https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1252-All-Worldly-Superiors-Are-the-Same/13541942/
Chapter 1253: Only Children Like New Year Celebrations
Chapter 1253: Only Children Like New Year Celebrations
Kuro glanced at Lida entering the hall and remarked, "Where’ve you been? You’re as busy as Klah now? Running around all day, barely ever home?"
At these words, Klah’s eye twitched.
How could they possibly be the same?!
He was practically working himself bald with stress, while the other was just gorging on food nonstop!
She could at least do something occasionally instead of acting like a pig who only eats and sleeps!
He turned his back to Lida, pressed his lips together, wanting to speak but hesitating.
If he said this out loud, not only would Kuro Lord scold him, Lida would definitely punch him too. What infuriated him was that this white-haired woman’s combat power had grown stronger and stronger. A year ago, he could still hold his own against her in a fight, but ever since that time when his resentment reached its peak, he finally dared to challenge Kuro Lord for training in front of her. After getting beaten up by Kuro Lord, he redirected his goal to Lida and prepared to fight her.
But the result?
He lost badly.
"Hehe, so much delicious food! Even more than last year!"
Lida reached the center of the grand hall, dropping the large and small packages in her hands. Behind her, Baohuang followed, carrying more goods. After setting them down, the pink-haired little girl sat on her knees, greeting Kuro and Klah, "Shogunofficer, Governorofficer..."
"Baohuang, you’ve worked hard too. Rest now. Don’t always follow Lida’s whims. Take care of yourself occasionally", Kuro smiled at the girl with eyes covered by a blindfold.
"Whims? It’s just that there’s so much delicious food! There wasn’t this much last year! Kuro, can we celebrate ‘New Year celebration’ every day from now on?" Lida asked hopefully.
This ‘New Year celebration’ tradition was great! She didn’t even know why Wano Country had it, but it was similar to Flower Country’s customs. Plus, back when Kuro was in the Grand Line, he’d always celebrated this time of year too. Combining them made the festivities even more lively.
Lida loved this kind of excitement. Whenever it came around, everyone wore smiles, and most importantly, there was so much delicious food and so many fun activities!
This was exactly what she hoped for the most.
"Children are just children."
Kuro rolled his White Eye, muttering instinctively, "What’s so great about New Year celebration? Got a car and a house yet? Paid off your car loan and mortgage? Collected all the debts others owe you? Got money to give red envelopes to kids? Can you stand relatives prying into your business? Younger generations dressed trendier than you, elders looking more noble than you—everyone else is just a country bumpkin! What’s so great about New Year celebration!"
"Kuro?" Lida tilted her head.
"Ah", Kuro snapped back to reality, clicking his tongue, "Sorry, ancient memories just resurfaced. Anyway, adults don’t really like New Year celebrations."
Lida’s words had sent him dreaming back to his hometown, but he quickly realized—if he returned home like this now, he’d want to celebrate New Year.
Returning home in wealth and honor, after all.
Not wanting to celebrate New Year was just a sign of dissatisfaction with one’s current life.
But... it had nothing to do with him anymore. Holding grand celebrations was just nostalgia for his hometown.
"Anyway, spread the word. Klah, prepare everything. When everyone arrives, treat them well." Kuro waved his hand, signaling them to leave.
"Understood. I’ll handle it right away. Baohuang, come with me and help me out."
Klah nodded, then turned to the kneeling Baohuang.
"Okay, Governorofficer."
As a former secretary, this guy was way more reliable than Lida.
"Hey, Kuro, do you want a lollipop? I bought new ones. They taste great!"
"I don’t eat candy! I’m a grown lord, why would I eat lollipops!"
"They’re really delicious!"
"I don’t—... Fine, whatever."
Kuro and Lida’s voices echoed in the grand hall.
...
Dressrosa.
"Understood. Got it."
Kas hung up the call, exhaling deeply. Facing the attentive David and Wilbur, he said, "You heard it. Kuro Lord invited us to Wano Country for the New Year celebration."
David’s eyes gleamed, "Perfect excuse!"
"Exactly. Let’s use this chance to consolidate our strength." Wilbur analyzed, nodding. "In the New World, we already control at least a third of the territory. Adding the Navy’s factions and the Four Seas’ forces, we’re hosting a major conference."
Dressrosa had halted its conquests last year because their territory was already vast. Geographic limitations prevented overextending their frontlines. Most operations were now delegated to their trained pirates, led by Kin’emon, who controlled large and small islands in the New World. Last year, the ‘Red’ officers rescued and recruited by Kin’emon had a small territory in Flower Country’s rear, which their pirates had taken over to expand operations.
Combined with Wano Country, Wilbur calculated they controlled a third.
David added, "In the North Blue, the Vinsmoke family has pushed their frontlines to the Calm Belt. After a year, it should be nearly finished. I’ll push them to stabilize the frontlines before entering Wano Country, advancing directly from the Calm Belt to the New World. The West Blue is similar. Luo Wei King’s campaign against Flower Country is almost over."
A year ago, the West Blue and North Blue launched wars. Vinsmoke advanced smoothly, conquering nearly every nation they encountered. Having conquered the North Blue once before, they were familiar with the process, though these were all small countries. The West Blue faced delays, but Flower Country was a major, powerful nation. After a year of fighting, they were finally nearing victory.
Luo Wei had even called two days ago, guaranteeing he’d secure Flower Country before the New Year celebration.
Flower Country and Insect Country both had New Year celebration traditions.
"Perfect timing."
David mused, "Next year is also the World Summit. Let’s finalize our basic strategies now to counter the World Government’s provocations."
Did they think these conquests were free of consequences? As member states, attacking other member states after ignoring the World Government’s mediation would inevitably lead to disputes, even if they paid generously.
But that was a future problem. Right now, David was excited—he hadn’t seen Lord in ages.
Fighting for Lord’s ideal all this time, he’d finally submitted a satisfactory report. With Dressrosa’s current scale, they could withstand a major war.
After this trip, he’d show Kuro Lord just how powerful Dressrosa had become—and ask about the current solution plan.
Dressrosa couldn’t keep expanding. Geographic constraints, governance limits, and the World Government’s watchful eyes made further expansion unfeasible.
The ‘Debang’ plan hadn’t progressed quickly. They’d conquered what they could, but couldn’t pull other nations into ‘Debang’ without justification. Attacking a country just to replace its king was pointless.
Abroad, they couldn’t fully implement Kuro Lord’s theories. ‘Debang’’s progress relied on contacting powerful figures and waiting for opportunities to become kings themselves, like Joshua.
But such people were rare.
The pirates couldn’t legitimately become kings, only occupying islands and influencing nearby regions.
(End of Chapter)
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