Chapter 451: Ryuunosuke Leaves!
Ryuunosuke stepped back into the control room and quietly observed Gaban and Nijoko, who were still working tirelessly. He didn't interrupt them. After whispering a few instructions to Gaynor, he turned and left.
Moments later, Najenda, Chrollo, Meliodas, and the others gathered in the conference room.
"I'll be leaving for a while," Ryuunosuke said calmly. "Kuina and Akame will come with me. The rest of you, stay on the ship and continue sailing toward Raftel."
Najenda frowned. "Captain, what's going on? Are you in trouble?"
"If it's just a small issue," she continued, her tone firm, "let us handle it. You've already got enough to worry about."
She wasn't wrong. This voyage to Raftel was one of the greatest undertakings Ryuunosuke had ever prepared for. He'd waited a long time for this moment. Najenda had been by his side through every battle and storm—she knew exactly what Raftel meant to him.
It wasn't just about uncovering the truth behind the legendary island. It was about proving the strength and pride of the Dragon Hunter Pirates. If Ryuunosuke had chosen to leave now, there had to be a serious reason.
"It's not a big problem," he replied, smiling faintly. "But it's something I need to handle personally. Just follow the plan."
Chrollo leaned forward. "Then who'll take command in your absence, Captain? Someone has to make the big calls."
He wasn't being disrespectful—it was a practical question. The ship needed leadership. While Najenda was an expert in logistics and crew management, Chrollo doubted she could match him when it came to tactical decisions.
Ryuunosuke met his gaze. "Meliodas will oversee everything for now. Najenda will continue managing the ship's operations. If a situation arises that even Meliodas can't decide on, the three of you can discuss it together. If that still doesn't work—contact me through the Dragon Hunting Order."
Chrollo's sharp eyes lingered on him, searching for something. He didn't argue, but he sensed there was more behind this sudden decision. His earlier question hadn't been out of curiosity—it was a test.
Ryuunosuke was hiding something.
"I have no objections," Meliodas said at last, his tone calm but steady. "A true squad leader should be ready to shoulder the burden when the captain isn't around."
Ryuunosuke nodded. "Then it's settled."
…
The discussion ended shortly after. Ryuunosuke gathered Kuina and Akame, and together they left the Eternal Ship. But instead of using one of the Dragon Hunter Pirates' smaller vessels, they boarded Keshia's ship.
Perona came with them as well—after all, she had originally arrived alongside Keshia.
Once they had set sail and separated from the Eternal Ship, Keshia pulled out something that resembled an Eternal Pointer.
"Captain Ryuunosuke," she said with a grin, "if my readings are right, we might actually reach Raftel before the others."
But then her smile faded as she looked toward the sky, where a news bird was circling. "Still… aren't you worried? If Morgans broadcasts this live, the Guardians will know immediately. That could ruin everything."
Ryuunosuke shook his head. "No. Morgans works for me." His expression remained calm. "Besides, I left a stand-in on the ship. As long as they cut out the footage of me leaving, no one will notice I'm gone."
Keshia blinked, momentarily thrown off. She stared at him—half impressed, half puzzled. His composure in the face of such risks almost made him seem detached from reality.
Yet his analytical precision and steady tone made him impossible not to trust. To Keshia, Ryuunosuke was an enigma—a man of contradictions.
"Alright then," she said finally. "If you've already planned everything, we'll move according to schedule."
She paused. "But if we approach Kruel Busulud now, won't that tip him off? It might be smarter to wait until Raftel. The Guardians are most vulnerable when they think they've won."
Her logic was sound. Raftel would be their safest chance to act. There, amidst the illusions of treasure and glory, everyone let their guard down. Especially Ryuunosuke—if he even hinted at accepting the Guardian's gift, they would never suspect him.
But Ryuunosuke shook his head. "No. We need to find him first." His tone hardened. "Otherwise, my idiot little brother might get dragged into this mess too."
"Little brother?" Keshia raised a brow. "Don't tell me you're talking about the Straw Hat boy?"
"Yeah," Ryuunosuke replied simply. "He's never been one to make things easy for us."
A faint smile crossed his face—part fondness, part frustration. His gaze drifted toward the endless horizon as memories flickered behind his eyes.
Keshia studied him quietly and said nothing more. Everyone had something they couldn't let go of. For her, it was the Guardian curse. For him, it was family.
…
Two days later, on the Eternal Ship.
Najenda stood on deck, her arms crossed as she stared at the horizon. "I still don't get it," she muttered. "Why did the Captain take Kuina and Akame with him?"
Beside her stood Ryuunosuke—or rather, his physical clone.
He smiled faintly, maintaining the same confident air as the real one. "If Kuina and Akame didn't go, Keshia wouldn't fully trust me."
Najenda frowned. "Then who are you?"
"The Captain's physical double," he admitted openly. "But don't worry. I can think, act, and fight exactly like him."
Najenda's eyes widened slightly. She had suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed still surprised her. "Then… isn't that dangerous? If the real Captain's not there—"
Ryuunosuke's clone waved a hand. "Relax. My clone has another ability—fixed-point teleportation. I can instantly bring them back if anything goes wrong."
He grinned. "So even if things turn ugly, they'll be safe."
Najenda exhaled slowly, trying to process everything. "So the Captain didn't actually leave with Keshia?"
"That's right," the clone replied. "Everything he said during the meeting was meant for her ears."
He looked out at the sea, his tone sharpening slightly. "Keshia may have told us a lot, but she's still hiding things. Her story about Raftel and the Guardians—there's more to it. And the Captain intends to find out."
Najenda's eyes narrowed. "So both sides are pretending to trust each other."
"Exactly," the clone said with a chuckle. "That's why he let her see his sincerity. He deliberately left his senses unguarded, just enough for her to think she's reading him. It's the perfect illusion."
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