Chapter 344: I Thought of Something Happy
Chapter 344: I Thought of Something Happy
Kas’s unyielding will left Beti thoroughly shaken. Faced with this overwhelming ironclad resolve and unshakable determination, Beti’s mouth fell open in shock, her cigarette dropping unnoticed.
This guy is really dangerous for the Revolutionary Army!
But even more dangerous than him was his mentor – the infamous ‘Kuro Commander’.
“Lucius Kro…”
Beti knew this man all too well. His performance in the Top War had marked him as a key research subject for the Revolutionary Army.
But now it seemed… they hadn’t studied him deeply enough.
That man’s mindset was now genuinely terrifying.
“Revolutionary Army miss,” a civilian interrupted, seeing Beti’s grim expression, “please don’t take offense. While we’re certainly grateful for your concern, this Navy officer is right – we’re just ordinary civilians who want to live peacefully. Being protected by the Navy is completely normal. Battles are just… too frightening for us.”
“Revolutionary Army?” Kas frowned at Beti. “Are you with them?”
“Damn, got caught.”
Beti gritted her teeth, rolled up her flag, and fled without looking back.
Her resolve had shattered the moment Kas confronted her. With the Navy already here, her mission had lost its purpose. Staying any longer would be pointless.
Kas watched Beti retreat, puzzled. “Why’s she running? I wasn’t going to chase her. She’s not even a pirate.”
Navy’s duty was to arrest pirates, not Revolutionary Army members. While the latter could flee when encountering Navy, there was rarely any reason to pursue them.
“Lieutenant, should we chase her?” a Navy officer asked. “The World Government considers the Revolutionary Army its top enemy. Catching her would be a major accomplishment.”
“That woman is strong.” Kas kept his gaze on Beti’s disappearing figure before turning back. “Also, our priority is maintaining regional peace. Compared to the Revolutionary Army, pirates are our main concern. Since pirates have landed here, there must still be more nearby. We’ll station ourselves here for now – let the pirates learn that this Navy-controlled territory isn’t a place they can recklessly invade!”
“I’ll formally report this to headquarters. They’ve underestimated us, thinking they could act freely while the Kuro Commander is away. As the strongest shield upholding the Kuro Commander’s honor, we’ll never let pirates succeed!”
Kas raised his saber high. “For Justice! No matter how wicked the enemy ahead, we shall not falter!”
The Navy officers saluted sharply, drawing their blades and holding them before their chests in unison. “For Justice!!”
Though their numbers were few, their stance filled the civilians with profound reassurance.
With such Navy officers protecting us, all will be well.
…
“Achoo!”
On the Grand Line, Kuro sat casually on his ship’s railing, fishing peacefully. A sudden sneeze made him jerk, and the taut fishing line went slack.
“Ah, lost a big one! Who’s thinking of me?”
Kuro reeled in his empty hook and sighed.
“Kuro Mr., the morning newspaper.” Klah approached, holding out a paper. “Something major happened in Insect Country.”
They’d been drifting at sea for two days now.
“Insect Country?”
Kuro took the paper. The front page blared a sensational headline:
Shocking! Insect Country’S King Replaced – The Real Reason Revealed!
Same old familiar vibes. Same newspaper too.
The article detailed how Insect Country’s Tui Town had faced a Revolutionary Army assault. The original king was overthrown, but the noble ‘Luo’ family fought to the last man, repelling the attackers. With the throne vacant, the last remaining Luo heir – nobleman Luo Wei – ascended as Insect Country’s new king.
“Kuro Mr., didn’t we confirm Luo Wei was with the Revolutionary Army before?” Klah adjusted his glasses. “Had a falling out?”
“This is a smart move.”
Kuro cast his line again, and Klah dutifully baited the hook from the wooden bucket.
“Insect Country has no one else left. The Luo family’s the natural successor – they’ve always been one of the country’s most powerful noble houses. As long as they negotiate properly with the Revolutionary Army, Insect Country can remain a World Government ally, keeping all the associated benefits. As for their official stance? Who even knows…”
“Convenient.” Kuro shrugged. “Saves me the trouble of writing a complicated report. The Revolutionary Army’s retreated, no rescue forces will come, and everything’s simpler now.”
He’d worried the Revolutionary Army might get stuck in Insect Country, forcing the World Government to intervene militarily. As a West Blue Navy officer stationed in the West Blue, he’d inevitably be drafted for such a campaign.
Now, he wouldn’t need to pull another stunt to avoid that.
Kuro glanced at the newspaper’s bottom half – a photo of Luo Wei seated on his throne, alongside details of his new policies:
Revoked protections on Insect Country’s natural resources – locals now permitted unrestricted exploitation. Recalled all citizens previously exported as labor. However, ongoing war with Flower Country will continue.
But none of this concerned Kuro. His mission there was complete.
“Speaking of which… If Luo Wei’s king now, does that make Lida the princess of Insect Country?”
Kuro stroked his chin, smirking. “Well I’ll be – a noble lady! Where’s Lida now?”
“In the mess hall having lunch,” Klah replied.
Since Luo Shen’s death, Kuro had worried Lida might lose her cultivation talent. Turns out he’d overthought it.
Her gift remained unchanged – one glance, and she grasped it instantly. Whether it was an innate ability or her sharing Luo Shen’s exact talent, Lida clearly wasn’t affected by his death. A relief that lifted a weight from Kuro’s chest.
Now, it’s just a matter of waiting for complaints.
After causing chaos in Insect Country, he expected at least a few formal grievances from those he’d driven away from the Martial Arts Grand Tournament.
And grievances meant possible demotion – or worse, the World Government might permanently station him in the West Blue, unable to escape.
No matter who became Fleet Admiral next, getting transferred would require World Government approval. As part of their direct jurisdiction, they’d hesitate unless a crisis as serious as the Summit War arose.
You think I want promotion? Don’t be ridiculous! I just want to retire peacefully here!
Kuro’s lips curled into a satisfied grin.
“Kuro Mr., why are you smiling?”
“I thought of something happy.”
(End of Chapter)
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