Chapter 639: I Cannot Figure Out How to Deal With the First Generation!
When Ryuunosuke saw the expression on the First Generation's face, he smiled instead.
In his eyes, the First Generation definitely knew about the Key of the Gods.
More than that, it was very likely the original owner.
As for why the man was playing dumb right now, Ryuunosuke had no clue.
But once the truth was confirmed, that was enough.
He did not hide anything. He directly told the First Generation how he had obtained the Key of the Gods.
The First Generation listened, then nodded.
"I see."
"Then let's begin."
"With the Key of the Gods, it'll be much easier to preserve the energy here when the time comes."
"Of course, if you have the Heart of Eternity, you can preserve it with the Heart of Eternity too."
He looked straight at Ryuunosuke.
"Your plan is to hunt the God Death Guards, right?"
"Together?"
As he finished speaking, a short black rod appeared in his hand.
Ryuunosuke could not sense any aura from it, but the dark red stains along the rod were impossible to ignore.
One glance was enough to tell it was no ordinary weapon.
"Fine."
"Let's find those monsters first. The rest of the questions can wait."
Ryuunosuke's voice sharpened.
"Dragon Hunter Pirates, move out!"
The moment he gave the order, he vanished from the spot.
The Dragon Hunter Pirates disappeared one after another, scattering into the island like a storm.
"That's right. With this many people, the efficiency will be high."
"I can relax a little now."
The First Generation spoke lightly, then vanished as well.
On the beach, Sabo and the others stared blankly at the empty space where everyone had been.
"Kuina… is there anything we can do here?"
Zoro stepped forward and spoke slowly, looking at Kuina's downcast face.
He knew it. Kuina looked tough, but her heart was soft.
After all, the Kuina he once treated as a rival had cried right in front of him.
"No," Kuina answered quietly.
"Those Death Guards are too strong."
"Even the God Death are beyond what you can handle."
She did not dodge the truth. With their relationship, there was no need to sugarcoat it.
It was better to be blunt now than let them rush in later, act on impulse, and get themselves killed.
"Sister in law!"
Luffy suddenly shoved his way forward, unable to hold it in.
Kuina froze on the spot.
"Sister in law, why are the big brothers fighting those monsters?"
"Is the reason the Dragon Hunter Pirates are so strong because they're always chasing monsters like that and beating them?"
His eyes were bright, full of honest curiosity.
Back then, he had fought powerful creatures too.
His strength had grown a lot after those battles.
And honestly, what Luffy remembered most vividly was that some of those giant creatures tasted pretty good.
"Sister in law?" Kuina repeated, flustered.
For a moment, she genuinely did not know what to say.
She and Ryuunosuke had been together for a long time, but this was the first time anyone had called her that.
Even Sabo, standing right there, had never used those words.
"Huh?"
"Sabo, I remember… if it's our eldest brother's wife, we younger brothers are supposed to call her sister in law, right?"
Luffy turned to Sabo, confused.
Sabo looked like he wanted to sink into the sand.
Having a younger brother like this really was…
"Sister in law," Sabo said, forcing the words out with effort, "Big Brother Luffy has… a few issues upstairs sometimes."
"Please don't mind him."
"It's alright," Kuina said, smiling despite herself.
"Luffy is a good person."
"After all, only he can put up with Zoro's temper."
In an instant, even her sadness felt lighter.
It had to be said. Luffy really was the king of lifting the mood.
"Captain Luffy just asked about strength, right?"
A deep voice cut in.
Uvogin walked over, grinning.
"If we're talking about growing stronger, it's not just sparring on the ship."
"We're constantly pushing our limits."
He was qualified to say it.
His strength had grown a ridiculous amount since joining the Dragon Hunter Pirates.
Soon, the beach was no longer quiet.
Some people even started fishing, already talking about grilling the catch.
With Sanji around, wasting food was basically a crime.
...
Meanwhile, on the island.
"Captain Ryuunosuke."
As Ryuunosuke searched for traces of the monsters, the First Generation appeared beside him.
"What is it, First Generation?" Ryuunosuke stopped and looked over.
Their target was the monsters. The plan was set. The First Generation was not here to chat.
"The Key of the Gods is mine," the First Generation said bluntly.
"Give it back."
"Sure."
Ryuunosuke did not even hesitate.
He tossed the Key of the Gods straight over.
The First Generation caught it, then stared at it like he was seeing a ghost.
He examined it carefully.
Then again.
Then a third time, as if he still could not believe it.
Ryuunosuke did not even know how to use it.
But this was a priceless thing.
And he just gave it away like that?
For a moment, even the First Generation started questioning the meaning of life.
"What, you think I swapped it?" Ryuunosuke said cheerfully.
"I can't use it anyway. And if it's yours, it'll probably work better in your hands."
"Anything else?"
He looked completely harmless, like an innocent young man who did not understand how valuable his own cards were.
The First Generation's lips twitched.
"No… no problems."
"I… never mind. I'll go hunt first."
He clearly wanted to say more, but the words died in his throat.
Ryuunosuke's attitude had genuinely stunned him.
"Oh."
Ryuunosuke nodded once, then turned and vanished again.
After Ryuunosuke left, the First Generation realized his own emotions were slipping out.
Ryuunosuke's actions, and the sheer openness behind them, made him feel a strange sting of shame.
At the very least, if their positions were reversed, the First Generation knew he could never have done the same.
"He's… interesting."
"I just don't know if you can achieve what I failed to stop back then."
He smiled, looked down at the Key of the Gods in his hand, then poured a stream of energy into it.
Special patterns bloomed across the stone.
A projection appeared, like a pointer.
The Key of the Gods immediately transformed into a bracelet.
The First Generation put it on without hesitation, then moved, following the guidance of the pointer.
.....
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