Chapter 1021: Quick Response
Chapter 1021: Quick Response
If he could face Dracule Mihawk in a duel using pure swordsmanship, Dracule Mihawk would finally give up. Whether he won or lost, at least he’d have fulfilled his obligation to Dracule Mihawk. If Dracule Mihawk sought him out again later, he’d have every reason to decline.
The two stood motionless, the sea breeze blowing past. It stirred the white feathers on Dracule Mihawk’s hat and rippled the hooded cloak draped over Kuro’s shoulders.
“Tch, Dracule Mihawk is such an idiot,” Lida muttered, her tone sour as she stared toward the island. “Why does he have to challenge Kuro now? If Kuro gets hurt, I doubt this bunch will be considerate enough to just leave.”
“Hey, girl,” an officer chuckled, “watch your words.”
“We’re the ‘Red Hair Pirates,’” another added.
“Pirate crew?” Lida scoffed. “Pirates who chase freedom? Don’t talk to me about honor.”
“You—”
The officer’s face darkened as he stepped forward, but suddenly froze mid-stride.
Danger! A perilous aura!
“Don’t move,” Faritear·Joshua snapped, drawing a Pistol from his waist and aiming it at the officer. “I don’t know the details, but the Navy is the underdog here, and this is within Faya Principality territory. I won’t interfere in pirate-Navy conflicts, but I warned you—no trouble here. Otherwise, I won’t hesitate to shoot.”
“Hahah, no need for that,” Red-Haired Shanks laughed, patting the officer’s shoulder before turning to Joshua. “Let’s watch a show instead. I came here partly out of curiosity about you, and partly to deal with Marshall D. Teach. I’m not so low as to take advantage of others’ misfortunes.”
He glanced at Lida. “Dracule Mihawk told me—you’re the Golden Lion’s forbidden lover. If you get hurt, that man won’t hold back. I’d hate to waste someone else’s efforts.”
Outside Mariejois, after Sakazuki exited, he descended directly to Red Port, where he made a call.
“The job is done, Borsalino,” he said, holding a Transponder Snail on his palm. The snail’s mouth puckered in surprise. “Oh? That was fast! I thought those five old men would deliberate for ages.”
“The deed is done. Deliberation is pointless now. Borsalino, this was more your call than theirs,” Sakazuki said grimly, his voice tinged with irritation.
Though he appeared impulsive and hot-headed, Sakazuki was no simpleton. Sengoku had chosen him to sow discord between Shanks and the Red Hair Pirates precisely for his cunning.
He never dealt with pirates directly, but they’d leaked intelligence about Astartes to lure Shanks there. Shanks, who’d long interacted with Dracule Mihawk, knew the latter’s ambitions. True to form, Shanks would seek out Dracule Mihawk for a banquet and learn of Kuro’s impending arrival.
The news of Kuro heading to Astartes wasn’t hidden—it was deliberately fed to Shanks. Yet Sakazuki resented this underhanded approach. Pirates were pests to be eradicated, not played as pawns.
But these compromises were necessary to secure Kuro’s rise and Borsalino’s retirement.
“Ah, don’t dwell on it. If the job’s done, that’s enough. Kuro’s a sure thing,” Lucius Kro said cheerfully.
Sakazuki allowed a rare smile. “That, I believe.”
As equals, they didn’t call each other “old man,” their camaraderie natural.
“What about your position? Will you follow Garp and Sengoku’s example?” Sakazuki asked.
“Ah, I could take a grand supervisor role. Maybe even train new recruits,” Lucius Kro mused. “Flexibility’s fine, but just in case, I’ll drop by Astartes to keep Shanks in check.”
“Exactly what I wanted to ask,” Sakazuki said. “Borsalino, head to Astartes and bring Kuro back.”
“Heheh, I’ll leave now.”
After ending the call, Sakazuki gazed at the sky, his smile deepening.
Their era was ending. Once Kuro ascended, the Navy’s new generation would begin replacing the old guard.
As for Vegapunk and Tatsumaki—World Recruitment members outside the traditional Navy faction—they were beyond their concerns.
With World Recruitment aside, only Kuro could ensure a smooth transition.
Promoting Kuro to Marineford-scale Admiral now would benefit him later. In time, Kuro would inherit the Fleet Admiral title, stabilizing the Navy under his command.
Whether he’d end the pirate era mattered less—as long as the Navy didn’t decline, that was enough.
On the island, sea breezes whispered.
Dracule Mihawk raised his Black Blade, his voice grave. “Dracule Mihawk, wielding the Supreme Great Quick Blade’s Twelfth Technique—Black Blade ‘Night.’”
Kuro unsheathed Autumn Water, trailing two fingers along the blade before flicking it, sending sparks flying. “Lucius Kro’s Twenty-First Great Quick Blade—Black Blade ‘Autumn Water.’”
Their eyes clashed. With a swoosh, they charged simultaneously.
Kuro blurred into a wispy afterimage, leaping mid-sprint. A golden lightning arc erupted from Autumn Water as he slashed downward mid-air.
Clang!
Dracule Mihawk’s Black Blade blocked the strike, parrying the blow.
Shshsh!
The ground beneath Dracule Mihawk cratered like a spiderweb, fissures slicing outward.
He vibrated the Black Blade forward, redirecting Autumn Water’s downward slash along Night’s edge. Twisting his body, he disengaged and slashed upward at Kuro’s exposed flank.
Kuro dropped sharply, the massive blade grazing his former position, severing strands of hair. Twisting his wrists, Autumn Water coiled like a venomous snake through Dracule Mihawk’s wide swing, aiming for his chest.
Dracule Mihawk leapt back, snapping the Black Blade inward to parry, redirecting the strike downward.
Bang!
Kuro sprang upward, slamming a kick into the Black Blade’s flat. Using the recoil, he wrenched Autumn Water free, the blades scraping into a shower of sparks. Twirling mid-air, he landed lightly.
“Tch,” Kuro muttered, eyeing Autumn Water before smirking at Dracule Mihawk. “Swinging that hulking sword—you’re faster than I expected.”
(End of Chapter)
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