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Chapter 1052: Who Becomes an Admiral This Young?
Chapter 1052: Who Becomes an Admiral This Young?
Kuro himself didn't dwell too much on those words.
Let Gramps retire whenever he wants?
Forget about Sakazuki - the World Government wouldn't allow it either.
With so many subordinates under him, who would take over if he suddenly stepped down?
Himself?
He lacked the capability.
Although the Navy often showed him respect, wasn't that precisely because Gramps still stood behind him? If Gramps retired and someone new came in, his authority would plummet. For these reasons alone, he firmly opposed the affirmation of any new appointment.
Besides, he was too young. Even if Gramps could step down, the Admiral position wouldn't go to him. There were so many senior candidates waiting in line.
Kaku and Zoro weren't inferior either. These individuals had been Admiral candidates for years. With Gramps gone, the affirmation would inevitably go to someone of Marineford-scale seniority. After all, their experience spoke for itself.
What experience did he have? Just defeating a few old men? And those old men had already been weaklings to begin with.
What? The Four Emperors?
Even the Four Emperors were cripples. One was insane, another acting like a fool, one physically disabled, and the toothless one was just an ordinary man.
"Forget it, Gramps. Don't dwell on this nonsense. Stay put and enjoy yourself. You're more comfortable now than I am - sometimes I still have to go out there. I'm actually jealous of your Admiral position."
Kuro stood up, said those words, then directly left the office.
Lucius Kro watched Kuro's back disappear, then smiled slightly, murmuring, "Jealous, huh?"
Not that he needed to be jealous either.
It was just that things required time now. The higher-ups hadn't completely finalized their plans, and without the situation being thoroughly settled, they couldn't make any grand moves.
Leaving the Headquarters building, Kuro immediately spotted several people waiting for him.
Lida, Klah, Ju Geng, Sazil, Fen Ni, and Moer - these were the ones stationed at Headquarters. The rest were stationed elsewhere.
"Vice Admiral Kuro!" Sazil immediately saluted upon seeing him.
"I thought you were off chasing flowers and asking willows", Kuro nodded toward Moer.
"Now you say that..."
Moer scratched his head. "You're my superior. Now that you've returned, of course I should be here."
"Alright then, let's eat. Klah, did you book the restaurant?"
"Yes, already reserved. It was Sengoku's choice", Klah adjusted his glasses. "He happened to be at Headquarters submitting reports, so he's joining us too."
"Oh? He's here as well? Then we'll eat together. Tina?"
Just as Kuro said this, he spotted a familiar figure approaching.
Up ahead, Tina had a cigarette clenched between his teeth. Fenbodi and Zangao followed behind as he slowly approached with arms crossed.
"Kuro?"
Tina noticed the man ahead, his gaze shifting strangely. "What are you doing here?"
"What kind of question is that? Where else would I be?"
Kuro rolled his eyes. "I'm Navy. This is Headquarters. I don't have a territory station right now, so staying at Headquarters is perfectly normal."
"But you should be..."
Tina suddenly seemed to remember something and shook his head. "No, never mind. So the Astartes mission ended then? I heard you became the World's Greatestgreatest Swordsman?"
Kuro waved his hand. "Hollow reputation. We Navy need to stay low-key, unlike those pirates who make a big show. By the way, how did you even know? Wasn't this news supposed to be kept quiet?"
"Tina is Hè's aide-de-camp. There are things that need to be known."
Tina gave Kuro a complex look. "Congrats, I suppose."
"What's there to congratulate me for? You're just in time actually - I'm running low on stock. How about I treat you to some Black Gun? Let me buy you dinner."
"Sounds good. Tina's hungry anyway."
"Then let's eat first. By the way, where's Smoker?"
"Dunno. Probably still at G-5."
Tina walked alongside Kuro as they operated together, following Klah toward the restaurant.
"World's Greatestgreatest Swordsman?"
Among their subordinates, some were stunned.
Zangao stared wide-eyed at Kuro. He knew Kuro was strong, but hadn't expected him to reach this level. This was the World's Greatestgreatest Swordsman! True, he didn't use a blade himself - he wielded hypnotic ring wheels as a Weapon faction member, so naturally understood such titles.
Curiously enough, in the Grand Line, any edged weapon was commonly referred to as a "sword." Axes were "swords", blades were "swords", even Devil Fruit users like Daz Bonney could be called "swordsmen." Otherwise, why would Dracule Mihawk remember him so clearly?
"World's Greatestgreatest Swordsman?"
Sazil's eyes also widened. "Vice Admiral Kuro has already reached that level? Then wouldn't the next step be Admiral?"
Kuro shot him a glare over his shoulder. "What are you talking about?! What Great General, what Admiral?!"
"But Vice Admiral Kuro..."
Sazil looked genuinely confused. "You're already so powerful. As an Admiral candidate and the World's Greatestgreatest Swordsman, ruling over the Seven Warlords of the Sea, once Admiral Lucius Kro steps down, wouldn't you naturally become the next Admiral?"
This was obvious to everyone - he was already an Admiral candidate. What was a candidate if not someone to replace an Admiral when they left?
"Nonsense."
Kuro shook his head firmly. "What reason would Gramps have to step down? It's far too early. Stop saying such bad luck omens. Have you stayed at Headquarters too long that your skin itches for a beating?"
Sazil opened his mouth to argue, but suddenly felt his skin prickle, as if pierced by a blade. He immediately shut up, though still looking wronged.
Moer shook his head and hooked an arm around Sazil's neck. "In this world, logic alone doesn't work. Sazil, why dwell on these things? Come on, let me take you somewhere fun later. That place is pretty big - I guarantee you'll find enjoyment there."
"Stop corrupting others, Moer!"
Kuro twitched his lips. "You do your own thing. What's this about dragging others into it?"
Moer shrugged without responding.
Tina, however, gave Kuro a strange look. "I'm curious. You really don't want to become an Admiral?"
"A soldier who isn't dreaming of becoming a chef can't be a good Vice Admiral", Kuro quipped.
Tina tilted his head. "What does that even mean?"
Kuro bit down on his cigar. "Exactly what it sounds like - I'm not a good Vice Admiral. Why aim for Admiral? It's way too early. Would the higher-ups dare let anyone go? You're part of the General Staff yet haven't heard any news yourself, clearly indicating this topic hasn't even been raised. So why are you lot even discussing such things? Tina, have you ever seen a twenty-something Admiral? Even Kuzan became Admiral in his thirties."
Accepting an Admiral position wasn't impossible - his current status certainly warranted it. But timing mattered.
Gramps was still far from retiring. Now thinking about becoming Admiral? If Gramps somehow got the wrong impression and actually stepped down, wouldn't he be stuck in a mess?
He still wanted to enjoy peaceful years of ease.
(End of Chapter)
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