Chapter 153: Who Are You Insulting?
Chapter 153: Who Are You Insulting?
Shabondy.
Hmph!
Klah materialized in a flash, his claw blade slicing through a fleeing pirate. Adjusting his glasses, he surveyed the remaining pirates sprawled on the ground, gasping their last breaths.
"Is that all of them?" he asked.
"Looks like it. The rest ran off."
Lida dragged another pirate by the feet, tossing the unconscious body onto the pile before reverting to her young girl form.
"This one's worth 53 million. Tried escaping, so I brought him back."
Klah's expression turned odd at her words. "Fifty-three million?"
He'd been hunting pirates for three days, and none of his catches had exceeded twenty million. Meanwhile, Lida had been slacking off—visiting parks and gorging on snacks at the commercial district.
And now she returned with a 53 million bounty?
Sengoku appeared, shouldering his massive axe. Glancing at the pile, he remarked, "Good job. Not bad for Kuro's subordinates. These pirates should be enough. Tch, that damn Luffy."
The main culprit had escaped, and they still had to deal with the hassle of the World Nobles. They could only compensate by capturing more pirates.
The three-day operation netted over five hundred pirates—mostly thanks to Klah and Lida. Klah in particular.
There were two reasons for his relentless effort.
First, for Kuro's sake. If subordinates handled the captures, Kuro could quietly advance their ranks without attracting too much attention. After all, the Navy arresting hundreds of pirates at once wasn't unheard of. Subordinates should think ahead for their superiors—that's what Klah, the self-proclaimed strategist, believed.
Second, for his own position. His rank was too low—like Kuro, he sought safety and peace, but comfort mattered too. Though Kuro's direct subordinate, the Navy's hierarchy didn't strictly define who reported to whom. A low rank meant being constantly reassigned. While he was Navy by name, his pirate roots still ran deep. He'd follow Kuro's orders without question, but taking commands from others? Not happening.
Higher ranks meant influence. Eventually, they'd carve their place in the Navy's factions.
"Great work!"
A Vice Admiral arrived with Navy troops, panting. "No wonder you're Lucius Kroadmiral's subordinates. You're incredible."
Though stationed at Shabondy Marine Base, this Vice Admiral was an ordinary man promoted through merit, not strength. Most of the Navy consisted of such people.
Klah corrected him, "We're not Lucius Kroadmiral's direct subordinates—we're under Kuromajor, Lucius Kroadmiral's direct subordinate. Remember: Kuromajor. This operation was his order."
"Kuromajor, got it. I'll note it clearly in the report." The Vice Admiral nodded.
A smirk tugged at Klah's lips. Their goal was achieved.
...
New World, Safu Island.
The island's condition was dire. Once-proud mountain peaks encircling the island lay shattered. Distant ones had lost their summits, while closer ones crumbled to their midsections, some completely reduced to rubble.
The island's surface was equally scarred—craters littered the land, strewn with metal shards, scattered Weapons, and Black Guns. The ground near Whitebeard was cracked like a spiderweb, some sections collapsed entirely into the Grand Line.
Kusnake Town's houses lay in ruins nearby. The battle between Kuro and Whitebeard had left its mark—even without Devil Fruit powers, the sheer physical onslaught shook the island viciously. Haki could do worse, but Whitebeard couldn't risk his sons taking such damage.
Whitebeard gazed at the massive sea swirling above and the endless blades raining down. "Kid, your strength's impressive. Maintaining this many attacks?"
"Regular sleep and exercise keep me fit. A youth's strength shouldn't disappoint expectations", Kuro replied matter-of-factly.
After exchanging blows, Kuro stopped hurling objects—pointless waste. Collecting them had taken effort. No need to squander.
Whitebeard had also ceased his assault, leading Kuro to believe he'd abandoned the attack. Prolonging the fight would destroy the island.
The islanders' presence indirectly protected Kuro. If they fought without restraint, he'd struggle to escape—even a month's bed rest might not be enough.
But now, both sides hesitated to endanger the island's people. Kuro's escape was inevitable.
Leave these civilians behind? Over his dead body. Even if his ancestors' graves sprouted smoke three hundred meters high, he wouldn't risk it.
Whitebeard watched Kuro ascend rapidly, eyes narrowing. His grip on his nitoryu shifted, but he held back.
"Dad, if we let him go, he'll become a bigger threat", a division commander warned.
This man had shocked them with Shanks-like power. If he escaped, he'd haunt the Navy as another looming menace.
Whitebeard chuckled. "No worries. I'm Whitebeard!"
He called to the figure vanishing into the clouds, "Hey kid, what's your name?"
"Roronoa Zoro", Kuro answered solemnly.
"Don't lie. Roronoa Zoro wouldn't look like you", Marco countered. He'd seen the wanted poster.
"You heard our Dad! Strong men don't run from introductions like cowards!" Izou barked, his voice carrying upward.
Kuro's lips twitched. Strong men?
You insulting me?
Strong men either died from ambushes or stronger foes. Let others chase that title—he wanted none of it.
Silently, he soared higher.
Whitebeard laughed, "Gurarararara! Kid, you won't even tell an old man your name? That's no way to be a man!"
Kuro paused, glancing back with a smirk. "Troublesome. My name's Kuro. Goodbye."
His final words vanished into the wind, lost in the distance.
"What'd he say?" Izou strained his ears.
The others shook their heads.
"Sounded like 'Luo'... Could it be him?"
Bissta's eyes widened. "Klah—the man Dracule Mihawk called capable of challenging his title as World's Greatest Swordsman! He's Navy! Mihawk once encountered a Navy swordsman with incredible skill!"
"Klah?"
Marco studied the clouds where Kuro disappeared. "Seems serious. No tricks here."
"Gurarararara! The new generation's finally arrived. The world will change..."
Whitebeard gazed into the Grand Line, eyes deep with determination, perhaps even nostalgia.
"Let's move. We have real work. We'll settle this at Marineford!"
The commanders bristled—this battlefield wasn't ideal, but others? They'd welcome the challenge.
Izou clenched his Fist. "At Marineford, I'll reclaim Autumn Water!"
(End of Chapter)
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