Chapter 252: The World Government's Strange Decision!
In this vast sea, most pirate crews rise steadily—cautious, calculated, climbing step by step.
But the Dragon Hunter Pirates? They broke every convention.
From the very beginning, they were high-profile, loud, and unafraid—whether they were fighting pirates or taking on the Navy.
Before they even left the East Blue, a vice admiral had already been deployed to intercept them.
And not just any vice admiral—Gion. Despite how helpless she looked when facing the Dragon Hunters, her strength was nothing to scoff at. She was a legitimate vice admiral, and a strong candidate for admiral had it not been for the World Recruitment Program that brought in the likes of Green Bull Katsuya and Fujitora Ichisho.
In fact, Gion's credentials were more than enough to qualify her for admiral.
And yet, even with this level of attention and force aimed at them, the Dragon Hunter Pirates continued to grow—brazen and unapologetic.
It was maddening. Watching the enemy grow stronger with every passing day, while the Navy remained powerless to stop them, was an unbearable feeling.
"Is that so?"
Fujitora's lips curled into a faint smile as he listened to Kuzan recount the tale, a spark of understanding flashing in his eyes.
"But have you ever considered something?" Fujitora asked, voice calm. "The Dragon Hunter Pirates... might not be a typical pirate crew at all."
Kuzan tilted his head slightly.
"There are many among them who appeared out of nowhere," Fujitora continued. "No prior records, no fame, no sightings in the seas before their rise."
"It's as if they were dropped into the world all at once."
His tone sharpened with speculation. "What if they're just the vanguard—a forward unit created by some mysterious power?"
Fujitora chuckled at his own theory.
That idea had surfaced before, during the Warring States Era. But it had been rejected quickly.
Because if such a force existed—one capable of crafting a pirate crew as formidable as the Dragon Hunters—it would mean something even more terrifying:
That a power greater than the Four Emperors had been lurking in the shadows all along.
In just two years, they'd built something rivaling or even surpassing imperial-level might.
If such an organization truly existed, the World Government's dominion would be a joke.
"Perhaps this mystery is beyond our reach," Sengoku muttered, shaking his head. "But if such a force exists, it won't stay hidden for long. Sooner or later, it'll reveal itself."
At Fujitora's suggestion, a certain name flickered across Sengoku's mind—Joraku Fengyue.
But the last battle made things clear. Ryuunosuke's crew had no connection to Fengyue at all. Members of the Fourth Division had even forced Fengyue into a desperate situation.
Besides, the power Ryuunosuke displayed during that battle had clearly exceeded their expectations. Even if his strength had activation limits, it didn't change the fact—he was beyond comprehension.
"Sengoku, I'm heading to the East Blue," Garp suddenly declared, standing up.
"Don't look for me while I'm gone. I've got some old friends down there—I'll see what I can do. Let's just say I'm on... official business."
Without another word, he bolted out of the room, leaving behind the freshly placed senbei on the table.
"Wait up! I'm coming too!"
Kuzan jumped to his feet and followed, swiping the senbei on his way out.
Sengoku watched them go, face darkening.
"That old bastard," he muttered. "Still the same as ever."
The Navy Headquarters was already buried in work, but now Garp had dragged Kuzan into his little escapade. Sakazuki would be forced to pick up the slack... and Sengoku would be stuck overseeing it all.
He sighed.
He could never be as shameless as Garp.
---
Meanwhile, in the Marshal's Office…
"You called for me, Fleet Admiral Sakazuki?"
Borsalino strolled in, that trademark lazy grin plastered on his face. It was as if none of the recent chaos had touched him at all.
Sakazuki handed him a file. "Commander Kong just forwarded this. Looks like we've got a new assignment."
Borsalino glanced through the document, eyebrows arching slightly.
"…You want me to protect these allied nations?" he asked, eyes narrowing. "And bring the Celestial Dragons with me?"
Even Borsalino looked taken aback.
The last time the Navy mobilized en masse against the Dragon Hunter Pirates, they weren't even at full strength—and still, the Navy got crushed.
They only managed to retreat intact because Sengoku and Garp intervened.
They'd lost several warships and valuable resources.
And now, the World Government wanted him to escort Celestial Dragons directly into a potential death trap?
He scoffed internally. "This is just painting a target on our backs."
If the Celestial Dragons died under his watch, punishment would be inevitable—regardless of who gave the order.
"I'm not exactly thrilled to take this mission," Borsalino muttered.
Sakazuki nodded grimly. "I don't like it either. But this is a direct order from the World Government. Commander Kong also said—your only duty is to protect yourself. Everything else, just follow protocol."
That raised a red flag in Borsalino's mind.
Protect himself?
That wasn't how these missions were usually phrased.
He flipped through the rest of the document. In addition to the Celestial Dragons, he'd be receiving three hundred Pacifistas and... "new research results."
Details were vague.
He closed the file.
"Hmph. Sounds like the World Government has its own game plan," Borsalino said, chuckling.
He accepted the mission—but in his head, he was already formulating an escape route. If the Dragon Hunters showed up, he'd vanish before a single blow landed. That was just smart survival.
He grinned and walked out to prepare for departure.
Next stop—the Red Line. Time to pick up the Celestial Dragons.
As Borsalino moved out, Navy scientists and their elite research divisions began mobilizing under his command.
---
Elsewhere…
While the world speculated wildly about the Dragon Hunter Pirates, the crew themselves couldn't care less.
After conquering the Kingdom of Neroost, they left behind a pirate flag… and then sailed off.
No dictatorship. No occupation.
They left the kingdom's governance in the hands of its own people, to elect and manage themselves.
Ryuunosuke had no time to waste on politics.
At this moment, the captain of the Dragon Hunter Pirates sat at the bow of their ship, eyes fixed on the flickering data before him.
The panel reflected new information.
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