https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1266-Whatever-It-Lands-On-That-s-the-One/13542111/
Chapter 1265: Full-Scale War Begins
Chapter 1265: Full-Scale War Begins
Half a month later.
Wano Country.
Kuro had finally returned.
This time, he came back empty-handed, flying alone without the Golden Lion. The moment he arrived, he summoned everyone for a meeting.
Lida, Klah, and especially Kuzan—since the latter was still here, some matters would be easier to discuss.
"Hey, what’s the rush? You’re barely back and already calling a meeting?"
Kuzan arrived with Moer, greeting Kuro as they entered the hall. He paused, suddenly thoughtful. "You didn’t get some secret command from Headquarters, did you?"
"Save the crow talk", Kuro shot him a glare. "You’re not an Admiral anymore, so spare me the casual remarks."
Kuzan shrugged, plopping onto a nearby cushion, then shifted to lie back on it. "Well, it was just a guess. But now it seems like something’s really up."
Kuro lit a cigar, exhaling a jet of smoke without responding.
Soon, Klah arrived with Sazil, followed by Lida, Ju Geng, and Fen Ni.
"Kuro! Did you bring me any snacks?" Lida asked hopefully.
"Eat, eat, that’s all you know! We’ve been resting for a year—time to get to work."
Kuro rolled his White Eye. "I assume you’ve all heard the intelligence about Mizu Saki Island?"
At this, Klah narrowed his eyes.
So it was a major move after all.
"Kuro Mr.", Klah asked, "all we know about Mizu Saki Island is that Luffy and Blackbeard clashed there. Anything else?"
"Some truth, some not", Kuro replied. "The higher-ups won’t allow another One Piece, not even a possibility. They’ve issued orders—we’re launching a full-scale war against the pirates of the New World."
A full-scale war?
Klah’s pupils constricted. He’d anticipated many scenarios, but at most, a targeted strike against the so-called "New Four Emperors." A full-scale war was beyond his expectations.
"Ah, well", Kuzan murmured, sitting up again. "This is going big. But wouldn’t it be pointless? We’ve done this before—total war against pirates. The casualties were unsustainable, forcing us to abandon the New World."
He glanced at Kuro. But this time was different. The Navy of the past and present were worlds apart. Ever since this man rose in the Grand Line, the Great Pirate Era had birthed a new Navy. Akainu, Lucius Kro, and his own generation had formed the Navy’s peak combat power. Yet Kuro claimed this was the strongest era in Navy history—a claim backed by his conquest of Wano Country and the end of the Four Emperors Era, elevating the Navy’s prestige to terrifying heights.
A full-scale war now might not end as before.
"Exactly", Kuro said, exhaling smoke. "We’ll handle the rear, focusing on tracking down the most disruptive pirates in the Grand Line. The frontlines will be managed by Headquarters."
"So we’re targeting Luffy and the others? The real challenge’s on our side", Kuzan mused.
The New World teemed with pirates. Taking them all on was impossible, but even targeting the leaders was no easy feat—arguably the main force.
"When did you get so responsible?" Kuzan looked up at Kuro.
"No choice", Kuro sighed. "I’m in this position now. I can’t disgrace Gramps or betray the hopes of the faction. That’s why I resisted promotion—besides my own preferences. Once you’re at the top, some things are beyond your control."
No one could live in isolation, free from others’ influence. Everyone carried burdens.
"Kuzan, you’ve been freeloading here long enough. Help me out", Kuro added.
"Ah, well, I’m not Navy anymore."
"But you’re a member of the ‘Sword.’ Don’t play games. Helping’s no big deal. Navy or not, it won’t stop you."
"I’m a cripple", Kuzan patted his leg.
Kuro ignored him. For a Logia user, losing a leg was trivial.
"Kuro Mr., who should we target first?" Klah interjected, already thinking ahead.
The Grand Line’s current rulers were recent arrivals. The oldest was Marshall D. Teach, but even he’d risen only after Whitebeard’s death. The latest three had emerged just a year ago, post-Wano War.
"Target? We’ll take whoever we catch. They’re like mice—slippery and hard to corner", Kuro tapped the table. "Have Kas prepare forces to rendezvous with me. We’ll dismantle their territories, flush them out. But we wait for Headquarters to move first."
Their hold on Wano Country had already rattled pirates. Without its natural defenses, enemies would’ve attacked long ago. Even so, the region was unstable. Why else had Kuro been recruiting Navy and deploying them constantly—to keep pesky pirates at bay.
"Understood!" Klah nodded, exchanging a glance with Kuzan.
Opportunity had arrived!
...
The Grand Line’s atmosphere grew heavier.
In the Four Seas and the Grand Line’s first half, elite Navy officers began assembling, gradually advancing toward Headquarters in the New World. The underworld buzzed with tension, receiving intelligence of this buildup.
Was another major move underway? The Four Emperors Era had already ended—what more did they want?
But soon, the underworld stirred. The World Government announced its intent to eradicate wicked pirates, directing the Navy toward the New World to restore the world’s rightful order.
The news spread like wildfire. The underworld scrambled to verify its authenticity, quickly confirming the truth.
It was real. The World Government sought to prevent another One Piece and seize the chance to expand its influence to the maximum.
In short—the war had begun!
Reactions varied. Some factions rejoiced, others despaired. A great war could expand some businesses while shrinking others.
But none of it mattered. The World Government’s decisions paid no heed to member states’ opinions or face.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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