Chapter 374: Brook’s Identity!
After parting ways with the Straw Hat Pirates, Ryuunosuke dove into the sea.
He narrowed his eyes.
That Observation Haki earlier—it absolutely ca from the Straw Hat Pirates. And he’d sensed it before.
But that kind of Haki didn’t belong to soone with good intentions.
Which ant...
He needed to find out who it was. And right now, he had ti to kill.
—
anwhile, the Straw Hat Pirates had already landed on the island and—unsurprisingly—were now mingling with mbers of the First Division of the Dragon Hunter Pirates.
Luffy, as always, acted without hesitation.
He had completely regarded himself as a mber of Ryuunosuke’s crew.
Well, it made sense. After all, the captain of the Dragon Hunters was his older brother...
—
"Captain Ryuunosuke... are you looking for ?"
Just as Ryuunosuke was about to give up the search, a voice drifted to his ears.
A voice he hadn’t expected.
He turned sharply, frowning.
Standing before him... was a skeleton.
"Brook!?"
Ryuunosuke’s eyes narrowed, surprise flickering across his face.
That strange aura... it was coming from him.
Which ant—back in Alabasta, when he’d sensed that ominous presence—it had also been Brook.
"Captain Ryuunosuke," Brook said calmly, his voice more composed than usual, "this might not be our first eting... but I suppose it’s the first ti we’re truly speaking."
He stepped forward.
"Allow to reintroduce myself."
"My na is Krulu Busulud, one of the original Destroyers."
"These days, though... most simply call us Guardians."
As he spoke, a powerful aura surged from his skeletal fra.
Ryuunosuke instantly tensed.
It was familiar—eerily so. This aura reminded him of Wades... and the others.
Bullet had ntioned this once before.
Guardians...
So the rumors were true.
"I see..." Ryuunosuke said slowly, his voice calm but sharp. "Mr. Krulu Busulud, now that you’ve revealed yourself, I assu you didn’t co just to chat."
"What do you want?"
His tone was direct, devoid of hesitation.
He had been caught off guard, yes—but that didn’t an he would be unprepared.
Brook—Krulu—clearly had a reason for stepping out of the shadows.
Brook nodded.
"Because you’ve already co into contact with so of my companions... and because they’re beginning to suspect ."
"I realized I couldn’t keep this secret much longer."
"So I figured... why not reveal the truth myself?"
"This way, I might avoid unnecessary trouble."
His reasoning was oddly practical.
And Ryuunosuke found himself... intrigued.
Truth be told, he had nearly stopped searching. The aura he sensed before had been vague, and he hadn’t considered Brook seriously.
Now, to see him co forward and confess—it was both unexpected and strangely admirable.
"Unnecessary trouble?" Ryuunosuke echoed, his tone laced with sarcasm. "That depends on you, Mr. Krulu Busulud."
"You’re a mber of the Straw Hat Pirates. And Luffy is my brother."
"With that identity... do you think I’d ignore your presence?"
He paused, eyes sharp.
"Don’t tell you just joined the crew on a whim—trying to enjoy life on a ship with a foolish captain."
"There’s no need for that kind of talk."
He cut straight to the point.
As far as he was concerned, there was no direct conflict between them—at least not yet.
But if Krulu’s next words made him feel like a threat... then Ryuunosuke wouldn’t hesitate to act.
Brook didn’t flinch.
"Our captain... has the potential to beco Joy Boy."
"And for that reason... we need him."
"But don’t misunderstand. I’ve never once considered harming him."
"I’ve long since accepted him as my true captain."
His voice was firm, unwavering.
Ryuunosuke’s gaze turned thoughtful.
Joy Boy...
If he hadn’t appeared in this world, then yes—Luffy might’ve been the one destined for that role.
The conversation with Zunesha... the ability to hear the Sea Kings...
All signs pointed to Luffy.
And Ryuunosuke had a feeling that with stronger Observation Haki, he too might be able to hear "everything."
So Brook’s explanation did make a kind of twisted sense.
But...
Shirahoshi had chosen him.
Pluton would fall into his hands.
And Nami—Nami was only a quarter-King.
Would that be enough for Luffy to inherit the title of Joy Boy?
He wasn’t sure.
"Joy Boy... that title."
"And the Final Island... you’re saying it’s not under your control anymore?"
Ryuunosuke asked, his tone sharper now.
Sothing in his mind clicked into place.
Bullet had said it: the Guardians protected Raftel.
And now Krulu had used the sa word—Guardian.
The pieces were starting to align.
"You were driven out, weren’t you?"
"A long ti ago..."
Brook lowered his skull slightly.
"...Yes."
"But now... we can no longer set foot there."
"Those guys..."
He didn’t finish the sentence.
But the anger in his voice, the tremble in his tone—it said enough.
Ryuunosuke remained quiet.
He wasn’t soone to act based on emotions or sympathy.
Until he was sure these Guardians were no longer a threat, he would remain cautious.
After all, Sevian had attacked them—launched a full assault on the Dragon Hunter Pirates.
And Roy... Roy, from the World Governnt, seed to be associated with the sa faction.
"I don’t care what your dreams are," Ryuunosuke finally said, voice cold.
"I just want to know—"
"You people... you’re not my enemies. Not yet."
He paused.
"But..."
"If that’s true, then why did Sevian attack my crew?"
Brook froze.
The mont the question was asked, he had no answer.
Because the truth was simple.
Sevian had acted on his own. No coordination, no order. Just personal motives.
But even as Brook prepared to say that, he hesitated.
Because deep down... a part of him questioned whether that was really true.
"...If we can’t cooperate," he said slowly, "then I hope we can at least avoid being enemies."
"That’s why I ca here—to reveal myself."
"I don’t want another Joy Boy becoming our enemy."
With that, Krulu Busulud fell silent.
The next move... would be Ryuunosuke’s to make.
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