Bellamy laughed.
It was not the laugh of confidence, nor madness—
but the mocking, scornful sneer of someone who believed he would drag others into hell with him.
Provoking the Donquixote Family?
Perhaps that alone wasn't enough to doom someone.
The sea was vast.
Even though East Blue was the weakest sea, Donquixote family influence was far from absolute here.
But the problem was—
This incident did not involve only the Donquixote Family.
Why did they work so hard to traffic humans?
Profit was one reason.
But the main purpose…
Was helping the Donquixote Family build a connection with the World Government.
Bellamy's voice trembled with deranged pride.
"This world is dark.
The sea is dark."
"Do you really think the World Government doesn't have its filthy hands in human trafficking?"
"And now—you idiots dared ruin a deal arranged for them!"
Bellamy wasn't afraid anymore.
He knew he would die.
But these people?
In his mind, they were already corpses too.
"You're all coming to the grave with me!"
He coughed violently, blood spilling from his lips, his face turning ghostly pale—but his laugh only grew more twisted.
A heavy silence settled.
Even Sabo froze in shock.
His young mind reeled.
The World Government… involved in human trafficking?!
It shattered everything he believed.
Even Hack fell silent.
His brows furrowed, his expression darkened with concern.
This situation—
Had spiraled far beyond expectations.
He originally thought this was a simple mission:
Wipe out a human trafficking ring.
Then it turned out to be the Donquixote Family.
Now…
Even CP—the secret agency under the World Government—was involved.
Hack rubbed his temples.
This was the kind of trouble that stacked on top of trouble, like poking a hornet's nest repeatedly.
Just as he turned toward Ryukawa, about to explain—
Ryukawa spoke first.
"What's with that expression?"
Hack blinked, then chuckled helplessly as he remembered something important.
"Oh, right. Even if we interfered with the World Government's plans… it shouldn't be a big deal for us."
"But for you—that's another story."
Hack nearly forgot.
They were the Revolutionary Army.
An organization founded for the sole purpose of overthrowing the World Government.
Why would they fear the Government?
But Ryukawa…
A civilian unrelated to the Revolutionary Army…
His situation was different.
Bellamy burst into manic laughter again.
"You hear that?! Hahahaha!"
"You're all dead! CP will tear you apart! Much worse than what you did to us!"
Before he could gloat further—
Ryukawa crouched down beside him.
His voice was calm.
Almost too calm.
"Sure, we've got trouble. But did you really think even if we didn't interfere, you would've survived long enough to finish the deal?"
Bellamy's laughter stopped abruptly.
"What… what do you mean?"
He understood the implication—
but he refused to believe it.
Ryukawa's smile deepened.
"Let's put it simply."
"You said yourself—this deal is linked to CP. Do you honestly think CP would leave any loose ends alive?"
"Everyone involved in this operation—including you—would have been cleaned up afterward."
Bellamy stiffened.
Ryukawa continued casually:
"You're not an asset. You're a disposable tool. The Donquixote Family threw you out here so CP could get rid of you afterward."
"Whether you died here, or later in a ditch somewhere—there was never a version of this story where you lived."
Bellamy shook his head violently.
"N-No… impossible!"
"Doffy—Doffy would never abandon us!"
His voice cracked.
But Ryukawa's words were the truth.
Slowly… painfully…
Bellamy realized it.
He had suspected it before.
He just never dared admit it.
Ryukawa shrugged.
"I'm only explaining so you understand."
"Whatever you said earlier… doesn't matter."
"Why? Because these people behind me are the Revolutionary Army."
"They oppose the World Government by default."
"What is human trafficking compared to overthrowing entire kingdoms?"
"Your little threat is a joke."
Bellamy froze.
"You… you're the Revolutionary Army?!"
Ryukawa ignored the shock on his face.
"Enough talk. You've had your fun."
"Now hand over the transponder snail you used to contact CP."
Bellamy trembled.
He hesitated—
Then took out a small black Den-Den Mushi and handed it over with shaking hands.
He had no courage left to resist.
Hack exhaled slowly.
"…So what do we do with him?"
Ryukawa gave him a look as if he'd asked whether water was wet.
"What do you mean, 'what do we do'?"
Holding the transponder snail, he tilted his head.
"Do you really need me to teach you how to eliminate loose ends?"
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