you the funds to get through this stage. And… I'll lend you people as well."
The officers stiffened. Confusion flickered across their faces.
"Money, they understood."
"But people? What did he mean by that?"
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