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Chapter 273: Subordinates? Just Us
Chapter 273: Subordinates? Just Us
This woman was supposed to be tailing Zeff constantly. If she was here, then Zeff couldn't be too far away.
"I came alone."
Ai En spoke softly: "I originally just wanted to gather some intelligence, but—"
The World Government hadn't disclosed details about West Blue's Pegasus Island, and even Zeff—who had retired from the Navy's upper ranks—lacked certain intelligence, let alone his subordinates.
Ai En had accidentally discovered Pegasus Island's situation. Initially, she'd only intended to collect information, but when she saw how brutally the island's civilians were treated, she couldn't stand by. Though she eliminated many pirates, she herself sustained severe injuries.
Luckily, the locals were kind and hid her.
"You mustn't confront them!" Ai En suddenly urged, recalling something. "This town has an exceptionally powerful person called Johannes. He's too strong—I couldn't even touch him before I was gravely wounded."
"Johannes?" Lida blinked.
That name sounded familiar.
"That's right—the one called 'Magician'! There are also hundreds of pirates in this town. Without proper preparation, it's better not to act rashly. My life paper is with Teacher Zeff. He should arrive soon. Once he gets here, we'll deal with these detestable pirates!" Ai En gritted her teeth, her voice tinged with frustration.
How she wished to crush them now, but her strength alone was limited.
She simply wasn't strong enough yet.
"Oh! The one who—" Lida's eyes suddenly widened.
"The famous one from West Blue?" Ai En nodded firmly.
"That 'innocent civilian' who claimed he had nothing to do with pirates, then got blown away by Kuro's Black Gun!" Lida pounded her fist into her palm, remembering.
"Exactly—the one killed by Kuro. Wait—'Killed'?"
Ai En paused. "Killed?"
"Ai En, Officer—" The accompanying town mayor began, but was immediately silenced by Kuro's glare. Kuro turned to Ai En and said, "Earlier, some weapons fell from the sky. You know how Grand Line is—it's normal for weapons to drop occasionally. These pirates just had unlucky luck getting wiped out by falling weapons."
"But this is West Blue", the mayor timidly reminded.
"So what if it's West Blue!" Kuro snapped, glaring again. "Does West Blue somehow not measure up to Grand Line?! Let me tell you, if you keep thinking like that, you'll end up in trouble! Where do most Grand Line pirates come from? The Four Seas, of course! And among the Four Seas, where's the most dangerous place? West Blue!"
"Never underestimate West Blue. Even as one of the Four Seas, being near Reverse Mountain means Grand Line weather patterns can reach here too!"
"Is...is that really how it is?" The mayor looked confused but dared ask no more.
Given this Navy officer's stern expression, maybe things were different here. After all, he came from Headquarters, while the mayor was just a landlocked local with no sea experience.
As for Kuro—admitting he personally eliminated pirates? Even if Ai En witnessed him doing it, he'd still deny it.
He'd already resigned himself to serving in this mediocre place. Letting Ai En leave first was the priority.
"Weapon from the sky..."
Ai En's face remained skeptical. Obviously, she hadn't watched the Summit live broadcast. Otherwise, she wouldn't look so confused. She hadn't been conscripted during that period either—Teacher Zeff had been busy worldwide preventing pirate outbreaks.
The cellar wasn't a good place for discussion. Exiting with Kuro's group, Ai En saw the town's devastation. The weapons had already vanished into the sky, but the pirates' bodies on the ground clearly bore holes from falling weapons.
"Did weapons really fall from the sky?" Ai En murmured, stunned.
"Forget that", Kuro rubbed his chin, suspicious. "How did you get here? Shouldn't you be in Grand Line?"
Was Zeff coming to West Blue?
Shouldn't someone of his rank stay in Grand Line?
"We've been patrolling the latter half of the seas, crossing through the Calm Belt between West Blue and North Blue to hunt pirates deemed threatening or promising", Ai En explained. "We heard rumors about Pegasus Island in West Blue, so I came to check. But..." She clenched her teeth. "It's outrageous!"
She wasn't referring to the pirates' deaths, but what she'd witnessed during those days.
"Pegasus Island has a Pirate Alliance ruling the island. The man who defeated me was just one of their officers. They're monstrous—treating civilians like slaves. Kuro Commander, this town is just the beginning. I suggest you wait with me for Teacher Zeff."
"My life paper is with Teacher Zeff. With my severe injuries, he must have sensed it already. Once he arrives, we can attack the island and arrest those pirates!"
Life paper was a mysterious item—Kuro had one too, even sharing it with Lida and Klah. It could locate someone precisely and show their condition. If someone neared death, the paper would blacken.
Ai En's earlier critical state meant Zeff had surely detected it. That old man must already be en route.
As Kuro pondered this, he suddenly froze, staring at the sea with shock. "No way... He's this fast?"
On the horizon, several warships emerged. Observant Haki could detect an intense aura shining like a beacon in the darkness. That presence was no small threat.
The ships gradually approached—massive capital ships sailing forward. At their head stood a purple-haired old man in a hooded cloak, positioned at the bow.
"Teacher Zeff!"
Ai En cried out, rushing toward the port.
"Zeff." Klah adjusted his glasses, glancing at Ai En's back. "Mr. Kuro, should we go too?"
"Respect for an old-timer is necessary. His timing works perfectly—let him arrest these pirates instead of me." Kuro nonchalantly took a puff of cigar, following toward the port.
"Teacher Zeff! Teacher Zeff!" Ai En waved wildly at the port, then turned. "Commander Kuro, your subordinates can join us now. We can combine forces to eliminate these pirates!"
"No problem. My subordinates already arrived. Just waiting for Old Mr. Zeff now." Kuro shrugged.
"Arrived?"
Ai En looked around, stunned. She saw only Lida and Klah. "Where's everyone else?"
"Just us." Kuro pointed at himself. "We're the vanguard crew."
Subordinates? Kuro had no idea where his supposed subordinates were. If he had any, he'd have sent Klah to demolish houses already instead of fighting personally.
Now that Zeff arrived, Kuro felt relieved—finally someone else to take credit.
(End of Chapter)
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