Chapter 346: You're Also Nobility?
Chapter 346: You're Also Nobility?
Insect Country, Maple Village.
Inside a Grand Hall.
"Ju Geng! Ju Geng! Are you even listening to me?"
Ushida slammed his hoe against the floor, creating a sharp echoing sound.
"Stuffed? Of course we can get stuffed with all this food!" Ju Geng replied matter-of-factly.
She turned her head, surveying the mountain of game animals piled beside them, interspersed with countless fruits and edible wild vegetables. Ever since the Natural Decree Release Order, Ju Geng's first action had been systematically hunting every animal across the mountains and fields, freely harvesting fruits and wild vegetables that used to be taken only in secret pinches. Combined with that giant wild boar, once the curing process finished, they'd never have to endure hunger again.
"It's not about being stuffed! No!" Ushida exclaimed, veins throbbing on his forehead as he gripped his hoe tightly. He took a deep breath and walked beside Ju Geng, shouting directly into her ear: "I mean, what are you planning to do now!"
Ju Geng finally heard clearly this time, asking, "What do you mean, 'what to do'?"
"Now that nature's been re-released, the child's family will return too. You shouldn't just stay cooped up in this tiny village—you should go out and explore, cough cough!" Ushida's voice cracked as he coughed violently, likely from overexertion.
Ju Geng quickly patted his back while murmuring thoughtfully, "Go out and explore..."
"Exactly! You love cuisine, don't you? The Grand Line holds countless wonders—you'll encounter seasonings and ingredients you've never seen before. Broaden your horizons! It's a waste to stay in this village at your age."
Ushida's lips curled into a satisfied smile. "This village doesn't need your constant worry anymore. It's time you lived for yourself. Step onto the Grand Line and chase your dreams!"
Ju Geng seemed lost in her own thoughts, continuing, "Going out... sounds pretty good..."
"Ju Geng!" Ushida tugged at his lips, bellowing, "Are you even listening to me?!"
"Huh? Are you having constipation issues?" Ju Geng asked with genuine concern, tilting her head. "Grandpa Ushida, is it alright telling me this? Maybe I should prepare some herbal porridge for you—peach kernels have that effect, I think."
"I..." Ushida sighed deeply, his shoulders slumping in defeat. He waved weakly, "Do whatever you want."
He was getting old, and another of Ju Geng's awkward comments might send him into a stroke.
"Whatever I want? Should I make the herbal porridge then? Okay, Grandpa Ushida." Ju Geng nodded enthusiastically.
Ushida froze mid-motion, his knuckles whitening around the hoe handle. He barely caught his breath before storming out faster.
"Hello."
As he reached the doorway, a white-haired figure greeted him.
"You-"
Ushida's pupils constricted in shock. "Lo... King Luo Wei!"
Indeed, the visitor was none other than Luo Wei, now Insect Country's reigning king.
"It's me." Luo Wei smiled.
As Ushida began bowing, Luo Wei quickly stopped him. "After the release decree, have your lives improved? Let me know if anything troubles you. Our country's past treatment was inhumane—I want to make amends."
"More than enough." Tears welled in Ushida's eyes. "With nature released and families reunited, we can support ourselves. You're truly a kind king."
"A kind king..." Luo Wei gave a self-deprecating smile. "As long as you're managing well, that's all that matters. Feel free to contact me directly in Butterfly Town if needed."
"Understood, King Luo Wei. May I ask—is this your only reason for visiting? Such a small matter hardly requires your personal presence."
"No", Luo Wei's gaze shifted past him toward the Grand Hall. "I've come to see Ju Geng—the woman in the white robe and red trousers, who looks so gentle."
"Ju Geng?" Ushida blinked in confusion.
...
Pegasus Island.
In the base's office, Kuro leisurely cut into a medium-rare steak with knife and fork, chewing methodically. After swallowing, he picked up the already-poured glass of red wine on the table, sipping it delicately.
"Hey, Kuro, eating that slowly—do you even get full?" Lida asked, tossing an entire steak into her mouth before adding another dish to the teetering tower of plates beside her.
"You wouldn't understand. This is about enjoying food—enjoying life! Do you even know what aristocratic class means?" Kuro rolled his eyes.
"Aristocratic class? Really? You honestly think eating steaks one bite at a time is better?" Lida countered. "Even though this beef is premium Grand Line-imported stuff reserved only for officers, isn't food basically just about getting full?"
"You're also nobility?" Kuro blinked in surprise.
"Huh?" Lida tilted her head.
"Nothing, never mind." Kuro suddenly couldn't tell if she was subtly showing off or genuinely thought that way.
"Burrrrr..." The office's Transponder Snail suddenly buzzed.
"Who's calling?"
Click Kuro grabbed the receiver, which morphed mid-sentence into the image of a man with braided beard and round glasses.
"Ku-"
Before the Transponder Snail could finish its first syllable, Kuro shoved the device to the table corner and rocketed backwards with his chair.
"Loooo!" The deafening roar sent shockwaves through the room.
Lida, who had just stuffed another steak into her mouth, choked violently, her face reddening as she pounded her chest to swallow.
Once the sonic aftermath faded, Kuro cautiously rolled back to the table and picked up the receiver. "Hello, who's this?"
"Kuro! It's Sengoku! What have you done this time!"
"Sengoku-san? What have I done? I've been stuck on Pegasus Island these past few days!" Kuro protested innocently.
"Don't play games! I know everything about Insect Country! The old man ordered you to assist the government—not cause chaos! Do you realize how many complaints have been filed against you in the World Government? The higher-ups contacted the old man directly about this! What exactly have you been doing there!"
"Old man's retiring soon! You know that, right? Let me enjoy my retirement without these headaches! Can't you let me retire without World Government complaints? Don't you care about your promotion anymore!"
Promotion? Of course he didn't care!
Kuro raised his eyebrows. "So the World Government's decided on disciplinary action?"
"Obviously! They were going to give you a formal reprimand!" the Transponder Snail snapped.
"Yatta!" Kuro grinned like he'd just won the lottery.
"So am I being demoted? Or under house arrest on Pegasus Island?" he asked eagerly.
(End of Chapter)
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