Chapter 36: That's Settled
Chapter 36: That's Settled
"Lucius Kro, 24 years old, Base 153 Ensign."
At the reception desk, the Navy officer in charge of training glanced at Kuro. Mm, nothing special.
"What are you good at?"
"A bit of hand-to-hand combat." Kuro replied.
"Hand-to-hand?"
The officer eyed the sword at Kuro's waist.
"This? Family heirloom. Compared to martial arts, my swordsmanship is... this limited." Kuro pinched his thumb and forefinger together, leaving a tiny gap.
"Hmph, the file checks out. Looks like you're the one. Head to Headquarters for training. If you don’t mess up, your Navy commission will transfer to Headquarters afterward. From then on, you’ll be a Headquarters Navy.
But listen up—Ensign ranks aren’t impressive here. You’ll train alongside people higher-ranked and stronger than you. Don’t embarrass the Navy."
"Understood." Kuro snapped a salute.
"Next!"
The officer waved dismissively, signaling the next candidate.
Lida stepped forward.
"A kid?"
The officer blinked, glancing at her file. The paper said eighteen. Though she looked the part with her youthful features, there was something uncanny about her aura.
"I'm Flo Lida. I ate a Haki-type Devil Fruit. This is my normal form—I grow bigger during combat." Lida transformed instantly into her teenage form, addressing him.
"A Devil Fruit user?!"
The officer straightened up, suddenly thrilled. This wasn’t in the report! Devil Fruit users were elite assets.
This was unavoidable. While Kuro had hoped Lida could fly under the radar, maintaining her adult form constantly during two months of training was impractical. Hunger struck too quickly in that form, and water exercises or breath-holding drills would expose her limitations. Better to declare herself upfront for preferential treatment.
As long as she doesn’t overperform, Kuro reasoned, no one will pry too hard. Devil Fruit users without proven combat records rarely rose fast anyway. Let her gain a modest promotion through training, not spectacle.
Lida’s unremarkable placement was part of Klah’s strategy. Recent research into Navy structures revealed that silent training often led to reassignment under some Grand Line captain—where they’d face monstrous pirates. Better to shine slightly, earn a standout score, and secure a safe command post.
Kuro, as an Ensign, could climb a rank before transferring to Headquarters, where Smoker’s backing would guarantee a captaincy far from the Grand Line’s dangers.
Kuro had nodded along, impressed. No wonder they call him the ‘Master of Strategies.’ Recruiting him was genius—Klah’s plan made his own "blend-in" idea look amateurish.
"Devil Fruit with Haki-type abilities? What’s its main effect?" the officer asked eagerly.
Lida reached out, touching him. Suddenly, his strength drained away.
"Stealing strength?!"
The officer’s initial joy turned to disappointment. His physical power—mediocre for a Navy officer—dissipated at a snail’s pace. Too weak.
"Guh..."
Lida’s face flushed with effort, stomach growling audibly.
"That’s all I can do", she panted, shrinking back into her child form. "And I get hungry fast."
"Just... this, huh?"
The officer sighed, masking his pity. "No worries. You’re young—you’ll improve with training."
Early-stage Devil Fruit users often need time, he rationalized. Even if her potential seemed low, she’d surpass ordinary sailors eventually.
"Can I eat now? I’m starving." Lida asked.
"Report first, then you can eat."
As she rejoined Kuro, Lida winked, flashing a triumphant grin. Kuro nodded subtly, thumb raised—perfect act.
Better to appear ordinary for now. If she gradually improved during training, Headquarters would notice without suspicion. A steady, unremarkable Devil Fruit user—ideal.
Another Klah suggestion, of course.
"Klah?"
The officer turned to the last applicant. The trio seemed connected, but the name—East Blue origin?
"Mr. Kyle!" the officer leapt up, gripping Klah’s hands. "They say you dueled Hawk-Eye in the East Blue and earned his praise as a swordsman capable of challenging his title as World's Greatest Swordsman! What an honor to meet you here!"
"Eh?"
Klah froze, instinctively turning to Kuro—then catching a sharp glare. Oh right.
Kuro glared daggers, furious enough to yank Klah’s head off. This 'Master of Strategies'—all calm plans, yet he screws it up when it matters?!
"That Klah… completely unreliable at critical moments! How are we supposed to stay low-key in Headquarters now?!" Kuro muttered.
Lida rolled her eyes. "Forgot who the real culprit is, huh?"
"What culprit? You blaming me?!"
Kuro’s retort died mid-sentence. Rubbing his head awkwardly, he forced a sheepish smile at Lida.
"Guess that’s settled", he mumbled.
His earlier scheming had overlooked Klah’s slip—his fault for dragging this 'Master Strategist' along in the first place.
(End of Chapter)
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