https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-221-Flip-the-Island-and-Sink-It-Into-the-Sea/13536557/
Chapter 220: Die Elsewhere if You Must
Chapter 220: Die Elsewhere if You Must
Port
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The Navy crew stationed aboard the Warship stared in horror at the flame-spewing Monsters crawling beneath them.
Moments ago, as night fell, those workers had transformed into these monstrous abominations.
“What the hell is this?!”
A temporary officer, an Ensign, gritted his teeth in fear while watching the creatures.
Lead bullets couldn’t penetrate them—they’d tried. Even the cannons—
A sudden seawater rain had drenched their artillery, rendering them temporarily useless. Even matchlocks wouldn’t fire reliably. As for blades? Their strikes bounced off the Monsters’ flames. Close combat was suicide.
Thankfully, they were aboard ship—the Monsters couldn’t board. If they had to fight on land, they’d already be dead.
“Ensign, if there are Monsters like this, what about Commander Kuro and the others?”
A Navy officer fired a shot at one of the Flame Monsters, only to see the lead bullet bounce off harmlessly. His voice trembled with worry.
“Impossible!” the Ensign snapped. “Commander Kuro is someone even Whitebeard fears. These puny Monsters won’t lay a finger on him!”
They’d all witnessed Commander Kuro’s prowess at War’s Apex. The Ensign had unwavering faith in his strength.
“Did the call go through?” the Ensign asked.
“No luck—we couldn’t reach him,” the Navy officer replied.
“Damn it! Try again!”
The Ensign clenched his teeth. “We’ll hold position here. Don’t move until the cannons are ready.”
“Ensign, there’s a survivor over there!”
A Navy officer pointed ahead. In a corner, someone knelt with their head in their hands, trembling.
Wasn’t that the old man who’d berated them earlier?
Why hadn’t he transformed?
“Roar!”
Several Flame Monsters noticed the figure in the corner. They abandoned their futile snarling at the Warship crew and charged toward him.
“It’s here! It’s here!”
Nilo’s eyes gleamed maniacally as he hugged himself, his expression twisted with fear and ecstasy. “The Day of Atonement is here again! Ah! I must atone!”
Boom!
Suddenly, several slashes erupted from the grand gate, tearing it open. Simultaneously, a barrage of weapons rained down from the sky, annihilating the Flame Monsters gathered at the port.
Kuro, cigar dangling from his mouth, casually slung Autumn Water over his shoulder as he strode in. He held his Transponder Snail to his ear, mid-conversation.
“Hey, you old bastard! Answer your damn call already!”
He grumbled, scanning the area, then spotted Nilo cackling in the corner. “Huh. Looks like there’s a survivor here?”
“Commander Kuro!”
The Ensign on the Warship shouted, relieved.
“Everyone’s alive, I see.”
Kuro nodded at the crew. “Drop the gangplank. Everyone else, get aboard. Lida and Klah, you’re with me.”
“Understood.”
The Lieutenant behind him saluted, secretly exhaling. He’d rather not fight these terrifying Monsters.
This place reeked of eeriness.
“Why! Why won’t you let me atone!”
Nilo screamed as falling blades shredded the Flame Monsters. “Let me atone!”
“Die elsewhere if you must,” Kuro snapped, “Stop whining. If you don’t want to live, who the hell wants to save you?”
Click.
The Transponder Snail crackled. Its shell shimmered, morphing into Lucius Kro’s lecherous visage.
“Oh~ Kuro, what’s this about chasing after that old man? Don’t you have patrols to do?”
“Finally answered, Gramps,” Kuro shot back. “Quick question—how much do you know about Tada Kingdom?”
“Tada Kingdom?”
Lucius hesitated. “Ah… the shadowed nation? If you’re there, buy some weapons. Their craftsmanship’s top-notch.”
“Love to, but everyone in Tada Kingdom’s been hit by some curse. They’re all Flame Monsters now. A Devil Fruit user’s behind this. Chances are, there’s no one left alive.”
He explained the situation to Lucius Kro.
“Oh~ How terrifying,” Lucius cooed. “If an entire kingdom’s fallen, it’s beyond Navy jurisdiction. Withdraw.”
“Withdraw? Not happening. If you don’t know, forget it.”
“Hmph. Do as you please, my boy.”
“Huh?”
Kuro blinked. Since when was Gramps so agreeable?
Before he could speak again, the call cut off.
In Mariejois, Lucius Kro stood in a Meeting Hall, Transponder Snail darkened. He smiled at the five figures before him.
“Just one of the old man’s subordinates. All clear—we’ll continue the meeting.”
“Lucius Kro…”
One of the five, a red-skinned elder with arms folded and legs elegantly crossed, remarked, “I’ve heard his name. He distinguished himself in the war against Whitebeard.”
“A Navy man with Shanks’ power,” added another elder with wavy hair and a wide-brimmed hat. “Not bad.”
“Tada Kingdom…”
The bald elder gritted his teeth. “That place is nearly finished. Foolish. Losing an allied kingdom is a massive humiliation for the World Government.”
“The king forbade our interference back then,” a bearded elder added. “Now it’s beyond our control.”
A third elder, his mustache sprawling like a compass, stated, “At least let’s ensure the Navy doesn’t destroy it. Withdraw Lucius Kro.”
“Can’t,” Lucius shrugged. “The old man’s ordered him. He’ll finish this fast.”
“Still,” he mused, “keeping that kingdom around… might not be wise.”
“Mind your tone, Borsalino,” the wavy-haired elder frowned. “The Navy’s an external force. We’re not to interfere in government matters.”
“True,” the mustachioed elder added. “But we held back because they were normal by day. Their weapons and ore were vital. Erasing them now would provoke other nations.”
“Oh~ Is that so?” Lucius smiled.
“Borsalino, you’ve authorized this,” the bald elder fixed Lucius. “The responsibility’s yours. As for Fleet Admiral qualifications—Kuro’s out. Let him simmer as a commander a while longer. The Navy isn’t some rabid pirate crew.”
“Oh~ So scary,” Lucius chuckled. “Guess I’ll step out then.”
He turned and left.
As he departed, the bald elder snorted. “That sly fox never wanted the Fleet Admiral post anyway.”
“He’s unsuited for leadership,” the red elder mused. “Forcing him would’ve backfired. He’s using Tada Kingdom to play his games.”
“Enough,” the mustachioed elder said. “Tada’s time is up. At least we caught this early. Containing the fallout will be… delicate.”
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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