Chapter 190: A Cold Warning

Smoker's face was dark with frustration. 

Was this guy trying to mess with him?

It seemed even someone like him could have a peculiar sense of humor.

At this moment, the restaurant owner was petrified with fear. Ryujiro casually tossed a gemstone, which landed precisely in the owner's hand.

"This will cover the damages."

Ryujiro's voice reached the restaurant owner's ears.

The owner stared dumbfounded at the gem in his hand. It felt like a dream to him.

Not only had he recouped the losses, but it seemed he had even made a profit?

"Oh, I almost forgot."

"Your chef is also coming with me."

"Huh?"

Carmen looked at Ryujiro in shock.

She seemed to not even recognize the person before her, yet he claimed he was taking her away.

Ryujiro glanced at Carmen and said, "I didn't say I needed your permission."

Smoker carefully scrutinized Ryujiro.

This guy didn't seem like a pirate. Pirates wouldn't be so generous in compensating a restaurant's losses.

Noticing that Smoker hadn't left yet, Ryujiro added, "What? Is the Navy still interested in me?"

Smoker gave one last glance and left the restaurant.

At this point, marine soldiers had arrived near the restaurant. Smoker instructed them to handle the pirates inside.

Ryujiro took Hinata's hand and glanced at Carmen, saying, "Come with us."

Carmen hesitated before asking, "Who are you? Are you a pirate?"

"A pirate?"

Ryujiro smiled and said, "That depends on how the World Government views me. For now, I'm better described as a traveler.'"

"Don't even think about running. The person I'm interested in cannot escape my grasp."

Carmen looked at Ryujiro's back as he left the restaurant, conflicted for a moment before eventually following him.

Noticing Carmen's presence behind him, Ryujiro couldn't help but smile.

He had found the chef.

Now he just needed the navigator.

——

"It was indeed the right choice to bring you on board."

Ryujiro praised Carmen's cooking, and even Hinata nodded in agreement.

Seeing people enjoy her food was undoubtedly the happiest thing for Carmen.

After sitting down, Carmen asked, "Ryujiro and Miss Hinata, are you also from the East Blue?"

"Ah."

"Well…"

Ryujiro put down his utensils and said, "To be precise, we're not from this world."

Hinata looked at Ryujiro in shock.

Did Ryujiro just admit that so casually?

Was their identity not meant to be concealed?

Carmen was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "Ryujiro, such jokes are just cold humor, right?"

Ryujiro only smiled and did not respond.

"Finished eating? I'm going out to digest the food."

When Ryujiro stood up, Hinata called out, "Ryujiro, are you going to catch rats?"

"Mm."

Rats?!

"Are there rats on the ship?!"

Carmen couldn't help but shiver.

"Carmen, sometimes 'rats' don't refer to actual rodents. People who hide behind the scenes and dare not show themselves are also rats."

Carmen was confused by this vague statement and wondered what it meant.

Ryujiro walked alone through the streets of Loguetown. It was nighttime, and there weren't many people around. Many doors were closed and lights turned off.

Shadows flitted between buildings, and Ryujiro smirked as his figure suddenly vanished from the streets.

CP5 agents suddenly stopped in their tracks, staring at the empty street with wide eyes.

"Where did everyone go?!"

The CP5 agents frowned, puzzled.

"Are you looking for me?"

A clear voice reached the ears of the CP5 agents, and their faces changed drastically as they quickly moved back to maintain a safe distance from Ryujiro.

"When did he…"

"Didn't you notice?"

"No."

The CP5 agents were grave. Ryujiro's approach had been completely undetected, which was deeply unsettling.

"You're here to monitor me, sent by the World Government, aren't you?" Ryujiro asked.

Previously, the Five Elders had specifically instructed them not to take action against Ryujiro even if discovered, as it wouldn't be wise to create a strong enemy for the Marines and World Government without cause.

Moreover, their strength was not a match for Ryujiro. Engaging him would only lead to their defeat.

The middle-aged leader of CP5 spoke in a lowered tone, "Ryujiro, we meant no offense. We'll leave immediately."

For now, it was best to show weakness. Since their mission was exposed, it was over. Monitoring such a person without being detected was already a challenge.

"Want to monitor me and then just leave?"

"Does the World Government think so highly of me?" Ryujiro asked coldly.

"Even if it's just to teach you a lesson."

In an instant, a bone-chilling coldness emanated from Ryujiro.

"Be alert!"

"Where is he?"

"Where did he go?!"

"Bang—"

A straightforward punch covered in cursed energy sent one of the CP5 agents flying.

"Damn it! Ryujiro, are you trying to make an enemy of the World Government?!"

"Make an enemy?"

A cold laugh reached the middle-aged man's ears.

"Is the World Government worthy of being my enemy?"

The middle-aged man's pupils constricted.

A short while later, all CP5 agents were lying on the rooftop, their fates uncertain.

One of them was a Paramecia-type Hypnosis Fruit user, but the hypnosis ability had no effect on Ryujiro.

"The Devil Fruit powers."

The Hypnosis Fruit ability created light waves to hypnotize the brain, but Ryujiro's mental fortitude was so formidable that the Hypnosis Fruit had no effect on him.

It was quite interesting. Devil Fruits were known as treasures of the sea. They were called Devil Fruits because of rumors that demons resided within them.

Whether or not real demons existed might be something Ryujiro's broken blade could unravel.

Looking at the unconscious CP5 agents, Ryujiro's figure vanished from the rooftop.

Now it was up to the World Government to decide.

Would they label him as a pirate or choose to swallow their pride for now?

Whatever choice they made was irrelevant to Ryujiro.

He didn't like being watched by insects, especially by these weak ones.

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