Chapter 332: Navy? Perhaps also 'Justice's Partner'?
Chapter 332: Navy? Perhaps also 'Justice's Partner'?
Nalgah roared at Kuro:
"You say this woman wants to join your Navy? Don't joke around, Lucius Kro! She's a criminal!"
"What crime? She hasn't broken any laws of the World Government. Listen, you're a staff member of the World Government's direct agency 'Enies Lobby', not Insect Country's staff!"
Kuro stepped closer, towering over Nalgah as smoke streamed from his mouth, swirling around Nalgah's face until he coughed violently.
"Know your place, bastard."
"And think carefully - the Revolutionary Army is already inside this country. If they incite the civilians, someone like her", he gestured toward Ju Geng, "becomes extra combat power for them. By recruiting her into the Navy beforehand, the Revolutionary Army loses strength while the Navy gains. This contributes to world peace. Can't you do simple math?"
"You're too incompetent to even work with me. So damn stupid!"
Without waiting for Nalgah's reply, Kuro strode toward the village.
Lida and Klah exchanged glances. Klah waved his hand, signaling the Navy to withdraw as they followed Kuro.
"Kuro! Lucius Kro! I'll definitely file a complaint against you!" Nalgah bellowed behind them.
Kuro scoffed. Complaint? That would be a good thing.
Even if the Five Elders themselves came, he'd still say he'd done his best.
Did they really think that old blind man was easy prey?
"Navylord, is this really okay?" Ushida asked cautiously behind him.
"No worries. Back to barbecue - I haven't finished eating yet." Kuro waved dismissively.
The group returned to the village where Ju Geng and the children were cleaning more deer. Everyone gathered around the campfire.
Probably from spending time with Ju Geng, the kids had become quite skilled at handling venison.
"Navylord", Ushida approached carefully, "so what you said earlier... was it true?"
"What about it?" Kuro blinked.
"About recruiting Ju Geng into the Navy." Ushida glanced at Ju Geng washing venison by the river.
"This..." Kuro scratched his head, turning to Lida. "What do you think?"
"Sure." Lida nodded. "Ju Geng sister's cooking is amazing. If she joins Navy, we can eat it every day."
Standing up abruptly, Ushida bowed deeply. "Please take Ju Geng away from here - this place isn't suitable for her survival."
"Insect Country's situation is already like this. Navy can't enter, we can't leave. If we can take Ju Geng away, it would be better for her. Otherwise, eventually she'll be captured, Navylord! Please, take her with you!"
Insect Country's current state meant people like Ju Geng weren't rare - other villages certainly had others breaking local 'laws.' Eventually, Insect Country would capture and execute them all.
At least, that was the case before.
Kuro narrowed his eyes, a faint red glow flickering in his pupils as he sensed the aura around them. Murmuring, he thought, They should be capable enough.
Looking toward the riverbank, he said, "I don't mind. Go ask her yourself. If she's willing, I can fast-track her enlistment. As Pegasus Island's Marine Base chief, I have that authority."
"Ju Geng! Ju Geng!"
Ushida shouted toward her.
"Full? Who's full?" Ju Geng's ears twitched as she turned, lightly joshing, "If someone's full, I have some herbs to help with stomach discomfort."
Ushida: "..."
"I'm calling you, Ju Geng!" A vein throbbed on Ushida's temple as he roared.
Kuro rubbed his forehead helplessly. What was wrong with this country? First a blind man, now a deaf woman. The blind one was terrifyingly strong, but this deaf one was terrifying from a psychological standpoint too.
Su Zhan poked Ju Geng. "Ju Geng sister, Grandpa Ushida's calling you - it's not about being full!"
This time Ju Geng heard. Nodding apologetically at Ushida, she walked over. "Grandpa Ushida, you called?"
"Navylord wishes to recruit you into the Navy. What's your opinion?"
"What? Want to smoke the meat? But roasting preserves venison's flavor better. Smoking requires salt we don't have."
"Navy! Navy!" Ushida bellowed into Ju Geng's ear. "Not smoking! Navy!"
"Oh? You think I'm crazy?"
"Sorry, but we really lack salt..."
"Ju Geng sister, not salt, and not that you're crazy", Lida interjected. "They're asking if you want to join the Navy. With that status, you can do anything within Insect Country. You could even bring food for them to eat, or perhaps take them with you if they don't mind."
"Hmm..."
Ju Geng hesitated visibly, then shook her head. "I can't leave. I want to participate in tomorrow's Martial Arts Grand Tournament. If I win, I'll obtain a fief. That way..." She looked back at the children, "they can be saved, and I can cook what they want. Just win the Martial Arts Grand Tournament!"
"Ju Geng, you still haven't given up?!" Ushida exclaimed. "Don't you remember what happened last time? You nearly died there!"
"Ah? Back home? My home is right here." Ju Geng looked confused.
Kuro raised an eyebrow. Was this woman truly deaf or just pretending? Why did their words always get misheard? Lida's words were understood perfectly.
Suddenly, Su Zhan approached Kuro. "What exactly does the Navy do?"
"Navy?" Kuro thought briefly. "Probably 'Justice's Partner'?"
"If so, take Ju Geng sister away!" Su Zhan's expression hardened. "We can survive on our own. We can't burden Ju Geng sister anymore - she's done enough for us. Ju Geng sister shouldn't be held back by us. She deserves her own life!"
Ju Geng heard every word. Her brows furrowed. "Su Zhan, you..."
"Yes, take Ju Geng sister away."
Hui Na stepped forward. Now the children gathered by the river all approached, expressions resolute.
"Ju Geng sister has already done too much for us."
Tears brimming, Hui Na fought back sobs. "Even though we'll miss her, Ju Geng sister can't stay here anymore. It's too dangerous - she might die."
Kuro exhaled smoke, looking toward the sky. Clenching his teeth, he muttered, "I've sent my signal clearly enough. If you Revolutionary Army don't succeed this time, you're even more incompetent than I thought!"
Today's chapter only. Apologies - the author is struggling to regain form, trying to restore the multiple updates from earlier in the month, but needed to attend to something urgent today.
This month, I'll strive to return to the previous update frequency.
Fish Head bows to all the elders.
(End of Chapter)
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