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Chapter 1132: Navyface King Master and Pirateface King Master
Chapter 1132: Navyface King Master and Pirateface King Master
The Grand Line is vast beyond measure. Even calling it a "sea route" feels inadequate—vastness defines this maritime region.
The New World's waters are the world's most treacherous. Due to magnetic anomalies, the surrounding Calm Belt's Sea Kings appear far more frequently than in the first half of the Grand Line. As the least stable climate zone, it also hosts bizarre phenomena bordering on "miracles."
Lightning storms? Child's play.
The rare "rainbow mist" phenomenon common in the first half of the Grand Line isn't exactly routine here—but it's far from exceptional in the New World.
You might suddenly encounter a skyward-rushing Ascending Tidal Current that launches ships to Skypiea itself.
But snakes have their paths, mice their trails. For those living in the New World and managing to thrive, these conditions aren't insurmountable.
Of course, the Navy has its own methods for reading climate and sea safety.
Now, a golden object glided steadily through the Grand Line.
Approaching closer, it revealed itself as a colossal golden galleon—massive as a floating fortress. Its hull bristled with fortress-like clusters of cannons, while its prow featured a majestic golden lion's head.
This was the Golden Lion, Admiral Kuro's flagship.
Beneath the fortress-like superstructure—wide enough to resemble city streets—scores of Navy personnel bustled about, maintaining the flagship's operations. In the grandest fortress atop the ship, within the highest platform office, Kuro lounged in a throne-like chair. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the armrest.
Facing him, Klah held a report. "Admiral Kuro", he asked, "should we mobilize the Seven Warlords of the Sea?"
Before departure, Kuro had tasked Klah with verifying Wano Country's true situation.
As commander of his "Sword" division, Kuro maintained a sub-commander there—Red Flag X Drake, one of the Six Crimson Stars.
Their Navy had infiltrated enemy ranks.
But the findings stunned Kuro.
Current combat was chaotic. The Six Crimson Stars were preoccupied, and the Triad Calamities—aside from Jack the Disaster, killed by Kuro—matched intelligence from CP0 exactly. Straw Hat Pirates had neutralized the remaining two disasters. Kaido and Big Mom were locked in bitter struggle.
Not a staged conflict—real war.
Kuro's brow furrowed. Though skeptical—X Drake's intel quality was questionable—this bitter fight seemed genuine.
Knowing Kuro's cautious nature, Klah suggested, "Should we deploy the Seven Warlords?"
Utilizing that combat power would be foolish to waste.
Kuro pondered. "No. The Seven Warlords are stabilizing other regions. We must consider Wano Country's potential fallout—keep most forces in Navy core territories."
Better safe than sorry. Let them stand ready for emergencies.
"Engage Kaido and Big Mom directly!"
Lida, devouring snacks on a nearby sofa, lifted her head excitedly. "Last time Wano Country left me behind—I'm coming this time!"
"What's there to see!"
Kuro shot her a glare.
"Listen carefully", he warned. "Reaching Wano Country, your priority is survival. Don't assume Armament Haki guarantees protection. Our infiltration will be as perilous as the Top War. Though not direct combat, avoid drawing concentrated firepower. Who's in Wano Country? Two pirate factions fighting while others pick sides—pirate alliances, pirate betrayals. At the end of the day, they're all pirates!"
Pirates, through and through. Yet they were Navy—risked becoming targets themselves.
"And you know how dangerous Four Emperors' battles get! Last time against Blackbeard, if I hadn't reacted swiftly, you'd be dead!"
Kuro continued, "And Shanks—if Mihawk hadn't challenged me to that duel, I might've clashed with him directly. Don't ask why, just know my temper's short. Joking aside, does he think he can intimidate me? Where would my pride go?"
"Shanks", Klah mused. "We've heard nothing from him lately. Even among Four Emperors, he's been unusually quiet."
"Pirate cultism, probably", Kuro scoffed. "Pretending to 'guide the era'—at forty-one, still in his prime. Luffy's young enough to be his son, yet he's already passing the torch? A Four Emperors acting like some ancient turtle cultist. If he hadn't received intelligence by now, intercepting me mid-journey—like he did Kaido at Marineford—would be typical."
Shanks' motives always baffled him.
Interrupting Kaido, then storming Marineford to halt the war—playing savior while being a pirate himself.
Pirates shouldn't play hero. That was the Navy's role.
Whoosh!
White light flashed through the office.
Moer materialized, his expression grave. "Admiral Kuro, we have a problem."
"Hm?" Kuro turned—then froze. His gaze followed Moer's to the panoramic window. From this vantage point, they clearly saw an approaching silhouette—a ship.
Its sails bore a scarred skull with crossed blades.
Any Grand Line veteran would recognize it—especially Navy.
"Red Force!" Klah gasped. "Admiral Kuro—it's Shanks!"
Kuro's eyes widened. "Damn it! He actually came to block us?!"
A self-fulfilling prophecy.
"Orders, Admiral?" Klah asked. "Should we retreat?"
"Retreat?!" Kuro lit a cigar, blew a smoky plume, and strode out gripping his sword Autumn Water. "Let's see what tricks he's got!"
On deck, Sazil led armored Navy troops, watching the pirate ship approach. He swallowed hard.
Red Force—the flagship of Four Emperors' Red-Haired Shanks.
Why now? Why here? Coincidence?
The ship closed the distance, aligning with Golden Lion's prow. Though smaller than the golden leviathan, its approach darkened the sky, pressing on Sazil like a storm.
What does this powerhouse want?
Taking a steadying breath, Sazil marched to the bow and roared downward. "Shanks! What business blocks our path?!"
He was Navy. He wouldn't cower—especially before pirates!
His recent record disappointed superiors—repeatedly outmaneuvered by Kemorike. Another failure would be disgrace. Admiral Kuro warned—disgrace meant reassignment to headquarters for remedial training.
No shame would he bring.
On Red Force's bow, Shanks smiled. "Easy, sailor. Just hoping for a chat with your Admiral. Mind granting me boarding?"
"Pirate boarding a warship?!" Sazil growled. "Don't overestimate yourself, Shanks! Clear the way!"
"Can't you spare a favor?" Shanks chuckled.
"Favors?!"
Kuro's voice thundered behind him.
The Admiral appeared atop the golden lion's head, glaring downward. "What favors could I grant...that you'd grant me in return?"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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