Chapter 445: The Death of Yakos!
Just as Gaban stepped into the cabin, Yakos finally returned.
"Captain, Gaban—"
"I know." Ryuunosuke cut him off before he could continue. "I've already welcomed him. By the way, didn't you promise to inform me whenever you found someone from the Pirate King's crew? Why are you acting on your own?"
His voice was calm, but the weight behind it was unmistakable. Rules existed for a reason. Joining the Dragon Hunter Pirates meant discipline—everyone pulled their weight, everyone followed the code. Yakos had crossed that line.
The rebuke left Yakos stunned. He had come prepared to question Ryuunosuke for inviting Gaban aboard, but now the tables had turned.
"Captain, it's my fault," Yakos admitted stiffly. "But I can explain. You know my story already… you know what I want most. I must capture every last one of Roger's men. Gaban included. Even as a pirate, I'll hunt them down. Only then will the world know who the true hero of the navy is—Yakos! Garp only became a hero because of his dealings with Roger."
His voice trembled with obsession, eyes alight with feverish determination.
Ryuunosuke's gaze softened—not with pity, but with regret. When he first recruited Yakos, he had seen promise. An old veteran of the seas, a man who knew the currents of this world. He thought Yakos might adapt, that the camaraderie of the Dragon Hunter Pirates would heal the shadows in his heart.
But he had been wrong.
All this time, Yakos had worn the colors of the crew without carrying their spirit. He had fought, yes—but always for himself, never for them. His ambition blinded him, his pride made him deaf to everything else.
Some people, Ryuunosuke realized, could never belong to anyone but themselves.
"Are you done?" Ryuunosuke asked at last, his voice sharp as ice.
The sudden change in tone made Yakos's blood run cold. What had he just said? His obsession had driven him to bare his teeth at his own captain. And this captain was Ryuunosuke—who could crush him with a glance.
"Captain, I—"
"Enough." Ryuunosuke's words cut like a blade. "You have two choices. Leave the Dragon Hunter Pirates now, or face what you already know awaits you."
The deck grew silent. Every crewmate knew what that meant.
Yakos clenched his fists, then released them. His voice was flat. "I understand."
He turned, intending to walk away.
But he never made it past the first step.
A shadow flickered—and suddenly, Yakos's head dangled in the grip of another man.
"Captain, trash like this isn't worth keeping," said Chrollo, smiling as if he hadn't just committed murder. "If it were him in our place, with that strength and arrogance, do you think he would've spared us? I'm back, Captain."
Only Chrollo could greet his captain so casually while holding a comrade's severed head.
"You've already acted," Ryuunosuke said coolly. "No point discussing it further. Report your findings."
Chrollo dropped the head, wiped his hand clean, and spoke. "The Heart of Eternity is in Roy's possession. For now, we know its location, but I advise against pursuing it immediately."
"We won't," Ryuunosuke replied. "Our destination is Raftel. Since you're back, stay with us for now—no more missions."
Unlike Yakos, Chrollo's expeditions had always yielded valuable intelligence. He earned his keep tenfold.
Chrollo nodded but frowned. "Still… we should deal with the World Government sooner rather than later. If they grow desperate, they may lash out at our territories. The Dragon Hunter Pirates have holdings across the seas now. Leaving them unguarded is risky."
Ryuunosuke chuckled, leaning back. "You think Roy would stoop to that? If we head to Raftel, you can bet the World Government will follow us. Roy's pride won't allow him to strike at our territory while we're away. He'll want to face us directly. That's the kind of man he is."
Chrollo inclined his head. "If you're certain, Captain."
…
Far across the New World, on a lonely island, another gathering took place.
"Sir, the failure was my fault," Moria said nervously. "Had I understood the Dragon Hunter Pirates better, things wouldn't have turned out this way."
The figure before him was nothing but bones—Brook, the skeletal captain of the Hell Pirates. His hollow sockets revealed nothing, but his presence made Moria sweat.
Yet Brook's voice was calm. "It doesn't matter. Even if Keshia reports this to Boss Jeff, I won't be punished. What matters is what comes next. The Dragon Hunter Pirates are bound for Raftel. Follow them. Make contact with anyone you can. And spread this truth: Raftel holds the secret to power—and to immortality."
Moria's jaw dropped. "Immortality? Is… is that true?"
Brook tilted his skull slightly. "Tell them what they want to hear."
Moria's mind raced. Power was tempting, but immortality? That was irresistible. Every warrior, no matter how mighty, feared the end of life. Even Whitebeard, who had lived for his family, would have seized such a chance if he'd known.
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