Chapter 498 Blackbeard Is Not Dead, Ace's Guilt!
Ryuunosuke appeared in front of Kaido without warning.
"Kaido, lend me your Den Den Mushi for a moment."
Kaido blinked. "Den Den Mushi? This one?"
He shoved the snail into Ryuunosuke's hand without another thought.
"Take it. I'm heading back to the ring. If I stop now, Sevian will think I'm dodging."
With that, Kaido strode off at full speed. No one was stealing the title of professional punching bag from him, least of all some loudmouthed prisoner.
Ryuunosuke raised the Den Den Mushi.
"Kanjuro, right? It's me, Ryuunosuke."
"I didn't expect trouble to pop up right after you left."
"Is Blackbeard really still alive?"
Ryuunosuke had confirmed Blackbeard's ability before. With three extra lives, the bastard should have burned through them all already. So why was he showing his face again? And why had his target shifted to Kaido?
"Captain Ryuunosuke!"
Kanjuro's voice came through at once, shaken but fast.
"Blackbeard is not dead. He is not a stand in or a puppet. He used the power of the Dark Dark Fruit."
"It must be the real him!"
Kanjuro had heard the exchange between Ryuunosuke and Kaido earlier. That alone proved their relationship was not hostile. So he replied honestly with everything he knew.
As one of Kaido's men, he was aware that certain scientists could make convincing puppets. But the dark acupoint technique Blackbeard used was the real thing.
How Blackbeard survived was beyond Kanjuro's reach. He was only a pawn, not someone who got to see the full board.
Ryuunosuke did not waste time.
"When are they supposed to move?"
"And how long before Momonosuke returns to Wano? Has he prepared anything?"
"With only your strength, there is no way you can overthrow Wano."
Kuina's old goal had been to drive out Kaido and Orochi. But once she learned Kaido's true purpose, she dropped that idea. Momonosuke might not know the truth, but Kanjuro should.
So why were they still acting?
Was this some cruel test Oden left behind, forcing Momonosuke to grow stronger by giving him an enemy? It was possible.
But Ryuunosuke felt there was more to it.
Kanjuro answered immediately.
"Besides cooperating with Blackbeard, Momonosuke is preparing to sail to Zou."
"He wants to seek out the Mink Tribe."
"The Mink Tribe…"
Ryuunosuke's lips curved into a faint, amused smile.
Even if the Minks had never publicly declared allegiance to the Dragon Hunter Pirates, their reality was basically the same as joining already.
Momonosuke still had a brain after all. Choosing the Minks now was smart.
Luffy was another smart choice too. Luffy's backing was absurdly deep, and everyone on the sea knew it.
So Momonosuke had tied himself to Blackbeard, while also moving between Luffy and the Minks.
Once he took Wano for himself, whatever he truly wanted to do would show its face.
"I understand."
"If he makes any new decisions, or if anything feels strange."
"Especially if he contacts someone unusual."
"Report to me immediately."
"Yes, Captain Ryuunosuke!"
Kanjuro's voice was respectful to the point of obedience.
He still remembered the warmth of Ryuunosuke's fist. Refusing this request was not an option.
Besides, Kaido was currently on Ryuunosuke's ship. Kanjuro had zero desire to test his luck.
Ryuunosuke ended the call.
He pulled out his own Den Den Mushi next. Kaido's snail stayed in Ryuunosuke's hand. It was not going back any time soon.
"Beru Beru…"
The line picked up.
"Brother? What's wrong?"
Ace's voice came through. It was oddly careful, even evasive.
Before, any call from Ryuunosuke would make Ace fired up and nervous in a good way. He was never this dull.
Ryuunosuke did not notice. His mind was already elsewhere.
"Ace, Blackbeard is not dead."
"What?"
Ace froze.
They had watched Blackbeard die with their own eyes. How could this be real?
They also knew the Hellhound Devil Fruit's special trait. Even with three extra lives, Blackbeard should have spent them all.
Ryuunosuke continued without pause.
"Blackbeard has formed an alliance with Kozuki Momonosuke, Oden's son."
"Their target is Wano."
"And Kaido."
"He's also aiming for Orochi's Snake Snake Fruit, Mythical Zoan Model Yamata no Orochi."
"This is the kind of thing you need to know."
"Go tell Whitebeard. I have my own matters to handle first."
Then he hung up.
He still had too much on his plate. The fusion of the Heart of Infinity, the direction of the Dragon Hunter Pirates, and the coming clash on Raftel.
Pain and the Third Division were the only ones still away. Every other division was already gathered here.
Once they reached Raftel, the real war would begin.
On Whitebeard's ship, Ace stared at the silent Den Den Mushi. His expression twisted into something heavy.
If this were only about before, the guilt in his chest would be sharp but manageable.
Now it was growing into something crushing.
Ryuunosuke was carrying burdens that mattered to the world. Yet even in the middle of all that, he still called to warn Ace.
"Ace."
Whitebeard walked over, his massive shadow falling across the deck.
"Was that Ryuunosuke just now?"
Ace nodded. "Yeah… Brother said…"
He quickly repeated everything Ryuunosuke had told him.
Whitebeard's face darkened.
Blackbeard was a stain on the Whitebeard Pirates, the kind that had to be burned away. He had believed the man was dead.
To hear that Blackbeard was still crawling around the sea felt like old poison rising again.
"Pops… are we still going to Raftel?"
Ace hesitated. "With this happening…"
"We're going."
Whitebeard cut him off with absolute certainty.
At this point, turning toward Wano would be too late. More importantly, they could not afford to miss whatever was waiting on Raftel.
Whitebeard had a duty to arrive there before Ryuunosuke. It was the task Roger left in his hands.
Blackbeard could be dealt with after they came back out.
"Got it."
Ace nodded, but the weight did not leave his eyes.
He stood and walked toward the bow without speaking further.
On one side was his father, the man he respected above all else.
On the other side was his brother, the man he admired.
Now Ace was trapped between them.
And as Whitebeard's heir, he had to place the Whitebeard Pirates first, no matter how much it tore at him.
Because of that, the guilt he felt toward Ryuunosuke only sank deeper.
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