https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1051-Making-Way-for-the-Young-Generation/13540849/
Chapter 1050: Forget It, I'm Tired, No Strength
Chapter 1050: Forget It, I'm Tired, No Strength
People in the world never act without purpose—even idealists have goals. Or rather, those so-called idealists have far stronger motivations than ordinary pirates.
Common pirates merely crave more territory, more underlings, more money, and more fame. But those true idealists, when pursuing their objectives, aim to overturn the entire world.
Becoming the World's Greatest Swordsman is many swordsmen's dream. Some doubt their worthiness and bury such aspirations deep, while others set this as their starting point, dedicating their lives to chasing it.
Yet Kuro had no interest in claiming that title. He lacked the motivation to confront Dracule Mihawk. Losing would be humiliating, but winning carried even worse trouble. If they truly clashed and incapacitated Mihawk, Kuro would either end up crippled like Shanks or forced into exile with him.
Why fight for a title he never wanted? He wasn't stupid—never once had he declared himself the World's Greatest Swordsman.
Moreover, even if he survived, sustaining severe injuries or disabilities would drastically weaken the Seven Warlords of the Sea's current strength. He'd cultivated this new Seven Warlords force specifically to battle pirates and the Four Emperors, not to waste energy fighting among themselves.
What truly baffled Kuro was why so many Grand Line legends fixated on such trivial rivalries instead of seizing greater opportunities. What use was being the World's Greatest Swordsman? True meaning lay in becoming unrivaled across the entire world.
He'd already decided—if he ever grew too annoyed by Mihawk's provocations, he'd manipulate him into challenging the Four Emperors instead. Better yet, let him fight Shanks. After all, that was a promise Shanks had once made him.
Don't underestimate Shanks just because he lost an arm. The other hand still wielded formidable swordsmanship. Given Mihawk's complicated relationship with Shanks, their duels would likely remain playful sparring matches rather than lethal battles. Let them waste time testing each other endlessly, achieving no conclusive victory.
Dodging past Minorin, Kuro entered the office. As expected, Sakazuki sat inside with the door wide open. The Navy captain wore his signature hat, head slightly lowered, shadows obscuring his expression.
Hearing footsteps, Sakazuki lifted his gaze, offering a faint smile. "Back already?"
"Yup, Captain Sakazuki." Kuro flopped onto a nearby sofa, stubbing out his half-smoked cigar in the ashtray before lighting a fresh one. "The Astartes operation failed. Their King was assassinated, and the aftermath's too messy to intervene in. Mihawk showed up demanding a duel, and Shanks had the nerve to just watch."
"The old man's already seen the report."
Sakazuki's tone turned approving. "Congratulations—World's Greatest Swordsman is now yours. We haven't announced it yet. Headquarters has its reasons. Your thoughts?"
Kuro froze, then grinned broadly. "Really? I suspected, but Headquarters usually publicizes these things immediately. The World Government wouldn't miss such a prestige boost..."
"Not this time. We'd like to leverage your might for a coordinated publicity campaign. Your qualifications are sufficient. Leave the rest to us."
Sakazuki nodded. "I've already reported on the Astartes situation. Though unfortunate, the CP unit confirms Faya Principality hasn't chosen a new King. Other nations show no interest in becoming member states and adopt a non-resistance stance toward foreign invasions. The sole exception is Faritear·Joshua, but his forces are too insignificant."
In other words, they'd already agreed to non-resistance. The nobility negotiated territorial expansions for themselves. Who cared if the King died? Civilian casualties mattered little. This was the Kingdom's chronic ailment—the nobility formed the world's backbone. A King alone couldn't stir significant change.
The Revolutionary Army believed replacing the King would improve things, never grasping that the King was merely the highest-ranking noble. Below him, nobility abounded. It mirrored Kuro's homeland's gentry—dynasty changes meant nothing. Who ruled them mattered less than preserving their privileges.
National consciousness hadn't yet taken root in that era. It emerged only later, driven by modern visionaries. Even now, people cared little. Improving daily life sufficed.
So long as nobility interests remained untouched, pirates wouldn't bother conquering. Even Kaido, occupying Wano Country, resided in his destroyed Oni's Island fortress, avoiding Wano's interior—still under Blackbeard's Giant Serpent domain.
Astartes' nobility functioned similarly—rulers mattered little if their collective privileges remained secure. But threaten those interests?
Back in his homeland, during dynastic collapses, gentry would've torn such rebels apart. Viewed through Kuro's present lens, both worlds seemed equally despicable. Yet adaptation required acknowledging historical processes. Whether in his past or present, nothing changed until the Red Sun emerged.
The difference? His homeland once birthed a guiding sun, inspiring brilliant constellations. Here, everyone fended for themselves. Kuro, since his youth, had stopped caring about systemic change—it demanded too much.
Geopolitical constraints. Bloodline hierarchies. Civilian ignorance from isolated island-nations. Too many powerful figures.
He couldn't fix it. He wasn't a genius. Not a prodigious warrior. Simply lacked the strength.
This truth haunted him—strength insufficient to overpower Four Emperors. Ordinary resolve. No appetite for endless war.
Good-for-nothing at grand deeds, yet never enough at leisure. Forget it. Tired. Let things be. Protecting his people and ensuring civilians under his jurisdiction lived free from oppression—that much sufficed.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
