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Chapter 266: Work Even Harder to Make Kuro an Admiral!
Chapter 266: Work Even Harder to Make Kuro an Admiral!
Smoker not only failed to persuade Kuro but ended up threatened instead. Now he could only sit there broodingly drinking his wine.
"I'm done eating—another table, Smoker?"
Lida spoke up. The dishes on the table were already scraped clean, though Klah hadn't finished his beef yet.
"Another table."
Smoker gritted his teeth. Since he'd already paid, there was no sense being stingy now. He'd walked straight into this trap—might as well see it through.
"Don't even think about dragging me along. I'm going back to enjoy myself. Anyone who blocks my way now, I'll remember their whole family."
Kuro poured Smoker a cup of wine and said coolly, "Justice differs from person to person. Our methods naturally vary. I don't carry the same responsibilities you do, so don't push me."
"Let me give you fair warning since you're buying dinner—be careful in G-5. That Vergo fellow... I think I've heard his name somewhere before. He's not as easy to deal with as rumors suggest."
"Not easy to deal with?"
Smoker frowned. "So what if he's not? He's still Navy, right? As long as our loyalties align, there won't be any problems."
That wasn't wrong.
The Navy's standard for recruiting people was having no standards at all.
Besides merit, promotions depended entirely on whether higher-ups liked you. If they did, you'd climb ranks. If not, no amount of merit would help.
Strongmen naturally stuck to their own convictions. Navy strongmen inevitably leaned more toward Justice than evil—and vice versa for the wicked.
"I can't explain it, but something feels off. Better keep your guard up."
Kuro puffed his cigar and watched Smoker. "Don't die in the New World, alright?"
After Lida finished eating, Kuro left him alone to ponder.
Should he trust Kuro's warning? Pointless—he was too cautious by nature. To him, everyone looked like a threat.
But ignoring it completely didn't make sense either. Kuro wouldn't speak without reason.
"Vergo, the 'Oni Take'..." Smoker murmured.
Perhaps he should investigate this man properly.
...
After spending a few days at Headquarters, Kuro was awarded the rank of Commander. He shared the medal ceremony with several other Navy officers.
That day, all Navy personnel who knew Kuro well came to attend.
Kuro, looking thoroughly annoyed, stepped onto the stage to accept his promotion documents from the government-appointed Navy officials and received the Top War medal.
Promoted.
Damn it, he'd still gotten promoted.
From Sergeant to Lieutenant, then Lieutenant to Commander—no higher. Going further would cause trouble.
"Kuro Mr., already a Commander?!"
Koby stared at Kuro, clenching his fist in envy. "Kuro Mr., you're my goal! I'll surpass you and become a Navy officer!"
Behind him, Helmeppo gritted his teeth. This old Navy officer from East Blue Base 153, once unknown, had now become a Commander. And Koby, this brat, had awakened Observation Haki and overtaken him instead.
Pressure. All pressure!
Meanwhile, Kas led his group, their expressions solemn, their eyes shining with quiet admiration as they gazed at Kuro on stage.
"Why has Kuro Mr. only been promoted to Commander? Is it because we haven't tried hard enough?!"
Kas turned back to the Navy group with a stern expression. "Look at Kuro Mr.! His face is so grim—obviously dissatisfied with his low rank. How shameful! We haven't tried hard enough! We must work even harder! If we keep dragging our feet like this, when will Kuro Mr. ever become an Admiral?!"
"Unforgivable! If only I were stronger..."
One Navy officer lowered his head, frustration evident.
"If we'd fought just a bit harder during the war, Kuro Mr. would surely have reached the rank of Admiral!" The Navy officers murmured with discontent.
"There's no need to dwell on the past—it's already happened."
Kas declared fervently. "We must look to the future! If not now, then in the future, we'll make Kuro Mr. an Admiral!"
"Mr. Kas, I'll follow you for my entire life!"
"Right! Only by following Kas can we see Kuro Mr.'s back!"
What's all the noise?
Kuro shivered involuntarily, instinctively glancing below the stage. He saw Kas's group causing a commotion, instantly putting him on high alert.
Haven't they left yet?
This was bad!
Whenever he ended up with Kas, nothing good ever followed.
This guy absolutely couldn't be allowed near him!
"Kuro Kuro, you're a Commander now, huh? That means you can be assigned as a base commander now, right?"
After collecting his award, Lida bounced over, curiosity evident.
"Theoretically yes. Gramps told me two days ago I should be posted to West Blue."
"Not East Blue?!" Lida looked disappointed.
She missed the Baratie in East Blue.
"Being stationed in the Four Seas is already good enough. You can't be so greedy. Where exactly, we'll know when the notice comes." Kuro rolled his eyes.
Being stationed anywhere in the Four Seas was safer than the Grand Line.
If he didn't get a base soon, he'd probably be drafted straight to the New World.
Especially now, during this major Navy reshuffle.
"Kuro Mr.—no, Commander Kuro!"
Suddenly, Kas approached and saluted Kuro in the Navy fashion.
Seeing this man, Kuro's forehead twitched. Instinctively stepping back, he raised his hand. "Stop right there, Kas! You're too intense! Keep your distance! I'm sensitive to heat!"
He believed in superstitions.
Ever since Kas had repeatedly stabbed him in the back, he'd avoided meeting him at all costs. Every encounter brought bad luck.
When he got home later, he'd have to wash his eyes thoroughly!
"May I ask where your next transfer will be?" Kas asked.
Huh?
Is this guy implying he wants to follow me?
This bearded bastard really is trouble.
"Back to East Blue. Kas, you know I'm very family-oriented. But transfers are above my paygrade—those are decisions from above."
Kuro thought for a moment and told a small lie.
His actual posting was West Blue, but seeing Kas's expression, he couldn't bring himself to say it.
Anyway, since it hadn't been officially announced, by the time it was, he'd already be gone. Distances would separate them.
If they ever happened to meet again at Headquarters for a report, he'd just blame Gramps.
Since this wasn't his decision anyway, it wasn't a lie.
"I see. Then I'll take my leave first." Kas nodded firmly and turned to leave.
Huh?
You're being unusually cooperative today, big beard.
"Don't chat for a bit longer?"
Kuro blurted out instinctively.
Kas froze mid-step. Kuro immediately wanted to slap himself—why did he say that?!
"No. Kuro Mr., I'm not yet worthy to follow behind you. I'll work harder." Kas said solemnly, leading the Navy officers away.
"Huh? What's wrong with him? Is he hungry?" Lida tilted her head, confusion on her face.
"That's regrettable. With Mr. Kuro's abilities and those Navy officers, it would have been very convenient." Klah pushed up his glasses.
"Convenient?"
Kuro glared at Klah. "Convenient for you maybe! That'd bring me nothing but trouble! Which side are you on anyway?!"
With that passionate personality, if they teamed up, the Navy wouldn't even finish reshuffling before he'd qualify for Admiral consideration.
Wait—would I go against Akainu?
Or pair up with Kuzan to travel?
"Mr. Kas, are we really going to East Blue too?"
Once they'd walked far enough, one of the enlisted Navy officers finally asked.
"No."
Kas shook his head. "We're not worthy. Since Kuro Mr. has chosen East Blue, we'll go to West Blue instead. Once we make a name for ourselves there and spread Kuro Mr.'s reputation, only then will we have the face to see him again. Let's submit our transfer request—we're going to West Blue."
In this festive season where National Day joins forces with Mid-Autumn Festival, Fishhead offers the highest respect to my beloved patrons, the great lords.
So—would it be alright if I only update once today?
(End of Chapter)
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