Chapter 442: Morgans' Complaints, Gaban Appears!
After the latest clash, the Dragon Hunter Pirates took no immediate action.
For a time, the seas fell into an unusual calm.
"Beru-beru-beru…"
The Den Den Mushi rang.
Ryuunosuke, lounging lazily on a recliner, lifted the receiver.
"Morgans? What is it? Got news?"
On the other end, the great news bird squawked irritably.
"No, brother—you're a pirate! Go make some waves! What are you even doing lately?!"
Ryuunosuke blinked. "…Huh?"
"You've been so quiet my reporters thought they were tailing impostors!" Morgans flapped his wings with indignation. "No battles, no headlines, no scandals! Do you know how boring it's been?!"
Ryuunosuke yawned. "We're pirates, yes, but not troublemakers. Besides—we're heading for Raftel. That counts as doing something."
"Raftel?!"
The word froze Morgans mid-rant. His voice cracked. "Wait, wait, WAIT. Did you just say Raftel?!"
Ryuunosuke tilted his head innocently. "I'm a pirate. Isn't it natural to search for the Pirate King's treasure?"
"Raftel!"
Morgans screeched so loud the Den Den Mushi twitched. Hearing a man-bird scream was unsettling, but he couldn't contain it.
Ryuunosuke chuckled. "What's with you? You're the head of the world's biggest news agency. Don't tell me a little treasure hunt scares you."
"Scares me?!" Morgans' feathers puffed in outrage. "Do you have any idea what you just said?! Every pirate in the world is chasing Raftel! Ninety percent of the seas are obsessed with it, and you drop it like you're going grocery shopping!"
Ryuunosuke picked his ear lazily. "So what? You want me to report my schedule to you now?"
That sharp tone made Morgans flinch. He realized he'd overstepped. Though they were partners in publicity, Ryuunosuke wasn't his subordinate.
Morgans coughed, softening. "Captain Ryuunosuke, let me cover your journey to Raftel. A full series! Daily progress, reports, updates. The world will be glued to you."
Ryuunosuke smirked. "Do what you want. But warn the other pirates: if anyone tails me, I'll kill them without hesitation."
"Understood! I'll arrange everything immediately!" Morgans squawked excitedly and cut the line. Already, his mind raced—old footage could be staggered into "updates" until the live feed caught up. Then, he'd start broadcasting Ryuunosuke's voyage in real time. The profits would be enormous.
Ryuunosuke stretched and walked to the bow, gazing at the endless horizon.
"Najenda, haven't we been too idle lately?"
She met his glance with a small smile. "Not idle, Captain. After our last battles, we've become untouchable. There's a saying spreading across the seas: 'I'd rather kill a Celestial Dragon than cross the Dragon Hunters.'"
Her words weren't boastful—they were fact. The Dragon Hunter Pirates' reputation had swelled to myth. Anyone foolish enough to provoke them was hunted to the ends of the world.
Ryuunosuke sighed. "Maybe so, but this reputation thing… it's starting to feel boring."
Then he stiffened. His Observation Haki prickled.
"…Someone's coming."
Najenda's eyes sharpened. "Yakos. He's chasing someone."
A grin spread across Ryuunosuke's face. "Then he's brought us a prize. Look closer—who's his quarry?"
She extended her Haki, and her eyes widened.
A lone man sprinted across the waves, feet hammering the surface without a boat in sight.
"That's… Gaban! Roger's right-hand man, once of the Pirate King's crew."
Ryuunosuke's laughter boomed over the deck. "So it's him. I have to say, running like that—he looks ridiculous."
But his eyes gleamed with interest. Gaban's strength was legendary, once second only to Rayleigh among Roger's men. If Rayleigh could still match an admiral in battle, then Gaban was no weaker.
Yet here he was, running from Yakos. Not because he lacked power—but perhaps because he had no desire to fight.
Whatever the reason, fate had delivered another piece of history straight into the path of the Dragon Hunter Pirates.
[TL: I have a small announcement for everyone.
I just released a new fanfic titled "I Just Want to Die and Sit on the Throne of Heroes."
From the title alone some of you probably already know the fandom, but for those who do not, this story is based on the Fate Series. The main character is thrown into the era of Gilgamesh, so expect heroes, gods, and all kinds of divine trouble.
As for the Tensura based fanfic I mentioned before, I decided to stop that project. After reading further into the original series, I found too many plot holes and inconsistencies for the kind of story I want, so I chose not to continue it rather than force a messy fanfic.
If you are interested in the new Fate fanfic, feel free to check my profile and you will find it there.]