Chapter 162: This Is An Opportunity
Chapter 162: This Is An Opportunity
Kuro's current injuries weren't faked like last time during the battle with the Super Novas - this time, he was genuinely hurt.
But injuries aside, returning was still necessary.
If he didn't fly himself, Gramps' plan seemed to involve dragging him back at lightspeed.
Lucius Kro didn't "fly" per se.
His method was more of a "drift", using light refraction through air to achieve high-speed movement.
While faster than Kuro, the energy expenditure was significantly higher.
That said, this level of strain wasn't much for Gramps.
There were many Devil Fruit users capable of aerial mobility, though few truly "flew." Most relied on unconventional means.
Doflamingo used threads to hitch rides on clouds.
Kaido transformed into a dragon to ride the clouds.
Charlotte Linlin rode clouds crafted from souls.
Some grew wings or relied on technological enhancements for flight.
But genuine freedom in the skies - unrestricted aerial movement - belonged solely to the "Float-Float Fruit."
Which meant Kuro, the current "Floating Man."
Still, in this moment, he wished he couldn't fly.
Kuro flew forward with a dejected slouch, while Lucius Kro followed closely behind, clearly monitoring him to prevent any sudden escape attempts.
"I joined this damn war hoping for some peace, but now none of you are getting off easy!"
Kuro muttered through clenched teeth at the sky.
That idiot Klah had to cause trouble now? How could he confuse "major" with "commander"?
A "major" was just a soldier, but a "commander" was elite material!
He'd been considering avoiding the war's center by skimming its edges. The true battleground lay at the heart of the conflict, where pirate and Navy elites would clash. The rest were just peripheral skirmishes.
Now, his position had no choice but to face the central battlefield.
What the hell!
Of all places, why did he have to get hit there?!
...
Inside a restaurant at Marineford's city square.
After arresting pirates, Sengoku suggested celebrating and invited Lida and Klah to dinner. When they ran into Koby's group, Sengoku extended the invitation since Kuro had mentioned them before.
How expensive could a meal be?
For Sengoku, it was practically pocket change. He quite enjoyed the lively atmosphere.
But now, the mood had turned tense.
Klah stared at his phone, still confused after Kuro abruptly hung up. Still, Kuro's last words carried an icy undertone.
Looking around at the group, he asked, "Any big news in the newspapers recently?"
"You don't know? Kuro didn't tell you?"
Sengoku downed a glass of sake.
"This major event? Kuro didn't brief you?"
This made Klah uneasy.
He hastily signaled the waiter. "Bring me the latest newspapers. All issues from the past few weeks."
When the waiter returned, Klah skimmed through the pages.
[East Blue'S Mysterious Island Appearance Dismissed - Locals Believe Their Prayers Worked.]
Old news. Pass.
[Former West Blue Kingdom Officer Spotted Joining Mysterious Crew.]
Unfamiliar. Pass.
[Sea Hero "Sora" VS Evil "Germa 66" Enters New Chapter!]
Another comic Klah followed. He admired the hero Sora.
[Shocking! Why "Shocking"? Join Our Reporter TO Find Out!]
Nonsense!
Continuing through the papers, he finally found a truly shocking headline in the latest edition.
[Whitebeard Pirates' Second Division Commander "Fire-Fist" Ace Arrested - Public Execution Scheduled IN One Week.]
"Whitebeard..." Klah murmured.
Lida had seen the same headline, exclaiming, "Wait, they caught one of Whitebeard's men? That old man will go berserk! What's the Navy thinking? Are they provoking Whitebeard directly?"
And that Ace... He'd encountered him in Arabasta.
Didn't expect he'd get captured.
Klah adjusted his glasses. "The reason for capturing Ace will drag us in whether we're willing or not. We'll have no choice but to act."
Everyone knew Whitebeard.
Even the youngest child in the Grand Line recognized his name. The most common threat parents used was, "If you don't behave, Whitebeard will come for you!"
The most terrifying pirate in the Grand Line!
As a former pirate turned Navy officer who'd survived Headquarters for years, Klah understood Whitebeard's true power.
You never wanted to provoke Whitebeard Pirates.
Provoking them meant inviting Whitebeard's wrath - the most terrifying revenge imaginable.
Now Headquarters had arrested their second division commander. Coupled with recent unusual troop gatherings...
"I see! So that's their plan!"
Klah wasn't sharing Kuro's worries. If anything, he seemed excited. "I get it now, Mr. Kuro! This war presents an opportunity for us!"
Capturing pirates at Sabaody was too low-profile. After hearing this news, Kuro likely shifted his focus to this war.
Though massive, this event didn't require decisive action from them.
With Headquarters gathering forces, staying cautious would ensure survival.
But this was a golden opportunity - surviving the war meant earning merit. They could ride the wave to promotions.
Kuro probably calculated this. Collecting group merit meant shared advancement, avoiding individual fame.
So long as they avoided Whitebeard's attention, they could kill some pirates and wait for post-war rewards.
Klah had full confidence. While the Top War was terrifying, their strength could survive without provoking Whitebeard directly.
Whitebeard wouldn't even notice them. They'd simply follow Navy forces. Did anyone really expect Whitebeard Pirates to target them specifically?
Unlikely.
As for losing...
Klah didn't consider that possibility.
With three Admirals present and Kuro joining the fight, victory was sealed.
No wonder Kuro's tone was odd earlier - he blamed Klah for focusing too small-time.
Arresting over 500 pirates at Sabaody, while impactful, was minor compared to this.
This was a chance for quiet advancement.
Indeed, Mr. Kuro's thinking was always one step ahead.
"Lida, this is our chance. Mr. Kuro wants us to give it our all in this war." Klah declared.
"Is that really..."
Lida felt uneasy but couldn't pinpoint why.
"Whatever. Let's eat first. The food's actually good."
Sengoku suddenly slammed the table, roaring, "This war will end with Navy's victory!"
Koby and Helmeppo exchanged glances, their eyes betraying tension.
Whitebeard - a top-tier pirate. Could they really survive this conflict?
(End of Chapter)
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