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Chapter 285: You're Pretty Heroic
Chapter 285: You're Pretty Heroic
Bang!
The massive stone crashed onto the beach, shattering mere moments after landing. Fragments scattered across the waves, sending up sprays of seawater.
"Ehrnando!!"
Zeff's furious figure materialized on the shore, charging toward the cave before abruptly halting.
The beach was a campsite—fires still smoldered, but the place was a blood-smeared wreck. All the pirates lay sprawled around, gaping mouths and wide eyes frozen in disbelief, bloodied holes pierced through their hearts or foreheads.
"Dead. Every single one. That Kuro brat..."
Zeff's rage ebbed. He stared at the corpses, silent. The sudden stone wall that had engulfed him earlier could only have come from Lucius Kro, the man who'd eaten the Float-Float Fruit.
"Old man Zeff."
Kuro's voice descended from above as he landed. "We're lucky. The pirates harassing my base are gone."
"You shouldn’t have followed", Zeff shot back, glancing at him.
Kuro lit a cigar, biting down on it. "I’m not your subordinate. As Pegasus Island’s newly appointed base commander, I have duties to uphold—even if I’m Navy."
"Why intervene?" Zeff demanded. "Ehrnando was my disciple. I could handle him myself. Are you underestimating this former Admiral?"
"I’d never dare", Kuro replied, meeting his gaze and exhaling a plume of smoke. "But heroes don’t need to kill."
"Kuro brat..."
Zeff fell silent again. After a pause, he turned away. "Fine. Let’s go. I’m tired."
As he walked off, he added over his shoulder, "One favor—keep this quiet."
Quiet?
Perfect!
Kuro smirked inwardly. He’d been racking his brain for how to avoid Zeff reporting this—or rather, claiming credit. If Zeff wanted silence, even better.
"Don’t worry. Back in East Blue, they called me the Navy Prince who never rats on others. This’ll stay between us." Kuro gave a thumbs-up.
True to his word. If Kuro said he’d keep a secret, he’d take it to the grave.
A soft "Thanks." drifted from Zeff’s retreating back.
Kuro understood. The gratitude wasn’t just for silence—but for stopping Zeff from killing Ehrnando.
Zeff wasn’t a hero. He was a man chasing heroism, walking at the vanguard so others could see him as one. In Kuro’s eyes, true heroism meant enduring what others couldn’t.
Zeff was that hero. And heroes, unless they chose to fall, deserved a helping hand—especially when they’d once taught you, and long ago, taught your grandfather too.
"Time to clean up the trash."
Kuro’s palm slammed the ground.
Boom!
The sea surged, flipping the island like a cleansing tide, rolling it back and forth before lifting it skyward.
Islandcollection+1.
Satisfied, Kuro nodded and flew toward the warship ahead.
Zeff had just boarded via a small boat, eyeing him. "Devil Fruit users sure have it easy."
"Wish you had one, old man? You’d probably earn one."
"Forget it." Zeff glanced at his mechanical arm. "This lets me fight your kind just fine."
Assuming you can even touch me, Kuro thought, rolling his eyes.
Who’d dare attack him? The old man was a relentless, unyielding martial arts beast.
Later? What did the future matter? Kuro wasn’t heading to the New World. Out of sight, out of mind.
Back in Pegasus Town, Navy forces had already begun clearing pirates under Klah’s guidance. Lida remained behind to prevent accidents.
When Kuro returned, Lida stood with a small backpack, her face twisted in distress.
Kuro’s heart dropped as he hurried over. "Don’t tell me—another Devil Fruit in the bag?"
He’d taken down two Devil Fruit users already. Had the cursed bag spawned another?
Lida nodded, lips trembling. "The kids had nothing to eat, so I gave them my snacks. Hunger’s awful, but now I’m out."
Kuro exhaled in relief, ruffling her head. "Snacks, not a Devil Fruit! Don’t say it like it’s a curse!"
Not that he feared the fruit—but if someone noticed Lida’s backpack... Too many headaches.
"But now I’m hungry", she pouted.
"Hungry? No problem. My ship’s packed. Hey, get the girl some food!" Zeff ordered a Navy sailor who was staying behind.
"Aye!" The sailor saluted and dashed to the warship.
"Really? Zeff Grandpa, can I eat until I’m full?" Lida’s eyes sparkled.
"Grandpa..."
Zeff paused, then softened, ruffling her hair. Lida instinctively shied but stilled, allowing the touch.
"Rare white hair. Cute, Lida", Zeff chuckled. "Don’t worry—you’ll eat well."
Kuro watched, puzzled.
"Kuro brat, why the sour face? It’s just a meal. You haven’t been starving her?" Zeff teased.
You’re half-right.
Lida ate heartily at bases or towns, but supply shortages during voyages meant hunger wasn’t rare—especially now. The warship had left minimal rations, expecting new Navy supplies the next day.
"You’re truly heroic, old man Zeff", Kuro remarked sincerely.
"Huh? What’s heroic about feeding someone?" Zeff frowned, suspecting sarcasm.
He’d learn soon enough.
First, Lida nibbled on stored ship snacks. Then chefs prepared hearty meals. As demand grew, more chefs arrived—two ships’ worth, then three.
With each new arrival, Zeff’s face darkened, now nearly stormy.
So much for "just a meal."
"I am heroic", he muttered.
How ravenous was she?
"Is she from Flower Country’s Luo Family?!" Zeff gritted out.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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