Chapter 24: If I Were to Start a Revolution, the World Would Tremble
Chapter 24: If I Were to Start a Revolution, the World Would Tremble
"Revolutionary Army?"
Kuro pondered. "Let's just stand here and watch."
This was the prevailing Navy mindset—and Kuro's own philosophy.
Smoker narrowed his eyes. "Dragon passed through here, then vanished. I wonder what business he had coming here? Was it just to free Luffy's crew? Doesn't seem likely."
Loguetown didn't belong to any Kingdom, and there hadn't been rumors of uprisings in nearby regions either.
"Why worry about it? That's the government's problem, not ours. Our job is to fight pirates. Everything else doesn't concern us."
Kuro chuckled.
Of course he knew Dragon's purpose, and understood though didn't endorse the chaos that man caused.
Loguetown's tensions had long existed. Even without Dragon, conflict would erupt once Smoker left. Kuro understood this, but fundamentally, he believed no one in this world could truly earn his approval.
Looking at Smoker, Kuro suddenly asked, "I heard there's a Sea Train spectacle in the Grand Line, limited to Water 7. With such a convenient transport system, why hasn't it been expanded worldwide? Wouldn't that make travel easier?"
Smoker scoffed, "The Sea Train doesn't belong to the World Government—it's a collaboration. Plus the cost would be astronomical. Why ask?"
"Hypothetically, if the Revolutionary Army overthrew the World Government, do you think they'd expand the Sea Train globally?"
Smoker considered, then shook his head.
"So, our stance remains—let's just stand and watch." Kuro grinned.
Smoker frowned, puzzled. He couldn't grasp how the World Government, Revolutionary Army, and Sea Train connected.
Kuro smiled serenely at the sky.
Smoker wouldn't understand, and no one else in this world could either.
In another world, there existed a nation that would extend infrastructure to remote villages of mere hundred souls, providing electricity, water, and roads just to ease their lives.
Such was their sense of national duty and Responsibility.
How could people here comprehend that? How could he ever find common ground?
To them, having a benevolent king was already a blessing.
The Revolutionary Army overthrows tyrannical kingdoms, replacing them with 'kind' rulers—that's their limit of imagination.
Is that truly a revolution?
As someone raised on elite political science and trained in dragon-slaying techniques in a past life, he found such revolutions laughable.
If I were to start a revolution, the world would tremble.
What did the World Government or Revolutionary Army matter to Kuro? He was a Navy officer—just an ordinary sailor seeking a peaceful life.
Let whoever wants power take it. In this archipelago world, no one could do without the Navy.
Especially in the Grand Line, where magnetic storms isolate islands from each other.
The Navy stood as the frontline force maintaining order against chaos and Evil—it was the safest path.
"The Navy's perfect. Great meals, high pay, just read newspapers and clip nails during work hours. Even sneak in some cigar puffs. I love it here."
Saying so, Kuro casually swiped another cigar from Smoker.
"You bastard!"
Smoker's temple twitched. "Why don't you get promoted and buy your own?!"
"Paid cigars are good too, but free ones taste better." Kuro smirked.
Smoker's eye twitched violently as he exhaled cigar smoke.
"Luffy's escaped. I'm heading to the Grand Line to catch him. Kuro, join me."
"Hah? I need training at Headquarters. No time to play with you." Kuro waved him off.
He just wanted to loaf around Headquarters, then maybe transfer back to East Blue for a stress-free life.
Ignoring him, Smoker ordered a subordinate: "Signal Headquarters. Requesting deployment to Grand Line. Also, Branch Ensign Lucius Kro, Recruit Flo Lida, and Recruit Klah will accompany me."
"You're abusing your authority!" Kuro protested.
"If you'd rather I report to Headquarters about how you single-handedly quelled Loguetown's pirate riot and your true strength..." Smoker smirked.
"Besides, I've been abusing power for ages. Want to stop me? Just get promoted yourself, you bastard!"
"Do you want to spar right now, Smoker?" Kuro clenched his fist.
"Don't be stupid. Think—if you join me, you won't even have to fight pirates. You can keep preaching your 'safe justice.' And as Headquarters Commander, I can pull some strings to promote you to a peaceful post. Problem solved."
Kuro paused, considering.
Sparring with Smoker? Are you kidding? That's just asking for a beating.
"Klah?"
Kuro instinctively looked at Klah.
"I think it's worth trying." Klah nodded.
He'd previously suggested Kuro join a faction.
Knowing Smoker's connection with Aokiji, with his help, returning to East Blue for a quiet life might finally work out.
"What about East Blue?" Kuro asked.
"Not guaranteed, but I'll make sure it's safe."
"Deal. I'll tag along." Kuro confirmed, "But remember—absolutely safe. Best if no pirates nearby."
"Rest assured, there'll be no pirates there!" Smoker declared.
...
"No Wind Zone? So the Navy can cross directly into the Grand Line? Cheating."
On the warship, Klah gazed at the eerily calm sea ahead.
As a pirate, he'd only ever entered the Grand Line via Reverse Mountain—the most perilous route. Never imagined the Navy could traverse the No Wind Zone.
"The ship's hull contains Seastone. Its energy matches the sea, hiding us from Sea Kings."
Tashigi explained, "But the technology is rare. Only a few Headquarters vessels use it."
Smoker wasted no time—departing Loguetown straight to the No Wind Zone, bypassing Reverse Mountain entirely.
On the warship's third deck, two reclining beach chairs hosted Kuro and Smoker puffing cigars in unison. Nearby, Lida devoured a feast at the dining table.
This peaceful, comfortable existence was Kuro's ideal. Lying here, even his annoyance at Smoker dissolved.
"Wish this could last forever", Kuro sighed.
"I don't get it. You're so strong—why settle for this?"
Smoker asked. "If you want safety, just catch more pirates."
"Ever heard this saying?"
"What?"
"A man's dreams never end!"
Kuro sat upright, downing a glass of red wine.
"Pirates will never be caught."
(End of Chapter)
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