Chapter 57 - Ryuunosuke's Purpose!
Although the people here stay low-key, they often cross paths with pirates who co to resupply.
When that happens, they put on a friendly face, serve them food laced with poison, then hand them over to the nearest Navy branch in exchange for bounties.
That's how they've been surviving.
But after living like this for so long, it's hard to feel any sense of belonging.
Worse, there's always the risk of encountering a powerful pirate crew that won't fall for their tricks—and would rather wipe them all out instead.
Just like this ti—if Ryuunosuke and his crew hadn't shown up, they'd be dead already.
They're not idealists chasing dreams of revenge or justice. They're not out to conquer the world or chase fa.
They just want to survive.
But surviving on this sea? That's no easy feat.
Now, with a powerful pirate crew offering them protection, it's like a miracle.
They don't know what Ryuunosuke sees in them, but for the first ti, they feel like they have sothing to rely on.
And really, what's wrong with that?
Is the only alternative to beg the World Governnt for protection? To build a nation just to pay that outrageous "Heavenly Tribute"?
That kind of life sounds even worse than what they've got now.
They don't care about rulers or power struggles.
As ordinary folks just trying to get by, all they care about is whether the person offering them protection can actually keep them safe.
And the Dragon Hunter Pirates, Ryuunosuke's crew, seem like the perfect choice.
Despite being a relatively new force on the seas, their reputation is skyrocketing.
Even more shocking is that the second division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates is out here doing chores for them!
No one in their right mind would believe that the Dragon Hunter Pirates have nothing to do with Whitebeard.
To outsiders, this looks like they're protected by not one but two powerhouses—the Dragon Hunter Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates.
Who in their right mind would attack territory under Whitebeard's protection?!
Let alone with Ryuunosuke's rising fa.
So when the Dragon Hunter Pirates claid this island as their territory, no one protested. No one even hesitated.
Ryuunosuke stood tall before the crowd and raised a flag.
"This is the banner of the Dragon Hunter Pirates!" he announced. "Our very first planted flag!"
"Take good care of it—it's your honor... and your protection."
He gazed at the sea of people kneeling before him, a strange emotion swelling in his chest.
He couldn't na it, but damn, it felt good.
Then, with a firm motion, he stabbed the flagpole into the ground.
In that instant, a stone platform rose from the earth, locking the flag firmly in place.
"Long live the Dragon Hunter Pirates!"
"Glory to the Dragon Hunters!"
Cheers erupted from the crowd.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for earning the trust and respect of the local population! You've gained 5,000 reputation points. Every year, based on the local population, you'll earn an additional 5,000 reputation points!]
Just as the flag settled into place, the system's voice echoed in Ryuunosuke's mind.
So that's what it wanted—to push him to lead the Dragon Hunter Pirates to the top of the One Piece world.
Honestly? That didn't sound bad at all.
If the system's backing it, why the hell not?
He turned to the villagers.
"From now on, Whiskey Peak will build its identity around tavern culture!"
"No more bounty sches. No more poisoning visitors."
"Just run a damn good tavern. Open your doors to everyone."
"If you need funds, contact us."
He pulled out a Den Den Mushi from his coat and handed it to the man standing at the front of the crowd.
"Thank you, Captain!" the man said, visibly trembling with gratitude.
"What's your na?" Ryuunosuke asked, curious. After all, this guy would be in charge here—it felt wrong not to even know his na.
"Donald, sir!" he replied excitedly.
Having the captain of the Dragon Hunter Pirates know his na—that alone was enough to make Donald's chest swell with pride.
"Donald, huh?" Ryuunosuke gave a slight nod. "I'll rember you."
"Whiskey Peak is in your hands now."
"But don't forget—never do anything that would bring sha to the na of the Dragon Hunter Pirates."
With that, Ryuunosuke turned and walked away, his coat fluttering in the wind.
Najenda, Aka, Kuina, and the rest of the crew followed closely behind.
Donald watched their silhouettes fade into the distance, eyes full of admiration and fire.
He believed—no, he knew—that Whiskey Peak would rise to glory under the banner of the Dragon Hunter Pirates.
---
Back aboard the Extrely Evil Battleship...
"Captain," Najenda began, "why did we plant our flag in a place like this?"
"I an, it's not exactly a pri location, strategically or geographically."
She wasn't questioning his decision—just genuinely curious. She knew better than to challenge Ryuunosuke after he'd made up his mind. Still, she wanted to understand.
Ryuunosuke turned, calm and collected. "Najenda, we ca here using the Log Pose."
"That ans more pirates will co through here—following the exact sa path."
"This is one of the most traveled comrcial routes in the Grand Line."
"If I can help it, I want every island and country along this path under our protection—our banner."
"Even if they're allies for now, I want them to beco part of our territory eventually."
Whiskey Peak. Little Garden. Drum Island. Alabasta. Jaya. Even Sabaody Archipelago.
All stops on the Grand Line. All hubs of activity. All crucial.
Right now, he didn't have a business empire or industrial network.
But laying the groundwork was the smart move.
Unlike the Four Emperors, who seize land only when it benefits their own selfish goals, Ryuunosuke was thinking long-term.
He didn't just want land—he wanted value.
Strategic locations. Trade hubs. Reputation boosters.
Because growing reputation ant growing strength for the entire Dragon Hunter crew.
And that, more than anything else, was what mattered.
"I see..." Najenda nodded slowly. "You've really thought this through."
"But Captain," she added with a soft smile, "next ti you make a move like this, could you let us in on the plan?"
"At least give us a heads-up so we know what to prepare for."
She wasn't mad—just teasing.
Ryuunosuke smiled. "Yeah... you're right."
"We're partners. I trust you all completely."
"The only reason I didn't bring it up sooner is because it seed simple—didn't think it'd need the whole crew mobilized."
He looked at her seriously for a mont.
"This bond we share—it's not just a chain of command. We're beyond that."
"We're partners."
And that was sothing no title or rank could replace.
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