Chapter 414: Perfect, I'm in a Bad Mood Anyway
Chapter 414: Perfect, I’m in a Bad Mood Anyway
Kuro led Klah to the office, with Lida trailing behind.
Though this ship wasn’t his, as the highest officer aboard, temporarily requisitioning it posed no issue.
The commander escorting them had already disembarked. Kuro slumped into a chair, casually pulling out a cigar and lighting it. He exhaled a plume of smoke before asking Klah, “Spit it out—what’s your plan? Why target the World Nobles?”
The question made him recall something. Besides its chaos, Shabondy had another major source of turmoil—the World Nobles. Located directly beneath Mariejois, that place was frequently visited by these elites.
Their unique status meant even the Navy or pirate gangs wouldn’t dare provoke them. That was the real headache.
Kuro despised the World Nobles, avoiding any association.
“What? Me, part of the Navy? The Navy and World Nobles don’t have a damn thing to do with each other!” Klah said confidently, “We could orchestrate an incident against the World Nobles, prompting them to file a complaint against you. Once the World Government hears, they’ll have no choice but to demote you—maybe even send you back to Pegasus Island!”
The logic was sound. The World Nobles were the World Government’s pampered aristocracy—untouchable by anyone. Ordinary folks who crossed them would warrant an Admiral’s intervention. But if Kuro handled it carefully, he might finally get his wish.
“You’re joking, right? Why would I go out of my way to provoke those trash? Don’t want to get my hands dirty,” Kuro scoffed, raising an eyebrow.
He had no interest in arguing with those overgrown infants. Provoking them recklessly? He lacked both the patience and magnanimity for that. If his temper flared and he accidentally killed one, he’d have no choice but to pack his bags and seek out Zeff.
“Drop it—it’s not feasible,” Kuro waved dismissively. “Got any other ideas?”
“None.”
Klah shook his head. Without the World Nobles, nothing short of a god’s intervention could force Kuro’s demotion.
“Promotion, promotion, promotion—what a joke!” Kuro shot up from his chair, blowing out a furious stream of smoke. Clenching his cigar between his teeth, he paced back and forth, cursing, “Piss me off enough, and I’ll flatten Shabondy myself! Let’s see where those pirates gather then—Marineford?”
“You’re just raging impotently again,” Lida quipped.
“Shut up!” Kuro glared. “Got a better plan?”
“Nope. I just want to visit Paradise.”
Lida shrugged, her tone hopeful. “Last time was too rushed. This time, I’m definitely going to Shabondy’s Paradise.”
“You…”
Kuro sighed helplessly, waving his hand. “Fine, go play. Let me suffer alone.”
“Promotion isn’t so bad,” Lida added.
“You wouldn’t understand!” Kuro rolled his eyes—literally, giving her a full White Eye. “Out! All of you! Let me have some peace!”
“Fine,” Lida muttered flatly, exiting.
Klah bowed briefly to Kuro before stepping out as well.
Kuro slumped back into his chair, gazing through the window at the Grand Line, his expression distant.
“World Nobles…”
He clicked his tongue, smoke swirling around his face, obscuring his features.
…
From Marineford to Shabondy took half a day—no need for exhausting travel.
Yet as they approached Shabondy…
Boom!
Cannon fire erupted around them, visible even from the warship.
“What’s going on?”
Kuro stood on the deck, watching the chaos. “Has Shabondy descended into this much chaos already? It’s only been a year since the Top War. Headquarters hasn’t even fully relocated yet—how are they already firing cannons willy-nilly?”
“Reporting, Vice Admiral Kuro,” a commander saluted. “With Headquarters overwhelmed, we’ve been unable to manage Shabondy effectively. The situation here has indeed grown… chaotic.”
“Troublesome,” Kuro muttered, scanning the crew. “You—what’s your name?”
“Commander Wilbur, sir!” the officer straightened.
“Wilbur, assemble your men. We’ll conduct a little cleansing operation. Can’t have this mess unsettling my stay,” Kuro said, clapping Wilbur’s shoulder. “Naturally, the credit’s yours—just give my subordinates a token share.”
“Unworthy of such honor!” Wilbur stiffened further, though his eyes gleamed.
Who was this man before him? The Navy’s Super Novas who’d defeated ‘Solitary Crimson’ Lucius! Had it not been for the World Government’s disapproval, he’d already be an Admiral.
Within the Navy, many—including Wilbur—resented this decision.
Lucius Kro was a veteran, serving anonymously in the East Blue for a decade. Few had noticed him then, but once he arrived at Headquarters and revealed his strength, some began to understand.
The East Blue’s peace? Likely thanks to this man’s efforts.
At Headquarters, he’d earned Admiral Lucius Kro’s favor, becoming his direct subordinate and amassing countless merits.
Leaving aside his other legendary feats, during the Top War, rumors claimed Whitebeard’s death stemmed from this man intercepting him alone in the New World, weakening him before the battle.
He’d also supposedly stopped Kaido from interfering, saving countless Navy lives.
And though he denied it, he’d even eliminated Shanks.
The infamous Lucius Incident?
With the World Government suppressing Kuro’s promotion, many officers had defected to the North Blue, aiding its four nations instead. Compared to the World Government, those kings were far more appreciative of loyal service.
A man like this, still seeking to earn merit…
The rumors were true—Lucius Kro was a noble, kind-hearted soul.
“I’m undeserving, but defending the Grand Line’s peace is every Navy officer’s duty! Let me contribute, Vice Admiral Kuro!” Wilbur declared, voice trembling with fervor.
Kuro eyed him, surprised. He’d only asked for a little help—why so worked up?
Merit, huh? For ordinary Navy men, it mattered. Not that he cared.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, cannonballs rained from the shore, streaking toward the warship.
“Nailsfist Technique.”
Sazil leapt onto the bow, fist slamming forward. “Exploding Nail!”
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Air currents pierced the cannonballs like nails, detonating them before the warship. The shockwave rocked the vessel.
“Haven’t even set foot ashore, and they dare provoke the Navy?” Kuro’s face darkened, glaring at Shabondy’s silhouette. “Deserving of death, these rabble.”
Perfect. His mood was foul—time to vent.
“Hahaha! Bombard them! Sink that warship!”
Onshore, a green-haired brute with a nose ring cackled maniacally. “A single warship dares enter Shabondy now? Obliterate it! Let the Navy taste our strength!”
…
No one. No one. It’s Christmas Eve, and the lonely remain alone.
I’m just a humble Xian Yu, eternally unable to overturn fate, begging for moonlight in the dark.
(End of Chapter)
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