Protagonists Always Make a Grand Finale Entrance

Ryan was woken up early in the morning by the commotion outside. Just as he was getting ready to go out and see what was happening, Beli and the others all barged in, and even Fujitora was no exception.

"Captain, something big has happened!" Kid yelled at Ryan, holding a newspaper with an excited expression.

Ryan, who normally slept until noon, was woken up so early and immediately developed morning crankiness. Patting Kid's head, he asked in confusion, "Did someone slander me again?"

"Uh!" Kid paused and continued, "It's the news about the Supreme Grade Sword Yoru and Pluton. See for yourself." After finishing, Kid quickly removed Ryan's hand and handed the newspaper to him.

Ryan opened the newspaper and looked at the contents inside. The more he read, the more suspicious he became because he smelled the scent of a conspiracy from this news.

Ryan looked at Robin with an inquiring look in his gaze, and Robin nodded at Ryan as well.

Meanwhile, the people on the side watched the two of them exchanging subtle glances here, and big question marks popped up in everyone's heads.

Lory quickly came up to hug Ryan's arm and said in a soft voice, "Ryan, you must be hungry. I'll go make breakfast for you, okay!"

Ryan looked at the crowd, and except for Robin, everyone shook their heads repeatedly. Seeing the actions of the crowd, Ryan understood instantly.

Ryan stroked Lory's head and smiled, "Go make a bit more since I see they haven't eaten breakfast either."

"Okay, I'm going." When Lory left, she even used her gaze to provoke Robin. The meaning was obvious: I can cook, can you?

As soon as Lory left, Beli and the others immediately couldn't hold back anymore and all looked at Ryan with resentful gazes, especially Fujitora. Looking at Fujitora's whitish eyes combined with that resentful expression,

Ryan really couldn't hold it in and started laughing out loud.

Originally, everyone was full of anger, and seeing Ryan still mocking them, they simply couldn't help it anymore and all started making a move on Ryan's body.

"Ouch! Don't hit Beli, we're best friends!"

"Killer, I'm your master!"

"What the hell, which bastard is making a move down there?"

Everyone stopped one after another and looked at Fujitora with admiring gazes, seemingly also sensing the strange stares from the crowd. Fujitora awkwardly said, "This old man cannot see!"

Robin couldn't help it anymore and immediately covered her mouth, laughing out loud.

Ryan furiously yelled, "Fujitora!"

Fujitora said in a muffled voice, "This old man couldn't see to begin with!"

Robin quickly stepped forward to smooth things over, saying, "Captain, we should still discuss how to act next."

Seeing someone smoothing things over, the crowd stepped up one after another to admit their mistakes, expressing that it was just a moment of impulse. Ryan looked at Robin, and Robin blinked at Ryan; this time Ryan really wasn't angry anymore.

Ryan pondered for a moment and said, "Now we can confirm this is Crocodile's conspiracy, but I still don't understand his purpose in doing this. If previously he wanted to force out the hidden power of the Nefertari family in order to scheme for Pluton, then what is his motive and purpose now?"

After hearing it, Robin also nodded in agreement, saying, "Indeed, from the current perspective, this matter has not a single benefit for Crocodile."

Beli finally couldn't hold back and spoke up, "What are you guys talking about? What Crocodile's conspiracy? Isn't this the news released by King Cobra?"

Ryan had no choice but to signal Robin to explain to them. It took a dozen minutes before Robin explained to everyone clearly why it was said to be Crocodile's conspiracy.

After hearing Robin's explanation, Beli came to a sudden realization and said, "Oh, so the Supreme Grade Sword Yoru has long been in Crocodile's hands. No wonder no news has ever leaked out."

Fujitora also nodded, indicating that he understood.

"Robin, share your thoughts." Ryan kicked the ball to Robin. After all, as one of the top intellects in the pirate world, Robin's suggestions and thoughts were extremely important.

Robin pondered for a moment and slowly said, "Regardless of what purpose Crocodile has, we just need to fulfill our goal, which is to get the Supreme Grade Sword Yoru. As for the news of Pluton..." Robin asked, looking at Ryan with her eyes.

Ryan calmly said, "Only children make choices, we want it all!"

"Then that's how it'll be. The captain can go participate in the Peak Challenge, and Mr. Fujitora and we will hide in the shadows to prepare for both contingencies. If you win, Captain, then we won't need a backup plan. If..."

Before Robin could finish her sentence, she was interrupted by Ryan.

"I won't lose, and besides, as long as the Supreme Grade Sword Yoru appears, we will directly make a move to snatch it, and no matter who blocks us, execution without exception!" Ryan said with a solemn expression.

Robin tentatively asked, "Then those two from the Whitebeard Pirates?"

"I said anyone who blocks me from getting the Supreme Grade Sword Yoru will be executed without exception. Everyone understand!" Ryan emphasized again.

"Beli, you take Kid and Killer to scout out the situation of the Peak Challenge and the location of the venue." Ryan paused and continued, "Fujitora, you go too, and protect the three of them well."

"This old man is going."

Fujitora and Beli's group went ahead first to scout out the situation of the venue, leaving only Ryan and Robin in the room.

Ryan asked inquiringly, "Robin, do you think I'm going too far doing this just for a sword?"

"Captain, you just need to do what you think is right. Didn't you say those very words?" Robin smiled faintly.

Ryan snapped out of it as if waking from a dream and said solemnly, "Thank you, Robin!"

"Captain, can you let go of my hand first..." Robin's face blushed slightly. Growing up, this was the first time she had been intimately touched by a boy like this.

Ryan's gaze slightly dodged as he said, "I was just too excited."

Then why don't you let go! Robin's inner thoughts went.

"You guys!" Then the sound of a bowl dropping to the ground was heard.

Lory was seen blankly looking at the two people holding hands, tears welling up in her eyes.

Seeing this, Robin subconsciously pulled her hand out of Ryan's grasp, the blush on her face becoming even more intense.

Lory aggrievedly said, "It looks like I came at a bad time!"

"No, you came at the exact right time!"

Lory stood blankly at the doorway, looking at Ryan with a face full of terror, as if unable to believe what Ryan had just said.

"The two of us are almost starving to death, hurry up and bring the food over."

For some reason, upon hearing Ryan's words, Lory felt a sense of relief in her heart while simultaneously feeling a trace of loss.

Watching the two of them eat in silence, Ryan also kept his mouth shut, and the three of them finished breakfast in this awkward atmosphere.

After Robin and Lory left, Ryan breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't know why he had been a bit nervous at that moment, especially when Lory came in, which gave Ryan a feeling of being caught in the act.

Ryan also calmed his mind, immersing himself in the comprehension of Dual Green Serpents. Ryan was just a hair away from mastering this move. If he could master it before the Peak Challenge, it would provide a considerable boost to his combat power.

After all, this was Sword God Li Chungang's signature ultimate technique. One could glimpse the power of this move from One-Sword Immortal Kneels.

It wasn't until noon that Ryan stopped his cultivation because Fujitora and the others had returned from scouting out information.

Before Ryan could even ask, Kid impatiently blurted out the information they had scouted.

"The location of the Peak Challenge is set on an open ground five miles outside the royal capital. It is said that the ring will be built on the day, and then the news of the Supreme Grade Sword Yoru and Pluton will be brought out that day to prove their authenticity." After taking a gulp of water, Kid continued, "The rule of the Peak Challenge is to first select seven swordsmen from all present, and then the winner among those seven can obtain the Supreme Grade Sword Yoru and the news of Pluton."

Listening to the news recounted by Kid, Ryan knew the process in the middle must be exceptionally cruel, and many people would leave their lives behind here forever.

However, Ryan would not show mercy. This was the first confrontation between Ryan and fate. Hawkeye and the Supreme Grade Sword Yoru appearing in Alabasta at the same time made Ryan feel the power of fate.

"Captain, the Peak Challenge starts at ten o'clock in the morning three days from now. When are we going?" Kid asked.

Ryan smiled mysteriously and said, "Naturally, we'll arrive at ten o'clock. Protagonists always make a grand finale entrance!"