Chapter 239: Black Long Straight with Lace Trim
Chapter 239: Black Long Straight with Lace Trim
The upstream area was blocked by a massive wall. Beyond it, clusters of fortresses sprawled within the city, their gates tightly sealed. Outside stood several guards clutching long spears, their bodies unnaturally tall and slender like bamboo poles. Their arms were thick, their feet oversized—physiques perfectly suited for wielding long spears.
As Kuro’s group approached, the guards silently parted, two of them activating a mechanism to open the heavy gates.
“Aren’t we supposed to be denied entry?” Lida asked, puzzled.
The guards remained silent, their gazes sharp yet hollow, like those of the black-clad assassins earlier—soulless and mechanical.
“Their gesture seems like an invitation,” Kuro replied.
Klah frowned. “Mr. Kuro, were we discovered?”
“That’s only natural. Don’t underestimate the Grand Line.”
Kuro’s eyes narrowed as he glanced at the spear-wielding figures. Being found out wasn’t surprising. Assuming enemies lacked Haki was naive. The gaunt man they’d encountered earlier was likely the island’s strongest, so possessing Observation Haki made sense.
What nonsense is this about people in ‘Paradise’ lacking Haki? Such exceptions exist, but they’re rare. Kuro never relied on unlikely odds for safety—ignorance got people killed.
“The local host has invited us in. Let’s not be rude.”
Lighting a cigar, Kuro strode through the gates.
Inside, the upper district was starkly different from the bustling lower city. This residential zone was eerily quiet, lined with scattered fortresses but no ordinary homes. Kuro sensed life within the fortresses, yet no one emerged—like weapons locked in racks.
He looked toward the largest fortress atop the wall, where Gardi stood smiling. Beside him—
“An egg?” Kuro blinked.
“A human!”
A short, stout figure leaped onto the wall, pointing at Kuro. “Open your eyes! I’m a person!”
“Oh, a human after all,” Kuro said. “Just… really short.”
“Extremely short,” Klah agreed.
Lida nodded. “Is it some egg-shaped human?”
“Enough!” Poropa growled. “I don’t recall inviting you to the upper district. Invading unannounced is quite impolite.”
Kuro exhaled a puff of smoke. “You don’t strike me as the polite type. Those black-clad swordsmen—your subordinates? An explanation for the ambush would be nice.”
Poropa chuckled. “The Straight Cutters? Yes, you eliminated them. They weren’t ordinary Navy men.”
“Masterpiece?” Kuro’s eyes narrowed.
“Exactly!” Poropa beamed. “Gardi, explain my genius to him.”
Gardi straightened. “As you see, he is Bonaparte Poropa, the midget—”
Crack! Poropa punched Gardi, snarling. “Respect!”
Gardi cleared his throat. “Bonaparte Poropa, Lord of Moe Island, Honorary Count of the Jerman and Sukunai Kingdoms, Keeper of Peace, and the island’s greatest scientist.”
“That’s right!” Poropa declared. “I’ll surpass Vegapunk! My masterpieces? The Straight Cutters—aren’t they like perfect blades?”
“My research,” he continued, “transforms weapons into ‘humans.’ The stronger the weapon, the stronger the human.”
“Humanizing weapons?” Lida gasped, instinctively hugging Autumn Water.
Her reaction caught Poropa’s eye. “Ah, Black Blade Autumn Water! Even its scabbard radiates power. Pity it’s wasted on a girl.”
He raised five fingers. “Five hundred million Beri—my highest offer. Or I’ll give you superior Weapon Humans!”
Snapping his fingers, the nearby fortresses opened. Dozens of spear-wielding figures emerged—tall, thin, and mechanical.
“My Long Spear Units! No need for loyalty—they obey instantly. I even removed their speech to avoid leaks. Cheaper than robots!”
He barked another order: “Seal the gates! Keep everyone out!”
The Long Spear Units sprang into formation, their spears raised identically, blades aligned without a gap.
“Defensive power?” Poropa fired a pistol at one. The bullet dented its skull but didn’t penetrate. No blood, no pain.
“Bulletproof, even without armor! No hunger, no sleep—just follow orders. They outmatch your average Marine recruit. Improve the spear quality, and they’ll surpass elites. Impressive, yes?”
He grinned. “Five hundred million Beri for Autumn Water—the grandest offer! With that blade, I’ll create a swordsman stronger than Ryuma. She’s a gentle beauty, like a carnation. As Black Blade, it’s already forged—its human form should be a married woman. Black long straight hair with lace trim… yes, that suits it!”
He eyed Lida. “You’re decent, but your silver hair’s curly. Not lace-trimmed. Not right…”
“Never!” Lida clutched her blade. “I won’t hand it over—ever!”
“Kuro, don’t sell it! It’s your sword!” Her voice wavered, fearing Kuro’s preferences.
Kuro exhaled slowly. “Weapon-to-human conversion. What’s the material? These ‘Weapon Humans’… they’re made from people, aren’t they?”
Poropa’s eyes lit up. “Of course! Humans are cheap and plentiful. Perfect raw material!”
(End of Chapter)
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