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Chapter 379: You'd Better Pull It Out Quickly!
Chapter 379: You'd Better Pull It Out Quickly!
"Hey? Kuro?"
The old Navy officer was none other than Garp. Looking at the bruised Sazil, he burst into laughter:
"Hah! Long time no see, you're getting beaten up again!"
Sazil pursed his lips, swallowing back greetings he'd planned to say. His face flushed red as a blue vein throbbed on his forehead. "This isn't getting beaten up! How could Navy training ever be called 'getting beaten up'? This is standard physical conditioning!"
He rambled on about "training makes you stronger" and "basic drills", which only made Garp laugh harder.
"Vice Admiral Garp, long time no see."
Klah, who'd been stomping on Sazil, withdrew his foot and straightened his collar. Walking over, he asked curiously, "Are you here to see Mr. Kuro? On official business?"
"Hah! The old admiral retired ages ago - no missions for me this time. I'm just here to relax!"
Garp grinned. "It's Koby who's on duty. Hey Koby, come over."
Koby approached, greeting Klah politely. "Long time no see, Mr. Klah!"
"Hmph, indeed. You're wearing a hooded cloak now", Klah noted the garment behind Koby's back.
"That's right!"
Koby smiled proudly. "I've been promoted to major!"
Major.
Klah raised an eyebrow. Had this kid actually reached peer level with him?
"And don't forget me! I'm a lieutenant now!" Helmeppo strutted over boastfully.
"Major, huh? Not bad. Keep it up", Klah said with seniority, patting Koby's shoulder.
"Yes sir! I'll keep improving!" Koby stood straighter, shouting.
"Hey! Acknowledge me too! Pay attention to me, damn it!" Helmeppo's blue veins bulged as he yelled.
"Helmeppo, Koby, long time no see."
The battered Sazil stood, dusting himself off calmly.
"Oh! Kuro! The moment I walked in I saw Klah beating you up! Hah! What rotten luck!" Helmeppo mercilessly mocked.
"That's right, Mr. Sazil gets used for training at Headquarters too", Koby barely suppressed a chuckle.
Sazil's face darkened. "Helmeppo! Want to spar with me?!"
Why target him? Because he was the only one Helmeppo could actually beat!
Hmph!
"Tch! I don't have time to spar with you! I'm here on important business!" Helmeppo scoffed.
"Speaking of which, we came to see Mr. Kuro. Is he here?" Koby remembered, ending their reunion.
"Mr. Kuro?"
Sazil knew they weren't referring to him. He stayed silent. Klah answered instead.
At the mention of that name, Klah's face clouded. Pointing upward, he said, "He's in his office. Wait, I'll go with you."
He walked toward the adjacent building. Soon, he returned carrying a tray with two drinks.
"What's that?" Koby asked, puzzled.
Klah pursed his lips. "I'm bringing drinks for Mr. Kuro. Honestly, with so many Navy officers around, why did he choose me?!"
The thought annoyed him. At least beating up that 'Kuro' earlier had eased his frustration.
Leading the group into the fortress, Klah noted how grand and spacious the Navy base's interior was.
"This used to be civilian housing before. After expansion, Mr. Kuro completely renovated it into what you see now."
Balancing the tray, Klah explained as they walked. Marine Bases lacked uniform architecture - some were simple like Loguetown, others grand like Base 153, since none had the 'G' prefix.
At the topmost floor stood a single office. As Klah arrived, he heard crisp voices from inside.
"Kuro, hurry up!"
"Don't rush! Slower movements work better!"
"But I can't take it anymore! You've gotta pull it out now!"
"I said don't panic - I'm pulling it out already! See? It's out!"
Pushing the door open, Klah found Kuro and Lida facing each other. The table overflowed with towering Jenga blocks. Kuro had just yanked one from the bottom, grinning as the tower stood.
"Your turn, Lida!"
"Tch! It didn't fall? Watch me!"
Lida rolled up her sleeves, reaching for a block. The moment her fingers touched, the tower wobbled and collapsed with a crash.
"Hah! You lose!" Kuro pointed and laughed.
"So what if I lost? Let's play again! This time I won't lose!" Lida pouted, annoyed.
She noticed Klah at the door and brightened. "Klah! Finally! Bring me the drinks, hey?"
"What's wrong, Lida?"
Kuro had his back to the door, resetting the blocks. When she froze, he instinctively turned.
"Hah! Kuro, you little brat! Long time no see!" Garp strode in, laughing loudly.
"Wha - Garp?!"
Kuro's Jenga block slipped from his hand. He stared, exclaiming, "What are you doing here?!"
"Old man came to relax! Bring out your senbei - I brought tea!" Garp pulled out a tea tin.
Kuro rolled his eyes. "You think this is Sengoku's place? No senbei here - I hate that stuff!"
"No problem, old man brought his own."
Garp settled on another sofa with his senbei bag.
Kuro: "..."
"Mr. Kuro, long time no see!"
Koby beamed. "I saw Pegasus Town! You're amazing!"
"Ah, you two idiots - I mean, you two came too?" Kuro finally noticed Koby and Helmeppo, rising from the sofa. "Lida, we're done playing."
He walked to his desk, pulling out a cigar box to offer to Koby and Helmeppo.
They shook their heads, declining.
Lighting one himself, Kuro smiled. "Not bad, huh? My town. I've invested a lot here."
Across from the desk, an open-air balcony circled the office, offering panoramic views of Pegasus Town.
"Compared to last year, Pegasus Town's area has tripled. All the expansion zones are my properties."
Waving Klah over, he accepted a drink before handing another to Lida. Exhaling smoke, he continued, "Since you're guests, I can't not host. Enjoy yourselves - no charges. Klah, show them around."
"Thank you, Mr. Kuro, but I actually came because-"
"Klah, show them around already! Don't make me lose face as a host!" Kuro urged.
"Mr. Kuro-"
Koby cut in. "Headquarters couldn't reach you. They sent me to escort you back for a report. It's been a long time since you returned."
"Hello, this is Navy Base Pegasus Island. Base Commander Lucius Kro speaking. What? Pirates spotted?! Understood, I'll be right there!"
As Koby spoke, Kuro swiftly activated the Transponder Snail on his desk. Holding the receiver, he stood to leave.
He turned serious. "There's pirate activity nearby. As the local Navy station, it's my responsibility to eliminate them. Wait for me."
"Kuro, you little brat."
Garp leisurely munching senbei added, "Zeff, something's happening."
Those words froze Kuro mid-step.
Sighing resignedly, he returned to his desk. "I was stationed peacefully at Pegasus Island. Why did they have to come find me..."
(End of Chapter)
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