https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-375-Kabuki-is-Meant-to-Make-People-Laugh/13536975/
Chapter 374: You're Really Lucky to Be Alive
Chapter 374: You're Really Lucky to Be Alive
In an instant, Lion Ape transformed once more into its fifteen-meter-tall beast form. Bloodstained golden fur grew unnaturally long, whipping wildly in the wind like golden-red flames.
Boom!
Its massive feet slammed into the ground, cracking the earth in a wide radius. It stopped charging forward, instead inhaling wildly before exhaling a violent gust of air.
The air blast, known as a breath attack, surged toward the civilians.
"Slash Wave."
Suddenly, a wisp of golden slash outpaced the air blast, intercepting and dispersing it before racing toward the sky.
Hiss!
A spray of blood erupted from Lion Ape’s back as Kuro’s blade sliced through it. Kuro floated down in front of the beast, flicking away the smoldering cigar in his mouth, his eyes dark with focus.
He couldn’t comprehend it—this shouldn’t be possible.
A Lion Ape, whether a vengeful spirit or not, shouldn’t possess such unyielding willpower.
Hatred?
The mayor of Absurd Town had merely said the creature loved Kabuki plays and was executed by King Alexander Francis. In this world, such a trivial grudge shouldn’t generate such immense willpower.
The world’s strongest warriors had formidable wills, but hatred ranked only mid-tier. True strength came from dreams and ambition.
Yet Kuro saw this Lion Ape’s life aura as weak as a candle in the wind, yet its will kept it moving. That sheer determination shook him.
The last time he’d felt such awe was when Shanks tore off a ship’s rudder.
Whitebeard’s death hadn’t fazed him—it was inevitable, expected. But this Lion Ape reignited the same shock he’d felt facing Shanks.
"Why?!"
Kuro glared at the beast as it inhaled again, veins bulging. "Why are you still standing?!"
Whoosh!
In response, a massive claw lashed out at Kuro.
"Endless!"
Kuro cursed, swinging his blade to cleave the attacking arm. Blood misted as the limb severed, but the beast lunged with its other claw.
Kuro prepared to strike again when Lion Ape suddenly spat another breath attack, narrowly missing him and blasting the distant palace wall.
"You bastard!"
Kuro’s pupils constricted. Instinctively, he swung his blade backward, still reeling from the beast’s earlier display of willpower. But the attack hadn’t targeted the civilians—it struck the street’s end, collapsing the palace wall with a deafening roar.
The wall crumbled, leaving a gaping hole.
"Terrifying! So terrifying!"
King Alexander Francis sat paralyzed, staring at the breach. Shards of stone sliced his cheek, pain snapping him back to reality as he scrambled backward on all fours.
"Protect me! Protect me now! I haven’t even held my coronation ceremony yet—I won’t die!"
The king screamed as guards rushed to shield him with raised shields, retreating from the palace. They quickly ushered him out, fleeing in chaos toward the street.
Alongside the king, Kabuki performers in colorful robes scattered from the palace gates.
"Kas! Gather them together!" Kuro barked.
With Lion Ape’s relentless assault, dispersing the crowd would only lead to casualties if they couldn’t end this quickly.
"Whatever your motives", Kuro gritted his teeth, "if I let you harm a single person, I’ll never call myself Lucius Kro again!"
Beyond his personal philosophy, Kuro’s pride flared. Willpower alone didn’t make one invincible—yielding to every strong will would plunge the world into chaos.
"Protect the civilians!"
Kas and Navy rushed forward, blocking Lion Ape’s path. "Everyone, get behind us—don’t panic!"
The fleeing crowd rallied behind them, clustering together.
"I need to be at the center—I’m the king!" King Alexander Francis shouted.
The crowd parted as guards formed a shield wall around him, civilians forming the outer ring.
Kuro frowned but had no time to react as Lion Ape charged again.
"Fine—end this."
Kuro raised Autumn Water, two fingers swiping the blade. A golden glow enveloped it. Without glancing at Lion Ape’s attack, he slashed forward. The radiant arc, like a crescent moon, struck the beast.
The light forced Lion Ape to shut its eyes. But when it opened them, no pain came—the glow had been harmless.
Kuro flicked his blade, murmuring, "It’s over."
Crackling sounds erupted across Lion Ape’s body as countless wounds split its flesh. Blood seeped out, staining its fur crimson.
With a thunderous crash, the beast collapsed, its fifteen-meter form shrinking to ten meters, then to a normal lion with golden fur.
"Not human", Kuro muttered. "An animal?"
The lion breathed weakly, its once-ruby eyes now dull and clouded.
Kuro descended, preparing to finish it off.
"Wait—you’re that lion, aren’t you?"
The king pointed, shouting, "I remember you!"
Kuro froze, turning to the king in confusion.
"Commander Kuro, I know this lion!" the king exclaimed. "I met it a year ago—it blocked my path. I liked its fur, so I tried to tame it, but it ran off. Don’t kill it! Let me capture it for my palace!"
"Your Majesty, it turns into a monster!" a minister warned.
"Right, it becomes a monster", the king mused. "Then kill it and skin it! Use the pelt for a robe—make my coronation ceremony more splendid!"
Kuro paused, then asked, "Why did you meet it back then?"
The king grinned proudly. "A year ago, I executed a rebel who refused my orders. I’d banned Kabuki performances nationwide—letting them perform in the palace was enough. When I heard of secret shows, I lured the rebel to a town and executed him there."
Kuro fell silent, glancing at the motionless lion. Then he said coldly, "You’re really lucky to be alive."
(End of Chapter)
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