https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-262-That-Would-Be-Great-No-That-s-Disheartening/13536709/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-264-I-ve-Missed-You-to-Death-Kuro-/13536711/
Chapter 263: Tina, I Want You
Chapter 263: Tina, I Want You
With Moe Island now under Tina’s control, there was no reason for Kuro to linger here. The grand fleet was gone, and Tina’s strength was more than enough to secure the island.
Yet before departing, he had unfinished business.
“Tina.”
“Hmm?”
“I want…”
“Want what?”
“I want you.”
Tina froze, staring at Kuro’s solemn expression. After a pause, she gritted her teeth. “Tina won’t survive it.”
“Just grant me this, please.” Kuro clasped his hands together.
“It’ll wear Tina out.”
“But I really need it. Without you, I can’t bear it.”
“Fine… Since you begged, Tina will give it to you.”
…
So, she spent two straight days manufacturing Black Gun, launching it skyward for Kuro to use.
This stuff was actually pretty effective.
Unlike last time, when he’d had to sneak around, Kuro no longer cared about hiding his Devil Fruit powers. He openly used his abilities to send massive volleys of Black Gun soaring into the Sky.
Once done, he bid Tina farewell, departing with Lucius Kro and his subordinates toward Headquarters aboard their warship.
Inside the warship’s office…
“Oh~ How scary. Monkey D. Luffy, ringing the bell at Marineford with Pluton Silvers Rayleigh? Is that old man finally coming out of retirement?”
Leaning back in his chair, trimming his nails lazily, Lucius Kro flipped through the newspaper on the table. “Why come to Marineford now? Provocation? Kuro, what do you think they’re up to?”
Kuro slouched on the couch nearby, shrugging noncommittally.
“With our main forces away, it’s a decent timing choice.”
Akainu was off hunting remaining pirates, Kuzan cleaning up the aftermath, and Gramps—like himself—was coasting here. The other admirals were occupied stabilizing the world. Luffy’s timing was spot-on.
“The 3D is crossed out. Now it’s 2Y Day and Year? Cancelled in three days, postponed to two years later, with a gathering somewhere?”
Kuro glanced at the newspaper. “Something like that.”
“Oh~ Hiding to rebuild strength? Clever plan!” Lucius Kro chuckled. “Any idea where they’ll go?”
“How would I know? Besides, with Pluton around, even if we did, what could we do? Not the right time.”
Besides remembering Luffy from Kusnake Island, he’d forgotten the rest.
Compared to the growing pirate threats, this wasn’t worth the Navy’s energy. Add Silvers Rayleigh—a headache of his own—and this was just a passing curiosity.
A momentary shock was all it deserved. No one truly cared.
At least, not within Lucius Kro Faction.
“Gramps, you lost your Fleet Admiral title. Not even a little regret?”
Kuro asked Lucius Kro.
He couldn’t fathom how the old man had so many nails to trim.
“Surprised you’d ask an old man such a question.” Lucius Kro blinked slowly. “Hmm… Maybe a little. But old man never wanted to compete with Sakazuki. He’s confident enough. Sengoku didn’t recommend him, but the government seems interested.”
Of course Akainu was confident. His performance in the war was the most outstanding. He deserved the position.
“Gramps, I heard Kuzan Admiral and Akainu Admiral don’t get along.” Kuro narrowed his eyes, probing.
“Just differing opinions. Still, we share the Navy’s stance.”
Lucius Kro paused, then grinned. “But if Sakazuki ascends, Kuzan might not accept it easily. Internal Navy conflicts… How scary.”
Oh, it wouldn’t be easy at all.
Kuro knew they’d clash a year later.
Victor ascends. Loser exits. A massive reshuffle.
After that, Kuzan would leave. Kuro disliked change. Stability was safety. Turbulent times were a pain.
But strong men’s ambitions weren’t his to control.
“Old man never liked power struggles. But if I took the seat, Kuro… What would you think?”
Lucius Kro suddenly asked.
“You? Ascend?”
Kuro sat up, lighting a cigar. After a silence, he smirked. “If Gramps wants it, I’ll get busy.”
If Gramps truly aimed for the top, Kuro would help him secure it. For that, he’d need influence.
He’d have to visit the New World eventually.
“Oh~ True to form, old man’s favorite subordinate. Pity… Old man’s already been passed over.” Lucius Kro chuckled.
“You don’t want it either. That seat’s no picnic.” Kuro exhaled smoke.
“True. Old man as Fleet Admiral would be a mess. And…” Lucius Kro shrugged, pouring tea.
The rest was unspoken. Kuro understood.
If Gramps became Fleet Admiral, Kuzan wouldn’t leave. But a new problem would arise—the Navy’s influence would become “obey orders, ignore commands.”
Kuzan was already lax, and Akainu might not follow Lucius Kro. If the three admirals acted independently, the Navy’s unity would crumble.
Though Kuro loved his relaxed, clock-in-clock-out vibe, the Navy’s current laid-back stability under rules was fine. No need to crush the radicals’ enthusiasm.
You hunt pirates, I’ll live peacefully. Lend a hand when unified operations are needed—that’s enough.
“Can I return to East Blue this time?” Kuro asked.
“Why East Blue, Kuro?”
To escape the Grand Line’s dangers and return home, obviously.
But he couldn’t say that.
“Gramps, piracy in the Four Seas is rampant. Headquarters’ forces are stretched thin. As a Navy officer, my position’s flexible. Stationing me to curb pirates in the Four Seas makes sense.”
Kuro straightened. “East Blue birthed the One Piece. Now Luffy’s chaos comes from there too. Pirate incidents in East Blue are significant. As a Navy officer, I know my hometown well. Returning makes perfect sense.”
Yes, that’s it.
Absolutely not because East Blue’s pirates were weak, making promotions easier than in the Grand Line. Definitely not.
“Old man will report to Sengoku,” Lucius Kro said.
“Then it’s settled. Gramps, keep trimming those nails. I’ll go fishing.”
Kuro left, cigar dangling.
Snip.
Lucius Kro finished trimming, set down the clippers, and picked up the newspaper again. After a long silence, he murmured:
“How scary…”
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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