One Piece: My Crew is from Other World

Back to Ryuunosuke's side.

At that moment, Whitebeard finally stepped forward.

He leapt effortlessly through the air and landed heavily on Miss Bakkin's ship.

"I told you from the beginning—you should've left with me," he said, voice deep and grave. "But you didn't. And now, you're sailing the seas using my name?"

He didn't attack right away. His tone was calm, but the pressure in his words was unmistakable.

"With you?" Miss Bakkin sneered. "Don't make me laugh, Newgate."

Her expression twisted with disdain.

"You know exactly what your intentions were back then, don't you? You wanted me to follow you and become some kind of joke? I'd rather be mocked alone than dragged down with you."

Her confidence while facing Whitebeard was surprising.

Ryuunosuke, observing from afar, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. He didn't know what had transpired between them in the past, but their brief exchange spoke volumes. Something heavy lingered in the air.

"If things hadn't happened the way they did... maybe we wouldn't be standing on opposite sides now." Whitebeard's voice softened briefly.

Then, he pulled out a dagger and dropped it on the deck.

"I'll give you one chance. End it yourself."

Miss Bamkin's eyes flickered. She stared at the blade on the floor—nostalgia flickering behind her eyes.

"So this is what you have to say to me after all these years?" she whispered. "Newgate... no matter how much you try to cover the past, some things can't be erased. Even if it means killing me—"

She started laughing maniacally.

"Hahahaha! This is rich. Being told to—"

"Pfft!"

Before she could finish, Whitebeard acted.

His massive sword tore through her mid-sentence, running her through.

Miss Bakin stumbled back, blood gushing from the wound... but she didn't fall.

"You don't think I'd die so easily, do you, Newgate?" she said with a twisted grin. "Have you forgotten what my true role was on your ship?"

Her laughter echoed through the air.

Then—

Boom!

A massive explosion engulfed the boat.

When the smoke cleared, only debris remained. Whitebeard stood atop a broken plank, staring solemnly at the empty space where Miss Bakkin had once stood.

He knew the truth.

That hadn't been the real Miss Bakkin.

Only a stand-in.

A puppet.

The real one had long since gone into hiding.

He clenched his jaw. That woman... she didn't age? She'd always been one step ahead.

Whitebeard turned and returned to his ship. He sat at the bow in silence, pouring himself a drink.

---

Meanwhile, the fight between Zephyr and Weevil was still raging.

"Mother!" Weevil's roar pierced the battlefield the moment he saw Bakkin's explosion.

His eyes turned blood-red.

In that moment, his entire presence shifted—from battle-hungry to pure, violent rage.

A sinister aura began to rise from his body—thick and crimson.

Blood.

He was burning his own life force.

The battlefield trembled.

"This guy… he's going all in," muttered one of the nearby soldiers.

Just as Weevil prepared to unleash hell, Ain sprang into action.

With a flash, her hand touched Weevil's body—and he instantly shrank.

But not before throwing one final punch.

Ain couldn't dodge in time.

Boom!

The impact sent her flying. Blood sprayed from her mouth as her body crashed against the ground, motionless.

Zephyr's eyes widened. He saw the perfect opening.

"Now!"

With a mighty roar, he surged forward and slammed a brutal punch straight into Weevil's skull.

Crack!

Weevil dropped to the ground, lifeless.

Zephyr collapsed to his knees, panting.

Victory… but at what cost?

His eyes darted to the side—where Ain now lay in a pool of blood.

"Ain!"

He rushed to her side and cradled her in his arms.

"Ain, stay with me—"

"Teacher…" she gasped weakly. "Please... let me speak..."

Zephyr froze.

"This… life… this isn't what you wanted."

She coughed violently. Blood and dark clots spilled from her mouth—her internal organs were clearly damaged beyond repair.

"The New Navy... you don't need to keep carrying that burden. You're free to walk away…"

Zephyr's throat tightened.

"The teacher knows," he whispered hoarsely. "Don't speak anymore."

He glanced around in desperation. "The Dragon Hunter Pirates… they have a great doctor on board, right? I'll take you there—"

"No need."

A voice cut him off.

Ryuunosuke appeared beside them, his coat fluttering in the wind.

"Our doctor's not on the ship. Machi left earlier with Chrollo."

Zephyr turned sharply. "Then—"

"I can save her," Ryuunosuke said calmly. "But it won't be cheap."

Zephyr stared, reading the meaning behind those words.

Ryuunosuke wasn't one to give away miracles for free.

And rightly so—life essence was a precious, irreplaceable resource.

Zephyr wasn't here to help Ryuunosuke. He'd only gotten involved because of Weevil.

He owed Ryuunosuke nothing.

But now...

"Captain Ryuunosuke," Zephyr said, voice steady, "If you save her, I'll owe you. If you need anything—hell, even if you plan to attack Mary Geoise—I'll stand by you."

Ryuunosuke raised a hand.

"That's enough."

He reached into his coat and pulled out a vial—a drop of shimmering golden liquid inside.

Life essence.

He had retrieved it from his system space, but such a thing couldn't be revealed. He pretended it came from his coat.

He gently tilted the liquid into Ain's mouth.

A powerful vitality surged through her, enveloping her entire body in a soft glow.

Being the user of the Devil Fruit, Ain's body eagerly absorbed the essence.

Moments later, her eyes fluttered open.

She stared at Zephyr, speechless.

Because she knew the price he had paid to save her.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

"I'm glad you're safe," Zephyr whispered, a rare warmth on his stern face. "You're family to me, Ain. I never want to see you hurt like that again."

"Teacher Zephyr," Ryuunosuke spoke up. "Let Ain rest. There's something I need to ask you. If it's convenient, please come to my ship."

Without waiting for a response, Ryuunosuke vanished.

Zephyr motioned for Binz to take Ain to rest.

Then he headed for the Dragon Hunter Pirates' ship.

Ryuunosuke had saved Ain's life.

A simple thank-you wasn't enough.

And when someone like Ryuunosuke asks for your presence, you don't ignore it.

---

On the deck of the ship, only two people stood.

Ryuunosuke. And Najenda, holding a leather-bound notebook.

Zephyr stepped aboard. His gaze was cautious but resolute.

"Captain Ryuunosuke," he said. "What is it you want to ask?"

Though they had fought side by side, Zephyr still struggled to see pirates as anything other than enemies.

Call it pride. Or call it honor.

That was who Zephyr was.

"I want to know about the Valley of God," Ryuunosuke said, eyes locked on Zephyr's. "I think… you know something."

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