https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-33-My-Actions-Are-As-Clear-As-A-Mirror-All-My-Deeds-Are-Justice/13535754/
Chapter 32: Desperation Breeds the Unthinkable
Chapter 32: Desperation Breeds the Unthinkable
"Should we intervene?"
From the top of Alubarna's towering Clock Tower, the man responsible for the artillery bombardment lay collapsed. Kuro and Lida crouched above, Lida crunching an apple as he spoke.
"I'm watching. Nothing serious will happen—he needs the training."
Kuro leaned back on the high-rise platform, a cigar dangling from his lips, his gaze calm and detached.
After the Klahcrocodile incident, Kuro had realized a critical truth.
Even if he wanted a scapegoat, his power had to be sufficient. Otherwise, his weakness would quickly be exposed, forcing him to act himself.
He decided to take a dual approach: stay low himself—avoid promotions, avoid accomplishments—while pushing Klah to strengthen further, preparing for situations like the Klahcrocodile battle.
Though he hoped to avoid the truly infamous figures, the Grand Line was full of unpredictable dangers. After all, hadn't he already encountered two of them?
If Klah became just a little stronger, Kuro could remain as solid as Mount Tai—no need to rival Seven Warlords-level monsters, just avoid humiliating defeat.
"Klah, give it your all!"
Watching Klah dart below like a giant black rat, Kuro silently cheered.
"This is madness!"
Faced with relentless attacks, Klah zigzagged desperately, his mind in chaos.
Since joining the Navy, nothing had gone right!
Boom!
A cannonball nearly grazed his face, exploding ahead and demolishing a building, blocking his path.
"Dust Slash!"
"Thorn Meteor Hammer!"
"Home Run!"
The high-ranking officers seized the opportunity, unleashing their techniques.
This time, escape was impossible.
Klah's pupils contracted, his legs trembling.
Above, Kuro flicked his thumb, revealing a sliver of blade light, his hand tightening on the hilt.
Suddenly, the black shadow soared skyward, all attacks striking the rubble below.
Klah leapt upward, steps seeming to tread on air, scaling the void in rapid succession, soaring over the heads of his pursuers before plummeting down.
Landing, he hesitated, then bolted.
"How did he fly?!"
Barnis stiffened, his expression darkening. "Are we being mocked?"
"Flew! Kuro, Klah flew!"
Lida's eyes widened, stunned.
"Self-taught Moonstep", Kuro muttered, surprised but unsurprised.
After all, this was someone who'd instinctively created a technique similar to "Shave"—learning actual Shave now, being pushed to his limits and unlocking the advanced "Moonstep" made sense.
This recruit was definitely worth it.
Push him harder, and he might even master Six Styles on his own.
Desperation breeds the unthinkable—look at him, flying!
Though judging by Klah's state, he was nearly spent.
"The battle's turning chaotic. The King's Army and Rebels are fighting savagely, holding nothing back", Lida reported, eyes fixed on the distant battlefield.
Unlike earlier restraint, both sides now clashed with reckless abandon, bloodlust overriding all reason.
Kuro had come to Alubarna precisely for this—otherwise, Klahcrocodile's failure alone would've sufficed.
But some things couldn't be ignored.
As for the military—he had no qualms. They'd joined, accepting sacrifice as their duty. But innocents deserved protection.
No matter how turbulent the era's tides, they mustn't consume the continent itself.
Even amidst raging war, the innocent mustn't suffer.
Kuro stood, assuming his Iaijutsu stance.
"One Sword Style!"
Huazhou unsheathed, its blade etched with fiery patterns, slashing downward.
His Killing Intent erupted into the widest mental shockwave, cascading from the heavens.
Tens of thousands froze mid-battle.
The King's Army soldier thrusting a long spear paused mid-lunge. Behind him, a Rebel soldier swinging a cleaver froze mid-strike.
All motion ceased.
Thud!
As the first figure collapsed, a chain reaction erupted—like dominoes, row after row of soldiers crumbled.
"What's happening?!"
Barnis stared upward, his heart pounding. For a moment, he'd felt certain death.
Every other officer lay unconscious, Klah's pursuit ended.
Who was this overwhelming force?!
Unlike the others, as a renowned West Blue bounty hunter, Barnis had slain many and recognized this presence instantly.
Cold sweat trickled down his face.
Alubarna had been infiltrated by a killing god!
"You're really—"
The slash had spared Lida, but its mere edge made him shudder instinctively.
"If not for the overly pungent Killing Intent, I'd say you're a promising man", Lida remarked, studying Kuro.
"Killing Intent", Kuro corrected, flicking Lida's forehead. "Not 'overly pungent.'"
Crack!
The ground suddenly shattered. Two long arms erupted, hurling Klahcrocodile skyward. He spat a massive gout of blood.
Drenched, he paused midair, then plummeted.
Klahcrocodile knelt, palm on the ground, staring at the unconscious masses.
"What's going on?!"
He hadn't lost to Luffy.
As he'd claimed, the Straw Hat and he weren't on the same level.
After his battle with the man praised by Hawk-Eye, Klahcrocodile had taken things seriously, avoiding the arrogance that doomed him in the original tale. This time, he'd survived, still capable of fighting.
Though injured, he remained conscious.
He'd planned to finish Luffy, but mid-leap, he'd glimpsed the battlefield—everyone unconscious!
His strategy...
Without the King's and Rebel Armies' ongoing clash, his plan would fail!
"Damn! Damn!"
Claws digging into the earth, Klahcrocodile snarled.
"Unforgivable! If that's the case, everyone dies with my plan! I already know about Pluton—I'll find it myself! Erosion Cycle!"
His ultimate technique—sandification. Human, rock, anything—turned to sand!
This place would become a desert!
Hiss!
A colossal golden slash tore through the air, severing his torso into sand.
Klahcrocodile reformed, roaring, "You again, Klah!"
But mid-word, he saw the man in black suit lying nearby.
The feared Klah himself—unconscious?
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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