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Chapter 207: A Little Story After the Rain
Chapter 207: A Little Story After the Rain
Inside the office, Kuro flipped through the newspaper Klah had retrieved. It was a few days old, published the day after Ace announced his execution date.
Amid the flurry of reports about the movements of "Fire Fist" Ace and Whitebeard, Kuro spotted a tiny article tucked into the corner.
The headline summarized how a massive pirate fleet had raided Tada Town, only to be utterly eliminated by a man named Gurgas.
The article included a small photo of a single figure. He wore a black priestly robe with a cape, round-framed glasses giving him a scholarly air. In his left hand was a book, while his right gripped a colossal axe slung over his shoulder—completely disproportionate to his slender frame.
"Is this Gurgas?" Kuro raised an eyebrow. "The Grand Line never stops surprising me. Never heard of him before."
"You weren’t raised in the Grand Line, so of course you wouldn’t know", Lida replied. "He’s famous—stationed in Tada Town since his teens. Nearly twenty years there now. Pirates don’t even dare approach because of him. That fleet he eliminated? Probably some rookies who’ve never sailed the Grand Line before."
Klah nodded.
"The eliminated fleet belonged to 'Tulip Tiger' Captain Box—a bounty of 88 million, with his crew’s combined bounties totaling 150 million. If they’d targeted another town, they might’ve become Super Novas by the time they reached Shabondy. Just bad luck."
"As for Gurgas, I only recently started paying attention to him—and Tada Kingdom along with it."
It all began when Klah set out to capture a pirate in the Grand Line to help Kuro’s promotion. He focused on wanted posters and newspapers, determined to gather intelligence despite his superiors’ indifference.
"After all, our boss’s a Xian Yu who just wants to retire here peacefully. He wouldn’t care about intel, so I had to handle it myself."
That’s when he uncovered details about Tada Kingdom.
"The kingdom lies in Rozinia—a region rivaling Arabasta in size. Three nations exist there, with Tada Kingdom being the smallest. Despite its World Government allegiance, it’s fiercely isolationist. Only one port town allows outsiders. The rest of the kingdom is off-limits."
"Why even open that port? Probably to export their most famous product—weapons. Crafted from a unique mineral, they’re both exquisitely made and devastatingly powerful. Combined with the locals’ superior physicality, Tada Kingdom rarely faces invasions."
"Those who dared attack? Dead. The smart ones stay away."
Yet now, even this kingdom had sent a distress signal from its Marine Base. The situation must be dire.
Their warship sailed toward Rozinia’s Log Pose bearing, the moon rising and falling as a new day dawned. By mid-morning, they reached the island.
Rain fell in a soft mist, cloaking the land in a hazy veil.
The island stretched endlessly—coastline visible, but inland obscured by jagged mountains that crushed any hope of landing elsewhere. Though the shore had openings, waves crashed against dense, hidden reefs. No place to dock.
As the warship pressed deeper, Kuro spotted flat terrain inland—yet something unusual caught his eye.
A towering wall stretched infinitely into the distance, its height dwarfing all around. Connected to fortified bastions and elevated staircases, its surface was carved with intricate patterns and beastly visages. Beyond it loomed a cluster of dark-hued castles, their cold, imposing architecture exuding an eerie chill even in daylight.
Where Mariejois inspired awe with its beauty, this place whispered mystery and solitude.
Gothic masterpieces. Even the structures themselves could be called art.
Kuro whistled inwardly. How many years did it take to build such a marvel?
Tada Kingdom certainly intrigued him.
The warship glided past the castle cluster until they reached the seaward end of the wall. A colossal gate stood there, flanked by twin bastions—one manned by local guards in leather armor, the other by Navy personnel.
Kuro frowned at the Lieutenant beside him. "What’s going on? They sent a distress call, didn’t they?"
The gate showed no signs of battle—no lingering energy, no chaos.
"I… I don’t know", the Lieutenant stammered. "Yesterday’s distress signal was real."
Kuro watched Navy personnel in the upper bastions signaling with flags as the warship approached. "Let’s go ask."
The warship neared. A Navy officer with a megaphone called from above, "Identify yourselves."
The Lieutenant raised a megaphone. "This is Headquarters Commander Kuro. We responded to Tada Town’s distress call. Were you ambushed?"
"Commander Kuro!" The officer saluted. "No ambush. No distress call either. Pirates haven’t come near here in ages. Come in!"
The iron gate groaned upward, revealing the port beyond. Only open gates allowed entry—no other berthing possible.
Inside, another gate awaited. The warship docked at the pier.
Kuro eyed the massive barrier ahead. "Talk about sealed off."
Before the gate, reception desks staffed by officials checked ordinary citizens.
The Navy officer approached, leading a group to greet them. "Commander!" He saluted Kuro on deck. "Welcome to Tada Town. About that distress signal—could you elaborate?"
The Lieutenant stepped forward. "We received a distress call yesterday. Thought pirates ambushed you. Nothing happened here? Not even in the town?"
The officer frowned. "I just finished shift. No ambush. Maybe talk to our base commander, Commander Nits. He might know more."
The Lieutenant glanced at Kuro. "We’re here anyway. Might as well resupply."
"Aye!"
The Lieutenant ordered the gangplank lowered. Kuro’s party disembarked.
"Commander’s entering the town! Open the gate!"
"Ah…" The officer hesitated. "Commander, there’s protocol. Visitors must read the plaque before entry. It’s the kingdom’s internal affair—I’ve no authority to override."
"Plaque?"
They turned. The gate spanned half the wall, dominated by a massive plaque listing rules. Most were local laws, but one baffled Klah.
"Female doctors prohibited?"
"Tada’s a theocratic nation", Lida shrugged. "They hate witches, healers—any women in medicine. But their cranberry juice is divine!"
"You’ve been here?" Klah blinked.
"Of course! Wherever there’s food, you’ll find me!" She grinned. "Kuro, let’s drink cranberry juice later!"
Kuro stared at the plaque, then glanced at them strangely. "What do you see?"
"Local rules", Lida tilted her head. "Big letters—can’t miss them!"
"Rules…"
Kuro squinted at the plaque. He saw no rules—only a story inscribed there.
(End of Chapter)
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