Chapter 1361: I'm Helping You, Kuro
Chapter 1361: I'm Helping You, Kuro
Kuro quickly reached the massive, stepped platform via the elevator, but the platform was far from normal now. Countless threads stretched from its surface, sticking to the ground and walls like sticky traps. Looking upward, he saw the source—a colossal Birdcage-like structure suspended in the sky.
There was no doubt it was Donquixote Doflamingo’s doing.
“Threads?” Klah adjusted his glasses, touching one of the strands with his finger. Instantly, his fingertip bled.
The threads were razor-sharp and unnervingly durable, capable of slicing flesh even with the lightest contact. Klah channeled Haki into his finger and pushed again, but after a moment’s effort, he shook his head. “Too solid. This is an ability creation—it won’t be destroyed easily.”
Abilities were miracles, and Donquixote Doflamingo’s was no exception. This Birdcage, which had once devastated Dressrosa, was notoriously resilient. Brute force wouldn’t work, but nothing in the world was invincible. After all, these were just threads.
“I’ll handle it.”
Dracule Mihawk stepped forward, but before he could draw his blade, Kuro flipped his thumb, revealing a sliver of his sword.
“Light Sword: Cry.”
Flame and Lightning Glow erupted, encasing Autumn Water in radiant energy. As Kuro gripped the hilt and swung, the blade sliced through the air like a laser, piercing the Birdcage. The threads severed instantly, melting at the edges where they’d been cut.
“Push forward!!”
Kas pointed ahead, and the Navy surged through the opening like a tidal wave.
“You deal with this,” Kuro said, vanishing in a flash as he rocketed toward Donquixote Doflamingo’s location.
The moment he sliced through the Birdcage, he caught a whiff of blood. The stench of blood in Mariejois? That was crossing a line.
——
“What do you think you’re doing?!”
Near a blood-soaked battlefield, a rotund man with a patchy beard and a shovel-like hairstyle lay sprawled, propping himself up with trembling arms. Before him, Donquixote Doflamingo loomed, causing the man’s snot and saliva to fly as he stammered, “I’m a World Noble! A World Noble! If you hurt me, I’ll call the Admirals!”
Donquixote Doflamingo didn’t even glance at him, his expression one of bored disdain. He had no patience for fools.
“Hm?”
He turned his head sharply, a malevolent grin spreading. “The Birdcage’s been breached? Impressive. That aura… You’re here already.”
“Donquixote Doflamingo, what the hell are you doing?”
A voice echoed from the sky. Doflamingo looked up to see a crimson-armored figure—Kuro, gripping Autumn Water, hovering midair.
Seeing him, Doflamingo’s grin widened. He stood atop the threads, arms spread wide. “Kshhhkshhkshh, I’ve been waiting, Kuro!”
Kuro’s brow furrowed as he scanned the corpses below. A bitter grimace crossed his face. “What the hell are you up to now?!”
The dead wore unmistakable World Noble attire. This was no joke.
Had Doflamingo stormed Mariejois and slaughtered the World Nobles? How weak was Mariejois’ defense?
“Hey, it’s you!!”
A familiar voice reached his ears.
“Hey, handsome Navy guy! It’s me, save me!”
Kuro squinted. “Trash Remnant? Wait—Charloss?”
The pitiful figure on the ground was indeed Charloss, the World Noble.
“Kshhhkshhkshh, you can see what I’m doing, Kuro. I’m helping you,” Doflamingo said, gesturing to Charloss. “These people are your obstacles, right? I’m killing them for you. No need to thank me.”
“Helping? You’re a fugitive. Spare me the act,” Kuro snapped. “How did you take out so many World Nobles without anyone stopping you? You couldn’t have overpowered Mariejois’ defenses alone.”
“Couldn’t I?” Doflamingo’s grin turned venomous. “Kshhhkshhkshh, you’re here now, Kuro. You’re just one step from the Throne. I’ve been watching you this whole time.”
“What are you talking about?” Kuro’s eyes narrowed. “The Old Man’s orders were to stop pirates attacking Mariejois. What Throne? The Old Man’s a Navy, not a King.”
“Must you sit on the Pangu Palace throne to understand? Anyway, there’s an Enemy waiting for you. Is this really the time to catch up with me?” Doflamingo chuckled. “Your allies are all here in Mariejois. Won’t you announce your arrival? The Birdcage’s broken—perfect timing for a live broadcast.”
Before Kuro could retort, his gaze sharpened. In the distance, a massive ice bird soared skyward, trailing a hint of green below it.
Kuzan and Tatsumaki’s auras?!
Wait—why were they fighting? Where were the Pirates?
Kuro’s pupils constricted. He hadn’t seen any Pirate corpses. Something was off.
He dismissed Doflamingo, rocketing toward Pangu Palace in a shockwave. There, more corpses lay scattered—guards, officials, and…
His eyes widened. One body wore the insignia of Dressrosa.
Doflamingo’s old crew? Impossible. Pirates wore Pirate crew uniforms.
Only one possibility remained.
Kuro’s gaze snapped to Pangu Palace. His eyes glowed red as Observation Haki spread outward. Amid the chaotic auras, he detected a familiar one.
David!!
It had to be. But how—
A wall of Pangu Palace exploded. A Red-Skinned Elder flew out, crashing to the ground. As he rolled, a streamlined-armored figure leapt from the rubble, landing heavily.
The figure wore a sleek helmet with a wolf-tail-like crest, gripping a greatsword aimed at the Elder’s throat.
(End of Chapter)
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