Chapter 600: Is Ryuunosuke Going to Die!?
Before long, the Eternal Ark vanished beyond the horizon, disappearing from the Navy's line of sight.
"It looks like Ryuunosuke paid an awful price to push his strength this far," Tsuru said as she walked over, her voice carrying a quiet melancholy.
She had overheard the conversation earlier.
And Tsuru was not the type to miss what words like those truly meant.
"No wonder the Dragon Hunter Pirates grew so fast," she continued. "They were never climbing normally."
On the other side, Sengoku nodded grimly.
"That also explains why they came back from the dead and then dared to strike the World Government the moment they gained momentum."
"They moved too fast because they don't have much time left."
As soon as those words landed, the Marines who were still present finally understood.
That was why Garp, Sakazuki, and the others had spoken the way they did.
They believed Ryuunosuke and his people had burned through their own life force to reach their goals.
Not just life force.
Potential too.
Otherwise, how could so many monsters have appeared on the Dragon Hunter Pirates' ship?
Yes, their training was abnormal.
Everyone knew that.
But training alone could not raise a group to this level in only a few years.
Unless the cost was carved out of something far more precious.
"What are you all standing around for?"
A choked voice suddenly broke through the silence.
Zephyr stepped forward, tears streaming down his face.
He had not spoken the entire time.
Not because he had nothing to say, but because he knew the moment he opened his mouth, he would start crying in front of everyone.
So he waited until Ryuunosuke and the others were gone.
Now only one emotion remained in him.
Admiration.
"You should understand what kind of people they were," Zephyr said, voice trembling.
"Every one of them was a rare talent."
"And yet, to keep the sea from being threatened again, they chose to sacrifice their future and pour the best years of their lives into the ocean itself."
"That kind of resolve is something petty people will never comprehend."
For a moment, Zephyr even felt none of them were worthy of inheriting whatever the Dragon Hunter Pirates had left behind.
"YES!"
A Marine shouted back, eyes blazing.
"We're willing to train! I want to become that kind of great man someday!"
"This is the belief the Dragon Hunter Pirates left behind!"
"I never thought I'd say this, but… I was saved by pirates!"
"I'm ready for what comes next, body and mind!"
More voices followed, overlapping, heated, almost feverish.
A crowd of Marines surged around Zephyr like they had been injected with pure adrenaline.
Then, as if a single command had been given, they rushed off to train together.
Even some of the higher ranking officers went with them.
In only a few minutes, the once packed dock had emptied out.
Only a handful remained.
Several vice admirals, three admirals, a fleet admiral, and the three advisors.
Tsuru glanced around at the cleared space and spoke again, tone sharpening into something practical.
"The Dragon Hunter Pirates' objective is already clear."
"I think all of you know at least something about the Guardians."
"If we get involved in battles like that, we'll only be cleaning up scraps at the edge."
"It would be better to focus our efforts elsewhere."
She looked directly at Sakazuki.
"Fleet Admiral Sakazuki. What are your thoughts?"
Zephyr was a trainer and a symbol now.
He was no longer suited for a decision meeting like this.
Sakazuki answered without hesitation.
"The Dragon Hunter Pirates are targeting the Guardians and the Evictors."
"Then we make contact with Dragon."
The room went still for half a breath.
This idea had been raised before.
Back then, Sakazuki himself had rejected it.
And there was no denying he still carried resentment toward Dragon for what he had done.
But now, after witnessing Ryuunosuke's choices, those grudges felt small.
When the world itself was on the table, personal feelings were a childish luxury.
Besides, years ago, not long after the Dragon Hunter Pirates were formed, they had already aided the Revolutionary Army.
It was obvious where their stance leaned.
And over the years, the kingdoms that cooperated with the Revolutionaries, or directly became subordinate to them, had changed in ways no one could deny.
Ordinary people gained rights.
Their lives improved.
And ordinary people were the true foundation of productivity.
In the past, their labor had supported nobles who abused their titles.
Once those nobles were removed, productivity surged instead of collapsing.
A transformation of the Navy could begin from the same principle.
As soon as Sakazuki finished, everyone's gaze shifted toward one person.
Garp.
"Hey, hey, hey, why are you all staring at me?" Garp barked, instantly irritated.
"If I go over there, I won't be able to stop myself from punching him!"
"You go instead!"
Yes, Dragon was his son.
And yes, Dragon's choices had cost Garp several minutes of lost sleep.
Garp was a petty old man when he wanted to be.
He never forgot.
But no matter how he protested, no one looked away.
"Advisor Garp, I believe it's best if you handle this," one of them said bluntly.
Gion nodded right after.
"I agree. Since Dragon is your son, things will be more relaxed if you go."
Garp's face twitched.
The moment he realized he had been cornered by consensus, he threw up his hands.
"Fine!"
"You're the ones sending me, so don't blame me if I mess this up!"
He turned around and stormed off.
But as he did, a smile crept onto his lips.
A small one.
Unconscious.
And everyone saw it.
Warm smiles spread across the remaining faces.
If the Revolutionary Army's strength could be combined with the Navy's strength, they would finally have solid ground in this new era of the sea.
More importantly, once the Dragon Hunter Pirates finished what they were doing, the world would still need manpower to handle what remained.
They could not rely on pirates to do everything.
Sakazuki turned, already issuing orders.
"Get ready as well."
"We're not letting this pass."
"Admiral Fujitora, you and Consultant Garp will take your men."
"With you there, I'll feel more at ease."
"The rest of you, handle matters here first, then begin preparations for what's cominng."
With that, Sakazuki left.
One by one, the others followed.
Soon, only Koby remained.
He had been successfully ignored by everyone, as if he were a piece of furniture that happened to wear a uniform.
Koby stared at the ocean where the Eternal Ark had vanished.
Then he spoke softly, almost to himself.
"Brother Ryuunosuke…"
"Are you going to die?"
…
Achoo!
On the Eternal Ark, Ryuunosuke sneezed hard.
He rubbed his nose, brows knitting together.
"Which idiot is talking bad about me?"
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