https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1296-The-Fleet-Admiral-s-Position/13542623/
Chapter 1295: Luffy Officer
Chapter 1295: Luffy Officer
While Kuro felt troubled, this situation wasn't nearly as bothersome for certain Kings.
Dressrosa's King David stood among this group - or rather, he should be considered the happiest of all.
Why?
Because he was the one receiving Lord Escort protection!
And this wasn't just a single escort mission - he'd gathered multiple Kings to accompany him. This made the matter particularly noteworthy.
Over the past year, with the World Government unable to control the New World situation, Dressrosa had followed Klah's methods to protect itself. Finally breaking free from the World Government's shackles, they continued expanding outward. Beyond territorial expansion, they'd begun intervening in other member states. With the New World's limited number of member states, most had already been converted to Dressrosa's model.
New Kings were installed - those who supported their ideals.
The World Government's intelligence capabilities were insufficient to monitor these changes. Even when Kings were replaced, no one noticed.
"What about bloodlines?"
Such matters could easily be forged, couldn't they? After all, the goal was simply to occupy the King's position. As long as someone shared their ideals, what harm was there in forging a bloodline?
Some Kings were also pragmatic by nature. Passionate about protecting their people, they'd formed secret alliances with Dressrosa - the so-called 'Debang' alliance.
This time during the escort mission, David had brought along all qualified Debang members who held World Summit attendance rights. They could hold meetings directly on the ship, coordinate their statements, then proceed to Mariejois together.
Originally, David had worried whether the member states might use this World Summit to target him. But given the current situation, that seemed highly unlikely.
For David, this was an extremely rare opportunity.
"Lord..."
Standing on the palace balcony in Dressrosa, David clenched his fist while gazing at the sky. "Your dream is progressing steadily!"
...
"Shirahoshi!!"
On a certain island in the Grand Line, several warships lay half-sunken in the sea. From within the island, a vibrant voice rang out: "We've come to get you!!"
"Luffy Officer!"
Protected by numerous Navy forces, the largest mermaid in the group covered her mouth in excitement.
"Luffy..."
At the forefront of the Navy forces, Sakazuki wore a gloomy expression as he exhaled a stream of scorching breath. "Perfect. I'll eliminate this wicked one right here. You should've died long ago, Luffy!"
He never imagined that while escorting Shirahoshi, Luffy would suddenly appear and swiftly destroy their ships, forcing them to temporarily retreat to this island.
Clang!!
A crisp ringing sound echoed from the other side, accompanied by a shower of sparks.
Three condensed Black Blades clashed violently against a Staff Sword.
"Oh?"
Yi Xiao's eyelids twitched as he opened his bloodshot eyes. "I feel it now - those are Black Blades, aren't they? It's been a while. I never expected you'd reach this level!"
"Heh."
The one-eyed swordsman with a green buzzcut revealed a malevolent grin, his mouth biting down on his blade. "There's even more powerful techniques to come. Now, we're no longer afraid of you!"
"Zoro, I'm counting on you!"
"Go ahead, Captain! Leave the swordsman to me!" Zoro gave his blade a sharp shake, actually forcing Yi Xiao's Staff Sword aside.
Beside him, a wisp-like figure flashed past at incredible speed. The figure leapt high into the air, one hand steadying Luffy while his limbs spread wide. "I'll handle you this time, Akainu!!"
...
Red Port.
This was the port at the New World's edge where forces proceeded to Mariejois. Now, massive Navy forces were gathering here.
As the escort fleet, they couldn't enter Mariejois according to protocol. Most forces concentrated at Red Port.
At this moment, a golden warship accompanied by over ten capital ships docked at the port.
"Lord, we'll be off then."
David, accompanied by over ten Kings, bid farewell to Kuro with reluctant expressions.
"I already told you not to call me 'Lord' - it creates misunderstandings in formal settings. You can use it casually when we're alone, but tone it down for now." Kuro waved his hand dismissively.
Truthfully, he barely knew these ten Kings - they seemed more like David's subordinates.
In front of David's underlings, he had to maintain appearances. Suddenly calling him "Lord" would damage a King's reputation.
"Understood, Lord. Let's reunite after the meeting."
David nodded, then led the ten Kings onto the elevator heading toward Mariejois.
"Klah, find a restaurant. Let's eat." Kuro said after seeing them off.
"Mr. Kuro, arrangements have already been made." Klah adjusted his glasses.
Klah no longer needed reminders for such matters - he handled preparations in advance.
When he received the call, he'd already ended his battlefield operations and returned.
Truthfully, he didn't have much frontline work. Unlike Lida, who acted on impulse, Kuro's operations focused on pirates with no prior connections.
The connected pirates had already been warned in time to retreat when Lida approached. Thus, Lida only encountered unconnected pirate crews.
As for Kuro's group, they had established methods for dealing with pirates - eliminating them and transferring their territories to other pirates. This was their goal. If they could find like-minded allies, that would be even better.
Over the past year, they'd developed several silver-tier candidates. Now, half the New World's rear territories belonged to them.
The remaining half remained under chaotic pirate rule.
With Sakazuki leading the Navy's main forces holding the frontlines, they systematically eliminated uninvolved pirates in the rear. The division of labor worked exceptionally well.
If not for the World Summit, Kuro would've preferred continuing operations.
"Hey, Kuro!"
As the group walked toward the restaurant, a voice suddenly called out.
Kuro turned around. "Smoker, you're here too."
It was indeed Smoker, accompanied by Tashigi.
"Admiral Kuro, long time no see!" Tashigi greeted.
"Oooh, Tashigi, you're looking more radiant than ever." Kuro gave her a quick glance, then added, "You should really change your hairstyle. That current style is dangerous."
Tashigi's hair was currently styled in an extremely precarious manner - the kind that wouldn't survive three episodes.
"My... my hairstyle?"
Tashigi instinctively touched her hair. "What's wrong with it?"
"Don't listen to him. He's just teasing you."
Smoker interjected, then turned to Kuro. "I thought you wouldn't come. With the ongoing war, aren't you extremely busy?"
"Not really. Things have eased up recently. What about you?"
Kuro studied Smoker, noticing a new faint scar on his neck. "Looks like the war has changed you too, Smoker. I thought you'd stay to deal with Luffy's reappearance."
Smoker exhaled a puff of smoke. "Mission comes first. The Navy is the Navy. Duty must be fulfilled."
(End of Chapter)
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