https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-104-You-Dare-Call-Yourself-a-Devil-Fruit-User-Without-Awakening-/13535909/
Chapter 105: I've Missed You, Smoker
Chapter 105: I've Missed You, Smoker
Kuro opened his mouth as if to speak, then exhaled sharply. He dropped into the chair across from Lucius Kro, swiped the cigar from the latter’s desk, and leaned back with one leg casually draped over the other, puffing clouds of smoke.
“Since you’re back, stay put for now. Report to Headquarters and give the old man less to worry about.”
Lucius Kro watched Kuro snatch the cigar, light it, and exhale a stream of smoke before continuing, “If you want to station somewhere, I’ve got options. The G-5 Branch is short-handed, and Sakazuki’s transferring back to G-1. You could check those out.”
“Never mind.”
G-5? G-1?
Isn’t that New World territory?
No way in hell am I going there.
“It’s not just about keeping you idle,” Lucius Kro added. “Portgas D. Ace has been captured. Whitebeard’s fleet is already stirring. War’s on the horizon.”
Exactly why I wanted a field assignment!
“Stay close and work with Sengoku. Sengoku, learn from him. He’s formidable.”
“I understand.”
Sengoku straightened. “I’m Vegapunk’s bodyguard now, but I’ll officially join the Navy soon!”
Vegapunk—the genius scientist hailed as possessing intellect five centuries ahead of his time. Kuro knew the name well.
He had no complaints about the man’s brilliance. Creating weapons that fused Devil Fruit factors, like the Pacifista prototypes—undoubtedly groundbreaking work.
“Still,” Kuro glanced at Sengoku, “as head of the Science Division, what’re you doing here? Doesn’t your ‘top-secret scientist’ need protection?”
“This is classified,” Sengoku replied stiffly. “Though you’re Navy, I can’t disclose everything. I’m the most tight-lipped man in the fleet—never tell you my mission to test the Pacifista prototypes!”
“…You just did.”
“Ah.” Sengoku blinked, then nodded firmly. “That was intentional. I choose what to say. No one can make me speak.”
“Sure, sure.” Kuro sighed.
“Pacifista,” he mused aloud. He remembered—the combat androids modeled on Bartolomeo Kuma’s body, powered by Lucius Kro’s Laser ability.
“A single unit costs as much as a top-tier warship,” Lucius Kro said. “They’ll redefine naval warfare.”
In Kuro’s eyes, Pacifista condensed the destructive power of a thousand-man warship into a single entity. Grand Line battles favored warships’ firepower, but on land, this concentration of force was no joke—though not exactly revolutionary. They’d shift minor pirate battles, but production costs meant they’d never be widespread.
“Constructed from Bartholomew’s body and Gramps’ Laser,” Sengoku continued. “Incredibly advanced.”
“Plenty of time to test that later,” Lucius Kro chuckled. “You’re a major now—collect your documents and stay at Headquarters. No wandering.”
“Got it.” Kuro pocketed the cigar box, then held out a hand. “Gramps, supplies are low. Fork over some more.”
---
After their chat, Kuro exited Lucius Kro’s office, Sengoku trailing behind.
Clearly a watchdog.
“Reckon I can’t sneak off now,” Kuro muttered. With Gramps breathing down his neck, the Top War was unavoidable. His mood soured instantly.
“You seem troubled,” Sengoku offered.
“Just pitying this damn world,” Kuro sighed. “Let’s grab your promotion papers, then eat. Buy me dinner, huh?”
Sengoku blinked. “Sure, but why me?”
“Gramps always praises you. I’d love to test your ‘defensive prowess.’ Loser calls the winner ‘big brother’?”
Same division, same boss. Kuro’s reputation intrigued him—how strong could this guy be?
Bak Arlo had forced a 300 million+ bounty pirate to surrender. Impressive, but Sengoku believed himself Gramps’ strongest subordinate.
“You want a fight?” Kuro raised an eyebrow.
“Biggest defensive power in the fleet!” Sengoku grinned. “I won’t lose!”
“Perfect.” Kuro’s smile turned enigmatic. “Gramps’ garden out back works. A quick spar.”
---
Moments later, Kuro strolled out, grinning, with a battered Sengoku limping beside him.
Couldn’t land a hit.
Sengoku mastered advanced Haki—Geppou. But Haki only worked if you could touch the target. Kuro hadn’t used abilities at all; sheer speed dismantled him.
The lingering gloom vanished.
“Big brother Kuro,” Sengoku mumbled.
“Good lad.” Kuro clapped his shoulder. “Dinner’s on you, little brother Sengoku.”
Lida and Klah approached—Klah hugging shopping bags, Lida licking an ice cream cone. They waved.
“Meet my new subordinate, Sengoku. Sengoku, my aides—Lida, Headquarters Lieutenant, and Klah, Headquarters Ensign. We’re celebrating his promotion. Let’s grab dinner!”
Sengoku frowned. Why’s he so excited about dinner?
It’s just food.
At Headquarters, they collected their documents, then headed toward Marineford’s back streets.
As Kuro reached the docks, a familiar voice froze him mid-step.
A grizzled man with spiked-back hair swaggered off a ship, chatting with a bespectacled, sword-carrying woman.
Seeing them, Kuro’s mood plummeted.
“Smo—ker!”
Eyes blazing, Kuro vanished in a blur, reappearing before Smoker in an instant. Armament Haki coated his hand as he seized Smoker’s wrist, preventing elementalization, and grinned maliciously.
“I’ve missed you, Smoker!”
(End of Chapter)
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