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Chapter 1246: Kuro, Have You Been Well Since We Last Met?
Chapter 1246: Kuro, Have You Been Well Since We Last Met?
Ten days later, beneath Wano Country, a pirate ship bearing Big Mom's flag approached the waterfall at the far end of Wano Country.
Not Carp Falls, but the hidden waterfall at Wano Country's rear entrance—the gateway to the Stealth Port.
"Brother Katakuri, are you sure you want to go in alone?"
On the ship's deck, a hag-faced woman anxiously asked the man standing near the bow.
The man was tall and imposing, with fiery red hair, long legs, and a faint scar stitched across his cheek. A scarf concealed his mouth, while his metallic, armor-like clothing jingled with every movement. Clutching a trident, his eyes remained grim as he stared at the approaching waterfall.
Hearing Brûlée's question, Katakuri shook his head. "They specifically invited me alone. Now that Mother's gone, only I can represent the Big Mom Pirates. Lower the skiff."
"Brother Katakuri—"
Before Brûlée could protest further, Perospero interrupted, his long tongue flicking out as he ambled over on a gentleman's cane made of candy. "Katakuri, make sure to negotiate well! Don't disgrace the Big Mom Pirates' reputation!"
After their argument ended, Perospero reluctantly accepted Katakuri's decision. There was no choice—everyone recognized Katakuri as their de facto captain now, so they had to follow his plan.
Though their mother had been slain by Golden Lion and they'd been swatted away like flies, becoming one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea was actually a wise choice.
After calming down, Perospero rationally concluded this was their only viable path forward. Without Big Mom, their strength remained formidable, but their confidence had crumbled. With pirates, rebels, and the Navy all circling like vultures, aligning with a powerful faction to bide their time made sense.
As Seven Warlords, they'd gain countless advantages. Hunting pirates? That was business as usual anyway.
"I understand, Big Brother Perospero. I'll be careful."
Katakuri nodded. As the skiff was lowered, he leapt onto it, trident in hand, and rowed toward the waterfall. Just before reaching it, he thrust his trident forward with tremendous force, splitting the waterfall in two. He slipped through the opening, the cascading water sealing shut behind him.
"Brother Katakuri..."
Brûlée watched the closed waterfall anxiously. "Big Brother Perospero, do you really think he'll be okay?"
"Of course", Perospero replied casually. "What do you take Golden Lion for? If he wanted to destroy us, he wouldn't need to trick just one of us into coming here—he'd have wiped us all out already. Katakuri's no Mother, but even Big Mom fell to that man."
He gazed at the waterfall, murmuring, "Don't worry. At worst, it'll just be awkward. Katakuri will handle it."
After traversing the dark tunnel, Katakuri reached the abyssal depths. Mechanisms rose from the water, lifting his skiff upward until he glimpsed light above.
He had arrived in Wano Country.
At the exit, two silent Navy squads stood at rigid attention, ignoring Katakuri's arrival.
"Katakuri?"
A voice echoed as he scanned the area. He turned to see a bespectacled man in a black dress uniform waiting ahead.
Katakuri recognized him instantly. As Golden Lion's fame grew, his Navy officers had become well-known figures in the Grand Line.
Black Wolf Klah.
Seeing Katakuri's gaze, Klah said, "Come with me. Mr. Kuro's waiting. Honestly, I half-expected to throw your entire crew out."
Pirates rarely obeyed orders, and though Mr. Kuro had demanded only Katakuri come to Wano Country, no one—including Kuro himself—believed the Big Mom Pirates would comply. Klah had prepared for a confrontation, but Katakuri's solo arrival surprised him.
Yet it made sense. After all, Golden Lion had slain Big Mom herself. Who wouldn't fear him?
Escorted by Klah, Katakuri strode toward the Flower Capital's castle tower. Soon, they reached an ornate sliding paper door. Klah slid it open, bowing slightly as he entered. Katakuri followed, stepping into a grand, opulent hall.
Traditional Wano attire-clad attendants stood respectfully alongside rigid Navy officers. At the dais ahead, a man lounged on a cushion, writing with a brush pen.
"Hey, Kuro, are you even trying?"
A white-haired girl beside him grumbled, "This looks so embarrassing!"
"Embarrassing? This is cursive script! Cursive, understand?!"
The man snapped, lifting his head. His hair parted sharply from his brow, revealing a strikingly handsome face that somehow looked both dazed and harmless.
Looks could be deceiving.
Katakuri tensed as he approached.
This man—Golden Lion—had ended an era, reducing the Four Emperors to relics of the Old Era. The Navy's newest admiral and the true bane of the Old World.
"Mr. Kuro", Klah announced, "Katakuri has arrived."
Kuro paused mid-stroke, glancing up with a grin. "Kuro, have you been well since we last met?"
Huh? Katakuri blinked. What did that mean?
"Just kidding!" Kuro chuckled. "You actually came alone. Appreciate the gesture. Here, take this couplet back with you."
Couplet? What was that?
Katakuri pressed his lips together. "Golden Lion, I'm here about your offer regarding the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
"No rush, no rush! Since you're here, let me write you one—" He resumed scribbling on two long scrolls.
He was writing couplets. Originally unplanned, but with Wano's New Year festival approaching and Lida's involvement, Kuro had gotten into the spirit, grabbing paper to pen some festive couplets.
(End of Chapter)
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