Chapter 147: Three Thousand Meters Below, You and I Are But Cattle
Chapter 147: Three Thousand Meters Below, You and I Are But Cattle
Flesh and metal shards rained down together, splattering blood that nearly became blood rain, splashing onto everyone below.
“Is Sylla dead?”
Burly man stretched his hand to catch the crimson droplets, watching the meaty fragments and debris fall, his expression dazed.
Was that monstrous bird really gone?
“Hey, slap me!”
He turned to shout at someone, only to realize the other person had shouted the exact same words.
Both men blinked in unison, freezing for a second before simultaneously raising their hands and slapping each other across the face.
It hurt.
Burly man felt intense pain—tears even welled up in his eyes.
But it felt incredibly real.
“It’s dead! Dead!!”
Burly man’s tears burst forth as he collapsed to his knees, his hands frantically clawing at the ground stained by blood and flesh.
“My wife, my child Sylla is dead! It’s over! Everything’s over!”
“Sylla’s dead!”
“It’s defeated! Glory to us!”
“We’re finally free from Sylla’s tyranny!”
“Big Brother, you’re the best!”
“Such incredible power, Big Brother!”
The crowd nearly leapt into the air, their faces radiant with joy or streaked with tears.
How many lives had that monstrous bird ruined? Though they’d eventually devised countermeasures, there were always unlucky souls discovered by Sylla—devoured without mercy.
Without Whitebeard Pirates, Kusnake Town would’ve vanished long ago.
Finally, finally, it was destroyed.
Everyone celebrated—except Shirui, who noticed the sudden crouch of that Navy man. A memory struck her, and she abruptly sprinted home. Moments later, she returned clutching a basket overflowing with food, rushing toward Kuro.
She summoned her courage and thrust the basket into Kuro’s hands. “Navy Big Brother, I heard your stomach growling earlier—please eat this!”
In her mind, Kuro must’ve been starving to crouch like that.
Kuro had been pressing his palm to the ground, channeling his ability through the dagger-like metal spires and scattered debris. Seeing the young girl approach, he hesitated.
“Uh, I am pretty hungry, but—”
He pointed at his Navy hooded cloak. “I’m Navy, after all.”
“You saved us, just like Papa did. Eat it—hunger hurts. Years ago, when this place was still chaos territory, I knew starvation firsthand. I understand.” Shirui pushed the basket forward again.
Her words made Kuro study her face, then chuckle. “Then I’ll accept your kindness.”
He took the basket from Shirui, sat cross-legged, and bit into a loaf of bread.
The basket held nothing extravagant—bread and apples—but the apples gleamed with freshness, and the bread was soft, clearly baked not long ago.
“By the way, you mentioned this place was chaos territory years ago?” Kuro asked casually.
Shirui nodded. “Yes. Before, no one claimed this land—pirates raided constantly. Then Papa came, declared this his domain, and peace followed.”
Her expression darkened. “Then Sylla arrived, and my father and mother died that day.”
“Oh—sorry.” Kuro murmured, his chewing slowing.
Shirui shook her head. “It’s nothing to do with Big Brother. If anything, thank you! You defeated Sylla. So Navy isn’t all bad!”
Kuro glanced at her but said nothing.
“But Big Brother…” Shirui suddenly asked, “why are you chasing Ace? Ace Big Brother is so kind. Oh, never mind if it’s inconvenient.”
Finishing his bread, Kuro grabbed an apple.
“You’re Shirui, right?”
“Mm!”
“Do you think I’m a good person?”
“Big Brother is good!”
“Why?”
“Because you protected us and defeated Sylla!”
“Just for that?” Kuro met her gaze.
Shirui tilted her head. “What else?”
Kuro chuckled. “But before defeating that monstrous bird, Navy was the villain in your eyes, wasn’t it?”
Shirui hesitated, then nodded, quickly adding, “But Big Brother is different! You’re good!”
“You’re still too young. Even adults might never grasp some truths if they’re never taught.”
Kuro grinned. “You call me good, but I see myself as bad. If an action meant certain death to me, I’d turn a blind eye.”
People’s environments shape their perspectives. Even if Navy had many good people, if they’d done nothing for this island, they meant nothing.
Even if pirates had countless villains, if they protected this land, they became heroes.
Kuro understood this deeply.
So where was the line between right and wrong?
Ignore what you don’t see. If you witness it and can act without endangering yourself, help. If not, there’s no choice.
The world is dangerous—survival comes first.
Life is precious, and Kuro valued his own fiercely.
He never saw himself as a justice-seeker or hero.
Just an ordinary person.
Striving for survival, living an ordinary life.
Cultivation was for survival. Joining Navy was for comfort.
He avoided seeking glory because it was perilous.
As he mused, Kuro tilted his head toward the sky. “Three Thousand Meters Below, You and I Are But Cattle. Why bother? Pirates remain pirates, Navy remains Navy. Better to think about dinner tonight.”
Shirui stared at Kuro, then declared firmly, “Big Brother IS good!”
Kuro snorted, shaking his head. “Fine, call me good. Thanks for the meal.”
He stood, brushing his pants. “This place isn’t exactly welcoming, and it’s too dangerous. I’ll leave first.”
As he turned to Shirui, he suddenly reached out, ruffling her hair. “Keep living. The world ahead will be dangerous.”
“You can’t just leave so easily.”
A voice echoed.
Kuro turned sharply. On a nearby hill stood a figure—
He had a pineapple hairstyle, wore a purple coat open to his bare chest marked with the Whitebeard Pirates’ tattoo, and sported a blue waist wrap with a gold chain.
Kuro regarded him flatly. “Phoenix Marco, first division commander of Whitebeard Pirates.”
Marco scratched his head. “I thought this was Sylla’s usual rampage period and came to intervene, but from afar I saw it explode. Hey, did you kill Sylla?”
He peered down at Kuro. “What’s a Navy doing here?”
“If I said I wandered here by accident, would you believe me?” Kuro tried.
“Mm, that’s not very convincing.” Marco narrowed his eyes, murmuring.
(End of Chapter)
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