https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1314-It-s-Already-Chapter-1-308-I-Thought-Someone-Among-You-Wouldn-t-Come/13542766/
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Chapter 1315: Either Join the War or Be Killed by Me
Chapter 1315: Either Join the War or Be Killed by Me
"Kuro, Fleet Admiral."
Joe Rudolph smiled. "Long time no see."
Kuro walked to the round table, sat down, and glanced at them before saying, "Frankly, I hoped we’d never meet again. You do your thing, I’ll do mine—we stay out of each other’s way. But sometimes, there’s no choice. With combat power like yours, I can’t just leave you all wandering around unchecked."
"Talk like that’s too blunt, don’t you think? We’re at least bound by contract", William interjected.
"That contract’s just paper. You can quit anytime—no one’s stopping you. But—" Kuro’s gaze swept over Dracule Mihawk, Boa Hancock, and Buggy, "—it’s impressive that all the Seven Warlords of the Sea could attend this meeting. You’re giving me quite the honor."
"Cut the crap, Kuro! What’s your point?" Boa Hancock snapped. "If you’re going to execute Shanks, I’ve got no objection. But you’re really doing this to draw out Luffy, aren’t you? Why go this far?"
"Does the Navy need a reason to deal with pirates?" Kuro stared her down. "What, after the last Top War, Jinbei ended up locked up. Now you want to experience Impel Down yourself?"
When Kuro summoned the Seven Warlords of the Sea, he’d expected these three might resist. Buggy had a slight chance of complying, but Dracule Mihawk and Boa Hancock were almost certain to oppose him.
After all, Buggy and Red-Haired Shanks had once been close friends, sailing together for years. Boa Hancock, obsessed with Luffy, would naturally side against Kuro. As for Dracule Mihawk—
Well, he was even more ordinary. Shanks was his friend, and Roronoa Zoro, Luffy’s officer, was supposedly his apprentice.
Kuro had already prepared to deal with the three of them by force. He hadn’t expected them to actually show up.
"You!"
Boa Hancock’s expression darkened. "If it’s about Luffy’s officer, then this one—"
"Think carefully before you speak", Kuro cut in, his tone hardening. "Choose—either stand with the Seven Warlords of the Sea or side with common pirates. At a time like this, I don’t have the patience for games. You’re here now, so there are only two choices."
He raised a finger. "Either join this war."
He clenched his fist.
"Or be killed by me."
"Hah! Hah! Hah!" Crocodile cackled, his laughter sharp and eerie. "Such a grand affair—I’m naturally interested."
Dracule Mihawk straightened, lifting his hat brim to reveal his piercing, hawk-like eyes. "This is the Grand Line’s destiny."
"Oh? You don’t seem to care much?" Kuro asked, curiosity flickering.
Among the Seven Warlords, Kuro had already calculated their reactions. Joe Rudolph and William were the least likely to rebel. Katakuri might, but the odds were low—he’d accepted the title to protect his Family/Clan, but with Big Mom eliminated, it now depended on his personal will.
Crocodile was a pragmatist. He knew the New World’s state—Four Emperors were obsolete, and while One Piece still held value, survival was the priority. Rebellion could wait until after the war.
As for the remaining three, Buggy wasn’t worth Kuro’s concern.
But the two strongest—precisely the ones most likely to rebel. Especially Hawk-Eye.
"Once you’ve made up your mind, there’s no stopping you", Dracule Mihawk said, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "But the man who’s earned the ‘Hell King’ reputation? I’d like to test him myself."
Kuro studied him, then pulled a cigar from his coat, lit it, and exhaled a plume of smoke. Scanning the room, he said,
"You’ve all been Seven Warlords of the Sea for some time. The contracts I’ve offered are generous—no one’s given better terms since this system began. We’ve worked together smoothly. So now, choose your path: pirate or ally."
"But let me remind you—my main battlefield is the New World. If anyone’s thinking of seizing this chance to become the next Four Emperors, act now. I’m busy, but once I’m free, whether it’s Four Emperors or fifty-six, I’ll deal with them all."
"Of course, don’t worry about being discarded after the war. My word stands. Regardless, the system will remain. The Grand Line is brutal and dangerous—pirates will never vanish. That’s all."
Without another word, he left.
The Seven Warlords of the Sea system had been preserved to counterbalance the Four Emperors and monitor pirates. But now, it was obsolete.
Out of old sentiment, Kuro would keep it—for now. Pirates couldn’t be eradicated entirely. He’d allow them to create a new symbol after the war.
As long as they didn’t hinder him, he’d tolerate their existence.
With Kuro gone, silence fell over the hall.
"Tch, boring." Crocodile stood and left.
"Then I’ll take my leave first", Joe Rudolph bowed and departed another way.
William followed shortly after.
"Luffy, huh…" Katakuri mused, a faint smile forming. "I look forward to our reunion." He left too.
Bang!
Buggy, still eating, slammed his fork onto the table, teeth gritted. "Damn you, Red-Haired Shanks! Damn you, Luffy! We’ll settle this on the battlefield!"
As Buggy stormed out, only Dracule Mihawk and Boa Hancock remained.
"Still hesitating? Then let’s decide on the battlefield", Dracule Mihawk said, grabbing his massive black blade and leaving.
Boa Hancock alone lingered, biting her thumb, her face shadowed.
She didn’t want to fight Luffy—she’d rather join him against the Navy.
But she was Amazon Lily’s emperor.
Kuro was despicable, but the contract had brought convenience. Kusnake Island no longer needed plunder for supplies and had even thrived by controlling a trade route. She’d seen it all.
For Kusnake Island’s sake, she couldn’t abandon this position—unless the Navy itself scrapped the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
But Luffy’s officer…
Boa Hancock knew Luffy’s officer couldn’t defeat Kuro. Even with her help, it was impossible.
Rumors claimed Luffy’s officer had beaten Kaido, but what did that prove?
Though she hadn’t seen him in years, Boa Hancock knew one thing: Kuro had become even more terrifying.
(End of Chapter)
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