https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1061-The-Yellow-Robe-is-Placed-Upon-Him/13540869/
Chapter 1062: Give Me a Chance!
Chapter 1062: Give Me a Chance!
Retired?
How could he possibly retire?!
Kuro's pupils trembled violently as his body stiffened and he shot upright. "Gramps, why would you retire? That doesn't make sense! You're still in your prime!"
"Oh~ It's an order from above. Old man has been feeling low on energy lately", Lucius Kro said with a chuckle.
"That's impossible!"
Kuro adamantly refused to believe it. "This absolutely doesn't make sense! How could the higher-ups let you go? I refuse to believe this!"
"Mmm, it's not about belief. This is just how things are decided. Old man has been officially chosen to step down. As for who takes over, Kuro, you need to prepare yourself", Lucius Kro said with a smile.
"Wait, wait a second."
Kuro's mind spun with confusion as he waved his hands. "Let's not even discuss whether you're retiring or not. This position shouldn't go to me right now. There are so many more qualified candidates. What about Brother Storbery? I think he'd be perfect."
Becoming an Admiral? Absolutely not!
"No, I'm not suitable. You're the most qualified, Kuro", Brother Storbery immediately declined.
"But I'm not suitable either! If we really can't find anyone, maybe we could choose... Forget I said anything." Kuro pressed his lips together tightly.
He had been about to mention there were two other Admiral candidates, but quickly realized this discussion was about Lucius Kro's faction successor. This position couldn't possibly be given to an outsider.
Brother Kaku got along well with them, but ultimately belonged to another faction.
The current situation was problematic because while the positions of successor and Admiral weren't mutually exclusive, they could certainly be combined. Kuro knew that as an Admiral candidate himself, once Gramps stepped down...
"Is there really no other choice?" Kuro still refused to give up.
Lucius Kro nodded with a chuckle. "That's just how it is, Kuro."
"Can't you give me a chance?" Kuro gritted his teeth.
"What kind of chance?" Lucius Kro asked.
"I don't want to be Admiral."
"You can't say that to old man. You'll have to take it up with the higher-ups."
"I want to be a good Vice Admiral", Kuro said gravely. "Just a good Vice Admiral."
"Mmm, but old man can't choose for you."
Lucius Kro reached out with a chuckle, placing his hand on Kuro's shoulder and pushing him back into his seat.
"Anyway, the higher-ups have decided old man must step down. That means you're the one who must take over."
"I refuse!"
Kuro stiffened his neck and shouted. "Gramps, you've served the government, bled for the Navy. How can they just let you retire like this? You should confront the Five Elders! You must confront them!"
"Old man already met them and recommended you. Don't worry."
After firmly pressing Kuro back into his seat, Lucius Kro patted his shoulder again. "In any case, everything's in your hands now."
Kuro stared at him for a long moment before murmuring, "So you've already retired. That's why you're not wearing the hooded cloak anymore?"
Lucius Kro chuckled. "Mmm, old man will get a new hooded cloak. The old one doesn't fit anymore. This one will be yours to wear now."
"I..."
Kuro looked into Lucius Kro's eyes, then turned to face the expectant crowd. His mouth opened and closed wordlessly.
"Old man will step out now. This isn't a good place for me anymore."
With those final words, Lucius Kro shrugged and left the room.
Kuro remained frozen, staring at the gathered faces. His mind was a complete mess.
He knew this day would come eventually. As an Admiral candidate, once Gramps stepped down, he would inevitably have to take over. Though he didn't want this responsibility, even a child could understand that as the strongest faction among the three Admiral candidates, especially with Gramps' personal retirement, the Admiral position would naturally become his.
No other faction could possibly take this position. This was different from Kuzan's voluntary resignation or Akainu's promotion to Fleet Admiral which left an opening.
With Gramps' branch representing the old Navy, the Navy wouldn't allow World Recruitment to take this final Admiral position. The Lucius Kro faction wouldn't let anyone else take it either, and Sakazuki would consider their faction's interests.
In other words, the moment he inherited the Lucius Kro faction and transformed the Monkey faction into the Fish faction, he had already been destined to become Admiral.
But...
Why so quickly?!
Couldn't he have waited decades, letting Gramps step down naturally before taking over? Then he could find a suitable successor and later claim old age as an excuse for his own retirement.
This was happening too fast! He hadn't even turned thirty yet—he was only twenty-seven!
Being a faction leader was one thing, but the thought of becoming Admiral made his chest tighten.
"I... I need to calm down."
Seeing so many people watching, Kuro pressed his lips together, waved his hands, and crossed his arms over his mouth. "Everyone, please leave first."
Brother Storbery stood and exited first.
The remaining officers gradually dispersed.
"Big brother?"
Sengoku noticed Kuro's unusual expression and approached. "Are you too excited? Honestly, I am too. Who would've thought Gramps would announce his retirement today? You'll be Admiral from now on."
Smack!
As soon as Sengoku spoke, Kuro leapt up and slapped the back of his head. "Admiral! I'll give you Admiral! Do you think being Admiral is so easy? Do you really believe it'll definitely be me?! Don't get too full of yourself, Sengoku!"
After a few shouted curses, Kuro clutched his chest and took several deep breaths, trembling hands lighting a cigar.
Sengoku stood nearby, rubbing his head with a puzzled expression, unsure why he'd upset Kuro again.
Suddenly, he realized something. "Big brother, don't worry. Vice Admiral Tatsumaki and Vice Admiral Momousagi won't compete with you. They wouldn't challenge you for this position anyway. You're definitely going to be Admiral."
"Exactly! Old man knows that's what makes it terrifying!" Kuro glared furiously at Sengoku. "Don't bring this up again!"
Kuro knew Kaku and Zoro wouldn't challenge him for the position. First, this was Gramps' position being vacated. Second, their personalities simply wouldn't allow them to compete against him. Becoming Admiral was an absolute certainty.
Even if he forcibly pushed Kaku and Zoro to challenge him, they still wouldn't stand a chance. Now, he wasn't just fighting for himself. He carried the hopes of the entire faction. This Admiral position was his whether he wanted it or not. Even if someone actually did challenge him, he couldn't possibly relinquish this position!
That was the most damned part!
His current situation was like being caught in a passionate embrace—he wanted to wait longer, to prolong the moment, but circumstances forced him to act. The entire faction made it impossible for him to control the situation or gauge his limits properly.
So now, he had no choice but to surge forward.
(End of Chapter)
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