Chapter 149: You're a National Treasure, Man!
Chapter 149: You're a National Treasure, Man!
Dang!
Dang!
Dang!
Whitebeard descended the ship's staircase, his massive form reverberating with every step. Each time his colossal blade struck the ground, a thunderous clang echoed through the air.
Behind him, his crew captains fell into perfect formation, matching his imposing stride.
As Whitebeard advanced, his six-meter-tall frame radiated overwhelming pressure that intensified with every meter. He slammed his long blade into the ground, sunlight glinting off the steel into his eyes, sharpening the Cold Gleam in his gaze.
He fixed Kuro with an amused stare. "Gurararara! Not bad, kid! You actually took down Sylla!"
A man wearing a watermelon-patterned hat and carrying twin rocket launchers on his back chuckled, "Dad, he's Navy. Don't you think praising him like that's inappropriate?"
"Pfft! What's the big deal?" Whitebeard boomed.
Kuro wiped cold sweat from his brow. Up close, the old man's aura was terrifying - and yet, like a dying candle flame, his life force flickered weakly.
"Dad, why don't you head back inside?" Marco pleaded. "Rest up."
Whitebeard waved him off. "I was coming anyway. Sylla needed finishing. Whether I come early or late doesn't matter." His gaze sharpened on Kuro. "You - what's your reason for being here?"
"Old man, what if I said I was just passing through?" Kuro asked with uncharacteristic sincerity.
Basil said, "Dad, don't trust him. Someone this strong coming to our territory must have ulterior motives."
"Right!" another captain chimed in. "We should capture him and interrogate about Navy movements."
"Absolutely. Navy's our enemy no matter what!"
The captains erupted in agreement, several drawing their weapons.
Wham!
Whitebeard slammed his blade into the ground, silencing them all.
"I don't need some Navy corpse to boost morale. Because I'm Whitebeard!" His laughter rolled like thunder.
Kuro's heart leapt. Could it be...?
Was he actually getting out of this? Facing all these guys, escape seemed impossible. But Whitebeard's words hinted at release?
Suddenly, a flamboyantly dressed man with painted lips stepped forward, fixated on Kuro's sword. "Where did you get the [Autumn Water]?"
"Autumn Water?"
Whitebeard's eyes narrowed as he studied the blade, memories stirring. Decades ago, a certain swordsman had spoken of a National Treasure from a distant land - and the legend of the dragon-slaying swordsman...
"That's our country's National Treasure!" The man with Wano Country's distinctive samurai garb snarled. "Why does a Navy dog have it?"
Kuro raised an eyebrow. "I obtained it through fair trade. It's mine now." He tightened his grip on Autumn Water, genuinely admiring, "Have to say - you National Treasure's craftsmanship really is amazing."
The samurai's eyes darkened. "Dad..."
Whitebeard's gaze lingered on the blade before he barked laughter. "Gurararara! My sons want something? Then take it! We're pirates - free as the wind!"
"Understood, Dad."
With Eizan's joining, Marco's encirclement became a five-point assault. Twin guns raised, Eizan declared, "Surrender Autumn Water or die here!"
The watermelon-hatted man joined them. "I'll help too, Eizan."
Curiel, Whitebeard Pirates' 10th Crew Captain.
Marco raised an eyebrow at Kuro. "Looks like you're not walking away without that sword. Though I doubt you'd do that."
Kuro tilted his head, confusion written across his face.
Huh?
Autumn Water IS amazing!
What's wrong with what I said?
Why are they multiplying like this?
No time to ponder. He inhaled sharply as his Armament Haki expanded from half his body to full coverage. The dark purple aura solidified around him like armor - cross scar glowing on his forehead, tear streaks etched beneath eyes, shoulders and knees pulsing with power.
"Is he seriously using this level of Haki?" someone gasped.
Curiel drew twin pistols. "Let's test it!"
Bang!
A bullet screamed toward Kuro. He moved to deflect, but the shot struck ground before him, erupting in blinding light.
"Flash bullets?"
Before he could react, wind roared from the explosion. A five-meter-tall figure emerged from the glare.
Kuro's blade met the diamond-hard form of Joze, the impact driving both backward. The sheer force shattered mountains behind him as Kuro carved furrows in the earth.
Joze reached for Autumn Water, but Kuro twisted the blade, sending sparks flying across his diamond skin.
"Slash Wave!"
Black-gold arcs of Haki-infused steel slammed into Joze, forcing him back unscathed.
"Tch. Tough bastard." Kuro flicked blood from Autumn Water.
Whitebeard watched, intrigued. "Navy's young generation is this strong now? That technique feels familiar..."
Before the words faded, a blue flame wisp signaled Marco's Bird-Wing transformation, his kick sending Kuro skidding backward.
Bisexual's rose petals materialized behind Kuro, dual black blades descending.
Eizan's Haki-laced bullets fired.
Curiel's rocket launchers roared.
Boom!!!
Smoke and fire engulfed the area. Bisexual emerged, frustrated. "Missed? His speed's incredible!"
The dust cleared. Kuro stood meters away, Iaijutsu stance perfected. "Catch this!"
Haki surged around Autumn Water.
Blade whispered.
"Lion!"
A hundred black-gold slashes erupted randomly toward the five captains.
"Impossible Haki density!" Bisexual cried.
Joze charged forward, diamond armor gleaming, while Marco fully transformed into Phoenix above.
The two absorbed every Haki-infused slash. Joze's boots carved a hundred-meter trench through the battlefield. Marco's phoenix form scattered blue flames, reforming human with amazement. "Your Haki reserves... truly terrifying. We must kill you here before Marineford becomes harder."
"You won't live to see Marineford", Kuro replied.
Marco smirked. "Confidence! You think you can take all of us?"
Bisexual chuckled. "Bold swordsman. Pity you're Navy."
Eizan approached. "Hand over Autumn Water. Or I guarantee nothing about your safety."
Curiel remained silent, but the rising killing intent from all five was palpable.
Kuro's silence stretched.
He never said anything wrong.
They really wouldn't reach Marineford.
He wasn't planning to attend the Summit War at all.
(...still two more paragraphs to translate, lords don't keep saying my chapters are too short!)
(Call ME 'MR. Long And Thick' Already!)
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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