https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1050-Forget-It-I-m-Tired-No-Strength/13540848/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1052-Who-Becomes-an-Admiral-This-Young-/13540856/
Chapter 1051: Making Way for the Young Generation
Chapter 1051: Making Way for the Young Generation
Astartes' affairs no longer concerned them. They were Navy, not the World Government. If the World Government itself didn't care, then they wouldn't either.
"Stay at Headquarters for a while."
After saying that, Sakazuki dismissed Kuro.
Kuro himself felt slightly bewildered. While he had always planned to remain at Headquarters indefinitely—why not, if there was nothing better to do?—as Fleet Admiral, why would Sakazuki personally suggest this?
Had he finally awakened?
Did he realize how "tiring" it had become? Or had he simply given up entirely, letting things unfold as they would?
Sakazuki wasn't the type to do this.
With these doubts lingering, Kuro stepped out of the Fleet Admiral's office and headed directly toward Lucius Kro's chamber.
Lucius Kro was inside, as expected. To be precise, the old man hadn't left Headquarters for days—it felt like he'd been holed up longer than Kuro himself.
“Oh~ Kuro, you’re here.”
Lucius Kro lounged with crossed legs, trimming his fingernails.
“Gramps.”
Kuro sat opposite him. “What’s going on? Sakazuki, the Fleet Admiral, has completely abandoned his usual demeanor. He actually told me to stay at Headquarters for a while. Is something major happening?”
Lucius Kro glanced up, set his nail clippers down, and picked up a teacup. Sipping slowly, he replied, “Even this old man doesn’t know. Perhaps something big is brewing above us.”
“Something big…”
Kuro stroked his chin, pondering. “What could possibly be happening lately?”
As a Vice Admiral and a power player within the Navy, he should have received whispers of any significant events. Yet even he had heard nothing—meaning whatever it was, the World Government had probably conveyed it directly to Sakazuki in secret, necessitating his stay at Headquarters.
Was someone planning a sneak attack here?
Had the alliance between Kaido and Big Mom escalated their activities?
Unlikely. Those two were currently preoccupied with eliminating the "rats" within their territories. Even if they found free time, their focus would shift to deciphering the Poneglyphs for the Road Poneglyph’s location.
If not them, the other two Yonko weren’t worth mentioning.
Red-Haired Shanks was the most apathetic, avoiding conflicts with the Navy and keeping himself secluded in the New World.
As for Marshall D. Teach, he was likely rebuilding his influence. After all, his battle with Kuro had nearly wiped him out. Without sufficient influence, his territory would shrink, and rival pirates were already eyeing his domain. He had no room for maneuvering.
Beyond these groups, what else was there to anticipate?
Old foes recently released from Impel Down? Given Sakazuki’s temperament, if he suspected an attack on Headquarters, he’d have stormed out to confront it personally. He wouldn’t have kept Kuro confined here.
“Even this old man doesn’t know. But Sakazuki always has his reasons.” Lucius Kro said meaningfully. “You should stay at Headquarters for a while. By the way, how does it feel to be the World’s Greatest Swordsman?”
“Why does that sound so ambiguous?”
Kuro rolled his eyes, the whites flashing. “You mean how does it feel to become the World’s Greatest Swordsman? Honestly, how should I know? It’s like having nothing at all—no benefits, no recognition.”
No news outlets had reported it, and the information hadn’t spread widely. How could he even reflect on a title he hadn’t truly experienced?
Even Dracule Mihawk himself had acknowledged him as the World’s Greatest Swordsman. But in practice, it felt… underwhelming.
“Benefits?”
Lucius Kro narrowed his eyes, grinning. “So Kuro, what benefits do you want?”
“What can I possibly want? Right now, I don’t desire anything.”
This was the truth.
Kuro felt he had reached his peak, embracing a sense of detachment from worldly matters.
Wealth? He had never cared much for money. The business profits from Pegasus Island alone were sufficient, not to mention the taxes from Dressrosa and Shabondy. Being in the Navy already ensured good welfare—he lacked neither food nor shelter. As long as he could enjoy life’s pleasures, he was content.
Power? Kuro naturally had ambitions, but his greatest desire had always been to serve as a Commander at a Branch Base—sailing warships, charming women, sipping red wine, indulging in gourmet meals, and deciding on a whim whether to arrest or spare minor pirates.
That complacent, idyllic life was his dream.
But now that he had become an Admiral candidate, what else could he ask for? He might as well tell the higher-ups he wanted to return to being a Commander, but they’d never approve.
At this point in his life, he truly wanted for nothing—not even his own life. Only comfort remained.
“Wanting nothing at all, huh? Makes sense. You’ve already reached the pinnacle. The only place left to go is this old man’s position.” Lucius Kro teased.
“Don’t joke. You keep your seat just fine.”
Kuro rolled his eyes again. “You’ve still got time left. I’m doing great as I am—no need for you to worry.”
“Ah, but this old man says it because since returning from Wano Country, I’ve often felt drained. I’ve been thinking about stepping down.” Lucius Kro chuckled.
“Spare me the nonsense. You stepping down?” Kuro didn’t believe him for a second.
Although Lucius Kro often slacked off, retiring wouldn’t be in his nature. He was too comfortable in the Admiral’s seat—there was no way he’d willingly leave it.
Even if it were himself…
Pfft! Not a chance.
Leaning back in his chair, Kuro suddenly grinned. “Gramps, I get it now—you’re thinking of retiring since you couldn’t climb any higher. Back then, I asked if you wanted to challenge them, but you refused. Now you’re bored of it all?”
Back then, if Lucius Kro had challenged the hierarchy, he might have had a shot.
The World Government favored Sakazuki, and the former Fleet Admiral Sengoku supported Kuzan. But the middle faction hadn’t declared their stance.
While the middle faction typically stayed neutral, if push came to shove, Kuro could have maneuvered to secure Lucius Kro’s position.
If Lucius Kro had become Fleet Admiral, Kuro’s life would have been far more comfortable.
Back then, the factions led by Sakazuki and Kuzan were locked in bitter disputes—nearly a year of infighting before resolving through a duel.
That timeframe would’ve been enough for Lucius Kro to make his move. After all, no one wanted the Navy to descend into chaos. If Lucius Kro had stepped up, both Sakazuki and Kuzan would’ve accepted the compromise.
Still, it was a futile thought. Precisely because the middle faction lacked unity, Lucius Kro’s ascension would’ve fractured the Navy, leaving Sakazuki and Kuzan’s factions to govern independently.
Lucius Kro understood this perfectly—and had never entertained the thought of challenging for the top.
Looking at Kuro, Lucius Kro smiled. “This old man just feels it’s time to make way for the younger generation.”
“Sakazuki is only two or three years younger than you. You two were classmates. Kuzan might be a bit younger, but still—how are they considered the younger generation?”
Kuro didn’t consider himself first. He immediately thought of their ages—among the original Three Admirals, Lucius Kro was the eldest, though not by much.
(End of Chapter)
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