https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-171-What-Does-This-Have-to-Do-With-Me-Kuro-/13536137/
Chapter 172: For Justice!
Chapter 172: For Justice!
Some individuals are born leaders, possessing innate qualities that naturally attract legendary figures to serve under them.
Others rely on sheer luck or unique charisma to gather strongmen who aren’t exactly known for their sharp minds.
Unfortunately, the Grand Line has no shortage of such thick-skulled individuals.
Then there are those who become leaders through cultivation—those who awaken their unique willpower after some revelation. As their conviction deepens, they inspire others to follow.
Kas belongs to this last category.
This bearded Navy officer, who had served in the East Blue just as long as Kuro, had been diligent and conscientious. But it was only after encountering Kuro that he discovered his true purpose, a conviction that grew stronger with time.
This unshakable belief transformed his aura, gradually influencing those around him.
These Navy soldiers, once lost in the lower ranks, replicated this will through him, making it their own—relentless, unyielding Justice!
Willpower is strength.
These men, ranging from lowly Ensigns to Lieutenants, were molded by Kas’s influence during their training. Unconsciously, they began viewing Kas as their leader.
Through him, they unlocked deeper reserves of power within themselves.
Kas gripped his saber, roaring passionately: “Klah-san! You truly are Kuro-san’s subordinate—daring to take on over a dozen captains alone! This level of Justice deserves our admiration! Comrades, don’t let Klah-san’s fiery resolve go to waste!”
The nearby Navy soldiers intensified their assault against the captains, gaining the upper hand.
What did I even do?
Klah wanted to protest that he’d simply charged too far ahead and gotten ambushed by Kuro’s trap. But seeing the fervor in their eyes, he couldn’t bring himself to say it.
Besides, this group of Navy was surprisingly formidable. Individually weak, but together—dozens or even hundreds strong—they became a force to reckon with.
A group of “grunts” had already taken down two captains and were holding their own against the remaining ones.
“Is that all?”
Kas glanced around, noticing Kuro’s absence. “Well, I suppose this isn’t the time to meet Kuro-san anyway.”
He turned to Klah, extending an inviting hand. “Klah-san, I’ve finally arrived at the Grand Line. Unfortunately, I still can’t match Kuro-san’s footsteps. Fortunately, this war will be my chance to catch up. Come, Klah-san! Let’s take down these captains together—use their heads as my stepping stones to follow Kuro-san! You’ll help me, won’t you? For Kuro-san’s Justice! For the Navy’s Justice! For the peace and dawn of this world!”
The sheer intensity of his will radiated from the bearded man, sending Klah’s heart racing with involuntary excitement.
This wasn’t Devil Fruit power—it was pure willpower made manifest.
And that made it terrifying.
“That Navy’s a threat!”
Lumba quickly caught on. The bearded man was clearly the core of this group of valiant soldiers. Eliminate him, and everything would collapse.
“Dierkaban Brothers!” Lumba barked.
“We’ve got this!”
The Dierkaban Brothers darted forward, leaping high. Their Cat’s Claws aimed straight at Kas.
Kas looked up, unflinching. “Pirates only know how to strike from the shadows?!”
That piercing gaze hit the brothers, momentarily staggering their movements.
Then, one by one, the Navy soldiers surrounding Kas threw themselves in front of him. Gunfire and blade strikes sent the siblings flying. The Dierkaban Brothers flipped mid-air, skidding backward across the ground for meters before lifting their heads, eyes locked on the Navy group with grim focus.
“What was that mental shockwave?” Lumba muttered, stunned.
He had sensed an immense spiritual force, though he couldn’t quite define it.
It wasn’t Conqueror’s Haki, but rather a tangible attack born of willpower.
“This can’t be real…”
Klah stared at Kas, disbelief written across his face. He knew better than anyone—when the Dierkaban Brothers struck, Kas had clearly displayed a technique akin to Kuro’s infamous “Crushing Pressure.”
But it wasn’t Killing Intent—it was sheer, unyielding willpower.
Klah had spent so long under Kuro’s tutelage, enduring (well, training under) his brutal regime, that he’d finally mastered a fraction of Kuro’s high-speed movement techniques.
But Kas had never trained directly under Kuro-san. Even during his time in the East Blue under Kuro’s command, Kuro himself hadn’t showcased his full power. So where had Kas learned this?
And worse, he’d replicated a spiritual technique based on willpower—a rarity even among masters.
“Ahhh!!”
A captain surged from behind, blasting aside several Navy soldiers and charging straight at Kas.
Clang!
Suddenly, multiple claw blades intercepted the attack.
Klah emerged beneath the captain, baring his teeth in a cruel grin. His other hand slashed toward the captain’s body.
“Calm Step!”
Five claw blades tore through the captain’s torso, carving five deep gashes before sending him flying.
Klah straightened, turning to Kas. “Fine. Let’s team up. We’ll deal with these captains first.”
The number of captains had exceeded his plan, but with Kas and this group, they might just pull off a full sweep—and claim a massive reward.
“Thank you, Klah-san!”
Kas nodded solemnly, then bellowed: “Comrades! This is the man I revere most—Kuro-san’s direct subordinate, Klah-san! With his presence, victory is assured!”
“Kas-san!!! Klah-san!!!”
The Navy roared with fervor, their voices shaking the very air.
“Good grief…”
Even Klah took a step back, unnerved by their fanatical zeal.
Kas tightened his grip on his saber, aiming at the assembled captains ahead. “Our enemies are the formidable captains of the Whitebeard Pirates! But we shall not yield, for we are—”
“The Navy!!!”
Weapons raised, the soldiers charged forward, faces contorted by a heat haze-like intensity, making them appear even more fearsome.
“For Justice—Arrest Them!”
“Kill!!!”
With a slash of his saber, Kas led the charge. The entire Navy surged forward as one, descending upon the enemy captains like a tidal wave.
…
“Hmph?”
Amidst the chaos, Kuro suddenly shivered involuntarily. He glanced toward the battlefield swarming with Navy forces, the air thick with battle cries.
“What’s wrong?” Lida asked.
“I don’t know… Just a sudden chill. Could someone be thinking of me? Whitebeard? No, he should be too busy right now.”
Kuro punched away a charging pirate. “Still, better stay alert. Don’t want those captains spotting me.”
(End of Chapter)
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