https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-264-I-ve-Missed-You-to-Death-Kuro-/13536711/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-266-Work-Even-Harder-to-Make-Kuro-an-Admiral-/13536713/
Chapter 265: Pirates Deserve to Die, Plain and Simple
Chapter 265: Pirates Deserve to Die, Plain and Simple
Moments later, Smoker emerged with a carefree grin. Behind him, Sazil staggered forward, cradling his bruised jaw with both hands while wearing an expression of deep anguish.
"Kid", Smoker said, "since I'm in such a good mood today, I'll give you some free advice."
"Change your name. Around Marine Headquarters, keeping that name will earn you unwanted attention."
"Absolutely not!" Sazil snapped through gritted teeth. "A real man never betrays his name! If I gave in to pain and changed it, how could I ever achieve my dream?"
"Which is?" Smoker asked, raising an eyebrow.
Sazil straightened. "I was born on a poverty-stricken island. My family had nothing but love. An old, crippled man raised me—my grandfather. He always said I must rise above it all. That's my dream—to become someone great, to make my name echo across the Grand Line! I'll become a Navy Officer, one who surpasses even Kuro!"
Then, and only then, would he repay every humiliation he'd ever suffered.
Smoker gave him a thumbs-up. "That part's actually pretty easy to achieve. Keep at it."
Kuro snorted. Reaching higher rank than me? That won't be hard.
If Smoker knew the real dream burning in Sazil's heart, he'd add another "Well done" to that thumbs-up. That dream? To become something far greater than a mere officer. To reach heights where the New World itself couldn't contain him.
"Smoker?"
A voice cut through suddenly.
Smoker turned. "Back already?"
Kuro rolled his eyes. "Back? Why don't you try wording that without the sarcasm? Careless talk like that gets people killed."
He'd sensed Smoker's aura immediately after leaving his meeting and decided to drop by.
"I meant, did Fleet Admiral Sengoku's lecture end that quickly?"
"..."
You're never getting promoted, are you? Kuro thought. Who talks like that?
Smoker, cigar dangling carelessly, showed zero remorse. "But seriously, you pulled off something huge. The old man didn't chew you out for hours? Did he go easy because he's retiring soon?"
"Speculating about superiors is unprofessional, Smoker", Kuro replied. "Focus on your own status. Why are you still at Headquarters? Shouldn't you be out hunting pirates?"
He reached into Smoker's coat pocket and plucked out a cigar.
"Hey, Kuro! You've got better cigars than this!" Smoker frowned.
"Better quality doesn't matter", Kuro said, lighting his prize. "What's mine is mine, but taking yours makes it mine and yours. You understand?"
He slapped Smoker's shoulder. "Don't sweat the small stuff. Come on—buy me a drink."
"You again?!"
Smoker's face fell. His eyes darted left and right. Phew, no Lida around—
"Klah! Go get Lida! We're buying!"
Kuro snapped his fingers. Smoker's shoulders slumped as his brief reprieve vanished.
No matter how many times you dodge, you can't escape the taolu (routine).
"Smoker. Constipated?" Kuro smirked. "Is your smoke made of smoke-shaped poop?"
"Enough, Kuro!"
Smoker rubbed his temple. "Fine, fine. Let's go. But this better be fast—I need to discuss something serious."
---
The restaurant in the city square had lucked out—left unscathed during the war. Now it bustled with Navy officers seeking temporary relief from battlefield rations.
A table groaned under mountains of food. Lida's hands became a blur as he devoured everything in sight. Klah, ever the gentleman, delicately carved a steak.
Smoker downed another glass. "I'm heading to the New World."
Kuro paused mid-pour. "The New World?"
He refilled Smoker's glass. "Wish you a safe journey. Don't die out there. I don't have many friends left."
Klah nodded solemnly. Most people who cross him end up broke or beaten within an inch of their lives. Surviving Kuro's antics is practically a survival miracle.
Lucky me, he thought, carrying so many of his burdens and still breathing.
"The Straw Hat Luffy's still alive in the New World. He'll head there eventually. I need to close in on him", Smoker said. "Back in East Blue, I let him slip through my fingers. Now he's become this massive threat. It's my responsibility—I have to catch him."
He raised his glass. "Kuro, join me. With your strength, we could stabilize G-5."
G-5—the Navy's most notorious base. Known worldwide for being a den of chaos where officers acted more like pirates. The worst of the worst, a haven for every corrupt, bloodthirsty misfit in the fleet.
"What?" Kuro gaped. "You want me to go to the New World? You want me dead, just say it straight!"
No way in hell. If Grand Line's full of freaks and Devil Fruit users, the New World must be crawling with monsters. I'd last five minutes.
"Kuro growled, "I'm already trying to transfer back to East Blue! Cross me again, and I swear—"
He remembered the last time. Smoker's betrayal had ruined him. Without that mess, he'd already be relaxing in East Blue.
All because of Kas... no, that damned Devil Fruit user in East Blue! If it weren't for him, I'd never have gotten promoted to Headquarters.
Pirates deserve to die, plain and simple!
"What if it wasn't me?" Smoker asked.
"Then you'd still be making enemies! The leak would've come from you anyway!" Kuro hissed.
Smoker: ...
Technically, he ranked above Kuro. With Kuzan's recommendation, Sengoku might approve a transfer. But the old admiral had always been lenient with him, granting unusual freedom. That same leniency meant he couldn't count on help now—especially after causing trouble recently.
If Sengoku decided to "solve two problems at once" by dumping him in G-5...
Convenient, isn't it?
The base's reputation terrified him. A nest of troublemakers who'd tear him apart if he rubbed them the wrong way. Why risk death when East Blue offered safety and comfort?
"Kuro, think again", Smoker pressed. "Base Commander Vergo's supposed to be fair and kind. And you're Lucius Kro's subordinate—he won't mistreat you."
Vergo? The name stirred vague memories. Not from Navy circles, but something from a past life.
"Forget it", Kuro said flatly.
If a name felt familiar yet unfamiliar, it always spelled trouble.
And trouble? He wanted none of it.
(End of Chapter)
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