Chapter 166
Chapter 166
Kuro's voice seemed to reach Bear, who slightly tilted his head to glance over.
Still, no reaction.
Kuro exhaled a Smoke Ring, clicking his tongue. "Tch, did the modifications fry what little consciousness he had left?"
Crane shook his head, saying, "Bear committed crimes – he'll pay for them accordingly. Enough, don't hassle him further."
Me hassle him?
He's the one who caused me trouble!
But Kuro knew Bear wouldn't respond to anything now. Even if some awareness remained, it certainly wasn't enough to process words.
"Speaking of which", Kuro said, "you've got that ability down pretty well. Had it for a while, huh?"
Crane smiled faintly, eyes glazing with memory. "Makes me nostalgic for that old bastard... didn't expect him to die."
Back when Sengoku, Garp, and he first joined the Navy, they'd fought together against the formidable 'Rocks' and his crew. Shanks had been one of those pirates – they'd clashed countless times from youth to age, yet now fell to the new generation.
Kuro suddenly tensed, glancing around at the surrounding Marines before speaking:
"Listen, He Popo, whether it's Shanks or whoever – I don't know him. I found this ability. Let me reiterate: both sword and power were found. If you're planning to promote me over this, without evidence I'll sue the World Government for favoritism. Try me."
Crane chuckled at Kuro's stubborn denial. "Slippery devil. Don't worry – Navy's justice will be upheld. Follow your own Rhythm, kid."
Did it matter whether Shanks died?
To the higher-ups, it was both significant and trivial.
Eliminating a major threat like Shanks was certainly worth celebration. But just as Garp's title 'Navy Hero' had gradually faded, such accomplishments inevitably lost their luster over time.
As long as pirates were eliminated, that was enough. Whether someone desired recognition or not, Headquarters wouldn't grant promotions based solely on fame – achievements always determined advancement.
Kuro's denial made Shanks' killer identity ambiguous.
Yet it hardly mattered.
Because Kuro undeniably possessed the ability.
Though their generation aged, the next like Kuzan could still hold the line. Only when they, too, grew old would Kuro's true time come.
Food arrived quickly. Watching Kuro devour his meal, Crane stared at the swaying wine glass and sighed. "The tides of eras – no matter where they surge – Navy remains Navy. We'll always be the steadfast fortress."
Kuro glanced sideways, smirking.
Once you hit old age, you get sentimental. Gotta remember this warning – don't want to end up like that.
He wanted to keep living comfortably, reveling in pleasures even in his twilight years.
After finishing his meal, Kuro departed. Not that he could leave – he needed to wait for the Seven Warlords of the Sea to gather before proceeding to Marineford with Crane.
But after this lunch, his interactions with the Warlords had become minimal.
He still attended the banquet hall, though Donquixote Doflamingo, Marshall D. Teach, and Gecko Moria were conspicuously absent – as if in silent agreement.
Kuro didn't mind. He kept eating and drinking as usual.
Thankfully, the Life Return technique allowed healing through consumed energy. After feasting for over a day in Mariejois, his injuries recovered about 70-80%.
Twenty-four hours remained before Ace's execution.
Inside a luxurious chamber of the golden palace, Kuro slowly unwrapped the bandages from his head, revealing his forehead. Checking both sides, satisfied to find no scars, he nodded.
Lucky – no permanent damage.
Knock knock knock.
"Enter."
The door opened. Major Jobu saluted. "Commander, Vice Admiral Crane requests you proceed to the banquet hall – the Snake Princess Boa Hancock has arrived."
"Oh? Finally." Kuro adjusted his attire. "Lead the way."
Boa Hancock, hailed as the World's Greatest Beauty, deserved a look.
Last time at Kusnake Town, he'd missed her. This time, he'd finally meet her.
Following Jobu, Kuro entered the banquet hall.
The atmosphere, once shattered by Kuro's earlier presence, had reassembled. Marines stood tense and alert.
As Kuro entered, he swept his gaze across the room.
"Fu fu fu fu..."
Donquixote Doflamingo chuckled lowly. "We've all been waiting – you're playing quite the aloof act, aren't you?"
During their stay in the palace, they'd all crossed paths repeatedly. How to handle those encounters?
Simple – pretend they didn't exist.
Kuro had no interest in quarrels, and after forcing them to 'dance' previously, the Warlords had reciprocated by ignoring him. Peace prevailed.
But recently, with the decisive battle approaching, their true natures resurfaced.
Meeting Doflamingo's gaze without speaking, Kuro's eyes fell on a woman seated atop a massive snake nearby.
She had pitch-black hair in a Princess Cut hairstyle – not the common bowl cut, but a regal style. Beneath her dark locks lay an unparalleled beauty clad in a purple qipao-like outfit that accentuated her curves. Her expression remained cold and distant.
Beautiful.
Exquisitely beautiful!
Magnificently beautiful!
Kuro felt his heart skip a beat.
Not from affection – purely instinctive.
World's Greatest Beauty, the Snake Princess Boa Hancock. As the user of the Love Love Devil Fruit, she enchanted all genders and ages. Except for a few oblivious fools, no one could resist her allure.
Those smitten by her beauty would be petrified at her whims.
Perhaps she was already stunning before eating the Devil Fruit, but the power had elevated her beyond compare.
Kuro sucked in a breath, forcing the lustful thoughts away.
Devil Fruits could surpass miracles. Like that weight-loss-and-beauty-enhancing Devil Fruit.
His eyes kept drifting back to her – looking away, then irresistibly glancing again.
Boa Hancock's brow furrowed. Catching his gaze, she snapped, "Who permitted you to stare at this one directly? Only one man in this world may look upon me thus. Your lecherous gaze is a grave insult – pluck out your eyes at once!"
"Ah, no need." Kuro clicked his tongue, finally averting his gaze.
Truthfully, he just wanted to know –
Was she wearing that fat-spiking outfit or not?
(End of Chapter)
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