Chapter 409: The Territory Attacked, the Guardian Kai!
After hearing Merlin's words, Ryuunosuke's expression darkened.
Meliodas and his companions might have joined this world, but they still carried their own magical attributes. Even so, the laws of this world bound them. Under those rules, only lower-level demons could clash with Meliodas and his ilk. Otherwise, the sheer oppressive might of higher-ranking demons would have immobilized the weaker ones instantly.
But if these seeds allowed lesser demons to grow strong enough to slay higher demons… that was a serious problem.
A terrifying thought gnawed at Ryuunosuke.
"Merlin, can you continue analyzing these demon seeds?" he asked bluntly.
"This fusion method is just the beginning," Merlin said with thinly veiled disdain. "If you require it, Captain, I know of other—far more advanced—techniques. This research is nothing compared to what true demoncraft can achieve."
Ryuunosuke shook his head. "I don't need something extraordinary. Just focus on one thing—develop a method to break their fusion. If the World Government plans to use them, we need a way to disintegrate it."
Merlin's sharp eyes glinted. "So that's your plan… I understand, Captain." She bowed lightly and turned, her footsteps echoing across the deck as she left to begin her work.
Two days later—
"Perururu"
The Den Den Mushi's call broke the quiet.
"Chrollo, what's wrong?" Ryuunosuke asked immediately. The man had only left the ship yesterday. Why was he calling already?
"Captain, our territory has been attacked," Chrollo' voice came over the line, grim and steady. "At the front of the New World—Keeyee Village, on Aratov Island. We're on our way there now."
Ryuunosuke froze.
"Do you know who's behind it?" he pressed.
"Not yet. But it doesn't appear to be the World Government. I contacted Morgans, but even he has no intel. I'll investigate and report once we reach the site."
Ryuunosuke exhaled slowly. "Understood. Handle it as you see fit. I'll await your report." He hung up.
His suspicion had been right all along. With the Dragon Hunter Pirates' territory spreading across the seas, they couldn't be everywhere at once. Their roster of top fighters was finite, while the sea was vast. If enemies struck knowing the timing and geography, they could hit vulnerable spots.
Even Morgans' vast intelligence network couldn't cover the entire world at all times. And this time, he had no clue who the attackers were.
"BOOM!"
A thunderous blast tore through the skies. The God's Ship shuddered.
Meliodas hovered before the ship, his blade drawn, having just intercepted a devastating strike.
Ryuunosuke's Observation Haki flared instantly. His senses swept the horizon—and then locked onto a presence that made his chest tighten.
"Sevian…"
The man who had once been defeated and forced to flee now stood across from them, a twisted smile curving his lips. He shouldn't have been capable of this. Oaths and binding contracts still shackled him. By those rules, he couldn't raise a hand against Ryuunosuke or his crew.
Yet here he was.
"Hehehehe… I finally found you," Sevian hissed, his grin edged with madness.
Ryuunosuke's eyes narrowed. Cleared… someone erased his oaths.
Even in the Hunter world, there had been specialists who could remove such constraints. Sevian must have found such a power.
But what unsettled Ryuunosuke more was the man standing on the deck behind Sevian. His aura was suffocating, far more dangerous than Sevian's. The moment Ryuunosuke sensed him, his instincts screamed threat.
"Ryuunosuke," Sevian sneered, "you didn't expect me back, did you? This time, I'll repay every humiliation in full!"
Symbols lit up across Sevian's skin, strange patterns glowing as his aura surged higher and higher.
"This isn't the same as before…" Ryuunosuke muttered. "He's changed."
He stepped forward. If Sevian had come to fight, then fight they would. Defeated once meant he could be defeated again.
"Captain of the Dragon Hunter Pirates, isn't it?"
The other man suddenly appeared, moving like a shadow. He blocked Ryuunosuke's path effortlessly.
"Stay a while," the stranger said calmly. "My little cutie will be along shortly."
"Cutie?" Ryuunosuke blinked. Did he just call Sevian… cutie?
The man threw Sevian a wink. Sevian's body stiffened in irritation, but he didn't protest. He simply nodded and dashed straight at Meliodas.
Ryuunosuke almost tripped over himself. What kind of relationship do these lunatics have…?
The man turned back to him, his presence like a cold tide.
"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kai. I am a member of the Guardian Team. You and your Dragon Hunter Pirates have upset the balance we protect. For that, you must be eliminated."
The words were spoken without anger, without pride—only certainty.
Meanwhile, in the holy land of Marijoa, Mars knelt before Im, reporting the news.
"Lord Im, the Dragon Hunter Pirates are under attack. Shall we intervene?"
Im gently watered the flowers, their voice calm and distant.
"Attack them? No… there's no need. Let others trouble them. As long as they grow unchecked, they'll draw every hunter and enemy to themselves. We'll move only when the timing is right."
Mars bowed his head. "Understood."
Im's watering can tilted, droplets falling onto bright petals as though the outside world's chaos was nothing more than a rumor carried by the wind.
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