Chapter 616: New Information, Shirahoshi's Legs!
Ryuunosuke knew Akame was not the one who truly wanted an explanation.
It was Kuina.
And since Kuina wanted to know, he would not dodge the question. He had his reasons for moving the way he did, but those reasons were not something the two of them could guess by staring at the ceiling.
"Come here, Kuina."
Ryuunosuke's tone was calm, almost casual.
"Actually, there's only one purpose behind what I did."
He paused, then continued with a faint smile.
"Be petty first. Be a gentleman later."
Then his gaze sharpened.
"How much do you actually know about your father, Koushirou?"
The question landed like a weight.
Kuina lowered her head, helpless.
Because she really did not know.
Especially after leaving Shimotsuki Village, she knew even less than before.
Ryuunosuke did not let her hide behind silence.
"So you don't have a real answer, do you?"
He tilted his head slightly.
"What if Uncle Koushirou is just using me?"
Kuina's head snapped up.
This time, there was no hesitation at all.
"Then I'll stand on your side, Captain."
Her voice was firm, clear, and absolute.
Ryuunosuke's smile returned.
"Good."
Kuina blinked, then smiled too.
That was enough.
They only needed their stance. Everything else could wait until it actually happened.
"Belubelu…"
A Den Den Mushi rang.
Ryuunosuke glanced at it, recognizing the display at once.
"Morgans?"
He answered immediately.
"What is it? Something unusual happen?"
It had been a while since Morgans contacted him.
During this time, Ryuunosuke had been busy with his own affairs and had not reached out either.
So if Morgans was calling now, it would not be for small talk.
"Captain Ryuunosuke," Morgans said, voice direct and tense.
"The Guardian team has appeared in Wano Country."
"But they didn't make contact with the Dragon Hunter Pirates."
"You need to be careful."
He did not stop there.
"Also, rumors are spreading across the seas that what the Dragon Hunter Pirates are doing in Wano is just an act."
"And quite a few countries want to join the asylum group, so you'll need to handle that too."
Ryuunosuke chuckled.
On the other end, Morgans sounded genuinely confused.
"Captain Ryuunosuke, what are you laughing at?"
"Is there something in this that makes you happy?"
"It's nothing," Ryuunosuke replied smoothly. "Just remembered something amusing."
"I see…"
Morgans hesitated, then continued.
"I'll arrange for the handyman squad to handle those matters."
Then Ryuunosuke spoke again, shifting the topic with no warning.
"Morgans, if you have time, move News Island to a new location. Develop it in the core region of the New World."
His voice remained casual, but the words carried weight.
"The Navy needs an intelligence officer."
Silence.
Morgans did not answer right away.
Even as an Underground Emperor, no one in the dark world dared disrespect him. Yet at the end of the day, he was still an information broker living in the shadows.
Deep down, Morgans craved recognition.
That hunger was one of the reasons he had once cooperated with the World Government. He wanted to use their power to turn his information network into something official.
But the rise of the Dragon Hunter Pirates had made it obvious the World Government was finished.
That was why Morgans stayed in contact with Ryuunosuke.
Now that Ryuunosuke said this, Morgans was tempted.
But becoming a vassal of the Navy was unbearable.
If he had wanted that path, the Navy would have accepted him from the beginning and met his demands.
Hearing it now felt strange, unnecessary, and irritating.
After thinking it through, Morgans declined politely.
"Thank you, Captain Ryuunosuke, but I have no intention of serving anyone for the time being."
"You alone are enough to give me a headache."
"And if I establish a subordinate relationship with the Navy, some of my special methods out at sea will become useless."
"Subordinate relationship?" Ryuunosuke repeated, amused.
"No. We're cooperating. There's no such thing between us."
"Of course, it's only a suggestion."
"If you have better ideas, I'm not stopping you from doing something greater."
They spoke a bit longer, then ended the call.
Akame's expression turned serious the moment the Den Den Mushi went quiet.
"The Guardians are here. They're definitely coming for us."
"Brother Ryuunosuke, do we need to do anything?"
"Ordinary crew members can't handle those people."
She was not exaggerating.
The operation had only just begun, and if the Guardians stepped in, everything would become complicated. Many crew members could die.
Ryuunosuke looked relaxed, almost bored.
"The Guardians won't easily attack my people."
"They understand now that brute force won't give them an advantage against me."
He lifted his chin slightly, eyes turning toward the direction Kuina had mentioned earlier.
"Let's start what we just discussed."
He glanced at Kuina and Akame.
"Do you want to come with me to Demon Island and take a look?"
His confidence was not arrogance. It was fact.
The Dragon Hunter Pirates had reached a level where even the Guardians had to hesitate before moving.
"Captain, we remember too."
Before either Kuina or Akame could answer, a gentle voice drifted into their ears.
The three of them turned.
A woman stood behind them, both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time.
Her beauty was overwhelming. Her figure was flawless in a way that made the air feel strangely quiet.
For a moment, Ryuunosuke was speechless.
Not because of lust.
Because the person in front of him was so beautiful that his mind needed a second to catch up.
"Captain… it's me. Shirahoshi…"
The woman spoke again, voice soft.
"Shirahoshi!"
This time, not only Ryuunosuke froze. Even Akame and Kuina were stunned.
They all knew Shirahoshi well.
But Shirahoshi was a mermaid.
And the woman standing in front of them had long, graceful legs.
She did resemble Shirahoshi, yes, but still…
Ryuunosuke recovered first.
After all, mermaids could gain legs under special circumstances.
He did not know the exact condition yet, but the result was standing right in front of him.
"Shirahoshi… when did you get legs?"
Shirahoshi lifted her gaze, earnest.
"Just now."
"And I felt something inside me resonate. Deep, like it was calling me."
Her voice grew quieter, more serious.
"The direction… is Demon Island."
.....
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