https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1202-Is-There-a-Possibility-We-re-Running-a-Business-/13541670/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1204-Step-Down-from-Your-Position/13541699/
Chapter 1203: Should You Inherit Old Man's Position?
Chapter 1203: Should You Inherit Old Man's Position?
The news of the Four Emperors Era hadn't even been officially announced by the World Government when the Seven Warlords of the Sea received personal invitations from Kuro to gather the breaking news.
The message stunned all Seven Warlords of the Sea - Kuro had broken through Wano Country, slain Big·mom, and captured Kaido. They were invited to witness Kaido's execution ceremony in Wano Country.
This news immediately mobilized the Seven Warlords of the Sea, who received Kuro's command to assemble at Dressrosa before proceeding together to Wano Country.
Within Wano Country, Kuro remained active. He personally guarded Kaido in the fifth level of the stronghold.
The massive fifth level lay in ruins, buildings reduced to rubble.
Holding a bottle of liquor, Kuro spat out his cigar and took a swig before addressing the tightly bound Kaido beside him: "What a waste. Fighting here turned this fine place into a battlefield."
"Hmph!"
Kaido responded with a malevolent grin but said nothing. He opened his mouth to bite the floating liquor bottle, gulping down two mouthfuls before exhaling sharply: "Hey, Kuro, what're you planning to do with my subordinates?"
"Not sure yet. We'll decide later, but making them watch your execution first will eliminate any lingering hope they might have."
Kuro sat cross-legged, speaking casually while staring at the enormous hole left by Luffy and Kaido's combat: "How do you feel about being defeated by Luffy?"
"Orohohohoho! If you keep underestimating him, Kuro, you'll suffer too!"
Kaido laughed: "He defeated Old Man - that's undeniable. The victor takes everything. The Grand Line won't be boring anymore!"
"I know that better than you. The pirate era never changed. From your old captain to you, then to the new era - it's just a normal transition."
Kuro chuckled: "I'm just curious - does it feel humiliating getting beaten by a newcomer?"
Kaido's face darkened, falling silent.
This guy had been captured multiple times yet remained arrogantly alive. Seeing his defeated expression wasn't common - better enjoy it now before losing the chance.
Taking another drink, Kuro continued: "Can't blame you entirely. I received your intelligence from Headquarters - fighting nonstop without rest. Worn down by a newcomer with endurance, plus betrayal from your own daughter. Seems like you're a lifelife loser after all."
Kaido growled: "Enough, Kuro! Old Man was still a 'sea emperor'!"
"You were defeated by Luffy."
"Old Man was Wano Country's Ming King of National Defense!"
"You were defeated by Luffy."
"Old Man was someone the Navy feared! No one can kill me!"
"You were defeated by Luffy."
Kaido: "..."
Gritting his teeth, he snapped: "Can we stop mentioning Luffy?!"
"You were backstabbed by your daughter." Kuro added casually.
Kaido glared murderously.
Kuro shrugged: "Don't get so worked up. You're about to die anyway. Let's chat - we've known each other for years. From leaving Rocks with nothing to building this reputation, might as well have a proper farewell."
Kaido bit the liquor bottle again, taking two gulps before exhaling in satisfaction: "Orohohohoho! Of course Old Man could do it! Because Old Man is Kaido! Old Man wants to change this boring world - had that idea ever since escaping that experiment room!"
"Experiment room? I've heard rumors."
Kuro smiled: "Heard you were sent to an experiment room after your first capture."
Kaido sneered: "Oh? Kuro, you actually investigated that? Just some other race's experiment room. Old Man's 'demon,' Burn's 'Lunarian' - they conducted durability experiments, but those procedures were nothing special. Escaping was effortless."
"There were achievements though - that Peach Dragon should be your genetic creation."
Kuro sighed: "Vegapunk's lifefactor research was impressive, though still inferior to your Azure Dragon lineage."
Kuro knew Kaido had been captured young, sent to the World Government's experiment room. Back when he was Gramps' subordinate, he'd even met that mad scientist obsessed with research.
How to describe it... quite sci-fi.
But Kuro never connected with him - the man wasn't one for conversation.
Kaido laughed like hearing a joke: "Oh? Oden's son got Old Man's genes? Orohohoho! How ironic!"
Kuro rolled his White Eye: "You failure shouldn't mock others."
Kaido fell silent, then suddenly said: "That Luffy... might be the 'Joy Boy'."
"The Happy Boy?"
Kuro scoffed: "Not sure about that stuff. But bringing laughter and hope through one person alone seems too idealistic."
"Exactly!" Kaido bared his teeth: "Old Man doesn't believe in that! So Old Man's way to change the world is doing it myself! This world's been stagnant too long! Big Mom's useless - she only cares about her own kingdom. Without changing that, nothing's possible!"
Kuro glanced at him, then pulled out a cigar box, offering one to Kaido: "One for the road?"
"Old Man only drinks!"
Kuro raised an eyebrow, lighting a cigar himself: "Pirates talking about changing the world..."
Kaido snarled: "Pirates are the only ones with dreams! You Navy dogs understand nothing! Just lapdogs of the World Government! You'll never dare go to Laugh Tale! That alone would shake those idiots' foundations! Old Man failed, but the era hasn't changed! Those seeking Laugh Tale remain! You can't stop it!"
"Not my problem. I'm just Navy. The world changes, we keep doing our job."
Kuro shrugged: "Just some island. What's the point? If circling the world once leads to One Piece, why would you stay in Wano Country?"
Not everyone wants to become Pirate King. Not everyone's path to One Piece involves circumnavigating the world to find the Final Island.
Whitebeard didn't care. Kaido had his own goals. Big Mom settled for her corner. Surrendered Shanks never had that ambition. Marshall D. Teach wanted something else entirely.
As for Kuro...
He had other pointers. If needed, he'd sink the island someday.
"Orohohohoho! Kuro, my subordinates are useful! If you want to rule Wano Country, they're essential! The World Government isn't trustworthy! Here, you'd have better prospects!"
Kaido's eyes burned with madness: "Inherit Old Man's position! With your ability, you'd quickly dominate the New World!"
His dream had failed.
But if he could implant this idea into this man's mind...
The world...
Would become even more frenzied!!
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(End of Chapter)
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