https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-101-Go-to-Lucius-Kro-When-You-Have-Problems/13535906/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-103-Whatever-Let-s-Find-a-Time-Machine-First/13535908/
Chapter 102: Did I Get Promoted?
Chapter 102: Did I Get Promoted?
That so-called 'Happiness Pill' has dealings with the underworld, which naturally attracts World Government officials seeking profit, possibly even high-ranking ones.
Kuro anticipated this situation before deciding to take action.
So if trouble arises, go find Lucius Kro.
As Gramps' direct subordinate, dealing with messy affairs is exactly what he's for. Why bother doing this job yourself when you have someone above you to handle it?
It's not like there's any condition for looking after Gramps' retirement.
The Admiral's role exists precisely to take the blame when things go wrong.
Let the higher-ups handle the mess—Kuro never cared about that anyway.
At dawn, the warship resumed its voyage, leaving Morgant behind. Before departure, Kuro ordered the Navy to search the island for Devil Fruits, but none were found. He even checked Lida's bag—no fruits there either.
Looks like the fruit didn't respawn nearby. Who knows where it randomly appeared now.
Since they couldn't find the fruit, Kuro had no choice but to set sail.
He originally thought the call would come the same day, but nothing happened. The warship continued its slow voyage.
On the third day, inside the office...
Several people were having lunch.
Kuro's classic Japanese lunch consisted of grilled saury, miso soup, a few side dishes, a bowl of rice, and a bottle of sake.
He took a bite of the fish, poured himself a cup of sake, and sipped it leisurely. Delicious.
Meanwhile, Lida had filled the table with food, happily devouring everything while eyeing Kuro. "So many days gone, and Admiral Lucius Kro still hasn't called? Have you been abandoned, Kuro? Maybe you'll get arrested any minute now."
Klah adjusted his glasses. "Then we can become pirates."
Lida grinned. "Kuro inherited everything from Shanks. If we become pirates, we'd be the Skybound Pirates, right?"
"Can't even eat quietly, can you?" Kuro glared at her, then tapped the rice bowl and pickled cucumber. "Lion Power Sushi Blast!"
The rice floated up, wrapped around the pickled cucumber, and shot straight into Lida's mouth.
"Obviously impossible." Kuro smirked as the rice stuffed Lida's mouth. "Do you think becoming a subordinate of the Admiral is easy? Gramps' approval isn't something you get casually. Just wait patiently. Hopefully, they don't have time for me since it's such a tense period right now."
Ace being imprisoned definitely made things tense. Ten Morgant incidents pale in comparison to the storm approaching. But for Kuro, this was good news. If the higher-ups forget him, he could keep slacking off in East Blue.
"Bo-lo-bo-lo-bo!"
Just as he thought, the Transponder Snail on his wrist rang.
Kuro grimaced and answered. The snail's expression turned lecherous as it spoke.
"Moshi moshi, is this Kuro?"
"Yeah, it's me. What's up, Gramps?" Kuro feigned ignorance.
"Tsk, you've caused quite the stir. Morgant's in chaos because of you. Old man heard that Prince Your Highness died. You owe old man an explanation, huh?"
"You called me now, so you've figured out Morgant's darkness, right? I just couldn't stand it." Kuro drawled lazily.
The snail fell silent for a moment before responding. "Old man had to go through a lot to cover for you. Despite that, World Government's punishment is coming."
"Really?"
Kuro perked up, his voice trembling slightly. "Punishment? Are you sending me to some backwater post?"
He'd realized something these past days.
Morgant's incident couldn't stay hidden forever. His powers weren't witnessed, so that could be concealed. But killing someone's prince? Definitely can't hide that.
Prince of Pleasure was connected to World Government. Eliminating him openly meant slapping their face.
Gramps would protect him, but World Government is Navy's superior. At best, they'd let him off without punishment. Promotion? Absolutely not. Probably exiled to some remote area.
Exile would be great! That's exactly what Kuro wanted.
Grand Line is dangerous enough. East Blue alone had thrown some wild stuff at him.
Don't even mention Shanks. Morgant, a tiny kingdom in East Blue, had two Conqueror's Haki users with treacherous abilities.
If not for Kuro's cultivation over the years, he might've really died there.
Getting exiled to a backwater would be perfect.
"Ah, Kuro, old man's disappointed in himself for failing you."
The snail sighed. Kuro's expression brightened, even breaking into a smile.
He's safe!
"While Morgant's Prince of Pleasure was making drugs to control civilians and trafficking with the underworld, he was still a royal prince. Without government orders, your unauthorized action was inappropriate. World Government has decided to cover up Morgant's incident, so you receive no merit."
No merit at all?
"Then what about my exile?" Kuro pressed urgently.
"Originally planned, but old man stopped it. However, your vacation is canceled. Return to Headquarters."
Return to Headquarters?! At this critical moment? Ace was already imprisoned!
"Wait, Gramps! I've violated World Government's will. I feel deeply guilty. Please exile me instead! I'm unworthy to return to Headquarters!" Kuro made a last-ditch effort.
"Tsk, you've got spirit? Old man's pleased, but the decision stands. You can't cause more trouble outside old man's sight. It's hard enough hiding your strength—cut old man some slack, won't you."
"…"
The old man was determined. His ambitions had crumbled.
Return to Headquarters? Fine. He was just an Ensign. Later, he could ditch work, take a patrol ship to Grand Line before the war, or station somewhere nearby to avoid the top-tier battle.
"Oh, you got promoted. So did your subordinates, Lida and Klah. You three captured a major pirate. Headquarters decided to promote Kuro to Major, Lida to Lieutenant, Klah to Ensign."
"???"
Question marks filled Kuro's head.
"Me? Promoted?" He pointed at himself, uncertain. "Gramps, are you talking to me?"
"Youngsters nowadays are terrifying. Silently making a 370 million bounty pirate surrender voluntarily? Even old man couldn't do that. Well, come back for your promotion ceremony, old man's waiting."
Click.
The snail deflated.
"Wait, wait, Gramps!"
Kuro shot up, shouting, but only silence answered.
Promoted?
What the heck happened?
How did I become a Major out of nowhere?!
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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