Chapter 443: Invite Gaban Aboard!
When she heard Gaban name, Najenda's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. A moment later, realization struck.
"Captain… could this Gaban be the same man who gave Charlotte Linlin the Infinity Stone?" she asked in surprise.
She remembered well—Charlotte Linlin once revealed an orange Infinity Stone, and she claimed it had come from Gaban's hands. That meant the last stone Ryuunosuke had been searching for might be tied to the man now running across the waves.
"That's right," Ryuunosuke replied calmly. "Yakos had his reasons for joining us, but this time, he really delivered."
He leapt from the deck. A freezing chill surged around him, spreading across the sea. Each step he took formed solid ice beneath his boots, bridging the distance to Gaban in seconds.
Gaban noticed at once. His brows furrowed. Another one?
Yakos was already hounding him, and now someone else of equal power was closing in. What was this, a gathering of monsters?
Exhaling, Gaban veered toward a nearby island. He had been running long enough—rest was necessary. And besides, the one pursuing him might not be an enemy.
By the time he stopped, Ryuunosuke was already there.
"Captain of the Dragon Hunter Pirates… Ryuunosuke," Gaban muttered, recognizing him instantly. Though retired, Gaban had kept up with the world's tides. The chaos caused by this young pirate was impossible to ignore.
"Hello, Mr. Gaban." Ryuunosuke smiled. "Convenient time for a chat?"
Gaban studied him. Yakos's chase had been persistent, but the thought nagged at him: if he truly wanted to escape, his skills as Roger's navigator would've left Yakos far behind. No—this had been deliberate.
"I'm honored to be recognized by a monster like you," Gaban said with a wry chuckle. "What is it you want? If it's about Raftel, I can tell you now—I know little more than Bullet. We never ventured into the island itself, only the outskirts."
Ryuunosuke shook his head. "I don't need Raftel's secrets. The man chasing you is one of my brothers. What I want is simpler—why not come aboard my ship? Bullet is with us. It could be quite the reunion."
The corners of Gaban's mouth tugged upward. Ryuunosuke wasn't after Raftel. Interesting.
"Since you extend the invitation so earnestly, it would be rude to refuse. But…" He jerked a thumb back. "That fellow's a navy man. When did he become a pirate?"
Ryuunosuke chuckled. "A long story. You'll hear it aboard."
He raised his hand, summoning another surge of frost. An elegant road of ice stretched across the sea, leading straight to the Eternal Ship. Not a crack appeared, not even where it thinned at the edges. It was flawless control.
"Devil Fruit power?" Gaban asked, intrigued. He stepped onto the frozen path without hesitation. He could sprint across water itself, but even so, he tested the ice with his weight—and was startled. It was stronger than stone. Even his blows would struggle to break it.
"I've never eaten a fruit," Ryuunosuke answered. He unsheathed his blade, its spectral chill radiating outward. "This power comes from my blade."
That aura—deep, ancient, soul-freezing—sank into Gaban's. His easy grin faded into a look of respect. Whether or not this was all Ryuunosuke could do, it was more than enough to kill him.
"…You truly are a leader among this generation," Gaban admitted. "Makes me ashamed of how I've idled these years." He exhaled. "So, tell me. What do you want to ask?"
Ryuunosuke's eyes gleamed. "Not Raftel, as I said. I already have four rubbings of the poneglyphs. What I need is to know if they're genuine. You were one of the few who deciphered them. I'd like your opinion."
Gaban's lips pressed into a thin line. His tone lost its humor. "Poneglyphs? Impossible… or maybe not. Bring them to me. Let me see."
Something in his voice told Ryuunosuke the man knew more than he admitted. But he pressed no further.
Together, the two strode across the frozen bridge toward the Eternal Ship.
From a distance, Yakos caught sight of the scene, his jaw tightening. He had tracked Gaban's for days, intent on delivering him personally. And yet, Ryuunosuke had already turned the legendary man into a guest.
Still, he followed—because deep down, a troubling thought gnawed at him.
Why did it seem that every remnant of Roger's crew was drawn to Ryuunosuke?
<><><><><>
[Check Out My Patreon For +40 Advance Chapters On All My Fanfics!]
[[email protected]/FanficLord03]
[Every 100 Power Stones = +1 Bonus Chapter]
[Join Our Discord Community For Updates & Events]
[https://discord.gg/MntqcdpRZ9]