Chapter 567: The Deployment of the Dragon Hunter Pirates!
"Yes, Captain. It wasn't just one small town that got hit."
"Based on the intelligence we have right now, four towns have already been massacred."
"And on top of that, not a single person who was attacked by those things survived…"
Najenda's voice tightened as she spoke, her fists clenching hard.
"Of course, we didn't see any bodies either. They were most likely kidnapped… or devoured."
For someone like Najenda, this was the kind of crime that could not be forgiven, no matter the reason.
"Najenda," Ryuunosuke said, eyes calm but cold, "what do you think is the best move right now?"
"Right now, I think we should split our divisions."
"We have four official divisions. Among them, the Fourth Divisions is the strongest. That's beyond dispute."
"The other three divisions should also be able to handle a group of Aragami on their own without any problem."
"As for rescuing the Marines, Captain, you alone taking Gaino there is enough."
Najenda stated her opinion directly.
But she understood the chain of command. Only Ryuunosuke's decision would make it official. She was simply giving her judgment.
"Alright."
Ryuunosuke turned slightly, voice carrying across the deck.
"Gaino, split into four sub ships."
"Chrollo. Yahiko. Meliodas."
"Each of you will take your navigators and head to the areas where the Aragami have appeared. Investigate."
"If you run into them, wipe them out on the spot."
His gaze sharpened, and the air around him seemed to chill.
"These Aragami are definitely something Vegapunk has been preparing for a long time."
"So if you find them, kill them all."
"I refuse to believe he has an endless supply."
A fierce light flashed in Ryuunosuke's eyes.
This incident had truly enraged him.
When Enel was attacked by the Aragami last time, Ryuunosuke had already ordered a search for Vegapunk. They had hunted for a long time, yet still found nothing.
But now those people could not stay hidden any longer. They had stepped out again.
Ryuunosuke had no intention of giving them another chance to bury themselves in the dark.
Once discovered, they would be erased.
The Aragami might not be a major threat to the Dragon Hunter Pirates, but what they were targeting made Ryuunosuke's blood boil.
"Understood, Captain!"
The moment the order was given, everyone moved.
When the four divisions left the Eternal ship, the remaining members also gathered on deck.
"Captain, I've rested enough!"
"Let me go fight too!"
Enel stepped forward, eyes bright with expectation.
He still remembered the humiliation of being chased down by the Aragami last time.
And this time, there were not that many, at least not beyond what he believed he could handle.
He wanted his payback.
"No."
Ryuunosuke's answer was immediate.
"No one goes out except the divisions members."
"Enel, contact the other members of the logistics divisions."
"If they find any trace of Aragami, they report it to the division leaders or to me immediately."
"Do not act on your own."
"…Alright. I understand."
Enel answered with a helpless expression.
Deep down, he understood why.
The Dragon Hunter Pirates were full of monsters. Especially the regular crew members, whose strength was basically comparable to a Marine Admiral.
But even so, facing those Aragami alone was still dangerous if you were careless.
Enel did not fear death.
What he feared was something worse.
If he got captured and then turned into an Aragami…
If he ended up standing in front of the Dragon Hunter Pirates as Vegapunk's weapon…
That would be shame he could never wash off.
That was exactly why Ryuunosuke refused to let them confront the Aragami alone.
…
While Enel went to contact the various squad leaders, Ryuunosuke also took out his Den Den Mushi.
"Belubelu…"
The moment it rang, the other side answered quickly.
"Captain Ryuunosuke."
"The investigation is still ongoing, but it's only been a few days. We haven't gotten any useful information yet."
Morgans spoke with clear helplessness, not even giving Ryuunosuke time to open his mouth.
It had been less than ten days since Morgans began digging into this. Even if he could investigate several kingdoms at once, he could not produce miracles overnight.
Ryuunosuke rubbed his forehead.
"I'm not calling to ask for information."
"I need your help."
"I've already contacted Doflamingo. You and him will move together and directly question the kingdoms that are suspected."
"Arrest anyone with even the slightest suspicion."
"Also, detain everyone who had contact with these matters on their side."
He spoke quickly, cutting straight to the point.
"I've prepared the materials."
"Anything involving rare materials, and anything similar to what we saw before."
"Purchases, combined transactions, and the kingdoms connected to those purchases are all recorded."
Morgans paused.
"Captain Ryuunosuke… doing this, won't it be a case of losing more than you gain?"
"The prestige and reputation the Dragon Hunter Pirates have built up over the years could be completely shattered by an operation like this."
His concern was real.
The Dragon Hunter Pirates had a surprisingly good reputation across the sea.
At the very least, they did not loot or rob.
To many ordinary people, the Dragon Hunter Pirates were not villains.
But if they began storming into kingdoms and arresting people indiscriminately, even with suspicion as the reason…
Everything they had built could collapse.
Destruction was always easier than construction.
"Morgans," Ryuunosuke said, tone light, almost amused, "you forgot something."
"I'm a pirate."
"If I have to worry about what everyone thinks before I do anything, then I wouldn't be a pirate."
"Just do what I said."
"…Understood."
"I'll contact Doflamingo right away and start the operation."
Morgans hesitated, then asked with clear curiosity.
"However, if we still can't get information about Vegapunk from them… what does Captain Ryuunosuke plan to do with those people?"
Ryuunosuke answered without a flicker in his voice.
"If it's confirmed they were involved in this kind of thing, then send them to other countries as slaves."
"For nobles, turning into a slave is more painful than dying."
"Also, when you interrogate them, tell them that condition beforehand."
Morgans felt a chill crawl up his spine.
Yes. For most people, that was a tragic fate.
And for nobles, it would be worse than a nightmare.
They lived their lives looking down from above, treating others like tools.
Slaves only existed in their world as something to command and discard.
But if they became slaves themselves…
"I understand."
"I'll contact you the moment I have news."
With that, Morgans ended the call.
At the same time, he let out a long breath of relief.
Thankfully, he had not completely offended Ryuunosuke back then.
Otherwise, he might not be cooperating with him now.
He might have been thrown into some refugee mine, forced to dig until his wings broke.
Or worse, because of the strange form his Devil Fruit gave him, he might have been handed off to someone with twisted tastes and kept as a decorative pet.
Just imagining it made Morgans shiver.
<><><><><>
[Check Out My Patreon For +50 Advance Chapters On All My Fanfics!]
[[email protected]/FanficLord03]
[Every 100 Power Stones = +1 Bonus Chapter]
[Join Our Discord Community For Updates & Events]
[https://discord.gg/MntqcdpRZ9]