Chapter 217: This Navy? Not Worth It!
Chapter 217: This Navy? Not Worth It!
"Book."
Gurgas's expressionless face finally shifted. Without even checking the book's authenticity, he glanced at Hugo with sorrow. "So that's how it is. I failed here too, didn't I?"
Tears streamed down his face as he stared at the crowd below. "How pitiful! How utterly hopeless! Even the Outsiders couldn't escape the ancient resentment, could they?"
"Poor Outsiders, you're innocent. But there's still time."
Gurgas tucked away the Doctrine Book and tightened his grip on the axe. "Only through my redemption will it end!"
Kuro's pupils contracted. In one flash, he unsheathed his sword.
"Rondo!"
At that moment, Gurgas hurled his axe. The massive blade spun through the air, hurtling toward Kuro.
Clang!
Kuro's blade slashed against the axehead. The tremendous force sent him skidding backward in three quick steps. Sparks flew as Autumn Water's blade scraped against the axe. With a sharp twist of his wrist, Kuro flung the axe away. The weapon whirled midair and shot back toward its owner.
Boom!
Gurgas leaped down from the gate onto the bridge. Stretching out his arm, he caught the returning axe. His arm remained perfectly steady, not a single tremble.
"Haki?"
Kuro raised an eyebrow. Though he knew Gurgas was strong, he hadn't expected this. The flying axe clearly carried Haki's hardening. The sheer power was also unexpectedly colossal.
This refined man - where did he get such strength?
"Outsider, wouldn't redemption suit you? You'll be dragged into the abyss tonight anyway."
Gurgas's voice brimmed with sorrow.
Kuro bit his cigar, exhaling a plume of smoke. "Spare me the nonsense. I never heard redemption meant death."
"Here, redemption means absolute death. You wouldn't understand, Outsider." Gurgas wept.
"Is that so? Then let me show you what redemption feels like."
Kuro's two fingers traced his blade, golden light surging. "Unenlightened Divine Wind Murderous Sword - Azure Dragon (Jiaolong)!"
In an instant, Deng Shi's body became a rippling water reflection, vanishing.
Hiss!
A spray of blood erupted from Gurgas's shoulder. His figure recoiled swiftly, clutching his shoulder and glaring at Kuro, who now stood beside him.
"Fast reflexes. That strike was meant for your neck."
Kuro sheathed Autumn Water slowly, smirking. "But my techniques aren't so easily dodged."
Clack!
Gurgas's body shuddered as countless wounds ruptured across his frame, blood spraying everywhere. He collapsed.
"Gurgas Officer!"
Hugo screamed, rushing forward to support Gurgas. "Are you alright, Gurgas Officer?!"
He glared murder at Kuro. "What did you do? Officer Gurgas hadn't even confessed! He never admitted being that pirate's accomplice. Why such a brutal strike?!"
Kuro frowned. "Didn't you see he attacked first? Would you only be satisfied if I stood still and let him 'redeem' me?"
He hadn't done anything, yet got cursed by fellow officers?
Hugo roared. "Officer Gurgas isn't a pirate! He's my respected superior - Tada Kingdom's Home Affairs Officer! Even the Navy can't act without evidence!"
"Did you fry your brain staying here too long?"
Kuro sneered. "If you're so unhappy, strip off your uniform and quit!"
"I'll quit then! I've guarded this post for two years. Gurgas Officer gave me spiritual comfort. I've submitted requests to Headquarters repeatedly, but they never responded. Always conscription, conscription, conscription! This Navy? Not worth it!"
Want me to twist my lips?
Should I bow and call you Emperor Chubby Dragon?
Or just "Chubby Tiger is Handsome"?
Kuro twitched his lips. ["Sakujū"] ["Kigō"] flew from their sheaths, striking Hugo's body and sending him crashing.
"You evil man!"
Hugo rose, eyes bloodshot red, drawing his pistol and firing point-blank at Kuro.
Bang!
"Iron Body!"
Klah materialized before Hugo. The lead bullets sparked against his chest, then his fist slammed into Hugo's rotund belly, sinking deep into his gut.
Hugo gagged, the pistol slipping from his fingers as he knelt, clutching his stomach.
"Evil men! Kill you! Kill all of you!"
Hugo's gaze turned bestial, his snarling face twisted with madness.
"You're really annoying. Die here."
This scene unsettled Klah. He extended his finger toward Hugo's skull.
"Klah!"
Kuro bellowed. "What are you doing?!"
Klah replied calmly. "He offended you, so he must die. Don't worry, Kuro Mr., I'll make him understand the cost of offending you."
He drove his finger downward.
Bang!
Kuro vanished, reappearing beside Klah and kicking him flying. Gritting his teeth, he snarled. "Are you mocking me? Do you think you're Akainu or Aokiji?!"
Even if Hugo's mind was clouded, at worst, Kuro would just report him back for uniform removal.
He wasn't some radical faction member. Unless necessary, he'd never consider killing comrades.
Klah rose, suddenly trembling. He stared at his finger, bewilderment spreading.
Just now, he only meant to teach Hugo a lesson. But when he attacked, he couldn't suppress the madness urging him to kill anyone who offended Kuro Mr.
Kuro noticed this, frowning before scanning the Navy behind him.
Except for Lida chewing food with his usual vacant expression, the rest of the Navy personnel began breathing heavily. Their Lieutenants - Kuro's and Hugo's - already eyed each other with clear hostility.
Something's wrong. This situation is definitely off.
"Wait!"
Kuro's pupils contracted. The ground before him had grown significantly darker. Looking up, the previously clear sky had turned pitch black.
Dark clouds smothered the heavens like a shroud descending over Tada Town, making its towering buildings eerie and ghostly.
Like nightfall itself descending!
...
Inside the massive palace, darkness deeper than five fingers' breadth swallowed everything. Within this abyss, a pen slowly wrote across parchment.
Already inscribed were lines:
Final Chapter I: "The Liar" Proceeds to the Last Place, Attempting to Drag People into Despair's Hell Through Lies.
Final Chapter II: "The Deceiver" Goes to Test the Results, But Gets Dragged Into Hell Too, Becoming Its Inhabitant. His Illusion Disappears, As Though Everything Will Shatter. Yet Hell Has Already Risen. Night Will Devour Daylight. With the Moon's Rise, The Cursed Will Fall Into Madness.
The pen paused.
From the darkness came a slow sigh.
"Lisa, it's almost time. They'll soon join you."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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