Chapter 544: Huge Hidden Dangers, Vague Information!
Hearing Ryuunosuke's words, Sakazuki fell silent.
For years, the Navy had carried itself like the banner of justice on the seas. Even after they realized they had walked the wrong path and started trying to correct it, one ugly truth remained.
Their strength was not enough to uphold that justice.
It was the same reason the Dragon Hunter Pirates could act freely. They had power, and power was the real foundation beneath every so called ideal.
Now, even if the Navy confirmed Vegapunk was behind the Aragami, what could they actually do?
For a moment, a cold sense of helplessness wrapped around Sakazuki like iron chains.
"Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, are you feeling unwell?"
Ryuunosuke spoke with an easy smile, as if they had not just survived a nightmare.
"Do not get trapped in that kind of thinking."
"Everyone has responsibilities. The Dragon Hunter Pirates are responsible for ourselves, so we live a relatively free and comfortable life."
"That is why we keep improving our strength."
"As for the Navy, the moment you put on that coat, your path was decided. You cannot simply walk away."
"Captain Ryuunosuke…"
Sakazuki looked at him, confusion flashing across his face, then slowly turning into something closer to gratitude.
"I understand."
"We will return to base."
"We will keep watch for any movement connected to Vegapunk."
"If we find anything, we will contact you immediately."
He did not waste time on extra words.
"Navy, return to port!"
With that order, the Marine fleet began pulling away, fading back into the sea.
Kuzan naturally followed them and left as well.
It seemed the higher ups had always known the truth behind his departure.
…
"Captain."
Najenda stepped forward with a report in hand, her expression still unsettled.
"The count is finished."
"A total of 73,261 Aragami were killed."
Even saying the number out loud felt unreal.
That was an army.
If those things had dropped onto the seas near civilians, if they had attacked ordinary people instead of meeting the Dragon Hunter Pirates head on, the casualties would have been unimaginable.
No matter how strong the Dragon Hunter Pirates were, they were still only one force.
They could not be everywhere at once, especially within a limited time window.
If it had not been Enel who discovered this, if it had happened somewhere else first, then the disaster might already have swallowed countless lives.
"Yes," Ryuunosuke said quietly.
"And this might not be the last time."
He drew a slow breath, his gaze darkening.
"These things…"
He did not finish the sentence, but the weight of it hung over everyone.
"You all rest first," he ordered.
"Treat your wounds. Eat. Recover."
"I will contact Morgans."
With that, Ryuunosuke turned and walked straight to the bow.
"Beru Beru"
The Den Den Mushi in his hand connected almost instantly.
"Captain Ryuunosuke, what were those things you were fighting just now?"
Morgans did not even let him speak first. The excitement in his voice was obvious, like a man already seeing tomorrow's headline.
"Aragami," Ryuunosuke replied flatly.
"Man made biological weapons."
"Aragami?"
Morgans went quiet for a beat, then sounded genuinely stunned.
"What in the world is that?"
Morgans was well informed, with eyes and ears across the seas. If even he had never heard the term, then it meant one thing.
This was not supposed to exist.
"It should be something Vegapunk created," Ryuunosuke said.
"Using lineage factor technology to fuse and modify living organisms."
Then his tone sharpened.
"By the way, did you keep watch for the information I asked you to investigate about Vegapunk?"
"As long as he is still doing research, he needs resources."
"With your position as Doflamingo's underground contact, and your intelligence network, finding his location should not be difficult."
"So why has there been nothing this whole time?"
"No news," Morgans admitted, sounding frustrated.
"It is like he vanished into thin air."
"Wherever there are people, my news birds are searching."
"But there is absolutely no information."
"Doflamingo's side also has records of rare resource transactions, all kinds of them."
"I investigated those buyers and sellers specifically."
"There was nothing unusual."
His helplessness was real.
He had promised Ryuunosuke he could find Vegapunk quickly, assuming Vegapunk was still alive.
Now the seas had just witnessed a disaster that likely traced back to Vegapunk, yet Morgans had delivered nothing.
It was almost embarrassing.
"Alright," Ryuunosuke said.
"I understand."
"Strengthen the search."
"Extend the investigation period."
"What they need is not something one or two countries can provide alone."
"Countries?"
Morgans froze at the wording.
Then something clicked in his mind, and his voice changed.
"Captain… I do have something."
"What is it?" Ryuunosuke asked immediately.
Right now, the only thing he wanted was a direction.
Vegapunk's location.
There were still people Ryuunosuke cared about on the seas. If these Aragami were released somewhere like the East Blue, if they tore through an island where his friends lived, regret would not bring anyone back.
Ryuunosuke and the others had already seen the strength of these monsters.
On this vast ocean, not many forces could face them head on.
If tens of thousands appeared again like they did today, only a handful of powers could hold the line.
Morgans spoke quickly, laying it out.
"The Kingdom of Pika."
"The Kingdom of Laninado."
"The Kingdom of Jestana."
"There are seven kingdoms in total."
"Individually, none of them are particularly strong."
"But the key point is this."
"They are all surrounded by powerful kingdoms."
"Yet they were not swallowed."
"Especially after the World Government's authority became ineffective, small allies like them should have been devoured almost immediately."
"And before this, they all had extensive dealings in the underworld."
"We do not know what they did with what they bought."
Ryuunosuke's eyes narrowed.
"I see."
"Then it is very likely…"
He stopped himself, but the conclusion was already clear.
If those seven kingdoms were supplying Vegapunk, they would have done it discreetly.
Meaning the powerful nations around them should have had no reason to hold back.
Unless they were involved too.
"Morgans," Ryuunosuke said, voice steady.
"Investigate the kingdoms surrounding those seven kingdoms."
"If you hit a wall, send me a message."
"I will dispatch someone to search personally."
"I understand," Morgans replied at once.
"I will organize everything and send the intelligence over."
This was no longer just a favor for Ryuunosuke.
It was his reputation on the line.
A man who gathered information for a living could not afford to collect this much and fail to make it useful.
And this time, the seas did not have the luxury of ignorance.
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