Chapter 136: Autumn Water
Chapter 136: Autumn Water
After wrapping everything up, Kuro clapped his hands together and said, "Alright, let's go."
"Your hooded cloak."
Lida, now transformed into her young girl form, held the hooded cloak up toward Kuro.
"Oh~ Almost forgot about this."
Kuro ruffled Lida's hair and grabbed the hooded cloak, wrapping it around his bare torso.
"Don’t ruin my hairstyle!" Lida kicked Kuro’s thigh.
Klah cast a lingering glance at the fallen pirates worth over 100 million in bounties, then finally couldn’t resist asking,
"Aren’t we capturing them? Mr. Kuro, this is such a rare opportunity."
Hearing this, Kuro turned around, patted Klah’s shoulder, and said earnestly,
"Klah, we can’t just think short-term. We need to plan for the future. Now isn’t the time—it’s simply not the right moment yet. Look, they’ve got such amazing talent. Wait a couple of years, and their bounties will be even higher. Then they’ll be worth capturing."
"Besides, you’re not strong enough yet. If you capture them now, it’ll actually hurt your promotion prospects. Once you reach a higher rank in the Navy, you’ll be under constant scrutiny. You want a peaceful life, don’t you? That kind of tranquility takes time to build."
Klah glanced back at the Pacifista he’d been dragging, pursed his lips, and managed not to curse.
It wasn’t that he craved promotion—it was just that if these pirates weren’t captured, he might actually gain a reputation. And how could he achieve peace then?
"Mr. Kuro, the main issue is your rank is too low. That limits your autonomy."
Fulfilling his role as strategist, Klah tried again: "If you capture them and get promoted, you’ll gain far more freedom in how you operate."
"That’s true."
Kuro scratched his chin. "If I had more freedom, I could retire to a quiet base—no, wait, station myself there—and live peacefully as a proper Navy officer."
But promotions came risks. The Navy could redeploy him anytime, and the higher his rank, the likelier his superiors would send him on dangerous missions—like scouting the Four Emperors. That would be far too risky.
And now wasn’t the time anyway—he was still figuring out how to avoid getting dragged into the coming war.
As Kuro walked, lost in thoughts of avoiding future battles, Klah adjusted his glasses. The lenses glinted with reflected light as he mused:
"Mr. Kuro didn’t reject the idea—that means I’m right. Autonomy is exactly what he wants. My judgment was correct. Too bad about these Super Novas. No matter—there’ll always be chances to catch bigger fish!"
Klah felt he understood Kuro perfectly now.
Kuro craved safety. He feared fame from personally capturing big pirates, which is why he avoided promotions. But if Klah did the capturing, he could share the credit—Kuro would gain a promotion without the spotlight, effortlessly reaping the rewards.
Since Kuro won’t act, I’ll do it myself!
Once my rank is high enough, I can finally live peacefully—without getting dragged into Kuro’s messes!
Thinking this, Klah couldn’t help but laugh aloud.
"What are you laughing at?" Lida asked.
"I’m laughing at Kas’s lack of wit!"
And your lack of strategy, Lida. Though he dared not say that part aloud.
"?"
Lida tilted her head. "Kas? Isn’t he in the East Blue?"
Seeing Klah’s silence, she shrugged and walked ahead. As she passed the unconscious Jewelry Bonney, she shot her a venomous glare.
"I’ve anticipated your every move ahead of time!"
...
At 12 GR on Shabondy.
The Straw Hat Pirates lay sprawled across the ground.
Usopp and Brook, one with a slingshot and one with a thin sword, continuously poked at Lucius Kro.
Lucius Kro had Zoro pinned underfoot, the other leg raised, glowing intensely yellow.
By the time Kuro arrived, this absurd scene was still ongoing.
He’d spotted that glowing foot from far away, yet after walking closer, the old man still hadn’t kicked.
Are you kidding? Just kick already!
"Kuro big brother."
Sengoku, axe in hand, greeted Kuro before noticing his bare upper body.
"Where’s your shirt?"
"It tore when fighting those over-100-million pirates. Don’t worry about the details."
Kuro waved dismissively, pointing at Lucius Kro. "What’s this old man doing?"
"Dunno", Sengoku shrugged.
"And what are you doing?"
Kuro looked around at the injured crew. Sengoku stood idly beside the Pacifista without lifting a finger.
"Me? I’m waiting to see when Gramps will kick", Sengoku said matter-of-factly.
Unbelievable.
Who dares call me lazy? The real procrastination’s right here.
"Ah, Kuro, you’re here."
Lucius Kro spotted Kuro and raised a hand in greeting—
A perfectly normal wave,
Even though his foot still hovered mid-kick, and two people jabbed him with projectiles.
"Yo", Kuro waved back.
"Those pirates—how are they?" Lucius Kro asked.
"Escaped."
Kuro had used Observation Haki earlier—some minor pirates had already woken up, fleeing with their severely injured captains. They were truly gone.
"They escaped from you? Sounds scary", Lucius Kro pouted.
"Right? Terrifying. I couldn’t beat them", Kuro replied with exaggerated fear.
"Truly gone? Including former Navy Vice Admiral X·X Drake?"
"Every last one! I saw it myself!" Kuro nodded vigorously.
"Good."
Lucius Kro lowered his gaze to Zoro gasping beneath his foot, "Old man’s been wondering—should I kick him to death? Thinking about it for ages."
"Roronoa Zoro."
Behind them, Klah narrowed his eyes. "And Monkey D. Luffy, Usopp—long time no see. Didn’t expect to see this day."
Usopp turned, startled. "Klah?!"
"Mr. Kuro, your sword’s at Pirate Hunter’s waist", Klah pointed at Zoro’s belt. "The one called Huazhou."
"Huh?"
Kuro focused, and indeed—Zoro carried one of his own blades, Huazhou, at his waist.
"How’d my sword get there?"
"Earlier, Pirate Hunter tried fleeing but Gramps caught him. Gramps kicked the sword away, and it flew straight into Gramps himself. It landed next to this Pirate Hunter, who picked it up to battle Gramps."
Sengoku explained, pointing at a nearby blade embedded in the ground.
Black-purple in color, scabbard beside it. Thick spine, massive reverse cross-sword design with red serrated patterns on the blade.
Seeing it, Kuro’s eyes lit up.
One of the Great Quick Blades—Black Blade, Autumn Water!
Swords break without Haki coverage. But not this one—Black Blade.
Forged through years of Haki cultivation by a swordsman, Black Blade’s power far surpassed ordinary Famous Blades.
Kuro approached, drew Autumn Water, and held it to the sunlight for careful inspection.
"Top-quality!"
He couldn’t hide his envy.
"Hey! What are you doing with my sword?!"
Suddenly, Zoro, gasping under Lucius Kro’s foot, struggled to lift his head. Each word came through gritted teeth toward Kuro.
Kuro’s eyes flickered. "Oh? Yours? You don’t seem capable of forging a Black Blade yourself. Or are you just some swordsman who seeks power without honor?"
"Forge?" Zoro growled.
"Yes—strong swordsmen forge their own Black Blade. But judging by your eyes, you’re no dishonorable man."
"How about this? My Huazhou is one of the Fifty Great Quick Blades—a Famous Blade. Use that. A true honorable man would forge his own Black Blade."
Kuro picked up the scabbard, sheathed Autumn Water, and proudly fastened it to his waist.
He lacked honor—he took shortcuts.
(End of Chapter)
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