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Chapter 377: A Safe Life
Chapter 377: A Safe Life (Transition Chapter)
Lisa?
That name wasn’t ancient, but it was one Kuro would never forget.
It was precisely because of that woman’s death that an entire kingdom had been reduced to a phantom hell.
So she was born in the Dual Horse Country of West Blue?
Kuro glanced at Fen Ni, who sat beside him, her presence stirring quiet longing. He opened his mouth, then closed it again.
Sometimes, leaving a sliver of hope was better than cutting it all away.
There was no need to be ruthless.
The next few days would mark King Alexander Francis’s coronation ceremony. However, after the beast’s attack on the city, Kuro had lost all enthusiasm for the event—along with most civilians.
Meanwhile, the Kabuki Performers stationed at the palace gazed at the massive statue standing in the streets, their expressions oddly complex.
As expected, after the coronation, half of the Kabuki Performers vanished from Benma Castle.
But that was none of Kuro’s concern.
“Remember your promise. We’ve retrieved your fiancée. As for the population, pick whoever you want and send them to Pegasus Island.”
After the ceremony, Kuro bid farewell to King Alexander Francis and led his group out of Benma Castle, heading to the Proceedport to return home.
Among the group, all clad in white uniforms, a single black-cloaked figure stood out starkly.
“What are you following us for?” Kuro turned to Fen Ni.
“If you’re heading out to sea, you can tag along. We’ll drop you off at Pegasus Island, but that’s it.”
“No, that’s not it,” Fen Ni shook her head, pointing at Kas. “That bearded guy invited me to join the Navy. It sounds good—after all, searching for people and herbal medicines alone is impossible. The Navy is the strongest organization in the world, so I agreed.”
“Eh? Kas?” Kuro blinked in surprise.
“Indeed, Commander Kuro!” Kas declared proudly. “Miss Fen Ni’s medicinal skills are extraordinary. These past few days, some subordinates got drunk, and her serum sobered them up instantly. Injuries healed quickly when treated with her serum. That’s why I invited her to join the Navy.”
She’s got that effect too?
“Well, whatever. If she wants to join, let her,” Kuro shrugged.
Who was he to stop someone from joining the Navy?
Besides, Fen Ni seemed harmless enough—unlike that bearded troublemaker.
Thinking of that, Kuro’s temper flared.
He’d become a Commodore!
Okay, he hadn’t officially taken the post yet, but technically, he was one!
Who else could be behind this but that culprit, Kas?
What’s that? You say I saved lives in the Insect Country?
I’ll save your grandmother’s ghost!
Cursing under his breath, the group reached the docks and boarded their warship, finally returning to Pegasus Island.
“Wow, Pegasus Island has become so peaceful!”
Stepping off the ship, Fen Ni marveled at the tranquil Pegasus Town, her voice tinged with awe. “This is the Navy’s strength—it’s amazing!”
In her memory, Pegasus Island had always been a war zone. Even if the Navy had supposedly restored order, she’d expected ruins and chaos.
Yet here was a bustling town, clean and orderly, filled with people going about their lives. It was enough to leave Fen Ni stunned.
“Do as you please. Kas, take Fen Ni to handle the paperwork. The rest of you, get back to work.”
Kuro muttered a dismissal before heading to his office, with Lida and Klah trailing behind. Once inside, he slumped into his chair—the first time he’d sat in it for days—and sprawled like a lazy cat.
“Finally bloody back.”
Lighting a cigar, he exhaled smoke. “Is everything finally settled? No more trouble? Kas has cleared out most pirates nearby. Lida’s business is done. We’ve visited the Dual Horse Country. The population boost for Pegasus Island’s prosperity is achieved. No more headaches, right? Can I finally have some peace?”
“Klah! You don’t have any stories brewing, do you?!”
He suddenly turned to Klah, suspicion in his voice.
Klah pursed his lips. What stories could he have? His tale had ended long ago in the East Blue—otherwise, would he have been dragged into the Navy by this idiot?
“I understand, Mr. Kuro,” Klah suppressed a sigh, replying obediently.
“Good. If you do, handle it yourself!” Kuro glared, blowing another puff of smoke. “Since there’s nothing left, we’ll proceed methodically. Pegasus Island must develop. As for pirates, I won’t seek glory, but my subordinates can handle them. Klah, you’ll oversee this. Keep things under control—don’t let that idiot Kas stir up trouble. Of course, I’ll keep an eye too.”
“Yes, I’ll ensure it,” Klah nodded.
As for the others, Kuro had no concerns. He’d come to understand their characters over this time.
Donald, from the Flower Country, was a wandering martial arts fanatic—straightforward, lucky to survive his childhood. His master dead, he wandered alone, no grudges left, his only enemy once mistakenly targeted him, but he’d moved on. Now he sought only to refine his martial cultivation.
Ju Geng—
That deaf man was nothing special, just mildly annoying.
Sazil seemed uneventful too. He could serve as a backup scapegoat, pairing well with Klah.
If future troubles arose, these two would be perfect fall guys.
One named Klah, one named Kuro—the similar pronunciations would confuse any blame.
As for the new recruit Fen Ni, she was no concern. Not his subordinate, nor a subordinate’s subordinate—just a regular Navy recruit.
“Hmm,” Kuro nodded, glancing out the window. “Better to have everything settle into routine. Peaceful development is the true path. All these chaotic incidents are exhausting.”
From East Blue to Headquarters in under a year, he’d felt more strain than a decade in East Blue ever brought.
He’d tangled with top-tier influences, faced Grand Line’s bizarre Devil Fruit users, and even in West Blue, that Luo Shen still gave him chills.
The Grand Line was truly perilous.
If he weren’t slightly stronger than most, he’d have been buried long ago.
But thankfully, it was over.
West Blue, though near the New World, was still one of the Four Seas. Despite Black Gangs and powerful nations, it couldn’t rival the Grand Line’s freaks.
If another monster emerged, he’d just return to Headquarters.
Too much hassle.
Outside the window, the town lay serene. Citizens lived peacefully—merchants trading, builders constructing, all in harmony.
Wasn’t this… nice enough?
Dreams? He had none.
Wait—yes, one.
I, Lucius Kro, have but one dream—to live safely through this life.
(Volume 1, End)
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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