https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-22-Kill-Them-All-and-No-One-Will-Know-I-Took-Credit/13535731/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-24-If-I-Were-to-Start-a-Revolution-the-World-Would-Tremble/13535735/
Chapter 23: A Smoke After the Fact
Chapter 23: A Smoke After the Fact
Today’s Loguetown had an execution, a storm, a downpour, chaos—and another execution.
What did it mean when pirates executed pirates? That wasn’t a real execution! A Navy officer executing pirates—that was the real deal!
Those pirates who took advantage of the chaos to loot and pillage? Not one survived. Every last one was cut down by Kuro.
“Single Blade.”
Another street. The fleeing pirates didn’t even have time to run before a shadow flashed past, appearing directly in front of them.
Kuro ignored the severed heads soaring behind him. With a flick of his blade, he sliced through a wooden door, sending a spray of blood spilling out.
He shook his saber clean of blood using the rain, then turned toward a green-haired figure trembling in a nearby alley.
The green-haired man curled into a ball, hugging his head behind a trash can, whispering, “You can’t see me, you can’t see me.”
Suddenly sensing a presence, he looked up—and screamed. Scrambling backward several meters, he cried, “I’m not a pirate! I’m not!”
His wild green pompadour, wide eyes with dark streaks running from the corners to his temples, and a mouthful of sharp teeth made him look like he might have Fishman blood.
Bartolomeo, the black gang captain who ruled over 150 streets of Loguetown, waved his arms frantically, nearly in tears as he begged, “Seriously, I’m not a pirate! Don’t kill me!”
Bartolomeo was heartbroken. Today had already been a shock—seeing something in Loguetown he’d never forget, something he’d imprint on his soul forever. But before he could recover, the pirate riot broke out.
Well, riots happened. Not his problem, as long as they didn’t destroy his territory. Most of the rioters were his subordinates anyway.
But then came the news: countless pirates dead in the streets, most from his own turf, all neatly beheaded.
Unforgivable! They could fight all they wanted—just not on his turf. Some of them were his underlings!
Furious, Bartolomeo stormed out to inspect his streets, determined to find the culprit.
And he did.
Then he realized he’d added another unforgettable scene to his life.
What the hell was this?
He couldn’t even see the figure clearly, let alone their techniques. One flash of movement from the coat-clad Navy officer—a flick of the blade—and everyone lost their head. A chill ran down Bartolomeo’s spine.
This guy was untouchable!
Even his prized barrier would be useless.
“Then stop being a pirate,” Kuro said, casting him a glance. “Stick to your promising career as a black gang leader.”
With that, Kuro strode away.
Once the footsteps faded, Bartolomeo cautiously peeked out, then slumped to the ground in relief.
His body was drenched in cold sweat.
After lying there a while, he pushed himself up, staring at the headless corpses littering the street. Gritting his teeth, he muttered, “Monster…”
……
“I’m starving!”
Lida punched a fleeing pirate into submission, swallowing hard as her stomach growled with hunger.
But she dared not eat.
She’d never seen Kuro like this before. Walking through the streets, she’d seen countless headless pirate corpses. If she slacked off, he’d probably cut her head off too.
She’d held this form for a while now. Even without going all-out, the energy drain was massive.
Though she absorbed essence through her Devil Fruit ability to fuel her combat strength, that didn’t mean she couldn’t get hungry. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have gone years without a full meal.
“Hey, Klah! Hurry up!”
Kicking another pirate who ran past her, Lida shouted toward Klah in the distance.
“Shave!”
Klah shot forward, slashing five deep, bone-exposing wounds across a pirate’s chest.
Most pirates hadn’t even managed to take hostages. The Navy was here to deal with these lowlifes—supposedly to capture them alive. But the moment Klah imagined his leader’s icy glare, he lost the nerve to take prisoners. Killing them was easier.
He glanced upward just as Smoker soared past in a plume of smoke.
“Tch, Devil Fruit users sure have it easy,” Klah muttered, resuming his slaughter.
Smoker in the sky was even more stunned. From above, the carnage was clearer.
One street.
Two streets.
Three streets.
Seven streets at least, all littered with headless corpses.
“That kid’s really gone off the rails. Is he one of those soft-hearted types who cares about civilians?”
Spotting a group of pirates, Smoker dove down.
“When it comes to catching pirates, I won’t lose to you!” he thought fiercely.
Behind Kuro, another street was left a graveyard of corpses.
A faint smile touched his lips. His Haki detected no more hostage-takers.
The rest could be handled by the Navy.
Kuro glanced at his saber. Without Haki amplification, the blade was near its limit. After so much carnage, cracks already ran along the edge.
“Guess only a Famous Blade can take this abuse. Ordinary weapons are just too ordinary—always feels like they’re slipping in my hand.”
He tossed the saber aside, pulling out a cigar from his pocket. Lighting it, he exhaled a plume of smoke.
“Ah, feels great.”
A smoke after the fact beats a Celestial Dragon.
With the hostage-takers gone, the Navy could finally fight at full strength. Combined with a few powerful allies, rounding up pirates became effortless.
Soon, the chaos was quelled.
In the ruins, Smoker leaned against a wall, watching Navy soldiers march prisoners away.
Tashigi stood nearby, her expression dark.
Klah sat on a boulder, his glasses reflecting light that obscured his face.
Lida, back in her girl form, kicked a passing pirate.
“You’re the reason I couldn’t eat properly!”
The atmosphere was heavy.
“Hey, what’s with the grim faces? Shouldn’t you be happy? Smoker, you stopped a huge riot!”
Kuro approached, cigar dangling from his mouth, grinning.
“Kuro!”
Seeing him, Lida’s face lit up. She ran over, reverting to her childlike form.
“Hey, are you done?”
“Hmph! You’re so annoying! Done? I’ve always been ready!” Kuro flicked her forehead.
Lida didn’t mind—she happily pulled out a bag of chips.
“Kuro…”
Smoker looked at him, conflicted. “You killed so many people… Are you finally ready to reveal yourself to the world?”
“Eh? What are you talking about? Killed who? Got proof? I didn’t do anything.”
Kuro denied everything, smirking. “You handled the riot. As Loguetown’s Commander, that’s your job. What’s it got to do with me?”
Unless the dead could rise and point their fingers, he’d never admit it.
Years of living on the edge? All thanks to one word—calm.
“Justice’s ‘safety’… Well, whatever kind of Justice you uphold is your business. But personally? You’re an exceptional Navy officer. Looking forward to working with you.”
Smoker shook his head, then asked suddenly, “What about the Revolutionary Army?”
Third watch of the night. Thanks to all our generous big shots for their donations.
Thank you for your support, and for your chapter comments, collections, and recommendation tickets.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
