https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-266-Work-Even-Harder-to-Make-Kuro-an-Admiral-/13536713/
Chapter 267: Diverging Ideals
Chapter 267: Diverging Ideals
Headquarters, Meeting Hall.
Sengoku, the Three Admirals, and He were seated around the long table.
"Damned Garp! Quitting his responsibilities on a whim like this—he couldn't even attend this meeting!" Sengoku growled in frustration.
"Forgive an old man who's lost his grandson", Tsuru said calmly, sipping tea.
Her words momentarily cast a shadow over Sengoku's face. He recalled the young man with golden hair and a bright smile—a surrogate son to him—whose life had been cut short somewhere.
Sengoku sighed deeply, then straightened. "Well, let's begin. Pirates are running rampant worldwide. Even in death, Whitebeard can't let us rest."
Though the Headquarters hadn't suffered major casualties, Whitebeard's dying words had ignited a surge in piracy across the globe.
Akainu's fist erupted with blazing crimson heat. "This should have ended already. Those pirates..."
"Don't say such foolish things, Sakazuki", Kuzan interrupted. "We must face reality. The sudden outbreaks are overwhelming. The Headquarters simply doesn't have enough manpower anymore."
Sengoku distributed reports to the table. "Read these. These are the atrocities committed by pirates recently."
The documents detailed crimes across the world—town raids, ambushes against Marines, direct challenges to the World Government, and more.
The Grand Line remained relatively stable, being under the Headquarters' watchful eye. However, the Four Seas faced worsening chaos. The West Blue and North Blue, accessible only by navigating from the New World side of the Grand Line, suffered particularly slow reinforcements. Worse still, their inhabitants were fiercer than those of the East Blue and South Sea, producing pirates who were notoriously difficult to subdue.
"Ever since that Monkey D. Luffy, challenging the World Government has become a twisted mark of pride", Sengoku muttered, rubbing his temples.
He was practically retired—yet still stuck cleaning up this mess!
"Truly terrifying", Lucius Kro remarked, studying the reports with feigned surprise.
"Ara ara, there are far too many now. So troublesome", Kuzan said, scratching his head.
"Eliminate them all", Akainu declared coldly, his voice sharp with fury.
"I've gathered you here to coordinate troop deployments. Borsalino, wasn't Kuro already heading to the West Blue? Send him. The Twin-Horse Kingdom in the West Blue and North Blue needs a strong presence", Sengoku ordered.
"Kuro should handle it fine", Lucius Kro agreed.
"I also have someone to recommend", Kuzan raised his hand. "Smoker wants to transfer to G-5."
Sengoku nodded thoughtfully. "G-5? Acceptable. It's time to let the new generation gain experience."
All eyes turned to Akainu.
The Admiral remained silent for a moment before stating flatly, "I have no recommendations."
He did have candidates, but compared to Kuro and Smoker, their names lacked prestige. Better to keep his best assets for himself.
After all, Borsalino had Kuro. Kuzan had Smoker. Hawk-Eye had Tina. Sengoku, as Fleet Admiral, needed no one. But Sakazuki's subordinates—while numerous—were mostly Vice Admirals already. The newer generation simply lacked standout talent.
"Regarding Kuro", Sengoku pulled a specific report after finalizing assignments. "Station him here—Twin-Horse Kingdom."
"Twin-Horse Kingdom?" Kuzan blinked. "I've heard of it. That war-torn region faces a non-World Government-aligned enemy nation. One-third of its territory was destroyed before pirate alliances overran it. A dangerous posting."
"Precisely why I’m assigning him there", Crane interjected. "Ordinary Marines can't handle it. Only Kuro has the capabilities for this command role. It's time to test his leadership skills—how else will he rise through the ranks?"
"Exactly", Sengoku added. "Better to keep him challenged than idle. What do you think, Borsalino?"
Lucius Kro grinned. "Old man, I have no objections. Kuro requested West Blue specifically—anywhere there works."
"Too lenient, Borsalino", Akainu countered. "Lucius Kro is strong, but must be tested further to become a truly capable Marine leader."
"Oh, 'capable Marine leader' sounds terrifying", Lucius Kro chuckled, scratching his head.
"Still", Akainu continued, "the Pegasus Islands in Twin-Horse Kingdom reportedly harbor numerous pirates. Placing Kuro there makes strategic sense. His presence near Reverse Mountain could also curb pirate activities."
In Akainu's eyes, Kuro shared his ruthless efficiency against pirates. Sending him to West Blue would surely improve the region's conditions.
"Decided then", Sengoku concluded. "Sakazuki, you pursued Blackbeard recently. Did you engage him?"
Akainu shook his head. "The coward fled immediately. I couldn't confirm if he truly inherited Whitebeard's abilities. However, I did capture Jewelry Bonney."
Two days prior, Blackbeard (Marshall D. Teach) had captured Bonney, attempting to negotiate a warship exchange with the Marines. Naturally, Akainu arrived instead—no deal, just a test of Blackbeard's rumored strength. Unfortunately, the pirate fled before Akainu could verify his powers.
"Let him run", said Tsuru calmly. "Blackbeard has grand ambitions but won't confront us directly yet. Marco and Whitebeard's remnants in the New World might contain him."
"Either way, pirate conflicts are best observed from afar", Sengoku added.
"Then we're adjourned", he declared.
Akainu immediately stood, locking eyes with Kuzan as he departed.
"Time to inform Kuro!" Lucius Kro waved casually before exiting.
Once they left, Kuzan leaned back, stretching comfortably. "Ara ara, this is going to be complicated."
"Do your best, Kuzan", Sengoku warned. "The World Government favors Sakazuki as my successor. Regardless of differences, maintain harmony."
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku", Kuzan replied, staring at the ceiling, "some things aren't that simple. Our philosophies... are completely different."
The Ohara incident had changed him forever.
He could follow World Government orders, but never accept destroying the innocent. This fundamental divide with Akainu would never heal—even if they both served the same "Justice."
(End of Chapter)
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