Chapter 35: Headquarters
Chapter 35: Headquarters
Kuro naturally refused to acknowledge any of this, least of all the fact that he'd delivered the finishing blow.
"Tch, whatever. As long as I helped."
At the very least, that final strike had been decisive. Whether Kuro clung to his own ideals of Justice or not, his actions had undeniably been beneficial.
At that moment, a Navy officer rushed over clutching a Transponder Snail. "Smokercommander! Headquarters is calling!"
"Smoker speaking." He grabbed the snail and answered.
"Smokercommander, regarding the mission to apprehend Klahcrocodile, the World Government has decided to award you and Tashigisergeant medals, and both of you will be promoted one rank."
"Medals?!"
Smoker stared at the Transponder Snail, his voice darkening. "Did you even listen to my report? It wasn’t us who defeated Klahcrocodile!"
"Forget it, Smoker", Tina interjected, crossing her arms. "When the Government makes a decision, you just have to go along with it."
"When you have time, please attend the medal ceremony", the Transponder Snail continued.
"Listen, you can tell the old men upstairs—" Smoker’s temple throbbed visibly.
"Smoker!" Tina warned, louder this time.
"Tell them to go to hell!" He slammed the Transponder Snail down, cutting the call.
As the line disconnected, Tina sighed. "You really think you can refuse? As long as you’re a Marine, you’ll never win against their bureaucracy."
"My actions are as clear as a mirror. My deeds embody Justice itself." Smoker scowled. "That’s not Justice at all!"
The irony gnawed at him: pirates defeating a pirate the Marines couldn’t catch. Worse yet, Luffy had saved his life.
What was Justice? Smoker couldn’t say for sure. But if something felt right in his heart, that was Justice enough.
Kuro, meanwhile, breathed a quiet sigh of relief. His name hadn’t appeared in the Transponder Snail’s report. No promotion, no attention. Perfect.
"I’m heading to Headquarters to sort this out", Smoker declared, already marching toward the ship’s exit.
Tina watched him go in silence. She knew him better than anyone—her friend, her classmate, a stubborn mule who’d been exiled to East Blue for his trouble.
"Kuro, we’re leaving."
Kuro shrugged at Tina and nodded. As he passed Fenbodi, he clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Keep at it. I’ve got high hopes for you. You were my old goal."
"Huh?" Fenbodi blinked, bewildered.
He’d never understand how Kuro had once envied his simple life.
Stepping onto Smoker’s warship, they set course for Marine Headquarters.
...
Days later.
Smoker hung up on Tina’s call, staring at the two new Bounty Posters on his desk.
"One hundred million." Lida leaned over, squinting. "And a ‘Green Algae Head’ worth sixty million? Isn’t that one of the guys who beat Klah in Loguetown?"
In a flash, Klah appeared, eyes locked on the posters.
"Luffy, one hundred million? Roronoa Zoro, sixty million?"
These names stirred memories. Both had crossed paths with him.
"One hundred million, sixty million..." Klah muttered.
In East Blue, those sums would crown them kings of pirates.
"Thanks to defeating Klahcrocodile, I suppose? The Government tried hiding it, but they still raised the bounties. Such a leap..."
"Exactly", Smoker agreed. "As a Marine, there are limits to how reckless I can be. That’s why we need power—Kuro, you interested in coming along?"
He turned to Kuro, lounging on the deck, pretending to nap in the sea breeze.
Kuro shook his head.
You dragging me around again? One trip to Arabasta was headache enough. The New World? No thanks.
"Arabasta was enough for me", Kuro said. "Now it’s your turn to keep your promise. Find me a perfectly safe place to lay low. I think I need to improve my strength."
"Sure thing. You’ll start with training at Headquarters." Smoker’s tone carried layers she didn’t catch.
Kuro beamed. Smoker wouldn’t lie to him. A safe, stable haven—perfect.
"Actually, it doesn’t need to be too safe", Kuro added. "Even a place like Loguetown, where you used to station, would work. Pirate activity’s fine—I don’t mind."
"I’ll make sure of it. Don’t you worry", Smoker vowed solemnly.
Nearby, Klah adjusted his glasses, a creeping unease growing. Something felt off...
A peaceful, secure place? No pirates? Heavenly.
He began imagining quiet days ahead—
Wait. Perfectly safe? Stable? No pirates? His eyes darted between Smoker and Kuro’s blissfully daydreaming face. His expression twisted.
Better not say anything. He had a feeling getting involved would drag him down too.
...
Marine Headquarters, near the Holy Land Mariejois, formed a triangular stronghold with Enies Lobby and Impel Down. Its location? The infamous Whirlpool Sea—a death trap for pirates without the Gate of Justice clearance.
After a tense journey, Kuro’s group finally docked at Marineford.
The island wasn’t just Headquarters—the surrounding buildings housed Navy families.
Kuro stepped off the ship, scanning the docks. "Headquarters. Thousands of dodges and ten thousand evasions... in the end, you still have to step inside."
"This is Headquarters!" Lida chirped, practically bouncing. "There’s gotta be amazing food here. The cafeteria’s got to be legendary!"
"Headquarters..." Klah adjusted his glasses, half-smiling bitterly. "Never thought I’d go from pirate to Marine... to this."
"Just play it safe", Kuro muttered. "Don’t show off. If we can’t even hide our strength in Headquarters, we’ll never find peace anywhere."
"We get it", they both replied.
Lida’s priorities? Food, safety, and more food. She knew exactly how to survive—not how she’d phrased it earlier.
Klah smirked. Hiding strength? He’d spent three years in a backwater village without blowing his cover. A few months here, faking average Marine skills? Effortless.
With routine training and Smoker’s occasional favors, Kuro could breeze through duties and return to East Blue. Perfect.
As for Smoker—
Admiral’s Office.
Smoker barged in without knocking. "Kuzan, I need to talk about someone."
(End of Chapter)
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