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Chapter 1250: I'll Never Leave Again!
Chapter 1250: I'll Never Leave Again!
Katakuri's eyes instinctively widened. Though he couldn't truly "see", his Observation Haki allowed him to glimpse the future—Kuro's movements, the precise spot his body would be severed.
He foresaw Kuro materializing behind him, sheathing his blade after a slash from his right shoulder to left waist.
Logically, knowing this should let him evade. If he activated his ability to transform into a sticky, malleable form and split his body, Kuro's strike would fail.
He acted on this thought—
Hmph.
As the wind of the slash brushed his body, Katakuri barely began shifting when he suddenly turned his head. Kuro had already appeared behind him, blade raised mid-draw.
Noticing Katakuri's gaze, Kuro straightened, twirling Autumn Water in a flourish before beginning to sheath it.
At that moment, Katakuri's chest transformed into a sticky mass, parting as if dodging the attack, mimicking the gap left by Autumn Water's residual energy.
Had he evaded?
Katakuri stared at his chest, stunned. He wanted to declare he'd dodged it—wanted to boast even about resisting the Golden Lion's slash.
But as he opened his mouth, he froze. His future sight revealed blood erupting from his wound and Kuro's words:
"Can't you hear it?"
Behind him, Kuro slid Autumn Water into its scabbard. Katakuri echoed the phrase: "The soft sound of this divine wind."
Hiss!
Blood erupted from the gap in Katakuri's chest, and his body pitched forward, collapsing to the ground.
Kuro clicked his tongue, glancing back. "You still stole my line in the end."
No reply came, but Katakuri's rising chest betrayed his survival.
Kuro's technique had landed.
Not that Katakuri could've dodged it.
Even foresight couldn't guarantee physical reaction speed. Many times, one could witness disaster unfold yet remain helpless. Though Katakuri was battle-hardened, Kuro's overwhelming speed and strength left no room to react.
Kuro hadn't held back. Autumn Water alone was a Grand Mystic Art.
But this was Katakuri—no single Grand Mystic Art could kill him. Kuro never intended to. The World Government still needed him as a Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Lighting a cigar, Kuro exhaled a plume of smoke, watching Katakuri's labored breathing. "I win. Let bygones be bygones. Be a good Seven Warlords of the Sea and stop scheming."
Katakuri remained silent, but Kuro didn't care. This man's honor-bound nature was precisely why Kuro had chosen him. Who else would duel him like this? He could've taken other routes—never even considered Katakuri for the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
But now, both were making choices. Strength and character mattered. The safer bet was clear.
Katakuri and Yamato were both viable, but Yamato had refused. So Kuro chose Katakuri.
To claim a Seven Warlords of the Sea position now meant defeating an existing member and seizing their rank.
This was Kuro's unspoken rule—his Seven Warlords of the Sea wouldn't tolerate major failures. If a member's defeat became public scandal, they'd be replaced.
Now that Katakuri had won his bet, the final Seven Warlords of the Sea seat was filled. No more headaches.
Without glancing at the fallen Katakuri, Kuro strode toward the Castle Tower. Klah awaited, already directing Navy medics to carry Katakuri to the infirmary and prepare the Seven Warlords of the Sea contract.
Same old rules: Katakuri would control the final Navigational Route, collect merchant taxes, but submit 20% to the World Government, 15% to the Navy, and 15% to G-3.
Though in Wano Country, G-3 Fortress's name hadn't changed—just grown larger.
Per Kuro's orders, Klah would patch Katakuri up, then deliver the contract to the Stealth Port below. Others waited their turn—get healed, sign the contract, and leave.
"Done", Kuro muttered, cigar dangling in his lounge chair. "Final piece in place. The first half's handled by the Seven Warlords of the Sea—piracy in the New World's frontlines is curbed. As for me, Wano Country's environment alone keeps most pirates out. Stable!"
How could it not be? Kuzan hadn't even returned yet. Alone, he could block countless pirates.
"Where's Kuzan?" Kuro mused, tapping his chin. "Kas is back, but Kuzan's still missing?"
"Kuromr., no news on Kuzanmr. yet", Klah reported honestly.
They'd lost contact. Even as a Spider Group member, Klah couldn't reach him.
"Did that slacker bail? We had a deal to secure a position here!"
Kuro rolled his eyes but shrugged. Kuzan hadn't refused outright—probably just taking a part-time role.
He didn't worry about Kuzan's safety. If something had happened, combat waves would've alerted them. No news meant he'd finished his business and wandered off again.
But Kuro didn't mind. With him anchoring Wano Country, stability was assured. The region had settled. Time would only strengthen their hold.
He'd stay put, severing outside ties. Even in the New World's rear, who'd dare approach this dangerous place?
Before Kaido's rule, Wano was nearly inaccessible. For twenty years under Kaido, no one entered. Now under Kuro—did anyone think he'd do worse?
Wano Country was Wano Country.
From now on, his domain would be here.
No one would budge him an inch. He'd had enough—he'd never leave again!
(End of Chapter)
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