Chapter 413: The Real Purpose!
With both Kai and Roy gone, Ryuunosuke appeared before Sevian in a flash. He grabbed the man like a ragdoll and tossed him onto the deck of the God's Ship.
"Merlin, this thing's yours," Ryuunosuke said flatly. "Study him if you can. If not… I'll let the others use him as a punching bag."
Without another glance, Ryuunosuke turned and stepped into the ship.
"Merlin, study him carefully," Meliodas instructed. "Najenda, let's go find the captain."
The two quickly followed after him, leaving Sevian writhing in Merlin's hands.
Inside the ship, Ryuunosuke sat in his chair, silent and thoughtful.
"Captain," Meliodas began, his brows furrowed, "why didn't you keep them? You could've taken Kai and even Roy if you pushed harder."
From his own fight, Meliodas had felt Kai's strength firsthand. Roy's aura, too, had been on the same terrifying level. In Meliodas's mind, capturing them both was possible.
Instead, Ryuunosuke had only kept Sevian—the weakest link.
"Keeping them wouldn't have worked," Ryuunosuke replied evenly. "They're old foxes. What you fought weren't their real bodies—just physical clones, maybe even parasitic shells. Destroying those wouldn't kill them. At best, it would cause pain."
Meliodas and Najenda both froze. If that was true, then…
"Think about it," Ryuunosuke pressed. "What do you think they'd do if those clones were truly cornered?"
Silence.
Najenda finally spoke. "They'd fight to the death. And from what we saw, they've been holding back abilities. If they unleashed everything, even the Dragon Hunters might suffer heavy casualties."
"Exactly." Ryuunosuke nodded. "One reckless clash could cost us dearly."
"But what about Jigokudo?" Meliodas argued. "Even if we lose people, Jigokudo can revive them."
Ryuunosuke's eyes sharpened. "What if their real goal is Jigokudo?"
The weight of that question silenced Meliodas instantly.
Until now, he had thought of every battle as training—painful, yes, but survivable thanks to resurrection. As long as Jigokudo was alive, there was no true death.
But if their enemies were probing for Jigokudo… if they discovered his ability and targeted him directly…
The Dragon Hunter Pirates' greatest secret and lifeline would vanish. And with it, their future.
Meliodas clenched his fists. "I see. I was careless…"
"This world isn't only filled with brutes swinging fists," Ryuunosuke said. "It's filled with schemers. If I'd pressed harder just now, I might've handed them the key to breaking us."
He stood, his expression resolute. "With Sevian in our hands, Merlin can pry out some answers. Next, we move for Pluto—and then Raftel. We can't waste any more time."
Far away, on a fog-shrouded island, a middle-aged man appeared. His presence was sharp, his mood foul.
"Jeff," he growled, glaring at the dignified figure lounging on a chair, "where did you find such monsters?!"
It was Kai—the true one. The handsome, feminine man from earlier had only been one of his clones. And that clone had nearly been destroyed. The humiliation still burned.
Jeff smirked. "Kai, I didn't expect you of all people to return empty-handed. So—you finally admit defeat?"
"Defeat?!" Kai's eyes blazed. "Don't twist this, old man! You tricked me! And now you dare talk down to me?"
He clenched his fists, aura crackling with hostility. Kai was never one to hold his tongue or temper. He fought whoever he disliked—ally or enemy.
Jeff sighed. "You… always so rash." He raised a hand, as if warding off the storm. "Fine. I'll tell you the plan."
Jeff's words mirrored Ryuunosuke's suspicions. The Guardians' true purpose wasn't to kill the Dragon Hunters outright.
They wanted to eliminate a core member—force Ryuunosuke to resurrect them. Through that resurrection, they would trace the power back to its source. Jigokudo.
If they could kill or capture him, the Dragon Hunter Pirates' immortality would crumble. Their greatest advantage would be gone.
"And that," Jeff finished, "would reduce them to just another band of strong pirates."
Kai's face twisted with fury. "So you used me as bait!? Sent me in blind, knowing nothing of their tricks?!"
Jeff spread his hands innocently. "If I told you, would you have gone?"
"Of course not!" Kai barked.
"Exactly." Jeff leaned back, unconcerned.
"You old snake," Kai spat. "You still owe me. Sevian's been captured, and I need a new little cutie. Find me one—now!"
Jeff's eyes hardened. "Find it yourself. No one here can spare anything."
"You refuse me!?" Kai trembled, rage boiling over. Anyone who knew him would recognize the signs—once he trembled, violence followed.
Jeff's gaze flicked to the side. "Dian. He's about to cause trouble. Deal with him."
At that name, Kai froze. His pupils shrank, his face paling.
"You freed him too…?"
A cold snort escaped his lips. Then, with a swirl of shadows, Kai vanished from sight.
Jeff exhaled slowly, his eyes darkening. "Even among Guardians, some partnerships are more curse than blessing."
<><><><><>
[Check Out My Patreon For +40 Advance Chapters On All My Fanfics!]
[[email protected]/FanficLord03]
[Every 100 Power Stones = +1 Bonus Chapter]
[Join Our Discord Community For Updates & Events]
[https://discord.gg/MntqcdpRZ9]