Chapter 406: One Step Away from Utopia
Chapter 406: One Step Away from Utopia
West Blue.
After several days of sailing, Kuro’s Warship finally crossed the Calm Belt and entered the West Blue region.
By cutting off the Transponder Snail signal in advance and storing his wristwatch Transponder Snail inside the cabin, he hadn’t received a single call.
As for the news seagulls?
They hadn’t even approached before being driven away by Kuro’s Killing Intent. After repeated attempts, the seagulls learned to avoid his aura entirely, leaving him to sail unbothered.
The weather in this sea zone was pleasant. Kuro lounged on a deck chair on the Deck, sipping a cold drink in his left hand and puffing a cigar in his right, occasionally snatching snacks from Lida’s bag. Life was good.
“Hey! Stop stealing my snacks, or I’ll kill you!”
After Kuro took a second round of snacks, Lida finally snapped, hugging her small shoulder bag protectively as she glared.
“What’s the big deal if I eat a little?”
Kuro chuckled, flipping his hand to take a sip of his drink—only to find it empty.
“Klah, I’m out of drinks. Get me another.” He called to Klah beside him.
Klah adjusted his glasses, hesitated, and muttered, “Uh, Mr. Kuro, I am a Headquarters Major, you know…”
He’d been dying to say this for a while. This time, he’d finally had enough.
Sure, he was Kuro’s subordinate, but couldn’t the man show a little respect? He wasn’t some servant to fetch drinks!
“Huh? What about it?” Kuro asked, puzzled.
“…Never mind. I’ll go.”
Klah forced a smile, grabbed the empty glass, and trudged toward the kitchen inside the Warship.
“By the way, where’s Sazil?”
He stopped a passing Navy officer.
“Reporting, Major Klah! Ensign Sazil is at the rear!” the officer snapped to attention.
“Bring him here. I’ll be giving him special training later.” Klah hissed through clenched teeth.
“Aye, sir!”
The officer saluted and sprinted toward the ship’s stern.
Meanwhile, Sazil was perched on the railing, one leg dangling, chatting and laughing with another Navy officer, casually cracking sunflower seeds in his mouth.
“I’m telling you—”
“Ensign Sazil!”
The officer’s interruption froze Sazil mid-crack, a seed dropping from his hand.
“Oh? What’s up?”
Still grinning, Sazil turned, another seed poised at his lips.
“Major Klah is summoning you. He wants you on the Deck immediately for special training.”
The words hit him like a bucket of ice water. His smile shattered.
The seed slipped from his fingers.
His face turned blank, like a startled squirrel, as if he might scream any second.
“Why me again…” he groaned.
Back in the kitchen, Klah was mirroring the same expression as he stared at the tray of drinks.
“Why me again…” he muttered bitterly.
Never mind their mutual dread—Kuro was thoroughly enjoying himself.
His mood was fantastic.
No worries, no interruptions!
At this rate, he could retire peacefully in the West Blue forever.
Sure, the West Blue wasn’t as good as his hometown, East Blue. He’d rather be External Released to his hometown, Shelz Town, replacing the current base commander, Li Pa. But West Blue would do.
Contentment was key.
And he was very content.
Returning to Pegasus Island for retirement? Perfectly satisfying.
A few days later, they arrived at Pegasus Island.
This time, they brought 3,000 Clone Soldiers along with the usual Navy crew.
In a generous mood, Kuro expanded the Marine Base by seizing nearby land.
The new Navy recruits had housing, and the displaced Civilians received hefty compensation. They used the money to settle further out, making Pegasus Island feel even larger.
This was long overdue.
As Pegasus Town grew, the central structures had fallen behind. Compared to Kuro’s new developments, the old areas felt shabby.
Besides being the base commander, Kuro had also become the island’s de facto lord by purchasing vast tracts of wasteland. Improving residents’ quality of life was part of the job.
The wasteland was redeveloped for free—better housing near the bustling new districts, plus demolition and relocation compensation. Combined with Kuro’s popularity, no one objected.
The 3,000 Clone Soldiers were stationed on Pegasus Island, officially joining the Navy.
While a typical Four Seas Branch Base wouldn’t need such a massive force, no one dared question Kuro’s authority.
He’d brought them back, and that was that.
Other officers parachuted into power without deep connections would never get such treatment.
Even if they rose to rank, without genuine support and recognition, their efforts would always face resistance.
As for the 3,000 Clone Soldiers? Kuro might grumble about the hassle, but stationing them here strengthened Pegasus Island’s defenses.
No reckless pirates would dare ambush now.
A large pirate fleet might match their numbers, but quality-wise, trained Clone Soldiers—superior even to regular Navy—were in a different league.
Back on Pegasus Island, Kuro holed up in the base, avoiding public appearances.
Kas trained the Navy and Clone Soldiers daily, even giving the clones names.
“What? No names? Just numbers like 01, 02, 03?” he exclaimed.
“A name is the first proof of one’s existence! Since you lack them, I’ll grant you new ones!”
“Hmm… How about ‘Lusilu’? Like Commodore Kuro’s surname? No, too sacred. How about ‘Dougleg’? From now on, you’re all ‘Dougleg’!”
With that speech, the 3,000 Clone Soldiers gained a surname, instantly making ‘Dougleg’ the most common name on Pegasus Island.
Major Klah continued training Sazil.
Lida spent her days wandering the island, gorging on food.
From his high-rise office, Kuro watched the peaceful scene below—Klah, Lida, Kas, and the soldiers going about their lives. He nodded, sighing like an old man reflecting on his journey.
“Everything’s finally on track…”
Peace!
Safety!
Comfort!
His ultimate ideal was now just one step away!
As he mused, downstairs at the base entrance, Klah, Lida, and Kas stood hesitating at the door.
“I’ll go first!”
Kas stepped forward, but Lida grabbed his arm, her strength pinning him in place.
“Are you insane?!”
“Why not? This is great news! Shouldn’t Mr. Kuro know?”
Lida frantically waved him off, pressing a finger to her lips. “Shhh! Be careful! He’ll hear you!”
Klah silently crushed the newspaper in his hand.
Better not say anything. If Kuro flew into a rage, Lida would be safe, Kas would just annoy him, but he would be the one to suffer.
(End of Chapter)
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