Chapter 227: Set a Small Goal for Yourself – First, Strike Down Kaido in One Blow
Chapter 227: Set a Small Goal for Yourself – First, Strike Down Kaido in One Blow
The Grand Line was calm and peaceful.
After leaving the Tada Kingdom, Kuro finally had some downtime.
No more pleas for help, no reports—just rare tranquility.
Though the Grand Line could feel monotonous, Kuro preferred it this way. Right now, he just wanted to relax, preferably without running into enemies.
Plus, he was in a great mood.
Because earlier, Gramps had called after seeing the reports.
“Kuro, old man owes you one. The brass found out about the Tada Kingdom incident and aren’t happy. I’ve lost my chance to become Fleet Admiral. As for you, they were going to promote you to Vice Admiral, but the higher-ups decided to hold you back to a lower rank. Wait until Headquarters has time, then come back for your ceremony.”
Such good news?
Kuro had laughed out loud at the time.
He’d stolen a patch of land from the Tada Kingdom and still gotten demoted.
Life was glorious!
Gramps, you’re the man!
I knew joining under you wouldn’t let me down!
Kuro sat on the ship’s railing, puffing on a cigar with a fishing rod in hand, leisurely casting his line into the sea. Every time he thought about it, he chuckled.
“This is a good day,” he hummed a tune from his homeland.
Klah, standing behind him, looked unimpressed.
Holding a bucket of bait, he hesitated before speaking. “Mr. Kuro, is Admiral Lucius Kro withdrawing from the Fleet Admiral race? Isn’t that a shame? If he became Fleet Admiral, your position would surely be more secure.”
Kuro snorted. “Please, that old man as Fleet Admiral? I couldn’t bear to watch him turn the Navy into a laughingstock. Besides, he never wanted the job. No wonder he took full blame—turns out he had an excuse to dodge those five deadwood elders.”
Kuro knew Lucius Kro’s “responsibility” speech was just a ploy to avoid the title. Gramps had no interest in becoming Fleet Admiral. After all, with Gramps’ reputation, it wouldn’t matter who held the title.
The old man wasn’t like Aokiji and Akainu, always clashing. He got along with everyone.
If you wanted to crown a “Face Man,” Shanks still fell short. Gramps was the undisputed king.
“Mr. Kuro, even if Admiral Lucius Kro isn’t running, you should reclaim your status. Dropping from Vice Admiral to Commander is too steep a fall. I suggest we hunt a Sixth-Level prisoner now to repair your reputation with the government.”
Marine ranks were hard to climb. Missing this chance meant needing far more merits for another promotion.
“If you’ve got no use for that brain of yours, I’ll chuck it into the sea for the Sea Kings to snack on.”
Kuro bit his cigar, glaring. “Did Kas brainwash you or something? You used to be smarter. So reckless! Safety first! Do you think I’m qualified to tackle a Sixth-Level prisoner? At my level?”
“Mr. Kuro… qualified?” Klah blinked.
“Of course not! Even though I took down Shanks, left Kaido with a permanent scar, and crippled Shanks’ crew, even almost sinking Whitebeard’s and Blackbeard’s crews…”
“But I know my limits! I’ve never guaranteed my own safety against those guys. Remember how badly I got injured those few days? Worse than all my past injuries combined!”
Klah instinctively stepped back, shielding his face in shock as Kuro spoke with solemn honesty.
Though Kuro’s words seemed sincere, Klah couldn’t shake the feeling he was bragging. The evidence was overwhelming, but Kuro’s smug expression—like a spotlight dazzling his eyes—left him speechless.
“Wait, you faced Kaido?!” Lida, drooling over the bait beside them, finally blurted out.
“Almost died. See? You must stay humble around strong men. Don’t get cocky with a bit of power. Set a small goal for yourself first—like striking down Kaido in one blow. If you can’t kill him, you’re weak. And unsafe!”
Kuro lifted his chin, his tone anything but humble.
“Klah, after following me so long, you should learn from me. Don’t think your powers make you invincible. How quickly you forgot the danger in Tada Kingdom!”
“Take Absalom, for example. He trapped all of us in illusions. If his hand-to-hand skills were better, I’d be dead meat! And guess what—several escaped prisoners are far stronger than him.”
“So before you grow strong, stay low. Don’t seek fame yet—you’ll attract pirates desperate for notoriety. One eerie Devil Fruit user, and you’ll die clueless.”
“But… Mr. Kuro, you’re already famous. Everyone saw your Top War performance,” Klah muttered.
“Don’t remind me!”
A vein throbbed on Kuro’s forehead. Just thinking about it gave him a headache.
Ever since joining Headquarters, nothing but trouble!
But…
“I’ve still got chances!”
Kuro grinned. “Whitebeard’s dying declaration set the Grand Line ablaze. Pirates are surging worldwide. Even the Four Seas are exploding with chaos. Headquarters is stretched thin.”
“So I’ve got room to maneuver. Especially now—slower promotions mean safer sailing.”
Before Top War, he’d planned to retire peacefully in East Blue.
But after Top War, that dream died.
Fame and rank were inevitable now. Kuro hated it, but he’d crossed that bridge.
War’s over. Now, the key is to hold back. Before my strength reaches expectations, I’ll keep my reputation and position steady.
Can’t I just stay low? With the Navy’s nature, if I don’t push for advancement, they won’t stir unless another Top War erupts.
Smoker, that idiot, stayed in Loguetown years ago. His strength warranted Vice Admiral, but lack of merit wasn’t the only issue. He obeyed orders but refused transfers.
For Smoker, it was demotion. For Kuro, inspiration.
He could do the same—obey missions but refuse transfers. Especially now.
With Sengoku resigning and power shifting, this was the perfect chance.
Using pirate uprisings as an excuse, he could request a Four Seas Branch post. As Commander, he’d become a base chief.
Gramps wouldn’t force him back. Who becomes Fleet Admiral—Akainu or Kuzan—didn’t matter. Akainu’s aggressive nature wouldn’t chase him. Kuzan’s lazy enough to forget him if he hides long enough.
In a few years, with chaos escalating, new faces will rise. Headquarters—and the world—will forget him.
Then he’d live comfortably in his base, coasting through patrols and training, peaceful and safe.
Too good to be true.
As for the New World…
He didn’t even want the Grand Line anymore, let alone the New World.
He was flesh and blood, not invincible. With so many Devil Fruit users here, one more “bug” ability could finish him.
Dangerous. Too risky!
The New World? Forget it. Kaido already had him marked, and Shanks wasn’t far behind.
Marshall D. Teach’s fate aside, even two Four Emperors had him on high alert.
His strength wasn’t enough to beat Four Emperors. Going there would be suicide.
“So keep patrolling. Once back, request a Four Seas transfer. Drop all those daydreams. My strength’s enough for Commander. Anything more? I don’t deserve it.”
Kuro flicked his rod, casting again in a new direction.
(End of Chapter)
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