https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1002-Dying-in-Battle-Here-is-Better-Than-Perishing-in-Despair-on-the-Grand-Line/13540696/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1004-Maybe-Kuro-Isn-t-That-Strong/13540700/
Chapter 1003: Now Do You Believe Me?
Chapter 1003: Now Do You Believe Me?
Several days later.
Headquarters.
"Mm-hmm, I understand. Alright, return. As long as it's resolved, that's all that matters."
Kuro hung up the Transponder Snail and leaned back in his chair. Turning to Lida, he said, "See? Everything's settled."
After dispatching his subordinates for an extended period, today brought a collective report.
Dressrosa and its stationed Marine Base had engaged the Unicorn Pirate Group, emerging victorious.
David eliminated officerherbert, Kas defeated officerwang Long but failed to capture him, Wilbur drove off the Unicorn Pirate Group's officerliu Sheng Shi Hu, and Klah first dispatched officernaku Luwu before teaming up with Joe Rudolph to track down and kill Ophi. As for the final officer, the Navy spent days searching before discovering a frozen ice sculpture on the Grand Line. Inside was confirmed to be the last officer, Garf, though his entire crew had already been frozen lifeless.
"That big ice sculpture Kuzan? Did he just happen to pass by?"
Kuro bit his cigar, pondered, then shook his head. "Forget it. What do I care about that?"
Knock knock.
"Vice Admiral!"
A knock at the office door accompanied the Navy officer's voice.
"Enter."
At Kuro's command, a Navycommander saluted at the doorway. "Vice Admiral, Shabondy has encountered an incident."
"Shabondy? What about Shabondy—"
Kuro began speaking, then suddenly realized—Shabondy was within his territory. He shifted tone. "What happened to Shabondy? I stationed Sengoku there, right?"
With Sengoku present and two Pacifistas deployed, could even Super Novas from the first half of the Grand Line cause trouble?
"Shabondy was attacked by a pirate who escaped. Both deployed Pacifistas were destroyed. While there were no casualties, structural damage severely impacted Shabondy's industries", the Navycommander reported.
Kuro raised an eyebrow. "The Pacifistas are gone? Did the new Super Novas unite?"
"No, just one pirate."
The Navycommander hesitated. "A pirate with a 30 million bounty—'White Admiral' Sam William. Vice Admiral Sengoku failed to pursue him. He escaped."
"William?"
Kuro's expression froze. "Sam William?"
Lida blinked, turning to Kuro. "Kuro, isn't that the pirate you encountered in the East Blue? The one who uses steam attacks?"
Not just encountered—they were the one who issued his Wanted Poster. An old acquaintance.
"He reached Shabondy already?" Kuro frowned. "So fast? Did Sengoku sustain injuries?"
"No, Vice Admiral Sengoku did not capture that pirate", the Navycommander replied.
"Fine. You're dismissed", Kuro waved his hand. After the Navycommander left, he exhaled sharply, deep in thought. "What the hell? How did he reach Shabondy? Something's off. Why is his bounty still 30 million? Didn't he encounter any pirates along the way?"
"What's wrong, Kuro? A low bounty isn't bad—means he hasn't caused major trouble", Lida asked curiously.
"Trouble? He's on a sightseeing tour?!" Kuro snapped. "After causing so much chaos in the East Blue, he's not even a thrill-seeking adventurer! Why hasn't his bounty increased? Did the Navy let him escape? Or did he buddy up with pirates, exchanging friendship instead of fighting? No battles at all?"
…
Somewhere in the Grand Line's first half, far from Pegasus Island.
Several pirate ships floated across the Grand Line. Most bore battle scars, some missing parts—only the flagship remained unscathed.
Inside the flagship's captain's quarters, several figures gathered.
One wore a captain's uniform with a wide white necktie, exuding gentlemanly poise as he sat silently.
Those around him, however, buzzed with excitement.
"See? I told you, William. There's no fake Wanted Poster. You faced a Pacifista now renowned as a Daimyo in the Grand Line. You defeated it just like those pirates! We don't need to be cautious—pirates here are no match for us!" Montblanc declared happily.
Recent weeks had been grueling. Every pirate crew encountered forced William into full-power battles. Sixty million, eighty million—even over 100 million bounty "Super Novas", all dismissed by William as fakes. His logic: only defeating pirates with comparable bounties could test his true strength, and they certainly weren't real.
But he never found any. If he'd moved slower, perhaps he'd have met real threats. His bounty might be too low—but he never got the chance, always rushing forward.
After each high-bounty pirate defeat, William sank into deep anxiety. He felt trapped in a nest of fake Wanted Posters—weak pirates hiding behind inflated bounties. Lingering here risked complacency, leaving him vulnerable to true power.
No!
This couldn't continue!
They had to leave this sea area!
William activated his steam ability, accelerating their fleet. They barely paused, encountering few pirates, swiftly reaching Shabondy.
This reinforced his suspicion—so few pirates along the way? Something was wrong.
What he didn't know: his navigational route coincided exactly with Joe Rudolph's stationed patrol zone.
Upon reaching Shabondy, conflict erupted.
The Navy detected their presence, deploying Pacifistas. Reluctant to confront the Navy head-on, William used his ability to create vision blind spots, destroying buildings to distract them. The Pacifistas proved troublesome, but high-temperature steam devastated their delicate machinery far worse than brute force.
Escaping Vice Admiral Sengoku stationed at Shabondy took effort. Not that William couldn't fight, but prolonging the battle endangered their position. That man was strong—worthy of Shabondy's stationed Vice Admiral rank.
After fleeing Shabondy, Montblanc finally celebrated.
"See? I destroyed those Pacifistas! Still think you're weak?!"
"Those Pacifistas casually eliminate pirates with 60-70 million bounties! Your strength definitely surpasses them! Your bounty's just too low! You refused to believe it before—now do you believe me?" Montblanc grinned.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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