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Chapter 410: If Not Navy, Should I Become a Farmer?
Chapter 410: If Not Navy, Should I Become a Farmer?
As Kuro sat there brooding...
Mariejois.
This was the location on the Red Line where the World Nobles resided. Among the golden palaces here stood the largest one - Pangu Palace.
Within the palace, a specific room known as the "Rights Chamber" served as the meeting place for the World Government's supreme rulers - the Five Elders.
"The old man disagrees!"
Inside the chamber, Akainu stood rigidly, his white dress uniform crisp, crimson high-collared shirt visible beneath his wide-collared coat. A beard had begun to form around his lips as he addressed the five elders before him, some seated and some standing. His voice carried firm resolve.
"Lucius Kro is an exceptionally honorable Navy officer. To suppress his promotion over a mere complaint from some North Blue family is utterly unreasonable! On the matter of defeating Lucius, the old man will not yield an inch!"
"Enough, Sakazuki."
The tall, gaunt elderly man with a long beard spoke calmly. "The Vinsmoke Family maintains close ties with the World Nobles. Many of their clone soldiers have been purchased by the nobles. This matter now involves not just that family, but the World Nobles themselves have come to us in protest."
"Are the World Nobles now free to do as they please with Navy affairs!" Akainu's forehead vein throbbed visibly. "I see you five have become mere puppets of the World Nobles!"
"Watch your words, Sakazuki!" The bespectacled elder holding a blade spoke coldly. "Your Navy is merely an external organization of the World Government. When did you gain the right to interfere in World Government matters?"
"Cut the nonsense! The old man still refuses!"
Akainu clenched his cigar between his teeth, glaring upward. "Lucius Kro has always been due for promotion. Now that that bastard Kuzan has left, the old man has ascended to Fleet Admiral. The Navy should naturally proceed with Admiral appointments. Lucius Kro defeated Lucius, and though he won't admit it, his undeniable defeat of Shanks proves his strength. Such capability is more than sufficient for an Admiral!"
"No."
The elder with a map-like pattern on his head crossed his hands, speaking calmly. "We've heard of this Lucius Kro. His actions in this matter were indeed commendable, but we must consider the implications. That photograph of the 'North Blue Vinsmoke Four Beheading' has caused too much controversy. The Vinsmokes are our partners, so we must make careful choices."
"Correct."
The red-skinned elder nodded. "Let's hold off on making that man an Admiral for now. Though he's under Borsalino's command and the old monkey is reasonable, having too many from the same faction creates complications. Let's wait until that old monkey retires before this man takes over."
"And what about the vacant Admiral position?!" Akainu roared.
"Momousagi and Tatsumaki are still candidates. They can step in if necessary", the curly-haired elder suggested.
"Those are emergency measures. It's not time to use the reserves yet", the bearded elder shook his head. After a moment's thought, he asked, "Sakazuki, do you have any suggestions?"
"The best course is to have Lucius Kro fill an Admiral position immediately, then begin conscripting justice-seekers worldwide into the Navy. Now is the time to show our resolve. Let the pirates of the Grand Line see our determination to eradicate piracy. We can accept anyone willing to join Navy, provided they're not pirates themselves. We should even consider exceptional promotions when necessary!" Akainu declared forcefully.
"An admirable idea, but not for Lucius Kro. He's caused too many complaints to remain in West Blue", the bespectacled elder mused. "Here's a compromise - promote him to Vice Admiral and station him at Shabondy. You're relocating Headquarters, right? Marineford's security will weaken, while Shabondy serves as a direct route to Mariejois. We need a strong Navy presence there. Keeping him under our watch will prevent further reckless actions."
"I agree. Let the storm pass first. Too many complaints about Navy damage our World Government's reputation", the curly-haired elder nodded.
"Fine, Sakazuki. Proceed with your plans", the red-skinned elder concluded.
"Unforgivable!!"
Akainu pressed his lips together, his expression dark with anger. Clenching his fist, he finally turned and stormed out without another word.
As he exited the office, he looked up at the sky and cursed, "Kuzan, you bastard! Your departure has caused all this trouble! Where exactly is your so-called justice?!"
One cannot understand the burdens of a Fleet Admiral without holding the title.
Compared to an Admiral, the Fleet Admiral position involved far more complex matters. Sometimes, the 'better to wrongly kill a thousand than let a hundred escape' approach simply wouldn't suffice.
Perhaps a Fleet Admiral needed a more measured approach.
Akainu tightened his fist, cigar smoke obscuring his expression as his face became indistinct.
...
Three days later.
West Blue.
Pegasus Island.
"Kuro, let's go out for dinner!"
Inside the office, Lida leaned on the desk, her small frame swaying playfully as she wiggled her bottom, smiling at Kuro who slumped in his chair like a dazed idiot muttering "Aba Aba."
Kuro's eyes had become completely lifeless. He wearily glanced at Lida and weakly waved his hand. "Don't bother me. Let me enjoy this last moment of peace."
The ancients said time only drags when one approaches despair.
If you had only three days left, where would you spend them?
There were many answers.
In his previous life, Kuro - a hopeless scholar - might have said, "In the classroom, because every second there feels like an eternity."
Likewise, only in this silent office could he feel time's sluggish passage, delaying his inevitable descent into despair.
Because truly, there was nothing he could do.
The news had spread like wildfire.
Kuro had discreetly checked the island's reaction earlier. It was clear - anyone on the island could excitedly recount his defeat of Lucius.
Even Klah... no, that idiot was useless.
Kuro simply couldn't think of any good solutions anymore.
To engineer a demotion now would require a scandal - deliberately colluding with a major pirate and protecting them at all costs.
But any pirate with that kind of notoriety was either beyond his strength or someone he'd immediately eliminate upon meeting.
After all, a man must have principles.
Even if he truly became an Admiral, he couldn't bring himself to do such things.
And yet, he had no other options.
What else could he do besides slumping here like Xian Yu?
Resign?
Don't be ridiculous.
If not Navy, should he become a farmer?
Was he destined to become the King of Farmers?
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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