Chapter 615: The Guardians' Attention Confirms Blackbeard
As Diana and her group began their operation, the leaders of the other squads moved at the same time.
Their approach was almost identical.
When you have absolute power, everything becomes simple.
In some regions, the locals already knew of the Dragon Hunter Pirates. No demonstrations were needed, no speeches, no threats. The moment the banner was raised, those people simply accepted the new rule.
It was efficiency that bordered on absurd.
If anyone else tried to swallow a country like this, it would take months, maybe years.
For the Dragon Hunter Pirates, it was a matter of days.
…
Out at sea.
"The Dragon Hunter Pirates have finally made their move on Wano Country," Roger muttered, eyes fixed on the image in front of him. "But why Wano?"
He frowned as if the sea itself owed him an explanation.
"Did Kozuki Oden leave something behind there?"
It was worth noting that Morgans' live broadcast of the Dragon Hunter Pirates had never stopped.
Anyone who wanted to watch could watch.
The images were right there, playing like an endless storm on a screen.
And the Dragon Hunter Pirates were not doing it for the camera.
This was simply how they operated.
Roy stood at Roger's side, speaking slowly.
"If they care about Wano enough to make this kind of move… then Wano must be hiding something they want."
Something tied to the world's secrets.
Maybe even something tied to the Guardians.
But Roy did not truly understand the deeper history.
He had only awakened during the battle at God Valley decades ago. Anything that happened in Wano before that was a blank page to him.
"Vegapunk stayed here for a long time back then," Roger said, thinking out loud. "Maybe there really is something special hidden there."
He narrowed his eyes.
"We can't let the Dragon Hunter Pirates take what they want so easily."
"We have to intervene."
"At the very least, we need to know why they're making such a massive fuss."
Vegapunk was gone now.
Even the Lilith projection they had summoned, even after paying such a price, had vanished as well.
So even if Roger wanted to ask, there was no one left to answer.
Roy's gaze shifted, as if he had already decided something.
"Let him go."
Roger looked at him. "Him?"
Roy nodded once, expression steady.
"That guy tried to get us to cooperate before, didn't he?"
"If we give him a mark… maybe he can really do it."
Roger's expression tightened.
"That man has talent, I'll give you that."
"But his ambition is too big."
"If we give him the mark, he'll be outside our control."
Roy did not argue. He simply stated the obvious.
"Then what choice do we have?"
"We can go ourselves, sure."
He tilted his head slightly.
"I remember some of your crew are still on the Dragon Hunter Pirates' ship, right?"
"If…"
"No." Roger's voice snapped like a sword leaving its sheath. "You will not lay a hand on my crew."
He looked genuinely furious.
Roger already felt guilty enough about those crewmates from back then.
In truth, the current mess existed in large part because he had betrayed them.
Erwin's death had already carved a wound into Roger's heart that would not close.
Erwin had faced death without fear because he knew Roger's identity.
And Erwin had also been deeply concerned about Vegapunk's identity.
Since he could not find Roger, he had no choice but to go to Vegapunk.
…
Roy's voice softened, but his conclusion did not.
"Since there's no other option, let Marshall D. Teach do it."
He looked at Roger directly.
"Even if it goes out of control… it can't be worse than what we're already living through."
Imu stood behind them, staring blankly into nothing.
At this moment, Imu looked like her soul had been scooped out and left elsewhere.
But Roy held her hand the entire time, refusing to let go.
Roger watched that scene, his expression turning contemplative.
Roy was making this choice in exchange for a mark.
If they handed that mark out, the next steps would largely end up in Roy's hands.
Roger finally exhaled, slow and heavy.
"Fine."
"If you've decided, we'll do it your way."
He turned his gaze toward the distant shore.
"We'll find Blackbeard."
After that, Roger stepped onto the land of Wano.
Yes.
Roger and his people had not traveled alongside Ryuunosuke's group, but once they learned the destination was Wano, they followed.
…
At the same time, other forces across the sea took notice of what was happening.
Yet instead of opposing the Dragon Hunter Pirates, many of them reacted the opposite way.
They began contacting anyone they could, trying to obtain Dragon Hunter contact information.
Because out on the seas now, nothing was a more reliable talisman than a Dragon Hunter base.
…
Back in Wano Country.
"Brother Ryuunosuke, everyone has already begun moving," Akame reported after gathering the latest information.
"At this pace, the conquest of Wano should be finished within two days."
She continued without pausing.
"Luffy and the others have already started fighting the Beasts Pirates."
"I've already informed Conrad. If it isn't necessary, let them handle it themselves."
Then she looked at Ryuunosuke.
"Is there anything else we need to do next?"
Akame trusted him completely, as always.
Still, she had doubts about this operation, and about Koushirou's attitude, and about why Wano was being occupied so directly.
To the Dragon Hunter Pirates, going this far seemed unnecessary.
Ryuunosuke's grin widened.
"You want to ask me… no."
He tilted his head slightly.
"You want to ask me on Kuina's behalf why I was so harsh with Koushirou, right?"
"Or more accurately, you want to know why I made this decision."
His eyes flicked toward Kuina.
Kuina had been staring at him the whole time, trying not to look like she was staring.
After hearing him say it out loud, she walked over, awkward but determined.
That was exactly what she wanted to know.
But because of her relationship with Koushirou, she could not bring herself to ask directly.
So Akame had done it for her.
Akame stepped closer, expression sweet and coaxing.
"Brother Ryuunosuke, please tell us."
.....
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