https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1300-Reclaiming-the-Epithet-of-Sea-Emperor/13542655/
Chapter 1299: I Have a Better Plan
Chapter 1299: I Have a Better Plan
After ending the call with Kuzan, Kuro finally hung up and stepped out of the tent. He ordered a Navy officer to bring a chair and sat outside, waiting.
Yi Xiao was explaining the situation to him.
They had been escorting Shirahoshi from Fishman Island. All they needed to do was cross the sea current, but the moment they emerged from the ocean and returned to their designated area to rest, their warship was suddenly sunk by Luffy’s crew. Forced into battle, Sakazuki and Yi Xiao had originally planned to eliminate Luffy in one strike.
In one-on-one combat, Yi Xiao could hold his own against the three opponents, while Sakazuki faced off against Luffy alone. At that pace, Sakazuki wouldn’t have lost. But then Blackbeard appeared, and the battle situation immediately turned.
“This reversal was too damn much! Cursed Marshall D. Teach and Luffy!”
Kuro clenched his fist, staring at the wanted poster he’d ordered a Navy officer to bring earlier.
Frankly, he hadn’t paid much attention to Luffy lately. Now, though, he needed to reassess.
The wanted poster still featured Luffy’s grinning face wearing his signature straw hat, unchanged. The only difference was the bounty amount.
Things had changed drastically now—Luffy’s bounty had skyrocketed to 3 billion, doubling from its previous 1.5 billion.
As for Roronoa Zoro, the swordsman once known as the “Pirate Hunter,” his epithet had changed to “Hell King.” This came from his mastery of the Black Blade technique and his new sword style, including his mysterious and formidable moves. His bounty stood at 1.8 billion Beri.
Then there was “Demon Chef” Vinsmoke Sanji. His former epithet, “Black Leg,” had been replaced due to his cyborg enhancements and his ability to ignite his legs, combined with his Divine Wind Leg technique. His bounty was 1.73 billion Beri.
Jinbei, the “Sea Hero” and former Seven Warlords of the Sea member, had seen his bounty surge from 438 million to a staggering 1.438 billion Beri. These three were the core power of Luffy’s crew.
Beyond them, the rest of Luffy’s crew had also seen their bounties rise, all now in the hundreds of millions.
Nami, the “Heavenly Calamity Navigator,” once called the “Little Thief Cat,” had upgraded her Clima-Tact to control thunderstorms and even wielded Zeus, a Homie once owned by Big Mom. Her epithet and bounty had soared to 466 million Beri.
Usopp, the “God,” had a genuine bounty of 500 million Beri, no longer the hidden bounty set by Donquixote Doflamingo.
Nico Robin, the “Child of Demon,” had a bounty of 600 million. Her presence had always been significant, and the authorities desperately wanted her captured.
Franky, the “Cyborg,” had a bounty of 454 million, while Brook, the “Soul King,” stood at 483 million.
“Tch, these three have reached the Triad Calamities level, huh? The rest of their officers are at Six Crimson Stars.”
Kuro flipped to a photo of a raccoon dog licking a lollipop.
Tony Tony Chopper, the “Cotton Candy Lover,” had a bounty of 200 Beri.
Kuro leaned back in his chair, frowning. “Didn’t this guy have decent combat power? How come after all these years, it’s still just 200?”
“That’s double what it was before,” Yi Xiao replied.
“Whatever. Doesn’t matter.”
Kuro narrowed his eyes at the wanted posters. “Funny coincidence—Kaido’s crew, including himself, also numbered ten: one captain, the Triad Calamities, and the Six Crimson Stars. The remaining True Combatants matched Luffy’s Grand Fleet captains. Add in their reckless madness, and they’re even more chaotic than Kaido.”
He loosened his grip, letting the posters scatter to the ground, then crushed them underfoot. “Even if Kaido resurrects, I’ll kill him again myself!”
Kuro lit a cigar and exhaled a plume of smoke. “They can’t have gotten far in a day, especially dragging Shirahoshi along. With so many Devil Fruit users on board, they’ll avoid the sea. There’s a good chance we’ll catch them.”
“You’re still going after them?” Yi Xiao asked, standing beside him. “What about the World Summit?”
Kuro spat out a jet of smoke, his voice sharp. “A commander lost. If we don’t reclaim our honor, the Navy’s reputation will vanish. Let them hold their summit. It’s nothing to do with us.”
No one could defeat two admirals. Likewise, no one could defeat two Four Emperors.
Luffy hadn’t been seen in two years. Back then, he’d fought Kaido to a draw using Life Release. Now, he’d surely grown stronger—enough to count as a Four Emperor himself.
As for Marshall D. Teach, it had been even longer. He’d already been a Four Emperor before, and now his abilities would be even more refined.
Defeating Sakazuki with two Four Emperors? Perfectly normal.
But Kuro’s rage hadn’t cooled.
Two pirates defeating a Navy commander—and actually succeeding!
Sakazuki hadn’t truly lost yet. If Yi Xiao had held out until Kuro arrived, the battle might have ended differently. But prolonging the fight risked Sakazuki’s life, so Yi Xiao had chosen to retreat.
Still, the news would spread badly.
The Fleet Admiral had never tasted defeat before.
An admiral retreating? Acceptable. A defeat? Tolerable.
But a Fleet Admiral? Unacceptable. Even Sengoku, after becoming Fleet Admiral, had never fought again—even during the War for the Supreme, he’d held back until the end, only acting because of Marshall D. Teach’s recklessness.
Fleet Admirals rarely fought. Since the Navy’s founding, their engagements had been few, and only when victory was certain. It was about status, not combat power. A commander’s defeat was a severe blow to prestige.
But Sakazuki had lost.
While serving as Fleet Admiral.
“What a disgrace! That Luffy, that Marshall D. Teach!”
Kuro gritted his teeth. “When the Old Man finds you, he’ll crush you into the Grand Line forever. You’ll never surface again!”
“I thought you’d blame Fishman Island,” Yi Xiao said, exhaling in relief. “Though it was a Navy-pirate battle, if you dragged others into it, I’d have to object.”
“Hmph. You’re always like that. But I’m not that petty. Fishman Island is deep underwater. If I attacked, the fishmen would just abandon it. Not that simple. Besides, I won’t dive into the sea recklessly. By the time we reach Fishman Island, this news will have spread. They’ll react, and getting them to surface again won’t be easy. Fishman Island isn’t that important.”
Kuro exhaled another puff of smoke, his tone icy. “If we can’t find them, I have a better plan.”
“Oh?” Yi Xiao turned to him.
The wind blew, lifting their hooded cloaks and hair, carrying a swirl of smoke upward.
Kuro bit down on his cigar, his eyes darkening. “Impel Down still holds that bastard Shanks!”
(End of Chapter)
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