Chapter 1213: Stand Up!!
Chapter 1213: Stand Up!!
The Wano Country uprising Kuro had anticipated never materialized. Two or three days passed, and everything remained unchanged—perhaps even livelier than before.
No rebellion.
Not only was there no rebellion, but craftsmen had even volunteered to repair the Castle Tower.
In their words: "We must give the new Shogun a complete home."
And they said this with beaming smiles.
This left Kuro genuinely puzzled.
How? Could he really become Shogun of Wano Country?
Was this real?
"Shogun officer!"
At this moment, a group of Wano Country citizens spotted Kuro strolling through Flower Capital’s main street. They immediately dropped to their knees, kowtowed, and prostrated themselves.
Kuro could only twitch his lips, then waved his hand dismissively. "Don’t kneel, don’t kneel! I don’t do kneeling here."
But his words fell on deaf ears. The crowd remained rooted to the ground, leaving Kuro feeling increasingly helpless.
Sighing, he glanced left and right, then his eyes lit up. He gestured to a nearby officer maintaining order. "Wilbur! You come handle this!"
Wilbur, the officer in question, hurried over and snapped a salute. "Kuro, Mr.!"
"Your job now."
With that, Kuro turned and left.
This wasn’t the first time such a scene had played out. With the Castle Tower still under repair, he had nowhere to stay and had returned to the Golden Lion. He’d come ashore for a casual walk, but these encounters kept happening.
If he were truly the Shogun of Wano Country, it might be one thing. But he’d been expecting rebellion at any moment. Now, being treated like royalty only to risk being overthrown later? That would be deeply embarrassing.
How would it sound?
That the great Admiral Kuro was driven out of Wano Country?
Didn’t that sound absurd?
"Kuro! Kuro!"
From a distance, Lida came running, holding several sticks of Oden like a treasure. She thrust them toward him. "This is delicious! Try it!"
Kuro grumbled, "Eat, eat, eat—that’s all you know! When will you ever help me with anything?"
Even as he scolded her, he grabbed all the Oden from her hands and stuffed them into his mouth in one go.
"Guuh…"
Lida let out a muffled growl, then huffed and reached into her shoulder bag. Pouting, she muttered, "I’ve got plenty more!"
She pulled out several pastries. "Look! Wano Country’s specialty—persimmon cake! So tasty! And more! And more! This one—"
She stuffed a few sugar-coated persimmon cakes into her mouth while digging deeper into her bag. Suddenly, she froze.
She pulled out a glowing Emerald Devil Fruit, dangling it curiously. "What’s this? A grape?"
Kuro’s head shot up, eyes wide. He snatched it from her hands. "This is—"
The fruit was entirely jade-green, resembling a cluster of grapes with faint leaf patterns. The shallow green veins cradled a deep blue core.
A Devil Fruit!
Lida had struck gold!
Kuro had only defeated two people in Wano Country: Kaido and Big Mom.
But neither of their spoils had been cataloged. He couldn’t identify this one, but—
It was undeniably something extraordinary.
Kuro stared at Lida, bewildered. "You… hit the jackpot."
"Eh? A Devil Fruit? Unforgivable! It’s taking up my snack space!" Lida puffed her cheeks.
Kuro rolled his White Eye. "Marshall D. Teach would probably die of rage if he heard you say that."
"Bororo…"
Suddenly, the Transponder Snail on Kuro’s wrist rang.
He activated it, and the snail’s shell transformed into a stern, resolute visage.
"Kuro."
It was Sakazuki.
"Ah, Fleet Admiral Sakazuki."
The snail’s voice carried a crisp tone. "First, congratulations. The Navy has officially recognized you as a new hero. The old man approves of this epithet."
"?"
Kuro’s face shifted to confusion, then realization. "Did Headquarters send a report?"
"They did. Your current geographical location likely won’t receive it, but no matter. Return to Headquarters. They want to see you in person. Also, the Navy requires your official report. We’ll discuss details later."
Kuro glanced at the Devil Fruit in his hand and nodded. "Fine. I was planning to return anyway."
"Should I arrange a replacement for your post?" Sakazuki asked.
"No need. I can hold this position. I’ll leave it as is."
Ending the call, Kuro turned to Lida. "You heard that. Coming back with me?"
She shook her head. "I haven’t eaten enough yet."
"Fine. Stay here and eat."
Kuro nodded, then suddenly barked, "Wilbur!"
"Present!"
Wilbur materialized instantly.
"Secure this place. No accidents. Maintain Wano Country’s stability while I’m at Headquarters. Oh, and do you know where Kuzan is?"
Wilbur hesitated. "Kuzan, Admiral… No, Kuzan mentioned he wanted to soak in a hot spring."
Nodding, Kuro strode off with the Devil Fruit.
Lida ran off to find more snacks. Her Oden stash had been stolen, after all.
Wilbur watched Kuro’s retreating figure, then turned to the crowd still kneeling in reverence after their Shogun’s departure. He nodded thoughtfully.
Then, he pulled out a small notebook and muttered while scribbling: "Kuro said: ‘Don’t kneel, don’t kneel! I don’t do kneeling here.’"
He carefully tucked the notebook into his chest, then retrieved a golden-covered book. Flipping it open, he shouted toward the crowd:
"Kurozumi Orochi and Kaido represented the old regime’s tyranny. Before this, every Shogun forced you to kneel—but the new order—"
He pointed at the people.
"The new order lets you stand up!!"
...
Flower Capital naturally had hot springs. At the largest hot spring bathhouse, Kuro found Kuzan exactly where he’d expected.
Kuzan lay sprawled at the pool’s edge, his head resting on his arms, utterly relaxed.
Kuro walked in holding the Devil Fruit, smirking. "Looks like you’re enjoying yourself."
"Eh, it’s you."
Kuzan opened one eye, glanced at the fruit, and grinned. "Visiting me and bringing gifts? You’re too kind."
"Drink it yourself, then. Or take it to the dog’s table."
Kuro rolled his White Eye. "I’m heading to Headquarters. If you’re free, keep an eye on things here. I’ll owe you one."
With Kuzan here, Kuro felt completely at ease. Who could possibly climb up from Carp Falls with that ice-user on watch?
"Oh? Acceptable. I was planning to stay anyway. I was even thinking of asking you for a job."
Kuzan chuckled, propping himself up on his arms.
"Cut the crap." Kuro waved him off, then froze. His gaze locked onto Kuzan’s upper body.
On the shoulder where Kuzan’s old burn scar lay, a strange new mark had appeared.
A crimson spider tattoo spanned the entire scar, with a bold number "6" etched onto the spider’s body.
"This?"
Kuzan followed Kuro’s stare, tapping the tattoo with his finger. His voice turned cryptic. "Don’t you think this tattoo looks great?"
(End of Chapter)
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