Chapter 17: A Man Like You Can't Be Hidden
Chapter 17: A Man Like You Can’t Be Hidden
“Silent Step!”
Klah’s feet pounded the ground in rapid succession before his figure vanished.
Tashigi felt a chill race up her spine and instinctively spun around to block an incoming blade.
Clang!
The five-fingered claw blade clashed against Tashigi’s sword, sending sparks flying.
“Another Famous Blade…”
Kuro eyed the weapon in Tashigi’s grip with envy.
Shigure, a member of the Quick Blade category.
While not among the Grand Line’s Eighty-Three Supreme Blades, Quick Blades still occupied the prestigious Famous Blade ranks.
But Kuro had no interest. Either he wanted nothing, or he aimed for one of the Eighty-Three Supreme Blades. After all, Loguetown’s weapons shop held Sanbei Onimaru and Yukisuri—both merely Famous Blades, which Kuro dismissed as unworthy.
Sure, a Famous Blade wielded by a great swordsman might eventually ascend to Supreme status. But why bother when he could have one already perfected?
Free stuff wasn’t that tempting, was it?
“That technique…”
Smoker’s attention fixated on Klah. He’d dismissed the man’s strength outright upon their first meeting.
He held no affection for the Seven Warlords of the Sea, least of all Hawk-Eye. Smoker trusted only what he saw with his own eyes.
To him, Klah’s aura felt like a weak attempt at concealing his power. But this move?
It surprised him.
“Almost like ‘Shave’ from the Rokushiki… This could trouble Tashigi.”
Smoker’s expression darkened, though doubt lingered. “Is this guy really forced into piracy?”
“He has a heart for justice—that’s enough, isn’t it?” Kuro chuckled, clapping Smoker’s shoulder. “Worried your subordinate will lose? Don’t. Klah’s the strongest among us Navy men!”
“No. If he’s only this strong, Tashigi will win.” Smoker shook his head.
Tashigi barely blocked Klah’s attack, sliding backward but leaning forward to thrust her blade upward along the claw’s edge—a slash aimed for his throat.
He was a man acknowledged by the World’s Greatest Swordsman. She’d give her all without hesitation!
The icy blade blazed toward him. Klah’s pupils contracted as he ducked instinctively. Tashigi twisted her wrist, switching from slash to downward strike, slamming down.
Boom!
Klah crashed into the distance, rolling to his feet with a grimace. His usually pristine hair now disheveled, a fresh cut across his cheek.
If he hadn’t dodged, that strike would’ve split him in two.
He nearly died.
“I’m angry now, Navy!”
Klah’s eyes turned slit-like, his voice colder than ice, sending shivers through the watching Marines.
“Getting serious, Klah-san? Let’s see your kenjutsu!”
Tashigi’s excitement grew. Now this was the Klah she expected.
Klah’s arms hung limp, swaying like a pendulum. Killing Intent seeped into the air.
“Spoon!”
His figure vanished.
The Killing Intent erupted.
Hiss!
Five deep gashes slashed across a Navy building.
Tashigi stood wide-eyed as surrounding structures split apart, the ground at her feet suddenly splitting into five furrows racing toward her.
“Tashigi, duck!”
“Yes, Commander Smoker!”
She dropped her head instinctively.
A silver flash sliced through her hair, reducing strands to dust above her.
Clang!
The steel ten-hand clashed with the claw blade, revealing Klah’s form.
“You—”
Klah stared at his claw, shrouded in smoke, following the smoke to Smoker’s upper body.
Boom!
Smoker’s fist slammed into Klah’s face, gripping his head to slam him into the ground. “You’re not some imposter. You’re ‘Perona’s’ Klah! Didn’t expect you to still be alive. Daring to infiltrate the Marines? Bold move.”
“Mr. Kuro…” Klah gasped.
“Still calling him ‘Mr.’? That idiot let you fool him.” Smoker sneered. “With your ‘Perona’ title, I should’ve guessed. But you’re nowhere near matching Hawk-Eye’s praise. Some baseless rumor, I suppose.”
“Hey, you should let go.”
A voice cut in from behind, accompanied by a whistling gust.
Lida shifted into her female form, delivering a spinning kick—but her leg phased through Smoker’s body.
“Logia?!”
Lida’s eyes widened.
“A Devil Fruit user?!”
Smoker’s ten-hand lashed out, Lida sidestepping to catch the weapon—only to grab its very tip.
“No strength… Seastone?!”
Lida nearly collapsed.
“Another accomplice. Thought I’d nab you all at once, Tashigi!”
“Right!”
Tashigi snapped into focus, swinging her blade at Lida.
Whoosh!
Clang!
A golden slash struck Shigure spot-on, wrenching it from Tashigi’s grip. The blade spun midair before impaling the ground.
“Flying Slash?!” she exclaimed.
“Enough already, do me a favor, huh?”
Kuro appeared beside Smoker, gripping his shoulder with a grin. “Test their strength and call it a day! Let’s grab drinks, partner!”
Smoker’s face twitched, then he holstered his ten-hand, letting Kuro steer him away before the gathered Marines. Not out of reluctance, but shock—Kuro had grabbed him mid-elementalization.
“Haki. And Flying Slash.” Smoker muttered. “You’re deeper than I thought.”
Kuro scratched his head. “Relax! Drinks on me!”
Smoker studied him, then nodded. “Fine.”
“Hey, you two, come too!”
Kuro beckoned Lida and Klah.
…
A restaurant in Loguetown.
They gathered around a table—Lida devouring food, Klah cleaning his glasses, Tashigi watching them warily with her blade.
“Lucius Kro.”
Smoker glared at Kuro, who’d swiped another cigar to puff away. “Ten years undercover. What’s your goal?”
“Don’t say it like I’m some villain. Just want peace, quiet. I know it’s hard to believe, but that’s all I want.”
“No, I get it.” Smoker replied. “Same mindset as an old fool I know. The ‘work but don’t work’ type. You’re the man Hawk-Eye spoke of, Kuro.”
Kuro sighed. “Didn’t want to interfere, but the Seven Warlords are too reckless.”
“Of course! Flying Slash—that proves Kuro-san deserves the World’s Greatest Swordsman title!” Tashigi beamed. “It must’ve been a mix-up with the names. Don’t worry, I’ll clear your name!”
Klah’s earlier annoyance at Tashigi’s “airhead” antics vanished. What a kind soul!
Kuro tugged his lips. Had he gone too easy with that slash?
“Just keep my secret. Don’t want the higher-ups after me—it’s a hassle.”
“What a shame, Kuro-san!” Tashigi countered. “You’re like a firefly in the night—so bright, so unique! You’ll never stay hidden!”
Kuro’s smile twitched. That slash was definitely too light.
Smoker exhaled smoke. “Don’t care what justice you chase. Your choice. Just remember your Navy duty.”
He glanced at Klah. “Pirates joining the Navy isn’t unheard of. Especially for a ‘dead man’ like you.”
“See? Reasonable as always, Smoker!” Kuro laughed, already edging toward the door. “Gotta explore Loguetown! Oh—dinner’s on you!”
Smoker poured rum, ignoring Kuro’s escape. His mind drifted—
A swordsman praised by Hawk-Eye, now a decent Marine. Navy’s gained a strong asset.
This world teemed with strange strongmen.
Kuro? Just another eccentric one.
“Peace? Tashigi’s right. A man like you can’t hide.” Smoker smirked, tossing a bag of coins. “Check, please.”
“Commander Smoker, thirty million Berry, coming right up!” the beaming owner approached.
“…?”
Smoker stared at the mountain of dishes.
“Oi! That girl and Kuro!”
He bellowed at the open door.
Gone.
Saving a meal here and there adds up. Feeding a bottomless pit wasn’t easy.
(End of Chapter)
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