Chapter 362: Yakos's Thoughts and Questions!
As Caesar walked away, he pulled out a Den Den Mushi and called Yakos.
This kind of data couldn't be hoarded by one person.
Whether it was Heracles or Dr. Acier, both could be vital assets. With everyone working on the same foundation, their combined research might one day surpass even Vegapunk.
Yes, Caesar never truly looked down on Vegapunk. In fact, he had always seen him as the mountain he needed to climb—the rival he must overcome.
But even the greatest mountain had its weaknesses.
No matter how brilliant Vegapunk was or how groundbreaking his research had become, he was still just one man. And like any man, he had his limits.
Vegapunk never entrusted his core knowledge to anyone. He hoarded it.
Because of that, those who worked under him couldn't provide true insight or creative contributions. They were never collaborators—just tools following instructions.
That's why Caesar left.
Now that he had the bloodline factor data, he wasn't going to make the same mistake. He wouldn't treat his fellow scientists like subordinates.
They weren't colleagues—they were partners.
With access to this newfound material, Heracles and Dr. Acier immediately dove into research. Alongside them, the reconstructed archives from Jigokudo—materials once stolen from the World Government—were also being scrutinized.
As they fused their findings with the bloodline factor research, they began uncovering profound core mechanisms.
Progress that once took years was now happening in days.
…
Three days later.
"Captain, we just received a transmission from Yakos. He's found Bullet's trail."
Najenda stepped forward, holding a Den Den Mushi as Ryuunosuke was mid-training.
Like most of the Dragon Hunter Pirates' core crew, daily combat drills had become routine. Training wasn't just discipline—it was survival.
Ryuunosuke paused his kata and took the Den Den Mushi.
"Bullet? Douglas Barrett?" he asked, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Yes, Captain," Yakos's voice came through. "He's been spotted in the New World. Word is, he's reaching out to major underground bosses."
"Morgans was even invited. No clue what his role is yet."
A grin tugged at the corners of Ryuunosuke's mouth.
That man finally surfaced.
If Bullet had come out of hiding, that meant one thing—he likely had Raftel's Eternal Pose. The man who once rivaled Gol D. Roger wouldn't come out for anything less.
It was time to test the so-called powers of the new era.
Bullet had always rejected the idea that they were relics of the past. For him, strength was timeless. As long as you had power, you belonged—no matter the era.
He wasn't left behind. He refused to be.
Still, Ryuunosuke couldn't decide if Bullet was just a battle freak... or a tsundere with muscles.
"Yakos," Ryuunosuke said calmly, "keep tracking Roger's former crew. But as for Bullet, I'll handle that myself."
"If you need anything—supplies, manpower—just say the word. The Dragon Hunter Pirates have your back."
Then, without waiting for a response, he ended the call.
Staring at the dead line, Yakos stood silently, brows furrowed.
He knew what that meant.
Ryuunosuke had seen through him.
Yakos had his own motives for joining the Dragon Hunter Pirates. It wasn't just about losing to Garp or missing the chance to become a Navy hero.
It ran deeper than that.
He'd performed well—loyal, efficient, obedient. He had been gathering intel on Roger's crew under Ryuunosuke's banner. But with just a few words, Ryuunosuke had made it clear: he saw through the act.
Now Yakos was at a crossroads.
If Ryuunosuke truly understood his ambitions, then maybe he could help him achieve them. But what if it was a test?
If Yakos revealed too much… he might not walk away from it.
"Captain Yakos."
A crewmate interrupted his thoughts. "Where are we headed next?"
Yakos looked up, mind still clouded.
"Follow the record pointer," he ordered. "This is the route Roger's crew once traveled. They're familiar with the waters—they might still be hiding in those zones."
"Understood," the pirate replied, relaying the order to the navigator.
The ship adjusted course, carving its way through the waves.
After a moment, Yakos looked at the crewman and asked, "What's your name? How long have you served with the Dragon Hunter Pirates?"
"My name's Zicardo," the man answered with a sheepish grin. "I'm from the East Blue, same as a few others."
"I joined over three years ago when the crew opened recruitment. Started in the odd jobs division."
He scratched his head awkwardly. "Still there, technically."
Yakos blinked. That cheerful smile didn't quite fit the image of a feared pirate crew.
"Three years? Then… do you know much about the captain?" he asked.
Zicardo lit up. "You want to hear about Captain Ryuunosuke?"
He gave a quick thumbs-up. "Honestly, Captain Yakos, I envy you! You joined just recently, and you're already a core member. The rest of us are still doing laundry and patching sails!"
Yakos chuckled awkwardly. The man's sincerity was almost overwhelming.
"Yes… I joined not long ago. I've heard plenty of rumors about him, but I still don't know much firsthand. I was sent on missions almost immediately."
Zicardo nodded. "Captain Ryuunosuke's a good man. I've never seen him hurt an innocent."
"He doesn't go looking for fights. Even when he clashed with the Navy, it was because they pushed first."
"And the kingdoms he took down? They deserved it. Every one of them."
Yakos raised a brow.
Zicardo continued, "Go to any of the islands we liberated—ask anyone there. No one fears Captain Ryuunosuke. No one fears us. Even though we're pirates."
"There's no tyranny. No fear."
He stood a little taller.
"If it weren't for the Dragon Hunter Pirates, many of us would still be slaves. That's not an exaggeration—it's the truth."
Yakos remained silent as he listened.
It was easy to dismiss such words as blind loyalty. But there was more behind them—something sincere. These weren't just pirates. They were people who had found a purpose.
Zicardo finished, "You know, sometimes I think the World Government's the real villain."
"Don't get me wrong—we are pirates. But what we do… it feels right."
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