https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1038-I-Will-Protect-You-Until-You-Become-Masters-/13540769/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1040-If-the-lord-finds-him-useful-he-must-be-useful-/13540780/
Chapter 1039: Kuro's Ambition, a Dream Even One Piece Can't Compare To
Chapter 1039: Kuro's Ambition, a Dream Even One Piece Can't Compare To
Kuro always chose to help those with good character.
In Kuro's eyes, this was a textbook case of someone too narrow-minded to see clearly – a gentle nudge would set them straight.
"Kuro!"
Before long, the door burst open. Lida strode in chewing a piece of bread, arms loaded with snacks, followed by several Navy officers carrying heavy luggage and Klah balancing a stack of packages.
Lida munched on his bread as he entered, asking, "You looking for me?"
Kuro rolled his eyes in exasperation. "You're never around from morning till night, and when you do come back, all you do is eat. Give me a break, will you?"
"Fine."
"You again?!"
Kuro cut Lida off mid-cast, snapping, "Sit down! Eat your snacks!"
"Alright."
Lida nodded, plopping onto the sofa to continue his snack. The Navy officers piled the snacks in a corner, saluted, and exited. Klah adjusted his glasses, saying, "Mr. Kuro, Headquarters has responded."
"What's their verdict?"
Kuro lit a cigar, adding, "Just so we’re clear – I’m not making any decisions based on their suggestions."
"Understood. Headquarters says now that King is dead, the matter is resolved. They want you to return to Headquarters immediately."
"What?"
Kuro blinked in surprise. "You’re saying what now?"
He hadn’t expected Headquarters or the Five Elders to suddenly become so accommodating. This was a New World member state – the World Government had practically thrown a parade when the tiny kingdom of Kolf joined, eager to boost their prestige. After Kolf’s official induction, their advertisements were everywhere. Now, Faya Principality’s territory alone dwarfed Kolf’s.
And the World Government was just walking away?
"Are you sure they didn’t ask for my input? This doesn’t sound like them."
After years of subtle manipulation, sudden freedom felt suspiciously off.
"No, Mr. Kuro. CP’s spies in Astartes confirmed the news reached Headquarters immediately. They’ve decided to withdraw you to avoid contact with the Four Emperors and prevent war", Klah explained earnestly.
Heavens knew he felt uneasy too. As Kuro’s long-term subordinate – especially handling most affairs himself – he understood the World Government’s nature well.
Kuro’s current status was no joke – Admiral candidate, commander of the Seven Warlords of the Sea and the ‘Sword’ unit. The Navy let him handle matters big and small. Except for lacking the Admiral title, he operated like one. Even Admiral Lucius Kro’s affairs were mostly resolved by Kuro. Kuro handled combat; Klah handled the rest.
The more he worked, the more he saw Kuro’s authority.
Now the World Government wanted Kuro to retreat? Did they doubt his strength – or had they finally seen through his ambition?
Klah stiffened, adjusting his glasses again, this time with trembling fingers.
Back when G-3 was still around, Kuro’s childhood documents from that merchant’s gift – that rebellion manifesto still gave him cold sweats. Even a fleeting glance at those fragments had made his palms sweat.
Kuro’s usual rants echoed in his mind: "World Nobles are all morons", "Heartless capitalists deserve hanging on streetlights", "Feudal nobility? Just roadblocks to progress."
And recently – that chilling remark about the Throne of the Void. The way Kuro spoke, it sounded like someone already occupied it!
The Throne of the Void – symbolizing equality, jointly acknowledged by all World Government member states as an empty seat. But Kuro implied someone already sat there!
The World Government’s credibility itself was built on that vacant throne – and it was occupied?!
How did Kuro know this?
What else was the World Government hiding?!
This massive government uniting half the world, resembling a civilization-wide federation – did it have fatal flaws?
Initially, Klah had thought Kuro’s decade-long stay in East Blue was for some hidden ambition. Then he’d convinced himself Kuro was just avoiding promotion, fearing responsibility and danger.
But after recently discovering Kuro’s childhood writings, his perspective shifted.
He’d been fooling himself all along!
Even his closest subordinates weren’t spared Kuro’s deception.
If this was the true ambition… then secrecy was essential. Proceeding move by move, like an uncertain Go game – useful pieces stay, useless ones vanish. Only this way could he safely reach his final goal.
In that moment, clarity struck.
Of course! That explained why Kuro tolerated that idiot Kas – it wasn’t tolerance at all, but deliberate strategy!
Kas was a sleeper piece in Kuro’s grand scheme, now becoming a crucial move.
David too – the current King of Dressrosa.
Suddenly, everything connected. Why Kuro indulged David, even investing his entire fortune into Dressrosa’s development, demanding only modest profits in return. With Kuro’s authority, he could develop anywhere – no need to focus solely on Dressrosa.
Nor to remain in East Blue for a decade.
Had that entire decade been spent investigating? Had his ambition taken root as early as childhood?
Klah wasn’t stupid. He was sharp-minded enough to piece it together, despite often being treated as a tool. Now it all made perfect sense.
Every seemingly casual move Kuro made was deeply intentional.
Why else would he stubbornly refuse to leave? Logically, he should’ve departed joyfully.
Was this place the foundation for expanding his influence?
As Kuro’s right-hand man, former pirate Klah felt his blood surge with excitement.
What ambition! What strategy! It made the Four Emperors – even that calculating Blackbeard – seem laughably small!
One Piece? Not even close to matching Mr. Kuro’s ambition!
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
