Chapter 1072: The Real Master Arrives
Chapter 1072: The Real Master Arrives
At this, Sakazuki's facial expression darkened ominously.
Back then, everyone had been misled. The World Government's obsession with finding Pluton had gone too far. He had initially disagreed with concentrating all forces in one location, but the World Government's ironclad orders left no room for defiance. Most of their strength was deployed to Arabasta, yet the desert kingdom yielded nothing but endless sands.
When news broke about Marshall D. Teach ambushing G-3, Borsalino had been stuck in Wano Country and couldn't return. Others tried to pull out, but the World Government refused to relent, dismissing the intelligence as unlikely to be baseless. Even if Marshall D. Teach didn't materialize, Pluton could still exist.
Technically, the World Government had authorized Kuro to retreat, but the order was little more than a formality. The Navy wasn’t foolish—they’d retreat outright if confronting an opponent they couldn’t handle, refusing to fight to the death.
Yet Kuro proved formidable, repelling Marshall D. Teach and inflicting heavy losses on his crew.
"At the time, it was a World Government command", Sakazuki said solemnly, his voice heavy with authority. "Old man, when you received the call, you moved immediately, Kuro. Understand that some commands cannot be defied."
"I know, Fleet Admiral Sakazuki", Kuro nodded, not pressing further.
They had no choice—the World Government held all the cards. Sakazuki’s explanation, however, had softened his resentment.
For a man of ironclad resolve like Sakazuki to speak thus was rare—a gesture of rare courtesy.
Fujita cast Sakazuki a sidelong glance, her lips curving into a faint smile before turning to Kuro. "Intelligence suggests Marshall D. Teach has left Beehive Island recently. Probably rallying forces. That battle cost him dearly—many of his envisioned ten giant captains were missing."
Kuro leaned back, a cigar dangling from his lips, his rugged demeanor exuding nonchalance. "Let him come. If that idiot Marshall D. Teach dares provoke me again, I’ll make him regret it."
Eliminating the Four Emperors was no small task. Men of such caliber could vanish at will unless cornered or choosing to fight to the death.
Especially a man like Marshall D. Teach. Compared to Kaido and Big Mom—who might fight Kuro to the bitter end in Wano Country, where their dreams were rooted—Marshall D. Teach’s ambitions weren’t tied to any single land. Wherever he went, he could rebuild his forces anew.
"The world is shifting", Fujita murmured.
Garp’s voice boomed in reply. "Your grandson caused quite a stir in Wano Country, rallying new allies to challenge Kaido and Big Mom’s alliance. Aren’t you worried?"
"Ha! That’s my old man’s grandson for you!" Garp chuckled.
"That wasn’t a compliment!" Fujita pressed her lips into a thin line. "You know full well he can’t win."
Garp laughed again, then sobered. "My grandson’s a pirate now—I can’t help much. What he does is his choice. I’ve done all I could." He glanced at Kuro, adding with a shrug, "Back in Sabaody, I interfered once. But pirates don’t respect an old man’s face the way Navy men do. Ha!"
"Funny family", Fujita sighed, shaking her head. "Your entire Monkey Family defies understanding."
Kuro wholeheartedly agreed.
The Monkey Family tree was a paradox: the elder brother a Navy legend, the middle a Revolutionary Army captain, the youngest a famed pirate. If the next generation joined Cipher Pol, they’d have a full set for mahjong.
Call them a modern Zhuge clan? Unsettling. Yet they clearly believed in diversification—a bizarre but effective strategy.
"Back to business—Kaido and Charlotte Big Mom’s alliance is for the Poneglyphs, right?" Sengoku asked gravely.
"They possess two", Sengoku continued, "but no one can decipher them. The locations of the other two remain unknown."
As Navy elites, they understood the Poneglyphs’ significance. Yet the Navy held none—their locations were either unreachable or unknown. Possessing one might even help contain the One Piece threat.
"Nico Robin is with Luffy’s crew", Fujita noted. "Though Kaido and Big Mom have their own decipherers, they seem unable to use the Poneglyphs effectively. Their goal is likely Nico Robin."
"She’s been labeled a wicked one for a reason!" Sakazuki clenched his fist. "That knowledge, even unused, tempts danger. If pirates capture her, they’ll grow bolder!"
"If one person can sway the world, let this fragile world tremble", Kuro said coolly. "We can’t stop them all."
Sakazuki studied Kuro, then slowly nodded, his fist relaxing.
"Speaking of which, Kuro", Sengoku interjected, "your Seven Warlords of the Sea are still incomplete, aren’t they?"
Kuro nodded. "One short. Finding suitable candidates isn’t easy—those who follow my rules and possess the qualifications are rare. That blue fatty Jinbei, for instance, refused my offer when we met on the road out of Wano Country. Insisted on being a helmsman instead!"
At the mention of "helmsman", the others understood.
"Pirates share the same stubborn streak", Kuro shrugged. "The Seven Warlords under my command are temporary allies at best. Cooperation’s ideal, but if not possible, we’ll find other means."
Six was enough for now. He’d once considered Faritear Joshua, but recent reports showed the man had turned full rebel—far more honorable than piracy in Kuro’s eyes. Better not drag him into murky waters.
Revolutionary or pirate, Kuro had no interest in provoking those who stood by their convictions.
"~Ooh, lovely chat you’ve got going on."
A teasing voice suddenly chimed from the doorway.
Kuro’s ears twitched as he rose.
Lucius Kro sauntered in, clad in a yellow dress uniform, sans hooded cloak.
"The real master arrives!" Kuro grinned, pulling out the main seat. "Gramps, take your place!"
(End of Chapter)
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