https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1253-Only-Children-Like-New-Year-Celebrations/13541946/
Chapter 1252: All Worldly Superiors Are the Same
Chapter 1252: All Worldly Superiors Are the Same
Besides Kuzan, who was already working part-time here, Kas and Wilbur from Dressrosa, and Ai En who was patrolling elsewhere, all of Kuro’s former subordinates had confirmed they’d come for the New Year celebrations.
On the Navy side, Kuro had also invited the faction he led, asking them to visit Wano Country if they had time. After all, it had been a year since they last connected. Gramps had retired, and Kuro had been stationed in Wano Country. Now, faction meetings at Headquarters were presided over by Storberybrother instead.
Though their faction never held many meetings to begin with.
Kuro turned to Klah and asked, “Did everyone get notified?”
“Yes, Kuromr.,” Klah replied. “All the Navy officers we’re in contact with have been informed, except we couldn’t reach Lucius Kro.Borsalinomr.”
“I’ll handle Gramps’ side myself.”
Kuro nodded, leaning back in his lounge chair with a sigh. “Ah, it’s time to show off the results. After all, we’ve worked hard this year. There’s an old saying from my hometown: ‘To grow rich and noble but not return home is like parading in brocade at night.’ Let’s celebrate the New Year by letting everyone see the Wano Country I’ve worked so hard to build.”
Hearing this, Klah couldn’t help but twitch a brow.
Worked hard?
When exactly had you worked hard?
This entire year, you’ve done nothing but smoke, hunt for places to drink, and visit every entertainment district in Wano Country. When Kuzan returned, you two just soaked in hot springs and played around. The only one who’s truly worked hard is me.
Kuromr. himself had ordered that no small-time thugs were allowed to loiter in Wano Country’s streets, especially in Flower Capital. Yet the only one wandering around aimlessly was himself.
Hard work? That word has nothing to do with you. Meanwhile, I’ve been running myself ragged—traveling back and forth across Wano Country’s six major regions all year. Especially after Kas and Wilbur left once the foundations were laid, all the work piled onto my head.
Integrating regions, restoring livelihoods, purging instability… Ever since we eliminated the World Government’s spies last year and built defenses with the help of the Ember faction, Wano Country no longer had to fear the World Government. But that only meant more work, since we could finally act freely. Propaganda efforts had to keep up, teachers needed training, and from these hastily trained recruits, we had to select new Navy members.
Economy, military, education—I had too much to handle. This was a nation, a large territory. Though its land area wasn’t as vast as Arabasta’s, it wasn’t a desert full of wastelands either. Every inch of land here was valuable.
Thinking of this, Klah felt a draft blowing through his forehead. Lately, when he combed his hair, a whole handful came out with each stroke. All from stress. And seeing his thinning hair only added more worries.
Know why he’s been growing his hair long and slicking it back lately?
To hide his receding hairline.
In contrast, his fellow aide Lidamiss had it easy.
Eating, drinking, playing around—living the life.
Sometimes Klah even questioned his life choices. Both he and Lidamiss were Kuromr.’s permanent aides. Logically, they should share responsibilities.
Weren’t we supposed to be two first mates?
Other people’s aides divided power and responsibility, but here, the division was clear too.
Lidamiss got to ride in a sedan chair, feasting across the land as an aide’s privilege, while Klah only got the responsibility.
Being a subordinate really was a thankless job.
And now Kuromr. was taking all the credit. Where could he even complain?
All worldly superiors were the same.
“Speaking of the New Year, for the Navy, compile a list of those who’ve contributed. Promote those who deserve it, and release those who want to leave. Don’t let anyone feel shortchanged,” Kuro added, as if recalling something.
“Yes, I’ll handle it,” Klah replied.
The Navy in Wano Country differed from Headquarters.
Since pirates had severed the World Government’s connection to Wano Country, Headquarters could only grant Kuro the authority to recruit soldiers. Promotions were mostly rubber-stamped by Kuro or Klah, with just a report sent to Headquarters afterward.
The Navy here operated independently from Headquarters, their activities confined to Wano Country’s region. The base on the island below the waterfall served as their forward outpost. Navy recruits who trained abroad would reach that island and fight against pirates.
Of course, this system wasn’t perfect. Wano Country had long isolated itself, so when people suddenly ventured out, they faced many temptations. With such a short training period and Wano Country’s advanced cultivation methods giving everyone strong combat power, many recruits never returned after leaving.
The second half of the year improved things, but earlier, out of a hundred who left, only fifty came back.
Inquiries revealed they’d been lured by pirate invitations—not necessarily by their ideals, but by the pirates’ free-spirited lifestyle. One by one, they defected to become pirates themselves.
This was unavoidable.
Kuromr. considered this normal. As long as preparations were made and progress was gradual, everything would work out.
Klah himself had once been a pirate, so he understood the allure. At first, he couldn’t grasp why people left, even seeking advice from Kas and Wilbur. But Kas clarified it in one sentence:
“Pirates aren’t necessarily unjust. As long as they uphold justice, any identity works.”
Yes, he himself had joined the Navy, and Ember had defected. If someone became a pirate, it wasn’t a problem—as long as their education emphasized justice and they remembered their roots.
In fact, events proved Kas right. Those who became pirates never targeted Wano Country. Newspapers never reported them attacking civilians. They mainly fought other pirates, and many who left Wano Country even overthrew their own captains or went independent.
These pirates were actually acceptable contacts. Some even returned to the Grand Line, gained new insights, and wanted to come back.
Though pirates couldn’t return, they still became a force aligned with Wano Country.
Moreover, the more pirates left, the more the World Government would underestimate them, thinking Wano Country wasn’t fully under Kuromr.’s control, thus feeling secure.
And while Kuromr.’s lazy demeanor alone was enough to reassure others, increasing this perception wasn’t a bad thing.
After all, the Navy here was loyal only to Kuromr.—they knew only Kuromr., not the World Government. Most crucially, since their military ranks were still registered under Headquarters, they shared a common structure. Once the timing was right…
These trained personnel could smoothly transition into the Navy, taking key positions, supported by those pirate allies.
All it would take was the right moment!
Kuromr. understood this well, which is why he remained indifferent to Wano Country’s people defecting to piracy.
“I’m back!”
Suddenly, the palace doors slid open as Lida bounced in, arms full of large and small packages.
(End of Chapter)
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