Chapter 405: The Powerful Gaino!
A month slipped quietly by.
"Captain, it's strange that the World Government hasn't made any effective move until now."
Najenda approached Ryuunosuke, her expression tinged with suspicion. "Logically speaking, someone at the level of a Five Elder was killed at Marine Headquarters. There's no way they'd stay this calm, right?"
Ryuunosuke had wondered the same thing. Over the past weeks, he had kept one eye fixed on the World Government's movements, ordering Morgans to deliver every scrap of intelligence he unearthed. And yet—nothing. Not a ripple of retaliation, not even a demand for answers from the Marines.
It was eerie.
But Ryuunosuke only chuckled. "If the World Government isn't acting, then neither should we waste time worrying. Najenda, tell Nojiko to plot our course to Pluto's location."
"Yes, Captain!" Najenda saluted lightly and left.
On the deck, Nojiko placed the Eternal Pointer on the console. Gaino, the spirit of the Ship of God, leaned forward with a glint of curiosity in his eyes.
It took only minutes for Gaino's mind to unravel the compass's mystery. His talent for navigation was nothing short of monstrous.
"Already done?" Nojiko blinked in surprise as Gaino adjusted the readings.
"Mm. The compass isn't that complicated," Gaino replied calmly. "It points to a fixed magnetic field. All I need is enough chart data to digitize it. Then the Eternal Pointer's direction can be fully expressed in numbers."
He tapped the polished surface of the Ship's console. "If you can give me a complete set of nautical charts—or even fragments—I can rebuild an accurate course."
Nojiko's eyes widened. The Eternal pointer was said to be an artifact beyond reproduction. To analyze its guidance into raw data? That was supposed to be impossible.
"I'll bring you every chart we have in the fleet," she promised, excitement rising in her voice.
Within the hour, she delivered a stack of worn but invaluable nautical charts to Ryuunosuke and explained what Gaino had uncovered.
"This boy really has such ability?" Ryuunosuke mused, flipping through the charts. His eyes softened when they fell on Nojiko. "But Nojiko… you're still the navigator of the Dragon Hunter Pirates."
She tilted her head, puzzled at his tone.
He sighed. "Even if Gaino is powerful, don't let it burden you. Don't think you've been replaced. This crew sails because of you. That won't change."
Nojiko laughed gently, her eyes bright. "Captain, who would feel disappointed because their partner grew stronger? If Gaino can help, then I'll just be happier. I'll work harder to keep up with everyone else."
Her words eased his worries.
Just as she turned back to her charts, Meliodas approached.
"Captain, why didn't you tell her the truth?" he asked bluntly. "She already feels the changes herself. Wouldn't it be better to say it now rather than let her wonder?"
Ryuunosuke only smiled faintly. "She'll tell me herself when the time comes. For now, give her time."
Meliodas studied him for a long moment before nodding. There was no point pressing when the captain's mind was already set.
"Captain!" Conrad called from the lookout. "A vessel ahead, closing fast. Estimated contact in ten minutes!"
Ryuunosuke frowned. "Whoever dares to charge the Ship of God head-on… isn't ordinary."
"Can you see them?" he asked.
"Not clearly yet," Conrad replied. "But the ship is small. Far too small to be moving at this speed on its own."
When it finally came into sight, the Dragon Hunters' eyes widened. It was a daughter ship of the Marines—surging forward at breakneck pace, propelled not by sails or engines but by the sheer power of the men aboard.
And at its prow stood three familiar figures.
Ryuunosuke sighed. "Really now? You're so old, and still pushing ships with your fists?"
Garp's booming laugh answered him before the daughter ship even docked. Sengoku, teeth gritted, was clearly less amused. Tsuru stood beside them, her expression as stern as ever.
"Of all things, they rowed themselves here with brute force…" Kuina muttered from the sidelines, equal parts impressed and exasperated.
When the ships finally linked, Garp wasted no time. He jabbed a thumb at the group of restrained men on deck.
"You need these people?" he asked bluntly.
Ryuunosuke blinked, taken aback. "Huh? You came all this way just to… deliver me some prisoners?"
They were men who had once surrendered to the World Government, perhaps even schemed to undermine the Navy. Now, bound and battered, they stood before him as if discarded.
Ryuunosuke's sharp instincts quickly pieced it together. Garp and the others likely didn't know what to do with them—and so had chosen the one crew bold enough to handle such burdens.
"That's about the size of it," Garp admitted without hesitation.
Sengoku stepped forward, adjusting his spectacles with a weary sigh. "But there's another matter, Ryuunosuke. We have a favor to ask."
"A favor?" Ryuunosuke raised an eyebrow.
Sengoku's tone was calm, but his gaze carried weight. "The Dragon Hunter Pirates have a reputation across the seas—and a style of action that's already stirring the world. If possible… refrain from causing too much chaos. At least for now. It will make it easier for the Navy to do its job."
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