https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-412-Marineford-is-Also-Entrusted-to-You/13537408/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-414-Perfect-I-m-in-a-Bad-Mood-Anyway/13537444/
Chapter 413: Nothing to Hide
Chapter 413: Nothing to Hide
"What?"
Kuro blinked. "You're saying I'll have direct command over what?"
"Marineford, or rather, the new G-1."
Akainu said, "Any problem with that?"
Are you kidding me?!
"I mean, even if I got promoted, I'm still just a Vice Admiral. Bases with a G-prefix require at least a Vice Admiral as base commander, and usually a senior one at that. If you hand this to me, the subordinates will grumble."
"This is a command. You just need to accept it. Marineford will have a base commander, but you'll have direct authority. There aren't many qualified for the first half—we've sent most to the New World. Only you can do this, unless the World Government—"
At this, Akainu's face darkened again. He pressed his lips together and said, "Anyway, that's settled. Accept the command. You should depart for Shabondy now."
Kuro opened his mouth, but the words to negotiate stuck in his throat. This was Akainu, not Lucius Kro. Arguing further might just make him head to the New World himself.
"Goodbye!"
Kuro gritted out through his teeth and left.
Watching him go, Akainu narrowed his eyes and clenched his fist again.
Kuro was bitter.
But Akainu thought it was justified.
Anyone in this situation would be bitter.
Without the World Government's restrictions, this powerful figure would've already proceeded to the New World with him. Even as a Vice Admiral, with his "kill all pirates" mentality, promotion was inevitable.
But Akainu couldn't say this aloud.
That wasn't his nature.
Whatever the World Government demanded, he'd bear it alone. No need for explanations.
So Akainu devised another plan. Even if Kuro was temporarily "confined" to Shabondy, there were other ways.
The command of Marineford—the new G-1 Branch, guarding Mariejois—was no small matter. Originally meant for a senior Vice Admiral, he'd given this authority to Kuro to hasten his promotion.
With this power, those foolish pirates would surely be eliminated.
Even the World Government wouldn't have an excuse to stop them then.
That man, with his strength and resolve, would definitely succeed.
Kuro didn't know this, of course. If he did, he'd stubbornly refuse the command.
Kuro left, burdened with sorrow.
Yet again, he was promoted with a cynical expression.
As he sailed toward Shabondy, his face remained gloomy.
No one dared provoke him now.
At least Klah didn't.
During their time on Pegasus Island, Kuro had given Klah "special training." Even recalling it now, his body ached.
As for Sazil beside him—
"Hisss!"
Sazil inhaled sharply, instinctively touching his swollen face. He'd been through Klah's "special training" too.
Even with Armament Haki, he couldn't escape the beating.
But—
Sazil extended his hand, concentrating Haki onto his fingers. His Haki had grown stronger.
"Just wait. When I get stronger, I'll pay you back!" he vowed silently.
"You're injured? Try this new medicine."
Fen Ni approached, holding out a vial. "New experiment. Heals external wounds instantly—cuts, bruises, anything."
"Really?"
Sazil's eyes lit up. He snatched the bottle and poured the liquid onto his face.
"Whoa! It's working fast. Feels cool!"
Sazil marveled, "The pain's already less."
"Eh? Amazing! Sazil, your injuries are gone!" Lida exclaimed.
"Is that—"
Sazil looked around desperately, then called to the Warship Navy escorting them, "Bring me a mirror!"
Soon, a Navy officer handed him a mirror. Sazil stared, eyes widening. His face was flawless.
"Actually healed! Fen Ni, this serum is—"
Sazil grinned, but his smile suddenly twisted into maniacal laughter.
".Awesome! Hahahaha!"
He threw his head back, cackling wildly. "Awesome! So awesome! I'm so excited! So crazy!!"
"Sazil, what's wrong with you?" Klah asked coldly.
"Hahahaha, Klah, hahaha, Mr., hahaha!" Sazil kept laughing.
The words themselves weren't offensive, but the laughter made it sound mocking.
Especially now, when Klah was still sore from Kuro's "training."
"Do you want more training?!" Klah growled, vein throbbing, and dragged Sazil away by his collar. "Come on! Looks like yesterday's session wasn't enough!"
Fen Ni nodded, jotting in her notebook: "Side effect: maniacal laughter? Need improvement."
Kuro: "... ..."
"What's going on?" he asked.
"Eh? You didn't know?"
Lida said, "Fen Ni's serum works great, but it has side effects. Last time on Pegasus Island, the Lion Ape got hold of it—that's what caused all that trouble!"
"Really?"
Kuro rubbed his chin. He'd thought it was a coincidence.
So the serum really had side effects...
What kind of stuff am I collecting?
Thinking this, Kuro felt a pang of bitterness.
Lida was a glutton.
Klah was a scapegoat and useless genius.
Kas was a hotheaded idiot.
The subordinates—
Ju Geng was deaf.
Donald was a stubborn oddball.
Sazil was a big punching bag.
And now, even Fen Ni, the only one not directly under him, turned out to be a freak with guaranteed side effects.
Not one of them was reliable!
If even one were slightly competent, he wouldn't be stuck going to Shabondy.
Back to the Grand Line!
To the cursed starting point of the New World—the Shabondy Archipelago.
That place was full of freaks. Not an easy place at all.
"Mr. Kuro!"
Just then, Klah came running over, freshly done beating Sazil. "I've got an idea!"
"Hm? Another bad plan?" Kuro said skeptically.
"It's like this, Mr. Kuro—"
Klah pushed his glasses up, leaning in to whisper, but Kuro waved him off. "Speak plainly. Nothing to hide. Be upright. No sneaking around."
"Mr. Kuro, I think we should target the Celestial Dragons in Shabondy—"
Smack!
Kuro instinctively covered Klah's mouth. "Don't say that here. Let's go to the office."
(End of Chapter)
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