One Piece: My Crew is from Other World

After hearing Ryuunosuke's words, Uncle Erwin fell silent, a thoughtful expression rising to his weathered face.

Information about the World Government… that alone was enough to stir the curiosity of any former Pirate King's crewmate. Even Roger, the man who shook the seas, had never dared to go this far.

Now, the Dragon Hunter Pirates had nearly reduced the Holy Land of Mary Geoise to rubble.

The news was explosive. Delicious, even—for someone like Erwin, who once sailed under the flag of dreams.

"…By the way, little friend Ryuunosuke," Erwin said, stroking his chin. "You mentioned that Rocks left behind some messages—clues about the Heavenly King, the World Government, even someone behind it all."

"Are you certain those things are true?"

Ryuunosuke didn't answer immediately. His eyes drifted toward the shop window, watching the lazy clouds drift across the sky.

"They're just theories for now," he finally said. "Guesses based on what I've read. But I believe it won't be long before we get the answers."

He turned back to Erwin, voice calm but firm.

"The World Government's power has fallen to an all-time low. They're bleeding. If they want to hold onto control, they'll need to act soon. Otherwise, the allied nations will walk away one by one."

"Without protection, what's the point of their yearly tribute? Their gold means nothing now."

Erwin chuckled, though there was a shadow behind his eyes. "You people don't do anything by half-measures…"

Then, his tone shifted.

"But Ryuunosuke, tell me honestly. Did you really go to war with the World Government… just for the sake of your logistics squad?"

That was the story going around, after all. That the Dragon Hunter Pirates declared war after their lowest-ranking unit—nothing more than a miscellaneous worker squad—was wiped out.

To Erwin, something about that didn't add up.

Ryuunosuke didn't flinch.

"That's part of it."

His voice dropped, carrying a weight that made Erwin's expression sober.

"The logistics squad was the trigger. But I've had my sights set on the World Government long before that."

"If they hadn't moved against us first, I might've waited another year or so… maybe."

He paused.

"But after seeing Im's methods, I don't think she craves power. Not in the way the Celestial Dragons do. It feels more like… she's waiting. Gathering strength."

A long silence passed between them.

"Uncle Erwin," Ryuunosuke continued, "what exactly is Raftel?"

"Why is even the World Government afraid of it?"

He had asked before.

Each time, Erwin dodged the question.

Now, he was trying again—hoping this Roger's former crewmate's conscience might speak.

Erwin looked away for a moment, as if trying to bury old memories.

"Raftel…"

He exhaled slowly.

"That place is taboo. A shadow at the end of the world."

"Roger called it a treasure. But in truth, it's more like a dream… or a warning."

"If you don't have the strength to carry the truth, you'll be crushed by it."

He glanced at Ryuunosuke, a ghost of a smile on his lips.

"But you… You might just be strong enough."

Ryuunosuke's brows furrowed. Even now, Erwin wouldn't say more.

Raftel—no, Laugh Tale—was clearly no ordinary island.

"By the way," Erwin added, shifting the topic, "what's your next move?"

"You know, once the Dragon Hunter Pirates return to the sea, there are only two paths left."

"Either the World Government accepts your existence and brands you a special group… or they hunt you down across the globe like monsters."

Ryuunosuke didn't answer immediately. He stood, brushed the dust off his cloak, and smiled.

"We're not setting sail just yet."

"We'll rest a bit longer. Let the world stew."

He turned toward the door.

"The only thing I need to do now… is announce that the Dragon Hunter Pirates have returned."

With that, he vanished.

Erwin remained seated, staring at the spot where Ryuunosuke had stood.

"Roger… that kid's going after it. He's really going to challenge everything."

"I hope I live long enough… to hear him speak about Raftel."

Then, he quietly returned to his post behind the counter—just another old shopkeeper in Loguetown.

No one would suspect he once sailed with the Pirate King.

—

Back aboard the Dragon Hunter Pirates' ship, Ryuunosuke was greeted by Najenda, who stepped forward with a report.

"Captain, all crew members have been successfully revived."

"We're ready to set sail whenever you give the order."

"Doflamingo's arranged everything for us in the New World… but Kuina hasn't returned yet."

She paused.

"There's no word from her."

Ryuunosuke nodded, his face calm.

It had taken six full months for him to completely recover after his resurrection by Pain's Reincarnation skill. His strength was monstrous—so of course, his revival took longer than anyone else's.

That was also why the Dragon Hunter Pirates had gone quiet for so long.

Thankfully, he'd chosen the Kingdom of Yakoslan as the resurrection point. If it had been somewhere like under the Red Line…

He wasn't sure even he could've avoided Im's gaze.

"Call everyone back," Ryuunosuke said. "Anyone still outside, recall them."

"We still don't know the World Government's next move."

"Morgans doesn't have anything useful, as usual, so for safety's sake… we regroup before we move."

Then, he walked toward the far side of the ship and opened his panel.

Reputation Value: 120,000.

Six months ago, he had spent 100,000 reputation to summon Merlin.

Now, without doing anything, he had already earned back more than that.

His name had become a legend across the seas—even though the Dragon Hunter Pirates hadn't made a single move.

He smirked.

Total reputation: Almost two million.

This next announcement would send it skyrocketing.

Just then, a voice chimed behind him.

"Captain, something strange is happening with time here."

It was Merlin.

She walked up to him with a notepad in her hand.

"Based on my calculations, the flow of time in this realm doesn't match the sea we came from."

"If we return to our original world…"

She looked up.

"It's possible only a single day will have passed."

Ryuunosuke raised an eyebrow. "That's convenient."

Then his eyes narrowed slightly.

"Escanor, what do you think you're doing?"

A hulking figure immediately froze behind a crate, head slowly rising like a guilty puppy.

"Nothing!" Escanor barked, standing stiffly.

His eyes darted to Merlin… then back to Ryuunosuke.

"…I was just passing by."

Ryuunosuke sighed.

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