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Chapter 1056: Line Up and Go!
Chapter 1056: Line Up and Go!
"Gramps, Gramps!"
As Kuro approached the Office, his voice echoed through the hallway.
Lucius Kro's Office layout was similar to Sakazuki's, featuring the signature wide-open-door style. As Kuro entered, he spotted Lucius Kro mid-conversation with someone over the communicator.
At the sound of Kuro's call, Lucius Kro lifted his gaze and pressed the communicator button to silence it, watching Kuro approach with an amused smile.
"Gramps, check what I brought you."
Like a child showing off a treasure, Kuro gestured toward the floating cigar box beside him, grinning widely.
"Oh~ Kuro, those box decorations... Did you finally find the cigar maker?" Lucius Kro asked, his voice tinged with curiosity. "I must say, I'm surprised. I thought that old man would've given up long ago."
"Just a happy accident", Kuro shrugged nonchalantly. "No need to thank me. After all these cigars I've taken from you, consider this better compensation."
With a rugged wave, Kuro caused the floating cigar box to descend neatly onto the desk, perfectly aligned in rows.
"All these for old man?" Lucius Kro raised an eyebrow.
"Of course! When have I ever been stingy with you?" Kuro leaned back casually. "No need for thanks. Like I said before, you've treated me well, so I'll make sure you retire peacefully and get your proper send-off. Hell, I'll even burn paper money for you when you die."
Even the enemies he'd trained received offerings during festivals - how much more so for Gramps?
"Come to think of it, that's true."
Lucius Kro fixed Kuro with an intense gaze that made him shift uncomfortably.
"What's with that look?" Kuro squirmed slightly.
"Just reminiscing", Lucius Kro chuckled. "You were barely this tall when we first met. Time flies - now you're three meters tall."
Kuro rolled his White Eye at that. The old man spoke like he'd watched him grow up, though he wasn't wrong - back then he wasn't nearly this tall. Now he stood at a solid three meters.
"Height's not the only thing that's grown", Lucius Kro mused meaningfully. "Your strength has too. You can stand on your own now."
"Come on, don't flatter me", Kuro chuckled awkwardly. "You're making it sound like you're ready to retire."
"Oh? What if old man really did retire?" Lucius Kro smiled.
"Retire for real? Impossible." Kuro exhaled smoke confidently. "Do you think the higher-ups would let you go so easily? You can't just walk away unless you're ready to quit the Navy altogether, like that Madao Kuzan."
There were precedents. Garp had been forced to continue working as a recruit trainer rather than retire. Sengoku still held a supervisory position. Once you reached their level, there was no peaceful exit from the Navy. Retirement only came when someone had to take responsibility for major failures, like at Marineford.
Lucius Kro chuckled at Kuro's disbelief. "Well, go back first. We'll have a faction meeting soon."
Navy factions were always open and transparent. Everyone knew which faction each person belonged to, even if some didn't openly declare it.
Kuro frowned, scratching his chin. "We have faction meetings? I've been your direct subordinate for years and never attended one."
"Just never necessary before", Lucius Kro smiled. "But something's come up. Anyway, that's it."
"Fine by me." Kuro shrugged. "I'll be there on time."
"This is just a small faction meeting", Lucius Kro reminded. "Come alone."
"Got it." Kuro waved dismissively as he walked out.
Watching Kuro's retreating figure, Lucius Kro murmured after a while, "Still hiding, huh? Maybe old man should help you a bit."
...
Several days later, Sam William arrived at Headquarters.
His arrival caused some commotion - his warships had to dock far away, so he flew the rest of the way using his ability. Along the way, he encountered Storbery returning from a mission and the two engaged in combat.
The battle ended inconclusively due to time constraints and the arrival of reinforcements drawn by the commotion. When William shouted that he came to become a Seven Warlords of the Sea, he was immediately escorted to Headquarters.
In Kuro's Office, he studied this fellow East Blue native who'd come alone. After a long silence, he said, "Not bad. At least you have manners. Better than that rude little brat Law who barged in without even greeting anyone."
"Golden Lion... no, Vice Admiral Kuro." William addressed his neighbor's child formally. "I accepted your invitation and made my contribution. I'm here to become a Seven Warlords of the Sea."
Kuro simply called out, "Klah", and his subordinate immediately handed William the prepared documents. William didn't even glance at the papers before signing.
"Not even going to read it?" Kuro asked curiously.
"I've heard enough about this new Seven Warlords of the Sea arrangement", William replied. "No need to read it."
Kuro nodded, impressed. "Decisive. Good. As for East Blue, forget about establishing any influence there. Take your remaining industries and set up along the Navigational Route of your choice. New World is fine too. Wherever you like, just not East Blue. Oh, and these cigars are great. Send me some every year - no need for an industry chain, just a personal tribute."
"Agreed", William nodded. "But I have one condition."
He fixed Kuro with a determined gaze. "When the day comes that I believe I can surpass you, I hope you'll grant me the chance to test myself against you."
Kuro, already biting into a cigar, tilted his head arrogantly. "Dream on. Line up. If you want a shot at me, you'll need to defeat Dracule Mihawk first."
(End of Chapter)
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