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Chapter 348: I Was Careless and Unprepared
Chapter 348: I Was Careless and Unprepared
The cruelest thing in the world isn’t having no hope—it’s having hope that shatters, leaving only despair. That’s despair—Lucius Kro.
Hence, philosophers aren’t born from mere hardship; they’re forged in agony so profound it reshapes the soul.
Kuro is in agony now.
The kind of agony that makes bile taste sweet.
Again, Kas!
Him again!
Every damn time, it’s him!!
On the Grand Line, who has Kuro ever feared? Even Kaido, he’d dare exchange blows with, though he’d rather avoid it. But when push comes to shove, does Kuro back down?
Does he?
Does he?!
The only one he truly fears isn’t an enemy—it’s the merciless betrayal from his own side.
Worse yet, it’s from someone under his command who technically did nothing wrong. In others’ eyes, it was the right decision.
Ever since that battle in East Blue against the six-million-bounty lizardman pirate, Kuro’s world has been upside down.
Kuro trembles as he pulls out a cigar, his lighter shaking in his hand. It takes an eternity to light it.
“First things first—time for a cigar to calm down. Can’t even do that, damn it!”
Kuro slumps into his chair, biting the cigar as smoke drifts upward, his eyes hollow and lifeless, like a broken marionette.
“I messed up. I shouldn’t have taken out that six-million-bounty lizardman pirate. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have gotten promoted. No promotion, no Headquarters transfer. No Headquarters, no endless string of headaches.”
For ten years in East Blue, cautious to a fault, Kuro had never openly defeated a pirate worth over three million. Even one- or two-million-bounty pirates? He’d team up with dozens of Navy soldiers, hiding in the fray, staying invisible.
But since that lizardman… everything changed.
He never should’ve swung that blade!
Seeing Kuro’s lifeless stare, Lida muses, “Kuro, should I chew some rice for you to make wine?”
“Shut up, Lida! The Qing Dynasty fell ages ago! Don’t spout such outdated nonsense!” Kuro snaps, eyes murderous.
Lida shrugs and shovels another plate of steak into his mouth, unfazed.
“Stay calm. I need to stay calm. There’s still a chance.”
Kuro runs his hands roughly through his hair. “It’s just Commodore. Commodore—is that even a real officer? No. It’s just a trainee officer, like transitioning from Sergeant to Ensign. They stick you in a temporary Ensign role to let you get used to commanding before you actually become one.”
“Commander promotions work the same. Commodore is just a stepping stone to Marine Admiral. Since it’s not a full officer rank, and Sengoku only wants me back for the medal ceremony, I’ll still stay in West Blue. As long as I’m not a full Vice Admiral, I’m safe.”
No Marine Admiral is stationed in the Four Seas, except for patrols. Officers are either in the Grand Line’s Branches or leading troops on missions. No Admiral-level officer would ever be stationed in a Four Seas Branch. The rank doesn’t allow it.
But Commodore? That’s fair game.
“So my chance, my chance, Klah!!!”
Kuro racks his brain, circling back to one conclusion: avoid achievements at all costs. But that’s vague. So he yells out the window,
“Klah, Mr. Master, try this freshly grilled meat!”
In the town, a merchant grins, wrapping barbecued meat in oil paper and handing it to Klah.
Klah, who’s been savoring the locals’ greetings for days, is chatting warmly with townsfolk, radiating that “harmonious soldier-people” vibe. As he raises his hands to accept, his ears twitch. His expression darkens.
“Save it for next time.”
With a flash, he vanishes using Shave.
Fast—like, blazing fast. In a snap, he bursts through the office door on the base’s top floor.
“Kuro, Mr., you called?”
As the words leave his mouth, Klah’s heart sinks. He sees Kuro’s face—pale, grim, as if mourning a parent’s death.
“Klah.”
Kuro exhales a stream of smoke, propping his chin on steepled fingers. “You know, I’ve always relied on you—not as a tool, but as a strategist. Whenever I face a problem, you’ll always give your all to solve it.”
Klah stands straighter, pride flickering in his eyes.
Too bad Kas isn’t here to hear Kuro’s praise.
Hmph. Kas lacks wisdom, Lida lacks scheming. Only I, Klah, deserve to laugh.
He casually flicks his hand to smooth his pompadour, adjusts his glasses, and smirks. “Kuro, Mr., facing a problem?”
Kuro taps the ash off his cigar. “Earlier, Fleet Admiral Sengoku called, asking about that incident. How should I know what happened? So he told me the details.”
“Turns out, it was that Insect Country business.”
“He started by tricking me, saying I got demoted. I thought, great! Perfect! Then—snap—he says it was a lie. No demotion. I was careless and unprepared. Not only did I stay put, but because of Insect Country and Kas repelling a Revolutionary Army officer in Twin-Horse Kingdom, I got promoted.”
“Imagine a Navy Fleet Admiral deceiving a young, twenty-something officer. Is that right? No! It’s not!”
Kuro exhales, face blank. “So now I’m Commodore.”
“Commodore?”
Klah blinks, stunned. “Fantastic, Kuro, Mr.! You’re finally promoted! I always knew you’d at least become Vice Admiral. Sure, Commodore’s a downgrade, but—”
A Killing Intent surges!
Klah’s words die as his hairs stand on end. He glances at Kuro—whose face is rapidly turning livid, eyes dagger-sharp.
“—But the gap between Commodore and Vice Admiral is… uh… quite a stretch.” Klah hastily backpedals.
Kuro’s expression softens slightly.
He nods, sighing. “Now, I need your strategy. Tell me—how do I get demoted? I don’t need to drop to Lieutenant. Major’s fine. At least stay the same. I haven’t even returned for the medal ceremony yet. How do I get the higher-ups to retract this promotion?”
“…Retract the order?”
Klah’s stunned. Promoted, and he wants it revoked?
Promotion’s a win, right? Even if you hate it, you’re already up. Shouldn’t he push forward?
Kuro’s always sought safety, but the current setup is already safe.
Better yet—become an officer, build influence, root himself in the Navy.
Sure, Kuro’s Lucius Kro Admiral’s direct subordinate, but having his own faction would make him even safer.
But as Kuro’s strategist, he must follow his lead.
“How about… covering up a pirate in the Navy? Like Fenbodi did. He got demoted.” Klah suggests.
His former superior officer joined the Navy that way, and Headquarters Lieutenant Fenbodi dropped to recruit status.
“You were a pirate before! A captain! You think I’d care?” Kuro rolls his eyes.
Fenbodi’s different—no power, no backing. How could he compare?
Even Kuro’s grandfather, Gramps, wouldn’t dare touch Enies Lobby.
But what kind of pirate could get him demoted?
The guy who openly declared he’d be the next Pirate King, the four-hundred-million-bounty fugitive?
Defeated the Seven Warlords, forced the World Government’s hand, challenged its authority.
Razed Enies Lobby, rescued World Government’s top criminal Nico Robin, wiped out the Pacifistas there, challenged authority again.
Challenged World Government again, and Navy’s bottom line.
Crashed the Top War, nearly derailed everything. Not just authority—Kuro’s bottom line.
Recently stormed Marineford, ringing the bell in broad daylight. How brazen.
Would that pirate join the Navy?
Probably nothing serious.
Kuro muses—could that reckless brat really join the Navy with Garp’s connections?
Even the World Government’s thorn-in-the-eye might get away with it. His influence isn’t as high as Garp’s, but Gramps is still watching. Even if half the effect is lost, he’ll never find a pirate willing to join the Navy and go straight.
And truly heinous criminals? He’d have sunk them already.
Wanting safety is one thing—wanting safety, but still keeping some conscience.
He won’t do things without a shred of integrity.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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