Chapter 247: Who Approves, Who Objects
Chapter 247: Who Approves, Who Objects
The sudden plummeting of a massive Ruins Cluster startled them all. It was then they realized there was Navy at the Port, and behind the Navy, the sky was darkened by towering Ruins materials gathered like storm clouds.
“Navy?”
Sa Luor frowned. “This is a conflict within our Kingdom. It has nothing to do with you Navy—don’t meddle.”
They weren’t pirates, but the Kingdom military, and not just any—forces from a World Government allied nation. Even the World Government had no authority to interfere in internal affairs, let alone the Navy.
“That’s right. Your job is to hunt pirates quietly. This doesn’t concern you,” said Sukunai Kingdom’s noble general.
“You can’t say it like that. Don’t you care about the Civilians at all?”
Kuro spat out the remaining cigar stub and lit a new one. “Moe Island’s a bustling place. Don’t go turning it into ruins.”
“This has always been our territory. What we do here is none of your concern, and certainly not yours to regulate,” Sa Luor countered.
“This is our territory!”
The Sukunai Kingdom noble retorted, “Moe Island belongs to Sukunai Kingdom!”
“It seems we’ll have to fight to see who it truly belongs to!”
Sa Luor coldly interjected, “Order the ships to prepare fire—”
Boom!
A deafening explosion echoed across the sea.
A ship from Sukunai Kingdom and Jerman Kingdom’s fleet was suddenly sunk by the falling Ruins Cluster. Fragments scattered everywhere, one splinter whizzing past Sa Luor’s face, drawing a streak of blood down his cheek.
Sa Luor wiped the blood from his face with his fingers, sweat beading his brow.
The noble facing him wore the same expression, bloodied and breathless.
“Watch your step.”
Kuro removed the cigar, exhaling a plume of smoke. “This cursed Grand Line—falling debris, sudden tsunamis, it’s all standard fare here.”
As he spoke, he clenched his fist. The sea surface erupted into a colossal tsunami, its shadow engulfing everyone present.
No one doubted—should this wave crash down, not only would nearby ships be obliterated, but the entire town would be doomed.
The Sukunai noble stared in horror at the wall of water, swallowed hard, and demanded, “What exactly are you trying to do, Kuro?”
“Bloodshed’s boring. Let’s sit down and talk it out.” With a flick of his fingers, the tsunami collapsed back into the sea, sending a massive swell rocking the ships.
---
Inside the tavern of the lower district.
Patrons had already fled when the two Kingdom militaries arrived.
Outside, Jerman Kingdom and Sukunai Kingdom forces faced off in a tense standoff, while Navy stood between them, acting as mediators to prevent open conflict.
Inside the tavern, the three factions sat at a table.
Kuro occupied the seat facing the entrance, with Klah and Lida behind him.
On either side sat the nobles of Jerman Kingdom and Sukunai Kingdom.
Jerman’s Noble General, Sa Luor, son of a court minister, was one of the nation’s most powerful figures.
The Sukunai Noble General, Enuoke, was equally influential.
Enuoke downed a mug of ale to calm his nerves from Kuro’s earlier intimidation.
“Lucius Krocommander, right? What’s your game? You’re Navy—territorial disputes aren’t your business,” he glared at Kuro, as if defiance could bolster his courage.
Sa Luor pushed his ale glass aside. “Bring me plain water instead. I don’t drink,” he told the anxious waiter.
Continuing, he said, “The Moe Island conflict is our two nations’ dispute. We’ve fought over it for decades. Now that dwarf’s dead, both sides suffered. This island, the bridgehead between our nations, must be seized. Even if you halt us today, you can’t stop this forever.”
Capturing Moe Island—or even just keeping it as a battleground—was far preferable to having their homelands turned into a warzone.
Just like twenty years ago, they’d all clashed here: victors claimed the bridgehead, looming over the enemy; the defeated retreated, waiting to strike again.
Centuries-old rivals couldn’t reconcile easily.
Though Sa Luor despised that “dwarf,” his death complicated matters.
Their balance of power relied on Poropa Experiment-bred military species. Battles fought with such creatures carried little cost—victory or defeat were equally manageable.
Hence, Moe Island was crucial to maintaining this stalemate. Keeping the war here prevented escalation.
Moe Island’s geography was pivotal too. Nestled between Navigational Routes, it connected vital waterways. Control meant dominance over merchant traffic’s flow.
No one would yield.
Kuro bit into his cigar, eyeing them.
“Both your nations claim Moe Island as your territory, yet neither has ever truly controlled it. As nations straddling two Navigational Routes, instead of focusing on development, you waste time warring over an island blocking those routes.”
“You ignore how your endless fights empower pirates. As Navy, I’ll propose this: from now on, this becomes a Marine Base, under our control.”
“We’ll guarantee safe passage, letting merchants choose freely which nation to trade with, free from pirate threats. You’ll return to your routes to develop, ending hostilities.”
“Who approves, who objects?”
Kuro leaned back in his chair.
The two nations didn’t truly want war—Kuro saw that. Tradition and circumstance forced their hands. The island’s ownership was always uncertain. Giving them a dignified exit was the goal.
“I object!” Enuoke slammed the table, shouting. “Even Navy has no right to decide this island’s sovereignty!”
Slap!
Kuro’s palm struck Enuoke, sending him spinning to crash heavily to the floor.
Kuro stepped onto the table, cigar dangling from his lips, sneering. “I’m trying to talk nicely, and you dare say ‘no’? Who gave you that face? You old bastard, take your complaints to the World Government if you’ve got guts!”
He turned to Sa Luor.
“What about you? You object too?”
Sa Luor stared at the groaning Enuoke, then at the furious Kuro. His head shook like a rattle.
“I have no objections at all.”
So why didn’t you say so earlier? Why drag everyone into this tavern for negotiations?
Negotiations require dialogue—without it, how can there be a result? We wanted to talk, but you didn’t even leave room for discussion!
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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