https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-160-True-Safety-Means-Killing-People-Ahead-of-Time/13536084/
Chapter 161: No Way, No Way
Chapter 161: No Way, No Way
Kaido couldn’t catch up for now, and Kuro certainly wouldn’t give him the chance. He’d long vanished into the distance.
Under the starry night sky, two figures soared through the air.
After waiting a while, Kuro confirmed there was no dragon chasing him from the skies and finally exhaled in relief.
The moment he relaxed, his entire body felt like collapsing.
Maintaining intense focus for a high-intensity attack all day had drained him, especially after unleashing two ‘Ultimate Mystic Arts’.
Even he had his limits.
“Tsk.”
After landing, Kuro released his Armament Haki and instinctively clutched his head.
His whole body ached, especially his skull. The injury from Kaido piercing through the island earlier hadn’t been minor.
“Kuro, are you alright?” Lucius Kro floated closer, eyeing him.
“Nothing serious. Gramps, you arrived right on time.”
“Oh~ Good. Earlier, when you said you were up here, it startled Old Man. By the way, when did you get Shanks’ ability?”
This question stunned Kuro.
Only now did he realize—he’d accidentally revealed his Devil Fruit power to Gramps.
He glanced around. Under the starless night, it was just the two of them flying alone, undeniable evidence.
“Uh… Gramps, hear me out—it’s not what it seems! Let me explain!”
“This power… I found it! Lida suddenly discovered a Devil Fruit, and I ate it. It turned out to be the Float-Float Fruit. I hadn’t reported it yet—I was planning to train more first.”
“After all, as a man of the sea, eating a Devil Fruit isn’t that strange, right?”
Kuro forced his expression to look sincere.
“Oh~ How peculiar.”
Lucius Kro pointed at Kuro’s side. “Then those two swords—did you ‘find’ them too?”
Kuro’s heart sank. Floating beside him were Sakujū and Kigō, the two Famous Blades. Their superior quality had prevented them from shattering with Kuro’s ability earlier.
He’d grown so used to controlling them that, during battle, his instincts had summoned them back.
At a loss, Kuro grumbled, “Yeah! I found them too! I’m sword-blind—I don’t even know how good these are!”
Lucius Kro chuckled. “During your standoff with Whitebeard, we intercepted your call via Transponder Snail. Kuro, you personally claimed you’d killed Shanks. Quite surprising.”
What?!
Kuro’s eyes widened in shock.
Back then, Whitebeard had actually used a Transponder Snail? What was he trying to do—call for backup while fighting him?!
He’d barely survived fighting hundreds of enemies, and now they wanted reinforcements?!
Kuro instantly guessed the situation, but the bigger issue was—why did Headquarters have to hear this?!
Meeting Lucius Kro’s teasing gaze, Kuro transformed into a dramatic old fortune-teller, exclaiming:
“No way, no way! No one really believes I killed Shanks, right?! No way anyone still buys that! Shanks disappeared years ago—he’s definitely dead by now!”
“Gramps, don’t jump to conclusions without evidence! Shanks is long gone—I never killed him, and I’m not getting promoted!”
The last sentence was the key point.
Lucius Kro stared, then smiled. “Meh, that’s trivial. As long as you’re safe, let’s head back to Headquarters first.”
“Can’t I skip the trip?”
Kuro gave him his most earnest look. “Gramps, Whitebeard is advancing on Headquarters now. There’s a power vacuum—pirates will exploit it. The New World’s balance mustn’t collapse. As a Navy officer, maintaining stability is my duty. Let me stay here to prevent chaos.”
“Oh~ Sorry, no. Admiral Sengoku ordered me to bring you back personally. Besides, Headquarters is consolidating all forces. As a Headquarters major, you can’t run from this. Old Man might not care, but orders are orders.”
Lucius Kro shook his head, crushing Kuro’s wild proposal.
Kuro twitched his lips.
I survived getting slapped by a bear, fought Whitebeard, then Kaido—and now I have to return for another war?!
What’s the point of all this effort?!
I should’ve stayed at Headquarters in the first place!
But facing Lucius Kro’s amused smile, he knew escape was impossible.
“Boroboroboro!”
Suddenly, his Transponder Snail rang.
“This late? Who now?”
Kuro answered grumpily. Lida’s voice came through: “Kuro, are you okay? Where are you?”
“Me? Floating in the sky, contemplating life!” Kuro rolled his eyes.
The Snail crackled with laughter, like they were dining together.
“Is that Mr. Kuro? Mr. Kuro, it’s Koby!”
The Snail’s screen shifted to a goofy face with a forehead eye.
“Big Brother Kuro, we’re glad you’re safe. Come back quickly!”
That was Sengoku.
Come back? Quick as in… head back for the war?!
Kuro wanted to strangle Sengoku.
The Snail switched to Klah.
“Mr. Kuro, we’ve captured over 500 pirates at Shabondy—the perfect execution of your plan! You can rest easy for your promotion. Since this involves the World Nobles, the promotion process is lightning-fast. But since you weren’t present, they only gave you a single rank-up. You’re now a Lieutenant Commander. Lida and I, however, earned full Major promotions for our efforts!”
“Say What?!”
Kuro stared, then bellowed into the Snail: “Klah, repeat that—Now!”
“You got promoted, Mr. Kuro! Don’t thank me—I’m just doing my duty as your subordinate!”
Klah’s voice slurred, clearly tipsy.
“I’ll be damned…”
Kuro nearly cursed but held back, sensing others were listening.
The more he thought, the stranger it felt.
My plan was to stay hidden, catch minor pirates slowly, and quietly climb ranks until becoming a low-key, comfortable regional officer—living luxuriously ever after.
Klah’s move to take direct action and share credit wasn’t wrong per se…
But now of all times?!
You couldn’t wait until I found a safe spot?!
And now, with Headquarters aware of my actions, hiding low is the only smart choice!
“Klah—did you even check the newspapers lately?!” Kuro growled.
“Newspapers? What newspapers? I’ve been busy catching pirates—no time to read!” Klah replied, confused.
“Then go find a newspaper!”
Kuro slammed the Snail shut.
“Oh~ Curious. You got promoted again, Lieutenant Commander Kuro.” Lucius Kro chuckled.
“Stop joking, Gramps!”
Kuro snapped, then deflated with a sigh.
“First things first—I’m injured. I need recovery leave!”
“Meh, let’s go back first. Old Man’s orders are to bring you home.”
(End of Chapter)
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