Chapter 1055: Heads and Cigars
Chapter 1055: Heads and Cigars
After Kuro’s lesson, this was what he’d been thinking about!
Childhood memories, past combats – all resurfaced in his mind.
That blade glowing with golden light had nearly killed him, but it had also shattered his spiritual crisis.
Surviving on the Grand Line meant facing death constantly. To carve a reputation in this brutal world, one had to cast aside life and death entirely – only then could one truly survive the Grand Line. Otherwise, even if he became a Great Pirate, a single moment of fear for his life might lead to disaster.
But now William understood. Kuro’s blade had forced him to clarity.
He’d seen that strike’s power, grasping the Grand Line’s true cruelty. Though death no longer terrified him, who truly wanted to die?
Liars! All of them!
They used that "Fifth Emperor" title as bait. Anyone foolish enough to believe defeating – or even drawing with – this so-called "Fifth Emperor" would dominate the Grand Line would merely become another contender for the "Sea Emperor" throne.
William had once shared this delusion… until Kuro’s overwhelming strength proved him wrong.
He’d heard Kuro once fought Blackbeard at G-3 Fortress, inflicting grievous losses. Blackbeard, a true Four Emperors member, had survived intact – proving that the Four Emperors’ real combat power was on par with Kuro.
These were the true apex warriors! Everyone else? Just traps and pretenders.
William didn’t resent Kuro for nearly cleaving him in half – quite the opposite. That strike had sobered him up. Had he kept swelling with arrogance, he might’ve recklessly challenged Shanks or Blackbeard next.
Confronting the genuine Four Emperors? He’d have been obliterated.
If Kuro saw William’s current mindset, he’d only utter three words: Super Novas.
This was textbook Super Nova psychology – unstoppable in the first half of the Grand Line, dominant in the New World, then inflated with pride to challenge stronger foes, ultimately falling to true powerhouses.
Without exception, every one followed this path.
Elmira watched William. “What now, William?”
“What now?” He gazed at the sky. “Caution never hurts. We won’t abandon the New World, but this place isn’t suitable for our base. We’re returning.”
“Where to?” Montblanc blinked in confusion. They’d already reached the New World – how could they go back?
Would the Navy even let them?
“The Seven Warlords of the Sea!”
William’s voice hardened. “We’ll become Seven Warlords of the Sea. Kuro invited me – said to seek him out if I survived. I’ll seize this opportunity!”
The Seven Warlords of the Sea were Great Pirates themselves!
Formerly, William had resented the Navy, fixated on defeating Kuro. But once he discarded that obsession, he realized becoming a Seven Warlord was his best choice.
Great Pirate status brought power, protection.
True, Kuro’s new Seven Warlords of the Sea operated under different rules, but it remained the Seven Warlords of the Sea – the perfect path to fulfill his dreams.
That position… was his rightful place!
“But first, we must do something.”
…
Two months later.
Headquarters.
“Kuro Mr.,” Klah entered carrying two crates. “Something arrived for you – from Shelz Town in East Blue.”
“East Blue?” Kuro glanced at the crates. “Who’d send me anything from Shelz Town? And how’d it reach Headquarters? Open them.”
“It arrived via postal snail courier. I happened to be nearby, so I picked it up.”
Klah pried open one crate, flipping back the lid. Instantly, he straightened, eyes narrowing with cold fury.
“Kuro Mr.,” he said, voice tight with gloom. “This is a provocation.”
Kuro peered inside. The crate held preserved heads – treated to prevent decay – resting on cloth padding.
“What cloth?” he asked.
Klah yanked a piece from beneath a head, shaking it out. A pirate flag emerged. He hesitated, squinting. “X.G. Pirate Crew?”
Examining the heads again, he recognized details. “Kuro Mr., this is the X.G. Pirate Crew captain. Bounty: 460 million Belly.”
He tore away more cloths, revealing pirate flags one by one.
Klah’s breath caught. Flags of New World Great Pirate crews – every head belonged to a captain, each bounty exceeding 300 million Belly.
“Hmph. A fine gift,” Kuro smirked. “What about the other crate?”
Crack!
Klah tore open the second crate. Inside, straw-wrapped bundles held cigar boxes – identical to the ones Kuro previously owned. At least twenty boxes filled the crate.
Kuro’s lips curled into a smile. With a flick of his finger, a box flew into his palm. Opening it, he found a cigar etched with golden-and-white markings.
Lighting the cigar, he inhaled deeply. A jet of steam-like smoke erupted from his lips as he exhaled with satisfaction. “That taste. Finally figured it out, huh, William?”
“Cigars,” Klah adjusted his glasses, eyeing the heads. “And these notable pirate captains… Kuro Mr., is this William declaring his bid for the Seven Warlords of the Sea?”
“Nothing wrong with that.”
Kuro chuckled. “His strength isn’t bad. He’s kept his actions within bounds, now offering loyalty. I’ll grant him the Seven Warlords title. Klah, prepare a messenger bat. He should be somewhere conspicuous – easy to locate. Summon him to Headquarters.”
“Understood, Kuro Mr.” Klah nodded, exiting.
Kuro took another satisfied drag. “Now this is the right flavor. Have William supply these exclusively. No need for an entire industry chain – just a direct pipeline. Shouldn’t be too inconvenient… Hmm.”
Raising his finger again, he summoned a shadowy figure from his form, dispatching it toward Lucius Krooffice’s domain with half the cigar shipment.
(End of Chapter)
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