https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-375-Kabuki-is-Meant-to-Make-People-Laugh/13536975/
Chapter 376: These Are My Spoils
Chapter 376: These Are My Spoils
The Lion Ape, which had endured countless attacks and refused to die, finally met its end.
Or rather, it should have died long ago. The only reason it remained mobile was its fierce, unyielding desire to complete a final task.
"Make people laugh?"
Kuro stared blankly at the Lion Ape’s corpse, still frozen in its defiant stance. He sighed softly. "You succeeded. You won."
In that moment, he suddenly understood.
The terrifying ambush he had personally orchestrated—designed to instill fear—had somehow still managed to provoke laughter. Whether that laughter was joyous or mocking didn’t matter. If it could ease tension, that had been its purpose.
"Rest easy. You won. But given our opposing positions, I can’t spare you."
Kuro spoke slowly to the towering Lion Ape.
From the moment it chose to spread terror, Kuro might have ignored it if he hadn’t witnessed it firsthand. But now that he had, he couldn’t look away.
Creatures like this wouldn’t reveal their final wishes until their dying breath. If Kuro had turned a blind eye, even after killing King Alexander Francis, the Lion Ape’s unresolved rage would have been unleashed upon the humans of Dual Horse Country. By then, it would have been too late.
But for a being of such unbreakable will, basic respect was due.
The Grand Line thrived on figures of unshakable resolve—people who stirred waves and kept the World Government and Navy on edge.
"Kuro, look! It’s changing!"
Lida had approached, pointing at the Lion Ape in alarm.
Clang!
Nitoryu fell to the ground with a crisp metallic sound.
The colossal Lion Ape began shrinking, collapsing with a thunderous crash as it transformed into a golden lion.
"Whoa! A lion!"
King Alexander Francis strode forward, scowling. "Dared to scare me! I’ll have its hide turned into a trophy!"
The moment he finished speaking, a chill swept through the air.
Kuro flicked his fingers. The shattered Stone Sphere reassembled itself, rolling forward to engulf the lion’s body along with the surrounding ground. Debris swirled around the lion, forming a massive pedestal. On top, the rubble coalesced into a sculpture mirroring the Lion Ape’s exact posture from moments ago.
Nitoryu flew back, gripped by the sculpture’s hand and slung over its shoulder.
A lifelike Kabuki Lion Ape now stood on the street.
"These are my spoils", Kuro declared to King Alexander Francis. "I have the right to claim them. But I think leaving it here suits the scene. I’m sure you’ll respect my decision, won’t you? After all, I’m a Marine Headquarters Commander and directly under an Admiral. You’ll grant me this courtesy, right?"
The king shivered under Kuro’s gaze, sensing the unspoken threat in his words.
"O-of course, Commander Kuro! Do as you please!" King Alexander Francis stammered.
"Screech!!"
A sudden cry echoed from the sky. Kuro turned to see the flock of birds scattering, diving toward the crowd.
The beasts previously dispersed by Kas and his crew had regrouped.
The Lion Ape’s might had kept them at bay, but now that it was dead, their frenzied fervor overpowered their natural fear.
Kuro’s hand tightened on his hilt, his eyes sharpening.
"Please, no!"
Fen Ni rushed forward, desperate. "They can be saved! I know what’s wrong with them—I can fix it!"
Kuro ignored her. With a single slash, black light erupted, cleaving through the air.
"How could you… I really could have saved them…"
Fen Ni collapsed, her voice hollow with despair.
She had seen the Navy’s power firsthand. No matter how many beasts charged, they posed no threat to him.
"Crushing Pressure."
The slash landed.
Killing Intent surged like a tangible force, sweeping over the beasts.
The creatures froze mid-charge, then collapsed. Birds in the sky rolled their eyes back and plummeted.
If they had cowered before the Lion Ape’s aura, they were even more helpless against Kuro’s Killing Intent.
Click.
Kuro sheathed his blade. Only then did he turn to Fen Ni. "What’s wrong with them?"
Fen Ni straightened, hope reigniting. "My serum! A year ago, I lost a batch—one of them enhances life but has a side effect of inducing madness. The Lion Ape must have found it and used it on these beasts."
Kuro’s expression turned incredulous. "Enhances life? And madness is the side effect? Isn’t that basically a berserker potion? You call that a side effect?"
So the whole time, she was a genuine witch after all.
The Lion Ape was a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user—clearly no mythical beast. Its humanoid form suggested an ape-man, capable of speech. With human intelligence and its innate ability to command animals, gathering beasts was simple. Add the serum, and a Beast King army became possible.
"Can you make an antidote?" Kuro asked.
Fen Ni nodded. "Give me a day."
"A day…"
Kuro nodded, turning to King Alexander Francis. "Hey, I’m tired. Find me a place to rest."
"Y-yes! Right away!"
The king scrambled to order his officials to escort Kuro and his group.
Kuro glanced once more at the sculpture, shaking his head. "What a fool…"
…
The next day, Fen Ni completed the antidote. Its smoke spread over the fallen beasts, rousing them. One by one, they awoke with startled cries, fleeing like shadows chased by daylight.
Their escape, however, was sluggish—drained, as if hollowed out.
"Does the berserker serum have this side effect?" Kuro asked.
"No!" Fen Ni replied confidently. "My serum only has one side effect! This is the antidote serum—it purges the remaining serum from their bodies. The side effect is temporary weakness."
Kuro stared. "You’re proud of that?"
"Of course! None of my serums have been tested on humans, so I’m not entirely sure!" Fen Ni grinned, giving a thumbs-up.
Kuro: "…"
"At last, they’re saved!" Fen Ni watched the retreating beasts, beaming. "Now I can finally leave to explore! The Grand Line must have herbs I’ve never seen. Finding them is my dream."
"Just don’t become a pirate", Kuro said. "Traveling the Grand Line is safe enough if you’re not one."
"Pirates are the worst! Dual Horse Country was ruined by them!" Fen Ni waved him off, gazing at the sky. "I’m setting sail to find a woman. My mother—my mentor—owed her an apology. I’ll find her and tell her her discovery was right all along."
Hmph. So there’s a story here?
"Don’t tell me. I don’t want to hear it."
Hearing one story was already exhausting. Another might kill him.
"Eh?" Fen Ni blinked. "I wasn’t going to! I just said it out loud. Anyway, I’ll find Lisa!"
"Who?!"
Kuro paused mid-step, turning sharply. "Did you say who?"
(End of Chapter)
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