https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1304-Grand-Line-Safety-That-s-My-Priority/13542701/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1306-Five-Elders-and-Five-Magistrates-at-Your-Disposal/13542748/
Chapter 1305: Let's Pull Out Shanks!
Chapter 1305: Let’s Pull Out Shanks!
Kuro departed, his retreating figure watched in silence by Sengoku. After a long pause, Sengoku sighed, “The times are changing… and perhaps we Navy will change too.”
“Pfft, you talk like an old man, Sengoku! No matter how it changes, it’s still the Navy, right?” Garp chuckled heartily.
“You’re not wrong,” Sengoku replied, his voice softening. “But Garp… you might lose your grandson.”
Garp froze, staring at the meat in his hand, his laughter fading into silence.
…
New Marine Headquarters
Kuro flew directly from Red Port to the headquarters. For him, ships weren’t essential—his own speed sufficed. Yet as a man of the sea, a vessel was a must-have symbol of Grand Line life. But in emergencies, flying was faster.
Sakazuki was recovering at the headquarters after being evacuated there for treatment. Kuro arrived at the infirmary with practiced ease. Sakazuki sat upright in bed, IV drips in his arms, bandages wrapped around his body, and a newspaper beside him.
“You didn’t burn the hospital down this time? Did you finally lose your temper, Fleet Admiral?” Kuro quipped.
“Kuro… it’s you,” Sakazuki nodded. “This is Headquarters. Even old men don’t rage here constantly. Don’t make me sound like a child.”
Kuro smirked, gesturing to the newspaper. His expression turned serious. “You’ve seen it, then.”
Sakazuki fell silent. “Yes. The old man saw it. And received the command. I’m no longer Fleet Admiral—I’m now Grand Fleet Admiral. That… position.”
Already accepted?
But refusal wasn’t an option. Rejecting a promotion was one thing, but once removed from a post, refusal meant rebellion. Though Sakazuki could rally many, that would spark civil war—something he’d never become Zeff.
Kuro met his gaze. “You’ve heard about my situation too?”
“I have. The old man has no objections.” Sakazuki’s eyes held a flicker of approval. “When I resisted the command, I thought ending the pirate era would let me pass the title to you. But even under me, the era lingers… and now, the old man lacks the qualifications to fight.”
The Grand Fleet Admiral’s role was static. Unless Mariejois faced catastrophe, the position was idle—Navy affairs were beyond its reach, even for a Navy-born leader. Akainu’s predecessor, Kong, had been Fleet Admiral during the Top War, yet achieved nothing.
“You’ll end it, won’t you, Kuro?” Sakazuki’s stare sharpened. “Look me in the eye—swear to me you’ll end it!”
Kuro pressed his lips together, then opened his eyes with resolve. “I swear, Grand Fleet Admiral. I’ll personally kill Luffy and Marshall D. Teach, eliminate these pirate icons, crush piracy’s spirit, and end this so-called pirate era myself.”
“Good. Then Navy is yours to lead. Do as you wish. As for the Admiral vacancy, once you’re promoted, you’ll need to choose a successor. Any candidates?”
That caught Kuro off guard. He’d barely processed becoming Fleet Admiral—his inauguration ceremony hadn’t even happened.
“From the Admiral candidates?”
“No. Tatsumaki and Momousagi lack the strength.” Sakazuki shook his head. “Old man’s advice: You’re Wano’s Shogun, right? Kuzan’s in Wano too. Recruit him. Leg injury or not, his power’s unquestionable.”
The two had clashed for ten days—Kuzan’s combat prowess was undeniable. With Sakazuki stepping down, a replacement was needed.
“Kuzan?” Kuro raised a brow. “Didn’t expect you to suggest him.”
Sakazuki snorted. “He betrayed Navy, but there’s still a path back. The old man and he clashed, but that doesn’t mean you must.”
Kuzan had no bounty—World Government wouldn’t brand an ex-Admiral a fool. Navy still held respect for him. A bounty would finalize his status, pushing him fully against them.
“Not bad advice,” Kuro admitted.
A solid plan. Kuzan loafed in Wano anyway—recruiting him as Admiral made sense.
But… who’d guard Wano if Kuzan left?
Not a concern for now.
“Rest well,” Kuro said, turning to leave. Outside, he faced the bright sun, its rays piercing a cloudless sky. A rare, clear day.
“Meant to vent anger, but it’s happening. Red-Haired Shanks… you’re done for.”
Earlier at Haisong Port, those words were just rage. As Admiral, not Fleet Admiral, decisions weren’t his to make.
But now, with Sakazuki accepting his new role without hesitation, the power shifted.
Pulling Shanks from Impel Down… Luffy’s personality was predictable. After failing to save Ace, he’d rush to save his mentor. Their bond ran deep.
Compared to Dragon, Luffy was Shanks’ true child. Though they’d met only once, Luffy barely knew his father—never even saw him.
But once Shanks fell…
Kuro pinched the bridge of his nose. “What a spectacle… but solving this would silence everything.”
Too many surrounded Luffy—eliminate them all, and Grand Line would finally know peace.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
