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Chapter 1201: Ambition Could No Longer Be Contained
Chapter 1201: Ambition Could No Longer Be Contained
Kaido was imprisoned, Kuro lowered the Castle Tower back into place, and the Navy separated the captives, securing them in various locations with chains.
The divisions were clear: the sub-basement held the Beasts Pirates' foot soldiers, the first underground level contained the Laughers, the second housed the Artificial Devil Fruit Recipients, the third detained the Six Crimson Stars and True Combatants, the fourth imprisoned Plague and Scorching Disaster, and the fifth level—Kaido alone.
Meanwhile, Kuro had the Navy fetch a chair, placing it in the plaza where he sat watching the cleanup.
"Mr. Kuro", Klah interjected, concern in his voice. "Do you think this will cause problems?"
"Who, Kaido? Of course there are problems. A man like him would never surrender his chance at survival, even for a moment."
Kuro spread his legs, resting his elbows on his knees, and planted his Yokai Blade upright in the ground. After flicking a cigar butt away, he exhaled a cloud of smoke.
"Then why not act on it? Everyone’s asking if I’m afraid. Should I lose face by executing him now—this prisoner who’s bound, drained of strength, and defeated by Luffy? That’s a humiliation the Old Man cannot afford."
He pulled another cigar from his coat, stuck it in his mouth, and motioned. Klah hurried forward, lighting it with a reverent two-handed grip on the lighter.
"After all, it’s just a public execution. Wano Country’s unique geography makes it nearly impossible for outsiders to enter or escape. Spreading the news won’t matter. No one promised global broadcast—there’s no time for that. Letting Wano’s people witness it should suffice. Besides, I’ve invited the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Their presence will handle security."
Wano’s natural barriers made entry extremely limited. There were only two ways in: either scale the Carp Falls or slash through the falls into the hidden passage, then wait for the boat above to pull you up.
The falls themselves tested ships’ sturdiness, while the hidden passage demanded sheer strength to cut through the waterfall. Even if one reached the passage, they’d need the locals to haul them up—a near impossibility. Wano rarely interacted with outsiders, and Kuro had already stationed guards at the "covert harbor" to prevent infiltration.
As for climbing the falls? One could drown trying to reach the top. With the Seven Warlords attending as both witnesses and guards, any risks to the execution would be neutralized.
Kuro had his reasons for summoning them. The Four Emperors were nearly eradicated, and he wanted the Warlords to witness this power shift. Let them remember their place as pirates.
The Four Emperors era had ended. Kuro knew this news would ignite chaos in the New World. Those silver medalists who’d narrowly missed the Four Emperors’ ranks would soon initiate bloodier battles. Similarly, ambitious Warlords would vie for those vacant thrones—they had the advantage.
Kuro needed to send a warning. Using Kaido’s execution as a spectacle was perfect.
"Have the Warlords been notified yet?" Kuro asked.
"Not yet. I’ll inform them shortly", Klah replied.
Kuro nodded, chewing his cigar as he watched the Navy work. He sighed. "Troublesome."
"Klah!"
Klah straightened instinctively. "Yes, sir!"
"Before Kaido’s execution, resolve Wano’s affairs—including their demands. I trust your intellect. Give me a flawless plan", Kuro ordered.
"Mr. Kuro", Klah grimaced, "where do we even begin? The World Government has no prestige here, and the Navy’s relationship with Wano is... tenuous."
"Tch. If they were friendly, I’d just annex them as a member state. Now act. Everyone’s captured—good or bad. Make it work. Ensure a Marine Base is established here."
Klah pressed his lips together. Wano was vast, its native Samurai fiercely independent. A single misstep could spark rebellion. But then...
All captured?
His eyes widened. He stared at Kuro, who chewed his cigar with inscrutable eyes. That gaze—
—bore the unmistakable scent of ambition.
Klah inhaled sharply, steadying his voice. "Mr. Kuro... does 'captured' mean even the Samurai are under control?"
"Of course. If they weren’t, the Red Scabbards might rally them for another strike. Their hatred for Kaido is absolute—they’d never let the Old Man execute him slowly. These aren’t pirates, so I can’t just kill them. If they stormed in and took Kaido’s head, where would that leave my reputation?"
Kuro’s reasoning was cold logic. To prevent accidents, he’d preemptively imprisoned everyone.
Over 30,000 captives, including 5,000 Wano Samurai—nearly 40,000 souls squeezed into the Castle Tower, making it burst at the seams.
But to Klah, this meant something else entirely.
Everyone’s captured.
Plus the arrival of the Seven Warlords.
And the World Government’s promised privileges...
Something clicked. More hints needed!
Kuro was playing a role, Klah knew. The higher the position, the more elaborate the performance. CP0 was watching—no blunt questions, no clear answers. Kuro’s secrets must stay buried.
But how to probe for that final confirmation?
Lida suddenly spat out his lollipop. "Kuro, why not become Shogun? Then I could eat Wano’s delicacies for free. Haven’t tried them yet."
"Eat, eat, eat. All you know is food", Kuro scoffed. "If you get the current ruler to perform an abdication ceremony for me, I’ll gladly take the Shogun title. If Kaido could become Ming King of National Defense, why can’t I be Shogun? If pirates can hold the title, why not a Navy officer?"
The words struck Klah like thunder, reverberating through his mind. He clenched his fist, breathing deeply to calm himself. Pushing his glasses up, his voice trembled. "Mr. Kuro... I’ll find a solution. May I excuse myself to tend to my wounds?"
Kuro waved him off.
As Klah strode toward the harbor, Lida leaned toward Kuro. "Will he manage it?"
"How should I know? Maybe he’ll surprise us", Kuro shrugged, indifferent.
Fourty thousand captives. A Marine Base in Wano. Troublesome issues, yes—but why strain his brain? That’s what subordinates are for.
Klah walked faster, his head bowed until he reached the riverbank. Gazing at the distant Golden Lion, he muttered:
"The World Government’s reach ends here. Mr. Kuro’s ambitions can no longer hide. Wano’s a gem, and with their promised privileges..."
He boarded his ship, heading to his quarters.
"Blackbeard’s Giant Serpent became Shogun through the previous ruler’s abdication. Legitimacy matters. If we can secure that, Mr. Kuro can claim the title. Then we’ll have time to reshape this place. Even turn the Samurai into the new Navy... but we need one key figure."
In his room, Klah stripped off his torn battle armor, stepping into the shower. Steam fogged the mirror as he turned, catching his reflection—his tall, rigid posture.
On his shoulder, a crimson spider tattoo glared back, its body marked with a bold number: 1.
"Kas..." he whispered, eyes locked on the mirror.
(Two days remained. A humble request for monthly tickets.)
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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