Chapter 182: The After-Dinner Show Ends
Chapter 182: The After-Dinner Show Ends
Boom!!!
The ice behind shattered as the Warship approached. Sengoku, flanked by Pacifista, surged onto the battlefield, obliterating pirates attempting to ambush the Warship.
From the execution platform above, Sengoku bellowed, "Cut the live broadcast! What comes next isn't for ordinary people to see—it would only breed distrust toward the Navy and the World Government!"
Sengoku locked eyes with the distant Whitebeard. "For the civilians, hearing the word 'victory' will suffice."
"Understood!"
A nearby Navy officer snapped a salute, activating the Transponder Snail. "Block the live broadcast signal!"
"Mr. Kuro is the strongest!!!"
As the command echoed, a thunderous roar erupted from the ice.
Kuro turned sharply, spotting Kas locked in a standoff with two rival pirate factions. Though Kas’s Navy contingent was outnumbered, their resolve burned just as fiercely.
"Kas? I thought he went to treat his wounds—already healed?"
Clutching a cigar, Kuro exhaled a plume of smoke, then flicked his gaze toward Whitebeard. "Tch. This isn’t the time for games."
Most of the Navy had begun retreating, leaving only the Pacifista and Warship to press the offensive against the pirates.
"Kuro! Your turn."
Sengoku, seizing the moment, called down to Kuro from above.
"Ah, Kuro", Lucius Kro smirked, nudging his companion. "Time to play your part."
Kuro nodded faintly, scanning the battlefield. His eyes narrowed as he watched Klah still chasing Luffy. In an instant, his form rippled like a mirage, dissolving into the mist.
Luffy suddenly shuddered mid-sprint, activating Gear Second. Tripled speed stacked with Gear Second’s boost, he prepared to Accelerate—when a wisp of shadow materialized before him.
Crack!
A fist slammed into Luffy’s gut, sending his body soaring. He coughed violently, blood spattering his lips.
It was Kuro.
With a flick of his foot, Kuro sent Luffy soaring, only to be caught by Ivankov amidst the chaos of Kuma entanglements.
Kuro lowered his leg, expressionless. "Go back, Luffy. This isn’t your playground."
"Full retreat!"
Sengoku barked into the Transponder Snail, issuing orders to the remaining Navy forces on the battlefield.
"Shishishi!"
Donquixote Doflamingo, hands in pockets, brushed past Kuro. "I’m eager to see what you’ll do next."
With a leisurely stride, he returned to the plaza.
As one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Doflamingo knew only fragments of the Navy’s secret plans—enough to grasp the general outline, like the plan to breach the wall, but not its specifics.
But wasn’t that all the more intriguing?
Most Navy forces fought their way toward the plaza. Kuro glanced at Kas, still entrenched in battle with pirates. His eyes narrowed.
"Is that… Frank?"
The memory lingered—few dared ambush the Warship carrying the Navy’s highest brass.
"Frank survived? Whatever."
Kuro’s thumb eased the blade from its scabbard, fingers tightening around the hilt. "Ichiryu Style."
"You bastard!"
A furious voice erupted behind him. Boa Hancock appeared, her long leg lashing out. "Daring to harm my beloved? I’ll never forgive you!"
Her rage boiled over as she charged, but Kuro had sent Luffy flying. He vanished from her sight.
"Dharmata."
Whoosh!
Hancock’s kick missed, Kuro’s shadow reappearing behind her. A chill prickled her neck.
Instinctively, she staggered back, then realized—the coldness wasn’t aimed at her. She’d merely brushed against his Killing Intent.
"Gritting her teeth, she wiped sweat from her brow.
Frank basked in the pirates’ praise, basking in their adoration. Compared to him, this so-called "Mr. Kuro" the Navy mentioned was just a lowly commander—unfamous, unimportant.
"A mere commander? How can he compare to me? Commanders are nothing! If you want to impress, name a real officer—someone like Aokiji! Serving under a commander? Not even officially sworn yet—and still boasting? A commander’s strength is nothing!"
Frank laughed scornfully. "Comparing him to Whitebeard? Ridiculous! If Whitebeard is a match for a commander, then Admirals must be invincible! At least brag about something believable!"
"Kuro?"
Nearby, Buggy tilted his head, the name tugging at his memory.
Suddenly, a chill crept up his spine, making him shiver. He turned toward the plaza—and spotted a young girl beside Admiral Lucius Kro, biting into an apple.
"Wait—that girl! Isn’t she the demon White Phantom?!"
Kuro…
The pieces clicked. She was Kuro’s subordinate!
A shadow flickered across Buggy’s face.
"Captain Buggy!!"
His pirate crew screamed as Buggy’s severed head soared skyward, smooth cut and bloodless.
"Who dares decapitate me—Captain Buggy!!"
A sharp slicing sound answered.
At Frank’s position, dozens of pirate heads flew upward, joining Buggy’s in the air—only these dripped crimson.
Kuro stood behind them, blade just sheathed.
"Shishishi… Can he really go this far?" Gecko Moria chuckled, a bead of sweat tracing his temple.
Donquixote Doflamingo’s grin widened.
Boa Hancock’s gaze darkened.
If that slash had targeted her…
Her overconfidence would’ve cost her dearly.
That man’s speed was real.
"Frank’s head!"
"Captain Frank!!"
The surviving pirates stared, horror-struck, as Frank’s severed head plummeted. They wailed in despair.
"Kuro… Mr. Kuro." Kas turned, spotting Kuro emerging in the rear.
"Return to the plaza. The after-dinner show… is over."
Kuro didn’t glance at the remaining pirates. He strode back without a second look.
"The real carnage begins. If you value your lives, retreat—regroup and prepare."
Sengoku’s plan had accounted for his role. Especially now, wielding Shanks’s power, Kuro’s presence was indispensable.
Originally, Kuro had hesitated to accept. But this task… only he could accomplish.
If he refused, the Navy would suffer massive casualties. These ten thousand elite forces were the World Government’s backbone—losing them here would shatter global stability. Even Kuro wouldn’t survive the fallout.
Thus, he agreed. He would be the rear guard, ensuring the Navy’s retreat to the plaza—a pivotal move in the wall-encirclement strategy.
(End of Chapter)
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