Chapter 1214: The First Meeting
Chapter 1214: The First Meeting
"Looks good?"
Kuro took a sharp breath. "Where did you get that tattoo? It even has a number! You didn’t join some wicked organization, did you?"
He couldn’t help but suspect—this design felt oddly familiar.
Forget the Spider part; the number triggered memories from Kuro’s twenty-plus years in the Navy.
"You didn’t seriously join a thief gang, did you? What could possibly be worth stealing? One Piece?" Kuro teased.
Kuzan raised an eyebrow. Before he could speak, Kuro added, "Joking! But this tattoo creeps me out. Makes my skin crawl."
"Ahh, well, even you have limits, huh?"
Kuzan stood, his shattered leg instantly reforming into ice. He grabbed a bathrobe from a rack, covering his body—and the tattoo on his shoulder.
Then he walked over, picked up a glass of milk, and chugged it.
Letting out a satisfied sigh, he said, "After a bath, a glass of milk hits just right. Want one?"
"Keep it. Watch your territory."
Kuro waved him off, stepping outside the hot spring pavilion with his Devil Fruit. Navy agents already waited at the door. Seeing him emerge, they presented two Log Pose pointers—one pointing to Proceed Headquarters, the other to Wano Country.
The World Government naturally had coordinates for this place. Otherwise, Gramps wouldn’t have come here, and CP0 couldn’t have arranged their trade.
With a flick of his finger, two Log Pose floated around him, soaring into the sky alongside his body, shooting toward the horizon like meteors before vanishing.
Kuzan had just grabbed a second milk bottle when he suddenly sensed something. Downing the milk in one gulp, he shook his head. "Just like Luo Wei said… hiding, huh?"
"Bororo…"
Suddenly, a Transponder Snail rang from his coat pocket.
Kuzan rummaged through his clothes, pulling out a white Transponder Snail first, then setting it down. He pulled out a black one, set that aside too.
"This one."
He retrieved a red-shelled Transponder Snail, lifting the receiver.
The snail’s face shifted, morphing into a bespectacled, sharp-eyed figure.
"Hello, this is Unit 6? I’m Unit 1."
"Ara ara, it’s you!" Kuzan scratched his head, feigning surprise.
"Ah, well?"
On the other end, Klah stiffened. Seeing the snail’s lazy posture and hearing that familiar tone, his pupils contracted. "Kuzan?!"
"Ara, I thought you’d recognize me", Kuzan said.
Klah’s voice cracked. "How could I?! Wait—Unit 6 is you?!"
"Is that so strange?"
"Extremely! Who let you in?! Kas and Wilbur shouldn’t know about this either!"
"Ara ara… I think it was Dressrosa’s king, David. He invited me."
"David?!"
Klah paused, taking a deep breath to steady himself. "Anyway, let’s start the meeting. I was going to call you, but since you’re here, come directly. Location: Flower Street."
"Perfect. I’d like to hear the details. See you there."
Kuzan hung up, glancing at the snail. Shaking his head, he chuckled. "Weird, isn’t it?"
He was Unit 6 of the Crimson Spider Clan—a recent addition.
Originally, he’d come to Dressrosa for investigation. After all, the kingdom’s new king, David, had conquered nations with unmatched might. Yet Kuzan remained puzzled—how did this war-obsessed nation manage to thrive?
He’d obtained Justice Faith, the book every Dressrosan carried. The content was decent, but mere words weren’t enough. Yet when followed, the book’s teachings became terrifyingly powerful.
Still, Dressrosa was just another strong nation—its Justice mirroring the Navy’s.
But after meeting David at sea and seeing the original Justice’s Words and someone’s handwritten draft, Kuzan understood.
Hence, he joined the Crimson Spider Clan.
The group was small, and before this meeting, members’ identities were secret. Kuzan only knew David was Unit 2. Others were unknown, though he guessed they’d be linked to Kuro.
As expected.
"Better head over."
Changing clothes, Kuzan left the hot spring pavilion for Flower Street.
Despite the name, this wasn’t Moer’s abhorred gambling-and-drugs district. This Flower Street was a refined spot for tea, flowers, and leisure. The entire street bloomed with exotic blossoms, offering a unique charm.
Reaching the venue, Kuzan ascended directly to the top floor. Sliding open the private room’s door, he found a massive round table. Three people already sat there, alongside two red Transponder Snails.
"Yo, we meet again", Kuzan quipped.
Klah pushed up his glasses, disbelief lingering in his eyes. "It’s really you, Kuzan."
"Kuzan, Mr.!"
Kas stood, excited. "With you joining, Kuro, Mr.’s vision takes a giant leap! I’m Kas, Unit 3 of the Crimson Spider Clan!"
"I’m Wilbur, Unit 4!" Wilbur added.
"Ara…" Kuzan grinned. "Should I say, I’m Kuzan, Unit 6 of the Crimson Spider Clan?"
"Come sit. Regardless, welcome, Kuzan", Klah said.
Kuzan shrugged, taking a seat. Two red Transponder Snails sat on the table—marked "2" and "5", both active.
"Wait, did we mess up? Kuzan? Kuzan?"
Unit 5’s snail sounded shocked. "He’s in? Never heard of this!"
"I invited him. He sought Justice, and we have what he needs", Unit 2’s snail replied.
Kuzan turned to Unit 5. "And you are?"
He knew Unit 2 was David, but Unit 5 remained mysterious.
"I’m Luo Wei, King of Insect Country", the snail replied.
Kuzan’s eyes widened. "Oh! The White Whale’s older brother!"
Kas scanned the room. "Chit-chat later. Meeting starts now. First gathering of the Crimson Spider Clan—begin."
(End of Chapter)
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