Chapter 268: Surprisingly Quiet
Chapter 268: Surprisingly Quiet
"Two-Horse Kingdom?"
In Lucius Kro's office, Kuro picked up the assignment documents handed to him. Glancing at the papers, he frowned. "Gramps, is this place reliable? I don’t mind being stationed anywhere in West Blue, but you’re not sending me to some backwater village, are you?"
The documents contained no detailed information about the Two-Horse Kingdom—only the official transfer notice.
"Oh, it should be fine", Lucius Kro mused. "The island has a small population. It’s quite peaceful—the only issue is some pests. You’ll handle them without a problem, I’m sure."
Peaceful meant few people, and fewer people meant fewer conflicts. It sounded like a safe posting.
"Alright, Gramps. For once, you’ve done me a solid. I’ll even send you a gift for New Year’s instead of those annoying spirit stones." Kuro waved dismissively, seeing Lucius still engrossed in paperwork. "Don’t let me interrupt. I’ll take off now."
As he turned to leave, Lucius suddenly called out, "Oh, Kuro—wait! Old man still needs to discuss something with you!"
Lucius barely finished speaking before Kuro vanished in a blur, the door swinging shut behind him.
Like hell I’m staying! Every time that old man has ‘business,’ it’s just another scheme to drag me into trouble. Last time, he sent me on patrol and I ran into a fraud trio, then Moe Island, followed by that Time-Logia user. If I’d been unlucky, I’d still be stuck in that mess.
"Ah, he’s gone already..." Lucius sighed, pulling out another file—the report authorizing Kas’s transfer to West Blue.
After the Summit War, their team had drawn significant attention, earning Kas a promotion to Lieutenant.
"Must’ve been approved by default", Lucius muttered, stamping the document with satisfaction. "After all, he’s your protégé. This way, having backup in West Blue will make things easier for you."
---
"Pack up—we’re leaving", Kuro announced, striding out of Lucius’s office with a rare smile as he found Lida waiting.
"Approved for West Blue?" Lida asked curiously.
"Twin-Horse Kingdom’s Pegasus Island, apparently. As long as it’s one of the Four Blues, I’m good. Where’s Klah?"
Lida gestured vaguely. "He said you’ve got little time left, so he’s going to ‘train’ you extra before you leave."
"Huh?"
"Train Sazil, I mean!"
"..." Kuro groaned. "Tell him to hurry up. No more nonsense—we’re leaving!"
This was Headquarters, after all. Lingering here meant inviting more chaos. Like Kaido randomly showing up again. Not happening.
Soon, Lida returned with Klah in tow.
"Kuro, sir, you called?" Klah asked.
"Gear up. We’re heading to West Blue—Pegasus Island in the Twin-Horse Kingdom. That’ll be my official base from now on. No more chaos. Just stable, peaceful living ahead."
Kuro clapped Klah’s shoulder, beaming. Their shared dream was finally within reach. He’d always wanted a safe, comfortable life, Lida craved worry-free meals, and Klah longed for quiet stability. Once just a pipe dream, their goal was now reality.
"Twin-Horse Kingdom? Pegasus Island?" Klah blinked, his expression darkening. "Kuro, sir… that island—"
Klah recalled old newspapers. Pegasus Island had been ravaged by war, its terrain shattered by two warring nations. Abandoned as a wasteland, it was now overrun by pirates.
"Nonsense. It’s just got a few pests", Kuro shrugged.
Pests… right. Pirates qualified. But Kuro already knew and still chose it. Of course—compared to him, even pirates were minor nuisances.
"Indeed… quite a few pests", Klah admitted.
"And peaceful—few inhabitants."
"Exactly." Fewer people meant fewer survivors. Silence reigned because the war had driven or killed them all.
"Perfect. Let’s go." Kuro’s smile widened.
Leaving Headquarters for West Blue required crossing the Red Line. While most returning to the New World braved the Calm Belt directly or used Reverse Mountain, Marines had privileges. A ship from Mariejois to the New World’s Marine Base, then onward through the Calm Belt.
Kuro hated Mariejois, but enduring it meant a smoother life ahead.
With documents in hand, they boarded a warship, first to Shabondy, then to Mariejois.
"Here’s Mariejois…" Lida and Klah stared in awe at the breathtaking scenery.
"Residence of the World Nobles", Klah muttered, adjusting his glasses nervously.
The first time here, he felt the weight of its history—the heart of global power, where Fisher Tiger once liberated slaves.
"Strange…" Lida tilted her head, frowning.
"Stop gawking. Nothing to see here", Kuro snapped, steering them away from the automatic walkway. "And don’t step on that path."
He hated this cursed place. Every visit soured his mood.
Crossing Mariejois swiftly, they reached the Red Line’s other side. A Marine vessel escorted them to West Blue.
West Blue wasn’t as notorious as Grand Line, but its vastness hid dangers. Strong factions thrived here—the Flower Country, where Kuro felt an odd kinship, boasted formidable naval forces from the One-Star to Nine-Star Fleets. Shanks hailed from here too. Most infamous were the Yakuza, a cultural export mimicked across seas.
But Kuro had no interest in politics. Retirement was his goal.
"Commander Kuro, we’ve arrived. Pegasus Island lies ahead."
The warship docked, and the escorting Marine saluted. "May fortune favor you."
"Nonsense. Save the speech", Kuro waved, finding the man oddly polite. Probably another sycophant currying favor with an Admiral’s subordinate.
"No, volunteering for Pegasus Island is brave. Only someone like you could restore peace there. We await your success!"
As the ship departed, Kuro muttered, "I just want to retire, not become a hero…"
Suddenly, a breeze carried a metallic scent. His eyes narrowed.
"Klah."
"Blood", Klah confirmed, sniffing. "Fresh."
(End of Chapter)
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