Chapter 1242: We Will Prevail
Chapter 1242: We Will Prevail
At Stealth Port, several warships were being hoisted upward in succession by mechanical lifts.
A bearded man and a mustachioed man appeared at the port, leading Navy forces into the Flower Capital. They marched toward Castle Tower to report to Kuro.
"Kuro, sir!"
Inside the grand hall, Kas and Wilbur raised their hands in sharp salute, their voices booming.
"Oh, you're back."
Kuro, who had just finished venting his anger at Klah, no longer felt any resentment toward Kas. He replied casually.
Kas nodded firmly. "Yes, Kuro, sir! We've eliminated the fleet from Ideal Village. Upon hearing the main culprit had invaded Wano Country, we returned immediately!"
"Hmph, good timing. Go hand over the prisoner at Rabbit Onsen to CP0. Don't meddle in anything else." Kuro waved dismissively.
"Understood, sir!" Kas nodded again, his expression resolute.
If Kuro had entrusted this task to him, it meant he had full authority to handle it. He would ensure everything was resolved flawlessly!
"Alright, you two handle the handover with them", Kuro ordered.
"Understood!"
Kas and Wilbur saluted once more before turning and exiting.
Outside Castle Tower, CP0 agents were already waiting.
A man wearing a black-and-white mask had his arm bandaged and limped as he walked.
"Follow me to escort the prisoner back", the masked man commanded.
He hadn't dared enter Castle Tower for days since Kuro had thrown him from the fifth level. After having his physical strength drained by Lida, he had been helpless to resist. Being tossed from such a height had left him injured.
If he entered again, the consequences would be far worse than mere injuries.
Once he returned...
He would file a formal complaint, ensuring the Five Elders learned of Kuro's despicable behavior!
This time, he was determined. Though he'd lodged complaints before, they'd been trivial matters the Five Elders dismissed. Kuro's connections with the World Nobles meant nothing ever stuck.
But now was different.
He had gathered critical intelligence.
Kuro's actions in Wano Country mirrored exactly what he'd done in Dressrosa. What did that imply?
As a Navy officer, he had meddled in the affairs of sovereign kingdoms!
Most crucially, the World Government was completely unaware!
This man harbored dangerous ambitions, far from the harmless figure the Five Elders believed him to be.
Once this intelligence reached them, the Five Elders would finally view Golden Lion with suspicion and reassign him elsewhere!
Then we'll see how he handles himself!
"I'm afraid I don't have time", Kas replied coolly to the masked man's demand. "I'm not your subordinate. This matter doesn't concern me, and I've received no orders. Out of comrade solidarity, I'll accompany you to Rabbit Onsen, but how you proceed is your own problem."
"You expect us to succeed without Navy forces in Wano Country? Do you want the mission to fail?!" the masked man barked.
"This isn't my mission. My superiors never informed me of such matters. I was only ordered to assist in transferring the prisoner. How many you take and how you do it is your concern", Kas said flatly.
"You—"
The masked man glared at Kas, who met his gaze in silence.
Under Kas's piercing stare, the masked man instinctively stepped back, unable to maintain eye contact.
Those eyes were too brilliant!
Their radiant glory forced the masked man to recoil.
"That's settled then. We'll wait until you're ready to escort the prisoner back. Come to Rabbit Onsen when you're prepared", Kas said, turning away without another word and leaving with Wilbur.
They needed to proceed to Rabbit Onsen first to resolve the remaining issues.
Currently, they had only captured Oni, but there were still others to negotiate with—plenty of room for persuasion.
While the stance of 'Plague,' another of the Three Disasters, remained unclear, the Six Crimson Stars offered significant potential. Those they could sway would be included in the prisoner transfer. Those they couldn't would remain.
This was their strategy—a pragmatic approach.
Since they intended to recruit Oni as a pirate, they would carefully observe and persuade these potential recruits, ensuring no unfavorable elements remained.
Quinn could wait. Such a high-profile figure risked complications if released prematurely.
Of the Six Crimson Stars, besides X Drake—who had already restored his Navy status—five others were viable candidates for persuasion.
Kas had studied them thoroughly.
Runty and Peggy were siblings, raised by Kaido since childhood. Neither was inherently evil. Whether through their respect for strength or their personal sense of justice, they could be convinced. After all, becoming pirates required fewer rigid conditions.
Fujitora would be the easiest to win over. Having seen the World Government's corruption and escaped from Impel Down, he was desperately seeking faith and purpose—rumored to be searching for 'Joy Boy' as a spiritual beacon. However, his resentment toward the Navy meant he should be handled last, when the situation stabilized.
Black Maria was a textbook 'might makes right' type. While she had no strict requirements, the easier she was to persuade, the harder she might be to control, as she might reject their philosophy. But this wasn't a major concern—Oni would supervise her, and they could keep their true intentions hidden.
Sasuki was once a pirate, similarly believing in strength. However, he was fiercely loyal. Once he pledged allegiance, he wouldn't waver.
Currently, he remained loyal to Kaido. If he escaped, he might shift loyalty to Oni—or more likely, given Kuro's overwhelming power, Sasuki would eventually defect to him.
As for the remaining pirates, they would need to be screened.
With CP0 breathing down their necks, they couldn't persuade each one individually. They would select a group to present as pirates—even using deception if necessary—to meet the required numbers.
After all, nearly forty thousand prisoners couldn't all be handed over. The higher-ups likely wouldn't want them all either. A manageable number would suffice. Once CP0 departed, they would seal the country and begin transforming it. With Oni's natural authority as a barrier, the World Government would lose control over Wano.
Meanwhile, operations in North Blue and West Blue were underway. They needed time. Once Luo Wei and the Vinsmoke Family completed their missions, Wano would be nearly ready.
Then, they could finally wrestle with the World Government!
"They may not be the greatest evil, but they are the embodiment of evil", Kas murmured, instinctively clenching his fist. "We will prevail. We must!"
(End of Chapter)
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