https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-32-Desperation-Breeds-the-Unthinkable/13535753/
Chapter 33: My Actions Are As Clear As A Mirror, All My Deeds Are Justice
Chapter 33: My Actions Are As Clear As A Mirror, All My Deeds Are Justice
Not Klah? Impossible! Besides him, who else could unleash that golden Flying Slash?
"Whoever you are, nothing will stop me!"
Klahcrocodile's entire body turned to sand, his eyes icy and sharp.
Unlike last time when he'd been slashed into existential doubt, this time Klahcrocodile actively entered his elementalization state. He wouldn't be caught unprepared again - no way would he end up sliced apart with no chance to react like last time.
No one could stop him.
"Erosion Wheel!"
His words cut off abruptly as a wisp-like figure suddenly materialized before him.
The man had a [Huazhou] sword strapped at his waist - but this wasn't the Klahcrocodile knew. Compared to Klah, this figure was burlier, his black fur-lined coat open, the word 'Justice' emblazoned across his back.
Undoubtedly Navy, but who was he?
The man's face was obscured by a mask, hiding his features.
As the stranger advanced steadily forward, he drew his blade slowly across his body, then charged straight at Klahcrocodile.
Klahcrocodile's fury boiled over. How dare this faceless Navy dog dare swing a blade at him!
As for the fallen Klah on the ground - judging by the tens of thousands already lying prone, it must've been his doing. But Klah had probably exhausted himself to the point of fainting after the battle.
"I'm in a terrible mood right now. Die, you foolish Navy."
Klahcrocodile transformed into a swirling sandstorm, lunging toward Kuro with one hand outstretched.
He'd drain Kuro dry!
"Unenlightened Divine Wind Murderous Sword·Jiao!"
As Klahcrocodile reached for his opponent, a faint whisper reached his ears. He saw the stranger fully draw his blade.
Steel flashed horizontally.
Kuro's figure sliced through Klahcrocodile's sand form in a blur, cleaving through his sandy body.
Hiss!
Klahcrocodile froze mid-transformation, his eyes widening in disbelief at the shallow cut across his right chest.
"How is this possible? Was that... moisture?"
Moisture on a blade?! That shouldn't have existed before - how did he do it?!
Already injured, Klahcrocodile finally collapsed from the wound.
"What a hassle. Good thing I was prepared."
Kuro sheathed his sword with a sigh.
Kuro held no illusions about facing a veteran Seven Warlords of the Sea like Klahcrocodile. He couldn't afford to underestimate him - unlike some who might cling to outdated impressions of Klahcrocodile's past weakness.
And truthfully, Klahcrocodile wasn't weak. This veteran pirate had challenged Whitebeard, possessed formidable Observation Haki, and mastered his Logia powers better than most. At full strength, he could've fought Kuro for days without resolution.
Kuro underestimated no pirate. The sea was too unpredictable - the outcome only clear at the very end.
Why had Kuro been so cautious? Because his strength wasn't enough!
Was it fun being famous without sufficient power? Even the mighty Four Emperors, despite their fearsome reputations, had younger pirates plotting to overthrow them.
It wasn't just about raw power. There were always those reckless fools chasing instant glory.
Fame alone couldn't protect you. And if some destined genius with a grotesquely overpowered Devil Fruit ability appeared, even the Four Emperors might fall.
To Kuro, Devil Fruits held miraculous power beyond comprehension. Natural element Logia users like Klahcrocodile could only be affected by Haki or opposing natural forces.
Kuro had won because his technique countered Klahcrocodile's precisely. 'Jiao's' ability manipulated atmospheric moisture for cutting attacks, and water exposed Klahcrocodile's sand form.
Plus, Klahcrocodile was already gravely wounded. Kuro was certain that single slash had decided everything.
Frankly, he'd rather not drawn his blade at all.
Unfortunately, Kuro sensed Luffy's strength fading too. And this old crocodile seemed ready to eliminate everyone else in one sweep - that crossed Kuro's line.
Let the crocodile play kingdom politics - that was the government's problem, not Navy's. Even if Alubarna vanished, it wouldn't concern him.
But countless civilians lived here. And Klahcrocodile was a pirate.
That made it his concern.
So Kuro drew his blade.
Dark clouds gathered across the sky, spreading like ink across Arabasta's lands.
Drip... Drip...
Rain began falling steadily.
Kuro stretched out his hand, smiling. "Smoker, you've got your own ways too, huh?"
Making the entire Arabasta kingdom rain? A miracle? Don't be ridiculous.
Even if Luffy reduced Klahcrocodile to ashes, he couldn't create such wide-scale rain.
The rebellion's root cause was Klahcrocodile's drought - using Dancing Powder to starve the people. Only the capital Alubarna and Rainbase had rain, combined with rumors about the king's involvement, breeding resentment.
Inequality, not scarcity, bred despair.
Klahcrocodile had manipulated this very weakness. But Smoker had found the simple countermeasure - a massive Dancing Powder Cannon to drench Arabasta in cleansing rain, washing away the people's grievances.
The rest followed easily. Klahcrocodile incapacitated and arrested by Tashigi's squad, the truth revealed. Luffy, grievously wounded, was quietly released by Tashigi.
Now, Tashigi stood head bowed, her expression dark with frustration. Biting her lip, she stared at the unconscious Klahcrocodile, her eyes burning with unyielding fury.
Justice without strength... was meaningless.
They'd failed to stop Nico Robin, helplessly watching Klahcrocodile escape. Even worse, they'd had to guide Luffy himself, another pirate, to track him down.
"Kuro-san... what does Justice truly look like?"
Tashigi asked, her voice tinged with confusion.
You're asking me about Justice?
Kuro glanced at the awakening citizens, then at Tashigi's bewildered expression, sighing. "Does that really matter?"
"Kuro-san?"
"I'm not one for abstract philosophy. But if you believe your actions are right, that's Justice enough. Isn't there an old saying? My actions are as clear as a mirror, all my deeds are Justice."
"My actions are as clear as a mirror, all my deeds are Justice..." Tashigi repeated softly, her eyes gradually brightening.
"I understand now. Thank you, Kuro-san. You're not just a powerful warrior, but a profound philosopher!"
...
"My actions are as clear as a mirror, all my deeds are Justice?"
On the warship, Smoker muttered the phrase while watching Kuro casually pilfer a cigar from his coat.
"You actually say stuff like that? Your idea of Justice and grand speeches don't exactly match, Kuro. And buy your own damn cigars!"
Smoker threw a punch. Kuro dodged easily, lighting the stolen cigar. "What? Is my Justice not valid Justice?"
He felt perfectly satisfied with his approach to self-preservation. If that wasn't Justice, what was?
(End of Chapter)
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