https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1130-Do-You-Think-I-Was-Playing-in-the-Mud-in-East-Blue-at-His-Age-/13541419/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1132-Navyface-King-Master-and-Pirateface-King-Master/13541425/
Chapter 1131: Navy Never Fears the Era!
Chapter 1131: Navy Never Fears the Era!
Hak’s words left Kuro without a counterargument.
Indeed.
Ever since this kid debuted, his actions had been nothing short of astonishing.
No need to mention East Blue—it was one thing. From Kuro’s perspective, Luffy’s strength when he first entered the Grand Line was indeed sufficient to dominate East Blue. Back then, he already had Haki, though he wielded it unconsciously.
But to defeat Crocodile immediately after entering the Grand Line? Kuro could only say Crocodile had truly bad luck. Then came Gecko Moria, even unluckier.
Kuro never truly believed Luffy was capable of taking down those two back then. Yet in any world, victory is measured by results—those two lost, plain and simple. The same went for Donquixote Doflamingo.
During the Enies Lobby incident, escaping under the Pacifista’s command? That was undeniably miraculous.
There was no better explanation than to call it a miracle.
Two years ago, when they were about to set sail from Shabondy, Kuro personally assessed their strength.
Back then, their power was so weak Kuro couldn’t be bothered to take them seriously. Of course, Garp had stopped him from acting.
Yet in merely two years, they now allied against the Four Emperors—with a real chance of victory.
From Kuro’s entry into the Grand Line until now, four years had passed. Luffy’s journey from East Blue to present day also spanned four years. However, he’d only been in Wano Country for about a year at most. When Kuro last visited, Luffy had barely escaped captivity. Now, he might actually defeat the Four Emperors?
How could Kuro believe that?
At this moment, Hak spoke, “But plainly, based on our intelligence and rumors, Luffy has endured so long in Wano Country without collapsing—actually growing stronger. He’s defeated countless opponents there. We can’t view this man through traditional lenses anymore. Or perhaps, consider this—if they truly win, what then?”
Her words made everyone’s expressions shift.
“It’ll plunge the world into chaos,” Togeko sighed.
“They must be wiped out completely!” Aokiji bit down on his cigar, his face solemn.
Yet undeniable—fear lingered among them.
If these new-generation pirates won, it would mean the Grand Line had entered a new era of frenzy. It would mean the Navy was about to plunge back into an age of turmoil.
“Lost in thought?”
Suddenly, a calm voice cut through.
All eyes turned toward the source—Kuro, seated beside Sakazuki.
Kuro set down his report, exhaled a puff of smoke, and swept a glance over the group. “Even if they truly win, so what? Since its founding, the Navy has always had enemies. That’s never changed. Eras remain the same—look at the past if you doubt it. After Rocks’ reign collapsed, who could’ve predicted the birth of the ‘Four Emperors Era’? If the Four Emperors fall, then as we’ve dubbed them, we’ll enter the [Era of Evil]. But in the end, it’s still just another pirate succession era.”
Kuro rose, walking to the Transponder Snail and flicking off its switch, making the screen’s image vanish.
“What we must do,” he continued, facing them, “is ensure they vanish.”
He turned to the group. “The higher-ups sent me, yes? Then I’ll go. Let me see if these people truly have the qualifications to defeat Kaido and Big Mom.”
At his words, faint smiles tugged at their lips.
His appointment as Admiral? The correct choice, without doubt.
Yes… the Navy had never feared any era.
The Rocks era had Garp and Sengoku. The Four Emperors era had the original Three Admirals. Even if a new era dawned, there would still be Kuro.
No matter the time, the Navy’s enemy would always be pirates. That was an eternal truth—this was their Justice!
“Thank you for your efforts,” Hak said slowly.
Sakazuki nodded, his voice heavy. “Go forth, Kuro. Do what must be done.”
Kuro flicked his hooded cloak and strode from the office, exiting the Headquarters building.
This trip to Wano Country would likely have no reinforcements. He himself was an Admiral. Except for major World Government operations, it was unheard of for two Admirals to act together—each operated alone.
Most crucially, there were simply no extra hands.
Tatsumaki guarded Mariejois per orders, Yi Xiaobrother managed the New World frontline. That left Kuro alone.
As an Admiral, his authority and obligations were clear.
Breaking through Wano Country was no small matter. This was a decisive move by the World Government, unlike Kuro’s previous solo mission to rescue Gramps—a brief, superficial intervention. Once he breached Wano, he’d need to prepare for war against two Four Emperors and even those Super Novas.
The influence in Wano Country now was overwhelming.
The Four Emperors’ influence, the Super Novas’ alliance, the Pelt Clan, Marco’s Whitebeard remnants—half the world-renowned powers were concentrated there.
Kuro directly issued orders to Klah, “Go—bring my ship out, full crew. Gather everyone. We’re heading to Wano Country!”
The Golden Lion’s forces had been dormant for ages. Now was the time to mobilize.
As for manpower, he wouldn’t bring many. Mobilizing 3,000 Navy from Headquarters’ ranks would suffice to penetrate Wano Country’s Warring Region.
No more than that—there simply weren’t more troops to spare.
The World Government wasn’t preparing for full-scale war, nor could they allocate more forces to Kuro.
3,000 was enough. He was going to observe the battlefield and execute operations, not plunge into combat and stir the pot.
Let a bunch of pirates fight amongst themselves. For a Navy force to enter such a mess would only invite concentrated attacks.
But he had to go. First, because only he could go. Second, he genuinely wanted to see—why CP0 had issued such an assessment.
Had Kaido and Charlotte “Big Mom” grown complacent from their Wano Country banquets… or had those young brats truly grown stronger?
…
On a certain island in the New World.
“My men!”
At an open space within the island, the three-scarred, left-eyed Shanks stood, laughing heartily. “Set sail! We move out!”
“Oy! Captain!!” The islanders roared in response, packing their belongings.
Ben Beckman approached Red-Haired Shanks, his voice wary. “Are we truly proceeding with the operation? The Navy might misunderstand.”
Red-Haired Shanks let out a soft laugh, gazing at the sky. “Someone must guide the new era.”
“Will we surely win?” Ben Beckman hesitated.
Red-Haired Shanks’ eyes shone with certainty. He nodded. “I believe in Luffy.”
A cloud above the sky seemed to morph slowly into a smiling figure wearing Luffy’s straw hat, radiating brilliance. Red-Haired Shanks stared, then let out a faint, proud chuckle.
“Times will always change. None remain unaltered. We too will one day be replaced. But the Will—only the Will can be passed on. The shifting eras, the dreams of men, the inherited Will… All we can do is navigate as temporary helmsmen until the next heir arises!”
(End of Chapter)
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