Chapter 258: Kirito Gains a Foothold and Starts Dragon Hunting!
Aboard the divine vessel known as the Ship of Gods...
"Kirito has sent word."
"Shino, Rika."
"You two have spent the most time with him and know his fighting style best."
"You'll join this operation as well."
Ryuunosuke's tone was light, but his eyes were sharp. "Also—anyone bored on this ship?"
The moment his voice fell, Uvogin and Ban stepped forward without hesitation.
While others seemed tempted, none contested their initiative.
"Uvogin, Ban," Ryuunosuke said, nodding. "Shino and Rika will be under your protection. You're both hot-headed—so let Shino call the shots for this mission."
His gaze turned toward the group standing quietly to the side.
"Chrollo, your Phantom Troupe has the largest force assembled right now. It's time to move."
"We're entering Phase Two. Get going."
"Yes, Captain!" Chrollo responded immediately.
Soon after, the Ship of Gods deployed its smaller sub-ships, assigning navigators to each unit. One by one, they set off toward their destinations across the sea.
Back on the main deck, someone voiced a pressing concern.
"Captain, isn't it strange that the Celestial Dragons trusted Kirito so quickly?"
By now, everyone onboard referred to Kirigaya Kazuto by his chosen name—Kirito. That was how Shino and Rika addressed him, and the name had stuck.
"They don't trust him," Ryuunosuke replied bluntly. "That's exactly why Shino and Rika are being sent to back him up. They'll help solidify his position."
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Once Kirito earns their trust and assumes his role among them, the fog will start to lift. We'll gain insight into their plans."
He folded his arms.
"Mark my words—the World Government is definitely plotting something."
Despite his calm exterior these past few days, Ryuunosuke had never once let down his guard. His eyes were fixed on the movements of the World Government. Outside of a so-called 'special recruitment campaign,' they had been eerily quiet.
Even when Ryuunosuke's explosive livestream had rattled the world stage, they issued no public response. Suspiciously silent.
"They've most likely already contacted their allied nations," he muttered. "Scheming something out of sight."
That, ultimately, was why he chose Kirito for the undercover mission.
Why Kirito?
First, he had to be someone from within the Dragon Hunter Pirates—loyalty had to be unquestionable.
Second, he had to be someone unknown to the outside world. The World Government's intelligence network was too efficient to risk a recognizable face.
Third, he needed to be calm, smart, and resilient. A thinker, not just a fighter.
Only Kirito fit all three conditions.
The Phantom Troupe members? Too volatile.
Leona? With her beauty, the Celestial Dragons wouldn't make her a guard—they'd make her a concubine.
Kirito was the ideal choice.
Soon after issuing his commands, Ryuunosuke watched as each sub-ship sailed into the distance.
That's when Najena approached him.
"Captain... are we really fine being left so understaffed?"
She hesitated, worry flickering in her eyes.
"Even the Seven Deadly Sins from Fourth Division are out on assignment. If we get attacked now…"
She didn't finish her sentence, but the concern was clear. A sudden ambush would put them at a disadvantage.
"Relax," Ryuunosuke said with quiet confidence. "They're all spread out—but if anyone tries to sneak up on us..."
He grinned.
"Do you really think any of our people would allow them to get close unharmed?"
He wasn't bluffing. Even spread thin, his crew were monsters in combat.
Unless the World Government sent their entire main force to strike at once—something their pride would never permit—he wasn't worried.
"Um..."
A nervous voice chimed in from the side.
"While you're discussing top-secret military movements... can I not be here?"
It was Buggy, standing stiffly like a terrified squirrel caught in a storm.
His face was pale. The more he heard, the more he wanted to disappear.
If the Dragon Hunter Pirates thought he might leak this intel... well, there'd be no Buggy left.
"Buggy," Ryuunosuke said with a chuckle, "you don't need to worry."
"We don't have any treasure that'd interest you anyway. You've got nothing to gain and nothing to betray."
He smiled casually, then returned to his training—completely unconcerned.
---
Meanwhile, on the island of Valrhona...
"Remember, our purpose is to protect nobles of all kinds."
"You've all done this kind of work before."
"But this time... it's different."
"The ones we're protecting are the Celestial Dragons."
"And the enemies we'll face... are no ordinary pirates."
"They're the Dragon Hunter Pirates!"
The man delivering this briefing was none other than Kirito himself. He stood confidently before the newly assembled Celestial Dragon Guard.
Though he still looked youthful, even a little unpolished, none doubted his ability. In a world where power commands respect, age is irrelevant.
Kirito had already demonstrated his superiority in strength. That alone was enough for the others to follow him without question.
People don't place their lives in the hands of the weak.
And in this world, following the strong came naturally.
---
"Not bad, huh?"
Yuu grinned smugly.
"Told you I wouldn't recommend someone unreliable. Kirito's a solid captain."
His confidence in his judgment was practically glowing. It was his reputation on the line, after all.
Kirito's stellar performance reflected well on him.
"True," another Guard member said with a nod. "But... what about his identity? His past?"
"If—"
"Relax," Yuu interrupted. "They're just part of the outer guard. They won't get near anything sensitive."
He shrugged.
"If he keeps performing like this, who cares about his background? This sea's full of people with no identity—orphans, slaves, drifters. Pirates raze villages and wipe out records. It happens all the time."
"As long as he's not tied to any known crimes, we'll overlook the rest."
The logic was cold, but practical.
Yuu glanced over at Kirito, watching him finish his lecture and begin organizing training teams.
He was surprised to see group drills being introduced.
In this world, most strength came from individual training. Group combat training was rare—and often inefficient.
But Kirito's methods were clearly structured.
He was preparing them not just as individual fighters... but as a unit.
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