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Chapter 1006: Can't Afford to Lose
Chapter 1006: Can't Afford to Lose
Kuro spent several days at Shabondy before boarding a ship bound for the Paradise region.
This time, he hadn't brought out his Golden Lion ship—manning that massive vessel required too many crew members, and since this was just a casual trip, there was no need to go all out. However, Kuro secretly wished he had brought the Golden Lion. It would have been faster.
He'd received intelligence that his fellow islander hadn't headed for the New World as expected but had instead reappeared on one of the Grand Line's navigational routes.
That wouldn't do at all!
Why wasn't this guy fleeing to the New World? Was he planning to hide in the Grand Line's first half indefinitely? With that level of strength, couldn't he at least escape if he couldn't defeat the Seven Warlords of the Sea? If he disappeared into hiding, who could find him in the vast Grand Line? That would mean Kuro's target wouldn't suffer at all. The solution was simple—force him out of the Grand Line's first half and into the New World, where he could endure true hardship.
In the warship's office, Kuro stared at the navigational route on the sea chart and asked, "Which Warlord is in charge of this route?"
"You're asking me?" Lida tilted his head.
Kuro grimaced. "Someone come here!"
He'd forgotten who controlled this route, and Klah wasn't around. Fortunately, the Navy had some capable officers nearby.
A commander entered, saluted, and reported, "Vice Admiral!"
"Which Seven Warlords of the Sea is stationed on this route we're patrolling? Tell me it's not unguarded", Kuro said.
With only five active Warlords, two routes still lacked protectors.
The commander stood tall. "Reporting, Vice Admiral—it's 'Desert King' Crocodile."
"Ah, Crocodile. Dismissed", Kuro waved him off. Picking up the Transponder Snail receiver, he dialed a number.
The snail's face shifted to a man with a horizontal scar across his mouth, holding a cigar between his teeth. He exhaled slowly, exhaling a plume of smoke-like vapor, his grin twisting into something grotesque.
"Haha... ha... ha..."
Kuro rolled his eyes at the Warlord's drawn-out, mocking laughter. "Enough already."
"Ah, this voice... Kuro?"
The Transponder Snail's voice crackled, "You want support? You're not planning to boss me around like you did with Joe Rudolph, are you? I'm not that gray catfish."
"I'm not sending you anywhere. I just need information. Have you seen a pirate worth 30 million Berries lately?" Kuro asked.
"Hmph. Kuro!"
The snail's face darkened visibly. "Are you mocking me?!"
"I said 30 million! Who's mocking you? I'm not talking about Luffy!" Kuro snapped, realizing his mistake. "This 30 million Berries pirate—'White Admiral' Sam William—is reportedly in your route. Watch out. If you find him, take him down."
Of course, "take him down" was symbolic. Both were Logia users, so a decisive victory was unlikely. But if Crocodile approached with the goal of killing William, the fight might get serious enough to make William suffer.
"30 million?"
The snail paused, then chuckled. "Since when have you cared about 30 million pirates?"
"You underestimate that amount, or you might lose to another 30 million pirate again and disgrace yourself", Kuro smirked, lighting a cigar.
Beep! Beep! Beep!
The snail's line cut out. Kuro shrugged, hung up, and turned to Lida. "That crocodile can't afford to lose."
"Still, losing to a 30 million pirate is embarrassing", Lida said. "Wouldn't you feel the same if you lost to one?"
"Hah! Me, defeated by a 30 million pirate? Impossible!" Kuro laughed. "Unless it's a 30 million pirate from 800 years ago! If such a 'what if' existed, I'd either raise their bounty to Four Emperors level or hunt them down myself!"
Biting his cigar, he growled, "What makes these 30 million pirates think they can beat me? Can't I fly? Unlike that idiot Crocodile, who got taken down by a little water!"
Well, technically, Kuro had finished Crocodile off back then. But for a Seven Warlords of the Sea to be pushed to such a state by a rookie was humiliation enough.
Near Long Ring Long Island, a peculiar U-shaped island lay shrouded in cliffs and mountains, with only one narrow outlet. The half near the outlet teemed with rivers, streams, lush vegetation, and fertile farmland. The other half, bordering the cliffs, was barren wasteland.
Though the terrain was rich, the region produced little. Winds sweeping from the wasteland toward the port carried relentless sandstorms, destroying crops and homes. The locals could only watch their fertile lands decay.
But everything changed when Crocodile arrived.
The wastelands became controlled deserts. A gap now existed in the cliffside, carved by Crocodile's sandification abilities. The winds still blew, but the howling gales had lessened. Grateful residents hailed Crocodile as their "hero."
He wasn't foolish. In Arabasta, he'd mastered the art of playing savior. Why use brute force when a few calculated actions could win admiration?
Now, seated in his new palace between the desert and greenery, Crocodile stared at the hung-up Transponder Snail, his face dark. "Damn you, Kuro!"
30 million Berries. Just saying that number was a taunt!
Mr.1, sitting nearby, mused, "Boss, any pirate targeted by Kuro must be dangerous."
"I know", Crocodile sighed, softening his scowl. "That Sam William must have strength to reach my route. Hmph. Kuro thinks he can provoke me? Unnecessary. If I see him, I won't hold back—especially that 30 million Berries pirate!"
He'd already been humiliated by a 30 million pirate once. Though he admitted Luffy's talent, he could have crushed him earlier if he'd taken the rookie seriously.
Another 30 million pirate. Kuro's mention meant this one was dangerous. But Crocodile wouldn't underestimate this time.
Choosing this route—once his Arabasta stronghold—Crocodile aimed to reclaim his lost prestige and reputation.
(End of Chapter)
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