https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-250-What-Was-That-Navy-s-Name-Again-/13536626/
Chapter 249: No Reason to Pick on Kuro
Chapter 249: No Reason to Pick on Kuro
Headquarters, Marineford - the city was still under construction, with its towering central building half-finished, workers scrambling to repair scaffolding and reinforce structures.
Inside the Fleet Admiral's Office.
"Let him do whatever he wants! The old man can't control me anymore!"
Bang!
Sengoku slammed his fist onto the desk, glaring furiously at the yellow-clad figure lounging nearby, legs crossed as he casually trimmed his fingernails.
"Borsalino! This is your subordinates - not a single one of them is easy to handle. Did you read his report? Building a Marine Base on Moe Island? Who gave him that authority? Did the World Government approve this? Do you realize how serious this could be? This involves two kingdoms' diplomatic relations!"
"Oh~ Scary, scary, angry Sengoku-san", Lucius Kro pouted, feigning fear.
"Don't play dumb, Borsalino!"
Sengoku pounded the desk again, the sound echoing like thunder. "The old man's about to retire, you know! About to retire!"
Lucius Kro shrugged nonchalantly, his gaze unwavering under Sengoku's murderous stare. "What can I say? Kuro never reports to me either. I've had my hands full dealing with him too."
"If he won't report, why don't you rein him in?!" Sengoku roared.
He Popo sat nearby, chin propped on her hands, watching Sengoku's outburst subside before calmly interjecting. "The real issue is solving this. Moe Island is strategically perfect for a base - controls major shipping lanes. Letting that Bonaparte Poropa fellow keep it was a waste. Kuro eliminating him actually serves us well."
"Popo's right", Lucius Kro nodded. "That dwarf was never a decent guy to begin with."
"I understand that", Sengoku muttered, sinking back into his chair. His fingers massaged his temples, lines of stress deepening. "The problem is explaining this to the World Government. Dammit, am I really going to have to negotiate with those bastards even now, when I'm about to retire?"
"Sengoku-san", Lucius Kro smirked, "you're still Fleet Admiral. Shouldn't you carry a little more... responsibility?"
"Don't you dare lecture me, Borsalino!"
Sengoku shot him a glare before sighing heavily. "Fine. I'll handle the negotiations one last time. Inform Kuro's brat - if he's building a Marine Base, make sure it's done properly. We can't afford any scandals now."
He Popo nodded. "Especially not now. The higher-ups are watching us closely."
"Understood." Lucius Kro stood, brushing his coat. "Since I'm an Admiral, I'll go greet Kuro in person. Adds a touch of formality."
"That bastard", Sengoku muttered as Lucius Kro left, "he's awfully protective of his subordinates."
He Popo shook her head lightly. "He just likes Kuro. That man deserves our protection, doesn't he?"
"Only because I'm overlooking his Top War performance", Sengoku grumbled. "Otherwise he'd be handling this himself! Even so, that brat should aim higher."
"Not everyone can be like Sakazuki", He Popo countered. "Besides, you didn't recommend Sakazuki this time, did you? Deep down, you don't agree with his approach, do you?"
Sengoku fell silent, then sighed. "Sakazuki's too ruthless. Leading the Navy with him in charge would mean reckless bloodshed. Our strategic goals are already achieved. Now it's just a matter of waiting for the world order to shift naturally. Too radical an approach won't serve us now."
"He Popo frowned. "It won't be that simple. Kuzan has a history of letting criminals escape. The World Government won't accept someone like him as Fleet Admiral. And now that Borsalino's been disqualified..."
Sengoku's voice dropped. "Let them decide. I'm retiring soon anyway. Whether it's Sakazuki or someone else, the Navy remains the Navy."
...
Moe Island.
Outside the temporary Marine Base entrance, Kuro lounged on a boulder, flipping through a freshly received fax. A cigar shifted lazily from one corner of his mouth to the other as he exhaled a plume of smoke.
He tapped the document, grinning. "A little help from above sure makes things easier. Gramps is coming personally to inspect the base. That means the higher-ups have approved it. As for the bureaucratic headaches? Not my problem anymore."
He handed the papers to Lida, who leaned over curiously to read. Turning to the Marine lieutenant before him, Kuro continued, "We'll station here for a while. Moe Island's residents are still uneasy. If we leave now, they'll think we've abandoned them. Chaos would follow."
"Commander", the Lieutenant hesitated, glancing toward the empty shell of a base behind him, "our supplies might not last here. We've got practically nothing."
Kuro arched an eyebrow. "Then buy more. Did you really need me to tell you that?"
"Klah! Where the hell are you?!"
"Speak louder next time, Kuro! I can't hear you whispering like that! You call yourself a Marine?!"
A voice bellowed from outside the crowd. Marines scattered as Klah pushed through, adjusting his glasses with a self-satisfied smirk. Behind him, Sazil lay sprawled on the ground, bruised and groaning.
Kuro raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing now?"
"Kuro-san", Klah grinned proudly, "I'm training Kuro - Sazil Kuro. He's not a real Marine yet, so I'm giving him proper training to earn that title. And what better training than a few daily beatings? We call it 'No Reason to Beat Kuro'."
"I understand the logic", Kuro deadpanned, "but I feel like you're taking this personally."
"Paranoia, sir!" Klah beamed. "Now if you'll excuse me..."
Kuro cut him off with a glare. "Get to work. Handle the logistics - procurement, storage, everything. I want this place ready for overnight stays by nightfall."
"Understood! Right away!"
Klah obeyed without hesitation, already whistling cheerfully as he strode off.
Lida finished reading the documents. "So we're staying long-term?"
Kuro rolled his eyes. "Am I insane? This is the perfect spot for patrols! Think of it - a mini-Shabondy, right on the Grand Line. Pirates from every direction will come through here. Building a Marine Base means constant trouble, which means constant merit!"
He gestured toward the horizon. "But Gramps is coming to inspect. My job is to stabilize the area before he arrives. Once he takes over, I'll move on. Let some other Marine handle the garrison duty."
His mission was cruising, not babysitting islands. Sengoku's bureaucracy would take time. Wrapping up here would complete his assignment.
Of course, if the island had fewer pirates...
Kuro grinned at the thought. Stationing here permanently wouldn't be so bad. After all, controlling an island with ten major shipping routes? That was a goldmine of opportunities.
(End of Chapter)
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