https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-265-Pirates-Deserve-to-Die-Plain-and-Simple/13536712/
Chapter 264: I've Missed You to Death, Kuro!
Chapter 264: I’ve Missed You to Death, Kuro!
Headquarters, Marineford.
After days of sailing, he had finally completed his patrol mission and returned to Headquarters.
The base echoed with clangs and clatters—nearly a third of the Top War’s structures lay in ruins, so repair work was underway in full force.
Fortunately, his own home had been well-protected.
However, before he could even return home, a Marine officer rushed over, informing him that Sengoku wanted to see him.
“Great, I’m about to get scolded,” Kuro muttered, biting down on a cigar. He turned to Klah behind him. “Take Sazil to report for duty. I’ll go endure my scolding and be right back.”
“Understood, Mr. Kuro,” Klah nodded.
The officer led the way, quickly bringing Kuro to a spacious office before departing. Kuro straightened his collar and knocked on the door.
“Enter.”
Inside, Sengoku’s voice rang out.
Pushing the door open, Kuro found Sengoku buried in paperwork. Crane, sitting on the sofa sipping tea, looked up and smirked. “You rascal, you’ve caused quite the stir.”
“Don’t tease me, Grandma He,” Kuro quipped, lips twitching.
Hearing this, Sengoku’s temple bulged with a visible vein.
“Kuro!! Look at the mess you’ve made!”
“Don’t get so angry, Director Sengoku.” Kuro sauntered over to the sofa opposite, stubbed out his cigar in the ashtray, and grinned. “That Bonaparte Poropa had ambitions to replace us Marines—that’s just preventive action, isn’t it?”
“Cut the excuses! That fool couldn’t pull off anything like that. Do you think we Marines are just here to eat rice?!” Sengoku roared. “Poropa isn’t the issue! The problem is you provoked two countries into suing us! Can’t you act more carefully?!”
“I wanted to, but they came after me first. What was I supposed to do?” Kuro shrugged innocently. “You know my style, Director Sengoku—I’m all about caution. If it’s risky, you’ll never see me around!”
“Enough! You incorrigible slacker!”
Sengoku’s voice softened slightly. “Old Man in the government covered for you this time. Keep your head down for now—Old Man’s retiring, do you understand?!”
Kuro dug his ear lazily. “Yeah, yeah, no need to shout. I heard you.”
Keep a low profile?
He’d love to avoid trouble, but did they ever give him a chance?
If you’d left me back in East Blue with no strings attached, we’d all be smiling—a win-win, you know.
Sengoku stared at him for a moment. “Anyway, that’s that. You’re dismissed. Go rest at Headquarters first—complete your medal ceremony before running off.”
“Then I’ll take my leave, Director Sengoku.”
He rolled his eyes—of course, he’d just come to get scolded.
As Kuro reached the door, Sengoku suddenly called out, “Wait.”
“Hm?”
“About Fleet Admiral succession—who do you want to see appointed?”
“Eh?”
Kuro turned, stunned. “You’re asking a Commander for opinions on this matter?”
“What, just because you’re a Commander means you’re not a Marine? Every Marine has the right to an opinion!” Sengoku snapped. “Don’t play dumb, Kuro.”
“I’d vote for my old man. That’s it—I’m out.”
Waving dismissively, Kuro walked out.
“That sly fox,” Sengoku gritted his teeth at the closed door. “Same as Borsalino—refusing to meddle.”
“He’s always been like this—you know his nature,” He interjected calmly, folding her hands. “If they don’t want to interfere, let them be. It’s not like this appointment will bring anything good.”
“Tch… Forget it. Old Man can’t control anything anymore.”
Sengoku rubbed his temples, sighing deeply.
...
“This is the training ground. From now on, you’re officially a Marine.”
After completing Sazil’s paperwork, Klah led him to the Headquarters training grounds. “Also, though you’re my direct subordinate, our branch has its quirks. During rookie training, I won’t demand top performance—but neither can you slack off. You’ll maintain an average rank. Don’t stand out, don’t fall behind.”
What does that even mean?
Sazil blinked, confused.
He could understand avoiding failure—joining the Marines meant aiming for excellence.
But why avoid standing out?
“Just follow instructions,” Klah adjusted his glasses, voice tinged with mischief. “If you exceed or drop ranks by more than one spot, you’ll earn a ‘strict training session’ from me.”
Suffer through it!
Back when he trained here, deliberately holding back had been agony—worse than giving it his all. This torment couldn’t die with him.
It would become their branch’s “noble tradition.”
“Klah?”
A sudden voice interrupted.
Smoker, two thick cigars clenched in his mouth, approached with Tashigi in tow.
“Mr. Smoker,” Klah greeted.
“You’re back—that means Kuro’s here too?” Smoker scanned Klah’s side where Sazil stood. “Who’s this?”
“Director Sengoku summoned Mr. Kuro. This is recruit Sazil·Kuro—we encountered him during our voyage. Remarkable potential,” Klah explained.
“...Say that again?”
“Reporting—I’m Sazil·Kuro!”
“Drop the surname.”
“I’m Kuro!”
“Your full name?”
“Uh… I’m Kuro!”
Smoker’s expression shifted from shock to wicked amusement—a look Sazil recognized from Klah and Lida.
“So you’re Kuro, huh? I’ve Missed You TO Death!”
Grabbing Sazil’s hand, Smoker grinned. “My best friend’s name is Kuro! He loves sparring with me—training, I mean. And now you share that name? Can’t let this tradition die!”
“My friend’s subordinates aren’t weaklings. Since you’re joining his ranks, let’s see what you’re made of!”
Before Sazil could protest, Smoker dragged him toward the training ground.
“No, no, NO!!”
Sazil’s voice cracked into a squeak as he thrashed wildly. “I’m just a rookie! I’m going Nowhere! Mr. Klah, MR. Klah, Help ME!!”
His pitiful gaze met Klah’s calm smile.
“Such a valuable opportunity, Kuro. Accompany Mr. Smoker—his training will nurture your growth. Mr. Smoker, please don’t hold back. Teach our Kuro a proper lesson. After all, he was once a trainee pirate.”
“Oh, now I’ve got even better reasons!” Smoker’s grin turned feral.
Half the young officers in the Marine’s next generation probably dreamed of this—even if the name was just a coincidence.
(End of Chapter)
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