Chapter 446: Smart Keshia!
When Moria asked about the truth of Brook's claim, he immediately felt foolish.
Such a thing couldn't possibly be real—could it? If immortality truly existed on Raftel, Brook would never spread the rumor so freely. It would become a prize the entire world would fight for.
"It's true," Brook replied calmly. "But there are sequelae. For me, the greatest price was losing my body."
He lifted a bony hand, gazing at the empty sockets of his skull. Once, he had been flesh and blood. Now, only bones animated by a cursed gift. Immortality had been bought at a terrible cost.
Yet even in this ghastly form, countless men would envy him.
"I understand, my lord," Moria said quickly. His doubts vanished, replaced with greedy excitement. "I'll spread the word right away."
Brook nodded. He knew once the rumor escaped, it would stir the seas into chaos.
…
When Moria left, Brook reached into his skull and pulled out a pocket watch hidden within. Inside, beneath the glass, was the blurred image of a woman. Though indistinct, her figure resembled Keshia.
"I'll come back," Brook whispered. "And when I do, I'll find you again."
He tucked the pocket watch back into his hollow head and turned away. To anyone else, he had simply stepped outside, saying he needed to relieve himself. Even if Brook himself didn't know from where such a thing would come, Luffy would never question it. That was the kind of captain he followed.
…
Back aboard Ryuunosuke's ship, inside the cabin—
"You're saying that man is your captain's superior?" Keshia asked, confusion in her eyes. If Moria's allegiance lay under such a figure, then her relationship with Perona needed reconsideration. After all, Perona's loyalty to Moria was obvious. Any move against him could pull her into dangerous waters.
"Yes," Perona admitted, her voice heavy. "But I didn't know about this. The captain… he never told me."
Her tone was bitter. If she had known, she might have kept it from Keshia anyway, but the truth was she had been left in the dark. Moria hadn't even asked her to accompany him when he departed. That stung deeper than she cared to admit. For the first time, she felt like a disposable pawn.
It hadn't been this way at the start. Once, Moria had treated her differently. She clenched her fists, anger boiling—not at him, but at Kruel Busulud. It was his influence that had twisted her captain. In her mind, all of this was his fault.
"Perona," Keshia said softly, "if I asked you to betray him, would you?" Her tone hardened as she added, "You wouldn't be left empty-handed."
"I refuse!" Perona snapped before she could finish.
Her answer was resolute. Dissatisfaction with Moria's choices was one thing—but betraying him outright was another. That was a line she would never cross.
"If I could betray him for profit, I could betray you for the same," she explained. "It isn't about gain—it's about principle. And surely, Miss Keshia, you wouldn't want to live with the fear of betrayal yourself, would you?"
Her words carried weight. Right or wrong mattered less than conviction, and Perona's conviction was unwavering.
Keshia blinked, then smiled faintly. "You're right… I respect that." She leaned closer. "In that case, let me share my plan. You can join me if you wish—or not."
"Lord Keshia… you have a plan?" Perona's eyes widened. In her mind, Keshia had always been a simple girl—innocent, impulsive, driven by whims. The idea of her weaving schemes felt almost laughable.
"What's with that look?!" Keshia puffed her cheeks. "I'm a Guardian, same as Kruel Busulud. Do you think I earned that position just for being cute? I'm smart too!"
Her pout made Perona blink. Still, curiosity won. "Then tell me. I'll listen."
Keshia's expression sharpened. "The Dragon Hunter Pirates are sailing for Raftel. We don't know exactly where they'll land, but the Guardians will intercept them. When that happens, I'll strike Kruel Busulud directly. All I need from you is to keep your captain out of my way. Don't let him interfere."
Perona stared at her in disbelief. That's the plan? It was little more than a declaration of intent, without detail or subtlety. And besides, Moria was Kruel Busulud's younger brother. If they dared challenge the Guardians head-on, did they really need to worry about Moria's interference?
It made no sense at all.
"You're shocked by my brilliance, aren't you?" Keshia said proudly. "Don't worry, I have other strategies too. But this is the simplest. Just remember—be wary of the Dragon Hunter Pirates. They're not ordinary people. Especially their captain…"
Her voice trailed off, her thoughts drifting toward Ryuunosuke.
…
Meanwhile, on the Eternal Ship, Ryuunosuke leaned back, having listened in through Gaynor's surveillance. When he heard Keshia describe him as dangerous, he touched his nose and chuckled.
I'm not really that kind of person… am I?
But deep down, he couldn't find a good argument to deny it.
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