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Chapter 1304: Grand Line Safety, That's My Priority
Chapter 1304: Grand Line Safety, That’s My Priority
Kuro was naturally impatient. Ever since he’d broken through Wano Country, how long had he actually enjoyed peace before new troubles arose?
After descending from Mariejois, Kuro and Luffy returned to Red Port. They entered a restaurant—the Navy presence here was light. Many had received his orders to search for Luffy and Marshall D. Teach, though a few still lingered.
At one table sat several familiar faces.
Kuro walked over and sat down, grabbing a meaty leg bone to gnaw on.
“Oh? You’re back already? Stopped searching?”
An elderly man with snow-white hair and a long, braided white beard turned his head to ask.
Sengoku.
Beside him, a buzz-cut old man wolfed down food with gusto—Garp.
“I got so angry I lost my appetite. Didn’t expect you two to get involved. I heard they didn’t call you in this time,” Kuro said, tearing off a chunk of meat and chewing.
“Manpower shortage. They asked for our help.”
Sengoku paused, his glasses glinting. “Sakazuki’s injured?”
Kuro’s chewing slowed. He nodded. “Mm.”
“You don’t look too pleased, Kuro.”
Sengoku leaned forward, eyes narrowing. “Wait—you came straight to Red Port? You didn’t… descend from Mariejois, did you?”
Kuro devoured the bone in three bites, then chugged from a wine bottle without bothering with a glass, his irritation clear.
“Stop playing detective. Makes you sound smarter than you are. I know you’ve got the patience of a Buddha and the brains to match. So tell me—how do I handle this? The higher-ups want Sakazuki out and me as Fleet Admiral. Isn’t that absurd?”
Sengoku sighed, his expression unreadable. “I figured as much. Ever since Sakazuki refused their orders, the old man knew this day would come. He’s said for years—we can’t openly defy the World Government. The Navy has other ways. Let prestige fade if it must. As long as pirates are eliminated, it’s worth it.”
If Sakazuki remained Fleet Admiral, he’d never refuse the World Government’s commands. Navy retreat would damage its reputation, reigniting the Great Pirate Era. But once the Navy crushed the Revolutionary Army and stability returned, the World Government wouldn’t tolerate pirates—especially after the Mizu Saki Island battle. They’d never allow another One Piece. The war would continue.
When the next conflict erupted, the World Government would throw its full power behind the Navy until victory. Only then would the Navy truly act without restraint.
Unfortunately, Sakazuki’s stubbornness made him unwilling to play along.
“You’ve got tricks for dealing with them, but the problem is—you’re not Fleet Admiral.”
Kuro crossed his arms. “Let’s skip the philosophy. What can you actually do now?”
“Pfft! Becoming Fleet Admiral isn’t a bad deal, y’know?”
Garp slammed his chopsticks down, grinning. “The Navy needs fresh faces!”
“Haven’t heard of a newbie jumping straight to top rank,” Kuro snapped. “And don’t laugh—this isn’t good news for you either, Garp.”
Garp stiffened, then chuckled lowly. “A man of the sea makes his own choices. And choices have consequences.”
Kuro met his gaze. “You really believe that?”
Garp smiled, but his eyes dimmed. Quietly, he said, “As a family man, the old man failed.”
Sengoku cut in, “Enough. We’re human, not beasts. Let’s focus, Kuro. If your own child became a pirate, what would you do?”
“Break his legs!”
Kuro’s shout drew stares. “Are you joking? My father’s an Admiral, soon Fleet Admiral. A Navy second-gen brat turning pirate? Unforgivable!”
He fell silent, glancing at Garp.
Right. They were both men. Who were they to judge? Letting family slip through their fingers was only natural.
Still…
“This is where we stand, Garp,” Kuro muttered. “Unless your grandson surrenders, goes to Impel Down, and swears off piracy forever, we could maybe negotiate a sentence—serve time, then release.”
But even a fool knew that was impossible.
So the only solution was death.
Pirates could never be heroes. A pirate was a pirate. No matter how the world changed, they’d always stand on the pirate’s side.
Not all pirates were like Luffy—those ‘adventurer pirates’ were rare. Most were monsters. The Navy knew this better than anyone.
Sometimes, your greatest enemy understands you best.
If pirates were truly just, truly dreamers, why would the Navy exist at all?
Since pirates first appeared, the Navy existed to stop them. Because those pirates, under the guise of ‘dreams,’ plundered and destroyed. They justified atrocities with ideals.
Don’t be ridiculous!
The only answer to pirates was ruthless destruction. Kuro would never pity them—neither his duty nor his beliefs allowed it.
He might acknowledge that every villain had their reasons. He knew some pirates were pushed to it by the world itself.
But that changed nothing.
He was Navy. An Admiral. When facing pirates, there was only one solution—capture or kill.
“Accept the Fleet Admiral title, Kuro.”
Sengoku stood, patting Kuro’s shoulder. “Sakazuki’s injured. His resignation’s in the papers—pirates will celebrate. But you have the means. So take the post. End this era of pirates. Bring peace to the Grand Line.”
His voice deepened. “As for what you do after peace… that’s your choice. By then, you’ll be Fleet Admiral. No one will stop you.”
Kuro fell silent, considering.
True. If he retired after such achievements, no one would question it.
Once the world was safe, he could leave Navy. With the prestige of ending the Pirate Era, the Navy would still respect him.
Aren’t we all in Navy for safety?
He’d come this far. Why not push harder?
If the Grand Line was safe… wouldn’t he finally be safe too?
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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