"D-Don't kill me!"
"Whatever you want to know, whatever information you need—I'll tell you! Anything! Just don't kill me!"
Morrison had completely collapsed.
He stared at Ryukawa with the expression of a man who had just seen death itself.
He understood very clearly—
His life now depended entirely on this boy's whim.
As for resisting?
That thought had appeared in his mind for less than a second before being crushed mercilessly.
Fight back against someone who possessed Conqueror's Haki?
Morrison wasn't insane.
He didn't for a moment believe he could contend with that kind of monster.
Seeing such utter spinelessness from a CP agent genuinely surprised Ryukawa.
This was completely different from the CP agents he had imagined.
Weren't CP operatives supposed to have iron wills?
Unbreakable resolve?
But this one—
A trembling mess.
His mental defenses crumbling like wet paper.
"Alright then," Ryukawa said calmly. "First question: where is CP's collection point in the East Blue? The main hub where you gather all the kidnapped people from various towns."
"I'm sure you know. That kind of information isn't something you'd forget."
Ryukawa smiled faintly.
If he wanted to perfectly erase loose ends, ensure CP couldn't trace anything back to him or Octagon Town, then the simplest solution was—
Wipe out their East Blue base entirely.
If the head is gone, the tail can't bite.
And of course—
Morrison absolutely could not be allowed to leave alive.
Though Morrison himself had yet to realize his fate.
Very soon, as Ryukawa questioned him—
The CP squad leader spilled every answer without the slightest hesitation.
He didn't try to stall.
He didn't try to bargain.
Every question Ryukawa asked, he answered fully and immediately.
Ryukawa couldn't help but sigh internally.
"So CP agents aren't all hard-headed diehards after all."
At least—
This one, Morrison, was definitely a spineless jellyfish.
"CP's East Blue base… is actually there?"
"Loguetown…"
Ryukawa's eyes gleamed.
From Morrison's mouth, he now knew exactly where the organization was hiding.
Loguetown—the Town of Beginnings and Ends.
The place where the Pirate King Gol D. Roger was executed.
The most prosperous town in the entire East Blue.
A chaotic melting pot even under Marine supervision.
The gateway to the Grand Line.
"I see… From Octagon Town to Loguetown, even with perfect conditions, it'll take at least a few days."
Ryukawa narrowed his eyes in thought.
As he planned, Morrison lifted his head, trembling from head to toe.
"I—I told you everything I know… Please, I beg you… spare me. I don't want to die!"
His desperate plea snapped Ryukawa out of his thoughts.
Ryukawa looked down at him, amused.
"You're the most mentally fragile CP agent I've ever seen."
He was genuinely disappointed.
So much for the legendary CP iron will.
Apparently even elite agents had plenty of weaklings.
"M-My lord… spare me…"
Morrison continued shaking.
Ryukawa ignored him.
He turned and stepped off the ship, returning to the shore where Hack, Sabo, and the other Revolutionary members approached.
Even now—
Their faces still held deep shock and awe.
"Kid… you really scared the hell out of us."
"You never mentioned your 'new ability' was Conqueror's Haki!"
Hack forced down his emotions and couldn't help complaining.
Ryukawa shrugged with a smile.
"You didn't ask."
Hack choked.
Touché.
He quickly shifted the topic.
"Right… what do you intend to do with the CP agents?"
Right now, every CP member was completely unconscious.
Ryukawa's decision alone would decide their fate.
"It's up to you. I already got the information I wanted. CP's East Blue base is in Loguetown."
"To avoid more trouble, I'm planning to go there next. I want to see for myself what CP's base looks like."
Ryukawa said it plainly.
"Loguetown…"
Hack's gaze flickered.
Then he turned toward the ship and issued a cold order:
"Take care of all of them. And remember—this ship cannot be left behind."
"Yes!"
Revolutionaries boarded the ship.
Screams followed.
After a short while—
Silence returned.
A heavy scent of blood drifted from the deck.
"Loguetown is at least two days away from Octagon Town even on a fast route. Be mentally prepared."
Hack warned.
"I know."
Ryukawa nodded.
In his mind, once the Loguetown base was eliminated, everything would be resolved.
No CP agent would be able to track anything.
No evidence would remain.
Then he could return to Shimotsuki Village and resume his peaceful role as the Dojo's senior disciple.
Hack quickly arranged for the rescued villagers to be handled by the Revolutionaries remaining in Octagon Town.
"Delays only bring danger. I'll escort you to Loguetown now. But once we arrive…"
Hack looked at him seriously.
"You'll handle the rest on your own?"
Ryukawa laughed.
"Of course."
Soon after, Hack prepared their vessel.
Ryukawa boarded the large Revolutionary ship.
Hack followed, along with Sabo and two other Revolutionaries.
The rest stayed behind to manage the rescued people.
"Raise the sails!"
"Set course—Loguetown!"
With Hack's command,
the great ship began cutting through the waves.
Octagon Town grew more distant…
Until it disappeared entirely behind them.
On deck.
As the sea wind blew, Hack watched Ryukawa's back quietly.
His feelings were complicated—
Respect.
Shock.
A lingering disbelief.
Even now, he still couldn't fully calm his heart.
Finally…
Hack took out a Den Den Mushi.
Purururu… purururu…
The Den Den Mushi connected.
"I'm Dragon. Hack? How is the situation?"
The deep, steady voice of Monkey D. Dragon echoed from the other side.
Hack exhaled sharply.
Glancing once more at Ryukawa, he lowered his voice—
"Chief… what I'm about to say…"
"You must promise you won't be frightened…"
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