https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1370-Final-Chapter-What-Kind-of-King-Did-You-Want-to-Be-Again-/13543130/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1371-Special-Chapter-That-Wedding-Under-the-Sunset-Is-My-Lost-Youth-Part-2-/13543136/
Chapter 1371: Special Chapter - That Wedding Under the Sunset, Is My Lost Youth (Part 1)
Chapter 1371: Special Chapter - That Wedding Under the Sunset, Is My Lost Youth (Part 1)
East Blue, Shelz Town. The town was unusually lively.
Navy Base 153's gates stood wide open, decorated with red lanterns and strewn with firecracker remnants. Inside the base's plaza, round tables filled the space. The back half hosted Shelz Town's locals, while the front half was occupied by a group of casually dressed men exuding quiet authority, prompting hushed whispers among the townsfolk about their identities.
Among the front-row guests sat a man with slicked-back hair, a scar across his temple, and a coiled snake cigar clenched arrogantly between his lips. Beside him, a pink-haired man leaned back with arms crossed, a cigarette dangling from his lips. A third guest wore a hat, his stern expression radiating intimidation. Another scratched his head lazily while adjusting an eye patch. The last wore chestnut-brown sunglasses, his lecherous appearance softened by a warm, fatherly smile.
Honestly—not a single one looked trustworthy.
"Damn you, Kuro! How dare you do this?! I'll assassinate you! I'll assassinate you!!"
"Damn you, Kuro! How dare you do this?! I'll assassinate you! I'll assassinate you!!"
"Maa, love is love. Don't say it like that", chuckled the chestnut-brown sunglasses-wearing old man beside him.
"Shut up! You think it's fun watching your adopted son get married? That's my sister! My sister!!" the martial artist roared.
As he shouted, the main gates swung open. A man and woman emerged in matching crimson wedding robes. The woman beamed, her eyes brimming with pure joy. The man looked stunned, as if still dazed by the day's events. Attendants handed them wine glasses.
The woman eagerly accepted hers. The man took his like a robot on autopilot.
"Today is a joyous occasion!" A bearded man rushed forward, standing before the couple. "We've all witnessed Kuro Mr. and Lida Miss's love. Now, the Rusiru Family shall have an heir, and the Dogger Family gains a steadfast ally! Let us celebrate this union!"
"Now, newlyweds—raise your glasses! Make your vows!!"
The bearded man's words made the woman beam. She lifted her glass, but paused when she noticed her groom's dazed expression.
"Kuro?" she asked, confused.
The man stood motionless, facing the setting sun. Slowly, he raised his glass, his voice distant:
"To all those beautiful women—this sunset, this twilight, is my fallen youth."
"I, Lucius Kro, thirty-one years old, am a Navy officer. Today... I got married."
...
One week earlier.
The new World Government's one-year anniversary since its grand inauguration on Grand Line.
The former Mariejois, now renamed Kaitian City, remained the World Government's capital. Its strategic location on the Red Line split the Grand Line's first half from the New World, offering dominance over the four seas. The new name symbolized "heaven-opening" ambition—Kuro's World Government vowed to rebuild the world, granting humanity rebirth.
Though easier said than done.
Inside Pangu Palace, the former power chambers had been restructured into the World Government's new leader's office. A man in a black dress uniform, navy hooded cloak, and glasses—his sharp eyes betraying keen intelligence—reported to the figure seated at the desk, who leaned back with a cigar dangling from his lips.
"Kuro Mr., the East Blue Oyikote Kingdom requests to relinquish their rights in exchange for guaranteed status and a self-governed territory."
The seated man was Lucius Kro, the World Government's first leader, former Fleet Admiral, hailed as both "savior" and "World's Greatest Usurper."
Kuro paused mid-document, his lips twitching as he regarded the speaker. "Land? Self-rule? Are they aspiring to be world nobles? Absolutely not. Inform them—no negotiation."
"But Kuro Mr.", Klah interjected, puzzled. "It's just a small territory. We could temporarily grant it to secure their surrender, then arrest them later. This avoids harming locals—I checked. Their king is beloved, not a tyrant."
Kuro cut him off, fingers drumming the desk. "Precisely because he's not a tyrant, I'm being lenient with words instead of warships. Klah, revolution must be thorough—no half-measures, no deception. I'll tell Grand Line plainly: I'll eradicate feudal nobility and exploitative capital, openly and decisively. King? How many fleets does he command? How many Admirals?"
"Understood, Kuro Mr." Klah straightened.
Kuro exhaled smoke, leaning back. "Not to lecture you, but the new government needs new ideals. You cling to old ways. You're Navy Chief of Staff—your tactics work against pirates, but World Government demands evolution."
Klah forced a smile. You know I'm just Navy Chief, right? Not World Government... But he dared not voice it. Kuro had always been his superior—his captain, forever.
"Kuro Mr.", Klah continued. "Education outreach is limited. We lack officials. Many remote islands only know the government changed, not its policies. Should we expand recruitment?"
Kuro pondered. "Use the pirates Kas convinced. Let them govern. Lucci will vet them. Also, serialize small stories or facts in newspapers to inform the public. And calendars—print simple, useful knowledge. Avoid elitism."
"Understood, Kuro Mr."
"Klah, organize these issues into a detailed list with your recommendations. Let Kas review. I'll approve or advise." Kuro waved him off. "I'm not omniscient. You're becoming a walking encyclopedia. I'm not some wish-granting Doraemon. We're all learning by doing. When I retire, you'll lead. Think independently. Don't fear mistakes. Once stability comes, you'll govern alone."
The new government's first year had been relentless. Navy fought New World pirates. Kas, now Fleet Admiral, led Kuzan and Yi Xiao in the New World.
The third Admiral? Missing.
Candidates existed—Momousagi Zoro, Tatsumaki Kaku, White Butterfly Lida—but Kuro deemed them lacking. Even Moer's convenient ability fell short. They matched Seven Warlords' elite tiers but not Admirals. A failed candidate would disgrace the Navy.
Kuro needed Admirals to remain undefeated. The Four Emperors were all but eliminated. Only ambushes or alliances could threaten them.
As for the Admiral vacancy, Kuro preferred veterans. Sakazuki, now Grand Fleet Commander, couldn't be replaced. Last year, after victory, Sakazuki confronted Kuro. Before Kuro spoke, Kas and Wilbur's banter, plus lost copies of "Justice Faith" and "Justice Seven-Step Straw Hat Principles", enlightened him.
Sakazuki's awakening was terrifying. When Kuro sent him to subdue a rebellious kingdom, he incinerated the entire nobility and capitalist class—including their defenders—and left the land in ruins.
Kuro found himself in a frenzy trying to clean up the mess.
"That's not how things are done", he muttered. "They stand for upright governance, not rule by violence. There's a difference."
As for that incident, Kuro had cursed a few times before Sakazuki shot back, accusing him of betraying his principles by defending the feudal nobility. Sakazuki had even declared, "If you've truly fallen, I'll enforce the law properly - no exceptions, not even for the Yuan Capital."
To put it simply, since the old Four Emperors' deaths, Sakazuki had become increasingly rigid, treating two ancient rulebooks like gospel. This kind of person rarely acted, but when he did, it meant the situation had reached extremes.
Then there was Gramps.
He'd claimed retirement and refused to return, content with running a kindergarten. He even took on side jobs for extra fun. Kuro let him be.
As for that guy Tatsumaki, after fighting Kuzan in Mariejois, he'd vanished without a trace. Kuzan later said during their battle, Tatsumaki had declared, "I'm an Admiral! The Navy didn't even bother informing me when they turned traitor. I'm done playing this game."
At the time, Kuro had his own troubles. If he'd met Tatsumaki, he might've said the same thing - hadn't he become the World Government's new leader without knowing anything either? But since Tatsumaki disappeared without submitting formal resignation, they eventually gave up searching.
The third position remained vacant. They were actively recruiting Navy personnel, hoping to find someone as capable as Yi Xiao or cultivate a new talent internally. Kas handled these matters and reported directly, while Kuro, buried in paperwork, had no time to micromanage.
"Phew."
Exhaling smoke, Kuro stubbed out his nearly finished steam cigar in the ashtray. He pulled out the cigar box, only to click his tongue at the dwindling supply.
"Ever since becoming this damned leader, I go through cigars faster than Old Man ever did. Tell William to send more."
"Understood, Kuromr. I'll arrange support immediately."
Klah nodded, exiting the office to provide assistance elsewhere. Pangu Palace had given him an office next to Kuro's to help with administrative tasks.
As for Kuro himself?
Absolutely not. Would the World Government's supreme leader personally assist a Seven Warlords of the Sea? With current staffing shortages, Klah, as Navy Chief of Staff, spent most of his time here doing menial tasks like pouring tea. After all, Navy Deputy Chief Tina handled most of Klah's former duties, while Klah focused on familiarizing himself with World Government operations.
The elder Chief of Staff, He, along with Sengoku and Garp, happily served as Navy supervisors. Speaking of Garp, after the war, he'd punched Kuro once. Kuro didn't resist. One punch, and it was over.
Back then, Navy and pirates were irreconcilable enemies. Garp understood this better than anyone.
After they retired, Kuro didn't force them back to work. They were septuagenarians - retirement was appropriate. Better to leave room for maneuver, lest he himself face re-employment after retirement. Sengoku's intelligence would've made handling affairs easier.
"Damn, haven't visited the izakaya in ages. Work's kept me from even a vacation. This sucks!"
Kuro shook his head. Only when you managed things yourself did you realize how burdensome governance was. After a full year, he hadn't slept an extra minute. Each day began with endless paperwork.
He remembered someone saying night-owls stayed up to delay today's end, and late sleepers postponed tomorrow's arrival. But even if he worked through the night, he'd still wake to more work. Time had blurred into meaninglessness.
Without reflection, he wouldn't have realized a year had passed.
Kuro sighed, "When will I get a break? I want to drink with friends."
But that was just wishful thinking. If he couldn't spare time, others certainly couldn't either. He'd feel unbalanced if they did.
Busier was better.
Just then, Klah returned, his brow furrowed with worry. "Kuromr., bad news."
"Let me guess", Kuro said dryly. "Another 'bad news' situation?"
With Klah's constant emergencies, he'd grown accustomed.
"No, this time it's serious", Klah insisted. "News from the New World - Kuzan seems to be in trouble. He's trapped and requesting support."
"What? Kuzan? In trouble? Who in the Grand Line could possibly challenge him?"
This was unheard of. Who in the Grand Line could force Kuzan to ask for help?
Klah explained, "We discovered a town on a New World island. Initial Navy deployments failed. We kept sending personnel - majors, commanders, vice admirals - all disappeared. Kuzan went personally, but now it's proving difficult."
Kuro frowned, "So many losses? Even Kuzan failed?"
"Not exactly", Klah shook his head. "He says he's just trapped."
"Then send Sakazuki", Kuro decided. "One Admiral isn't enough? Send two. Three if needed. I can't intervene directly - you must handle Navy authority yourselves."
"Understood, I'll issue orders immediately, Kuromr."
No one could handle two Admirals simultaneously. Though Sakazuki and Kuzan had different philosophies - one a Grand Fleet Admiral, the other a mere Admiral - they could still handle any enemy together.
A few days later...
"Kuromr.!"
Klah burst into the office, his expression grim. "Failure!"
"What now?" Kuro asked, looking up from paperwork.
Klah's face darkened, "Kuzan, Sakazuki, and Vice Admiral Borsalino are all trapped on that island!"
Kuro shot to his feet, "All three failed?! Impossible!"
This defied logic! Even during the Second Top War, Kuro had defeated Blackbeard and Luffy one-on-one.
Three Admirals together? No one could withstand them!
"Not exactly failed", Klah clarified. "They're being held off. Endless enemies block their movements. Analysis suggests a hidden force controlling things, but even Admiral Borsalino couldn't locate the enemy."
Kuro narrowed his eyes, "No casualties?"
"None, but no progress either. Should we order retreat?"
"Retreat?!" Kuro snapped, lighting another cigar. "Three Admirals retreating from an unknown island? That'd destroy our prestige! Even if we fail, we must analyze why. We accept failure, but never bewildered defeat!"
He exhaled smoke, "Where is this cursed place? I'll go myself."
"The 【Isle of Wine】, near Wano Country."
"Wano? I don't recall any farming region there", Kuro frowned.
Klah rolled his eyes internally.
You know everything? Most problems I solve for you!
But this time, even he was surprised.
"Kuromr., we only recently confirmed the town's existence. This island should've disappeared fifty years ago. It was uninhabited - we don't know why it reappeared."
"Fine, let's see for ourselves. Do we have the Log Pose?"
"We do, Kuromr."
Klah returned with the Log Pose. Kuro opened the window, leapt out, and soared into the sky like a meteor, vanishing from sight.
Unbelievable!
Three Admirals - active or retired - all at full strength, stymied by one island?
Unheard of!
Yet here they were. Kuro needed answers. What were those three old men up to now?
Flying at incredible speed, Kuro reached the destination quickly. Mariejois' Kaitian City lay at Grand Line's heart, and the journey passed swiftly.
...
Two days later, Kuro arrived.
New World's climate was more volatile - frenzied storms and lightning common. But natural forces held no power over him.
Hovering high, he observed the island below - shaped like a wine cup. He squinted, "The Isle of Wine?"
Surrounding areas howled with wind, the sky dark as night. Purple lightning struck repeatedly, making the island seem like a demon realm.
Descending further, Kuro saw three strange regions at the island's heart. One glowed crimson with intense heat. Another shimmered with white frost, radiating cold. The third smoked with yellowish light.
Sensing the aura, Kuro furrowed his brow and dove downward.
Whoosh!
A laser beam pierced through a group of zombie-like creatures, felling them instantly.
Lucius Kro stood with finger raised, aiming at the horde.
"Whoa!"
A zombie lunged from his side, claws piercing Lucius Kro's body. But the wound scattered into glowing motes, reforming him nearby.
He pouted at the zombie, "Oh~ How scary."
Boom!
A lava blast reduced the creature to ash.
Sakazuki, wearing a hooded cloak, fists blazing with magma, faced the horde with a gloomy expression. Around him, zombies howled as they charged.
“Ice Age!”
Just as the undead surged forward, bursts of white frost erupted from the ground, sweeping over them and transforming the creatures into statues of ice.
At the other end, Kuzan pressed a hand against the earth, his body coated in frost as he stared at the frozen figures. He exhaled sharply, releasing a chilling breath of ice.
But soon, the ice statues and frost on the ground melted away, magically restoring the terrain to its original state. From the soil sprouted even more undead, roaring as they charged at the trio.
Kuzan scratched the back of his head, sighing helplessly, “Ah, well… This never-ending cycle’s getting old. How about we call it a draw?”
“Crimson Lotus!”
A dog-shaped head of lava erupted toward the undead, its fangs snapping shut as it melted the creatures into slag.
“Hmph! What nonsense!” Sakazuki snapped, throwing a punch as he coldly added, “If we retreat now, the Navy’s authority will vanish!”
“Oh~ The Navy’s authority? How terrifying,” Lucius Kro cheerfully replied, glancing at the newly regenerated undead. “But dragging this out won’t work either. This island doesn’t seem very friendly to us.”
He extended his index finger, concentrating a beam of energy to deal with the charging undead.
Suddenly, the three felt a shift and simultaneously looked up.
Whoosh!
A violent pressure descended from the sky, carrying a dense network of razor-sharp wind blades that sliced the undead to shreds. The pressure was indiscriminate, engulfing the three Admirals as well. The wind blades tore through them, cutting them apart.
One transformed into light, dispersing before reforming.
Another solidified from molten lava, fusing back into shape.
The third reassembled from shattered ice, rising anew.
“Ah, well…” Kuzan scratched his head, “You showed up too, huh?”
From the sky descended a handsome man in a golden uniform and a hooded Justice cloak. He sheathed his sword, Autumn Water, and frowned at the carnage below.
“What are you three doing?”
“Oh~ Kuro, as you can see, we’re having a little contest,” Lucius Kro cheerfully replied. “Who can kill the most.”
Sakazuki added solemnly, “For now, the old man’s in first.”
“I’m not talking about that!” Kuro gritted his teeth. “Why are you three playing games here? How many days has it been? What have you been doing?!”
Three Admirals stuck on a tiny island for days?
It’s laughable!
How could the Navy under the new World Government have fallen so far?
“This island,” Kuzan explained, pointing ahead. “As you can see, the undead regenerate.”
The freshly sliced undead dissolved into the earth like fertilizer, only to sprout anew like spring shoots.
“Regeneration?” Kuro frowned. “But even so, this shouldn’t be a problem for you.”
(End of Chapter)
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