Chapter 1288: Why Did I Join the Navy in the First Place?
Chapter 1288: Why Did I Join the Navy in the First Place?
Kuro barely had time to question things before Sakazuki's call was followed by another from the Transponder Snail.
This time it was the Five Elders calling personally.
"Yes, yes, I understand. I'll handle it accordingly", Kuro muttered, nodding absentmindedly as he listened to the Transponder Snail's explanation.
"Kuro, we trust your judgment. Don't listen to Sakazuki's nonsense. You're not needed on that front. Focus on defending Wano Country—that's your top priority for now", the voice on the other end instructed before hanging up.
Kuro tossed the receiver aside and leaned back in his chair with a sigh. "You heard that, right?"
Before him stood Lida, Klah, and Moer, all listening intently.
"Member states being taken down by the Revolutionary Army?"
Lida spat out grape seeds while mimicking Kuro's pout. "Oh no, that's so scary."
A blue vein throbbed on Kuro's temple as he snapped, "Stop making that face! Who taught you that ugly expression?!"
"It does feel a bit unsettling", Moer scratched his head thoughtfully. "This weird vibe... I can't tell if it's good or bad."
Kuro glared at him. "Then shut up and go to sleep if you've got nothing useful to say!"
He pointed straight at Klah, making the strategist flinch. He had a feeling saying the wrong thing might bring disaster.
No, I need to be confident—remove that 'might'!
"Mr. Kuro, clearly Fleet Admiral Sakazuki received orders from above and assessed the situation. If we retreat, staying behind in New World's rear would be dangerous, so they're asking you to withdraw."
"Old Man, I don't need a summary—I want solutions!" Kuro barked. "Aren't you supposed to be a strategist? Analyze and solve the problem! Don't tell me I should just toss my hooded cloak aside and declare, 'Being a Navy has limits, so I quit'!"
Klah's eyes widened as he actually started considering it. "Well, technically—"
"Huh?!" Kuro's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"No, no, Mr. Kuro! My meaning is, while it's not a viable option, it technically is a solution", Klah hurried to clarify. "With your current strength and prestige, if you publicly renounce the Navy, countless pirates would flock to you. And pirates like Kaido wouldn't need to hide anymore—they could openly declare themselves."
"Then the old and new Four Emperors would be irrelevant—New World would have only one sea emperor!"
"But that's impossible. If you wanted to defy the World Government, you'd have done it already."
Wait...
Defy the World Government?
Klah's eyes sharpened. Their current position offered opportunity!
The Navy's forces were all at the front lines. They were behind enemy lines—the World Government's side was practically empty. This was the perfect time to act!
They'd discussed this during the Spider Meeting before. Whether Kas or Wilbur had already made moves, the Revolutionary Army's sudden actions—coincidental or not—presented an opportunity they couldn't waste.
Mr. Kuro asked for solutions not just to protect Wano Country, but for this very reason!
He'd been so preoccupied with Wano Country matters that he hadn't grasped Mr. Kuro's intent immediately. How careless!
Meeting Kuro's murderous gaze, Klah straightened. "Mr. Kuro, I believe we needn't worry. Even if Fleet Admiral Sakazuki insists on retreating, you can maintain the front lines—just shorten them."
"Call your subordinates and allied Kings, especially David, to reinforce the front. Pirates won't perceive this as a retreat."
"Pirates will certainly hear rumors, but their nature will create chaos. New World is already unstable—pirates only unite under pressure. Remove that pressure, and they'll turn on each other."
"Hmm."
Kuro pondered, then nodded. "That makes sense. Let's observe for now. No need to advance further without finding Marshall D. Teach and Luffy."
Indeed, no better solution existed. They were just a small faction—too dangerous to fight without frontline support.
As for Klah's plan? He hadn't considered it yet. Taking that path would mean open defiance of the Navy. What would he become then? Some acting Zeff?
"Understood, Mr. Kuro. I'll issue orders immediately."
Klah bowed and hurried out, a faint excited smile playing on his lips as he exited.
If they were ordinary Navy, there would only be three options: Kuro rallying Navy forces, hiding in Wano Country for defense, or retreating as Sakazuki suggested.
But they weren't ordinary!
They still had many pirates under their influence. During this widespread conflict, their pirate allies had remained inactive, abandoning territory to hide in Dressrosa's surrounding islands and under the influence of Wano Country's "Crimson Woman." But now they could act.
The World Government wants to avoid war?
Too bad. We'll force it upon them!
Kaido was originally from the Red Line. Lead forces to attack Mariejois directly!
Bring the war to their doorstep, forcing the World Government to redirect their main forces here. If they still want to protect their member states, internal and external crises will erupt simultaneously. While the Revolutionary Army causes chaos, they could also tear New World apart.
"Once Kas and the others arrive, we'll confirm details. If feasible..."
Klah chuckled softly. "We're not so easily swayed. If the world descends into chaos, New World's member states acting in self-preservation would be natural. David and the others could break free from the World Government's constraints. No, we could even pursue both fronts simultaneously. This warfront isn't something the World Government can simply retreat from. Once war begins, no one can control the entire situation!"
Retreat?
To where?
Fighting the Revolutionary Army leaves pirates unchecked. Fighting pirates makes handling revolutionaries difficult. Pressuring both sides leaves the World Government with no energy to monitor everything.
Stir the waters until they're murky—that's when we'll have our chance!
And this was the best opportunity available!
If Klah failed to seize this chance, he truly wouldn't deserve to be Mr. Kuro's strategist.
Success would mean realizing both Mr. Kuro's and his own ideals.
"Wait..."
Klah's footsteps faltered as he froze, his expression turning strange. "Why did I join the Navy in the first place?"
The more he pondered, the stranger his expression became. Finally, he sighed and strode forward.
"Forget it!"
(End of Chapter)
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