Chapter 307: Do Me a Favor, Kuro
Chapter 307: Do Me a Favor, Kuro
Knock knock knock.
Just as Kuro felt confident about the situation, the office door rapped sharply.
"Enter."
Klah called out. A Navy officer stepped inside, saluted, and reported, "Commander, we've obtained contact details for Insect Country and successfully reached them."
"Oh? What did they say?" Kuro raised an eyebrow.
"Rejection!"
"Huh?"
Kuro froze. "Insect Country rejected us?"
The officer nodded. "Their representatives stated that the Luo Family's matters are unrelated to the royal family. They emphasized the Luo Family's autonomy and said Insect Country deeply respects the Luo Family's decisions. They advised us to contact the Luo Family directly and provided their contact information."
A king who can't control his own nobles?
Klah adjusted his glasses. From this, one could infer the Luo Family's extraordinary status in Insect Country.
Kuro retrieved the number from the officer, activated the desk Transponder Snail, and prepared to make the call.
...
Tui Town, Luo Family Estate
Though the town's buildings varied in height, they all became equals before the towering central structure. The tallest building occupied nearly one-third of the town's area, its architecture massively imposing.
At its main entrance loomed a colossal gate—no guards needed, since all arrivals and departures occurred here. This heavy door required no sentries, for whoever pushed it open could enter freely.
Thus stood the Luo Family's rule.
Creak!
The thick door cracked open a sliver as Luo Wei strode inside. The moment he crossed the threshold, his brow furrowed, his expression turning solemn and grim.
"Master Wei, you've returned."
Several maids carrying cleaning tools spotted him and immediately knelt, bowing their heads respectfully.
Luo Wei paid them no heed, passing through indifferently.
Throughout the estate, whether servants or armored soldiers, all knelt when encountering Luo Wei. To him, this was the natural order.
In this town, besides the Luo Family, there were only servants—existing solely to serve the Luo lineage.
He proceeded directly to the topmost level. Unlike the lower floors teeming with attendants, the summit held only a dim, silent corridor. At its end stood a door adorned with a Han'nya mask, its mere sight exuding eerie, spine-chilling dread.
No one dared approach this place.
This was the domain of the Luo Family's leader, called "Old Ancestor" by the clan—a figure who led the family's defection from Flower Country to Insect Country, a man whose strength and prestige made him unquestionably the family's mightiest member.
Luo Wei inhaled deeply, walking steadily forward.
"Luo Wei, you actually returned."
A rough voice rumbled.
From behind Luo Wei emerged a towering shadow—a bald giant with bulging muscles. His arms alone seemed capable of overpowering Luo Wei's two-meter frame.
Luo Wei didn't glance back, his expression calm. "This is my home. Why shouldn't I return? Don't bother me, Luo Shan. My mood isn't good."
Luo Shan's fist cracked like dry twigs as he clenched it, grinning savagely. "You returned alone, clothes gone. Looks like you failed to seize anything—even your ship's lost!"
"You failed, Luo Wei!"
A twisted smirk contorted Luo Shan's face. "A failure like you has no right to claim the family's strongest!"
"I'll say it again—stay out of my way, Luo Shan." Luo Wei's voice grew icy.
"Heh!"
Whoosh!
A sudden gust whistled behind Luo Wei's head.
Luo Wei bent his knees slightly, ducked his head, and a thick arm slashed past overhead.
His elbow darkened with a black sheen. Reeling back, he slammed his arm into Luo Shan's abdomen.
"After leaving the Grand Line, have you gone soft? I'm the family's ultimate defense!"
A black glow erupted across Luo Shan's stomach—Armored Haki!
Bang!
The elbow struck true, but Luo Shan merely glanced down, smirking. "Told you—I'm defense. Pfft!"
Before he finished speaking, his eyes rolled back, and blood spurted from his mouth.
"No—impossible! Just one strike... How could it pierce through my defense?!"
Clutching his stomach, Luo Shan staggered backward, staring in shock.
"Just learned it."
Luo Wei turned his head, his gaze brimming with disdain. "The strength of Navysix Styles. Can't you tell?"
"Unforgivable!!"
That contempt ignited Luo Shan's fury. His hands clasped together, coated in Armament Haki, and he swung downward in a devastating hammer strike.
Luo Wei sidestepped, dodged the blow, then lifted his leg into a 180-degree split—a sharp kick striking Luo Shan's chin.
Bang!
Luo Shan's head snapped back, blood spraying from his teeth.
"You bastard!"
Gritting his teeth, Luo Shan charged forward, his forehead glowing with Armament Haki, attempting a headbutt.
"Dragon Impact!"
Zooom!
Luo Wei vanished, reappearing beside Luo Shan's head. His legs lashed out like swords, striking Luo Shan's neck and sending him staggering sideways.
Simultaneously, Luo Wei grabbed Luo Shan's massive fingers, yanking him forward. Releasing his grip, he unleashed a flurry of rapid strikes coated in Armored Haki against Luo Shan's neck. Then, spreading his fingers wide, he slammed his palm into Luo Shan's face, hurling him against the corridor wall.
Bang!!!
The steel wall dented deeply under the impact.
"Go train harder, my dear 'cousin'."
Luo Wei landed gracefully, not sparing a glance as he walked deeper into the corridor.
Behind him, the giant slid slowly down the wall, slumping to the floor.
As Luo Wei approached, the Han'nya mask on the door seemed to come alive. To Luo Wei, blood appeared to drip from the statue, radiating immense, terrifying pressure. He inhaled sharply.
He raised his hand, preparing to touch the door, when it creaked open slowly.
Luo Wei paused, adjusting his trousers for neatness, then stepped inside.
Beyond the threshold lay a crude stone chamber, seemingly unfinished. At its center stood a stone bed, its armrests doubling as seats.
Luo Wei knelt on one knee, bowing deeply. "Old Ancestor."
On the bed sat a gaunt figure, his white hair cascading to the floor, obscuring his face. Through the strands, a mouth curled into a grin, revealing sharp fangs.
Clad in tattered rags, barefoot, his emaciated arms and legs bore unnaturally sharp claws like a spirit beast's.
"Ah, Luo Wei."
Despite his appearance, his voice was warm and youthful.
This was the Luo Family's leader—Luo Shen.
"This state you're in... and wounds not fully healed. Did you face a powerful enemy?"
Luo Wei's head dipped lower. "Yes. I encountered Lucius Kro. I couldn't defeat him."
"The Navy commander rumored to inherit Shanks' strength?"
Luo Shen's fingers twitched. "To defeat you, this Navy must've gained remarkable strength indeed."
"I apologize, Old Ancestor."
"I'll claim victory. I won't disgrace the Luo Family."
"Haha, I admire your fearless courage against the world's strongest. Yes—maintain that courage to keep advancing. But this courage cannot fail twice, little Luo Wei."
Though spoken lightly, Luo Shen's words made Luo Wei break into a cold sweat.
"Understood. I won't besmirch the Luo Family's Honor!" Luo Wei declared fiercely.
"Good. Rest now. Your failure this time shall be forgiven."
"Bo-ro-ro..."
Luo Shen waved dismissively, then the Transponder Snail on the armrest suddenly chimed.
He paused, grabbed the snail, and brought the receiver to his lips.
The snail's image flickered, revealing a lazy figure with dead-fish eyes, a cigar dangling from his lips.
"Hello hello, can you hear me? This is Navy Commander Lucius Kro."
Hearing the snail's voice, Luo Wei below stiffened, staring intently at the device.
"Oh? Commander? What brings you here?" Luo Shen drawled, bringing the receiver closer.
"It's about your descendant—probably a granddaughter or great-granddaughter—Lolita."
"That's Lida, you idiot!"
A clear voice cut in from the snail's side.
"Trying to make things easier to distinguish! Who'd know which Lolita I meant? Anyway, let's negotiate."
After some static, Kuro's voice resumed.
"Thing is, your descendant joined the Navy. I heard your family has this strange tradition where if they don't return home, they starve. But since your descendant came of age, they deserve autonomy. So, Commander Kro here asks you to do me a favor—lift this tradition, let her serve the Navy properly."
This declaration made Luo Wei's pupils contract, his teeth grinding.
That shouldn't be said!
This would reveal Lolita's survival to the Old Ancestor!
Knowing the Old Ancestor's temperament...
Luo Shen paused, then chuckled. "Does such a person exist? Well, I agree."
"Oh? So polite! I thought you'd be difficult—especially since even your country's king respects you. Then it's settled! I'll visit soon. Hope you don't mind." Kuro's voice turned breezy.
"Come."
Luo Shen's grin widened, revealing a gruesome sight. "Win the Martial Arts Grand Tournament championship, and I'll grant your wish. Come, Lucius Kro."
Click.
The call disconnected.
Luo Shen sat silently, then burst into laughter. "Hahaha! A Navy commander bearing my bloodline? Luo Wei, this time you must win."
Luo Wei swallowed hard, avoiding the piercing gaze like blades. "Understood. I'll once again uphold the Luo Family's Honor."
(End of Chapter)
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