https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-41-I-ll-Definitely-Stop-You-from-Returning-to-East-Blue-/13535763/
Chapter 42: Lucius Kro
Chapter 42: Lucius Kro
"Stay at Headquarters?"
Kuro's face, which had nearly flown off from shock, crashed back down to earth.
"Headquarters?"
He repeated the word again.
"Yes!"
Koby nodded enthusiastically. "Sorry for keeping it secret, Mr. Kuro, but I've actually been promoted to Headquarters Sergeant. Since you can match me in battle, your strength qualifies you to stay at Headquarters. From today onward, you're transferred to Headquarters as an Ensign. Congratulations, Mr. Kuro!"
"Headquarters?"
Kuro muttered the word again, as if he hadn't heard Koby at all.
"Erm", Koby waved a hand in front of Kuro's face, "Mr. Kuro—no, Ensign Kuro—are you too happy to speak?"
I'll be damned if I'm happy!
Kuro snatched the document from Koby's hand and glared at it.
The paper was clear—his new rank as Headquarters Ensign, Lida and Klah now enlisted as Headquarters Recruits.
"Why... why am I stuck at Headquarters?"
His voice was as hollow as if Lida had drained every drop of his energy.
Koby lifted his head proudly. "Because of me, Mr. Kuro! With talent like yours, only Headquarters can let you shine!"
Kuro nearly drew his sword to cleave Koby in half.
You didn't mention you were a Sergeant earlier?!
Wait—if you're a Sergeant, why were you training recruits?!
Officers above Headquarters Sergeant aren't even supposed to attend training!
If I'd known you'd been promoted, I'd have collapsed on the spot and surrendered!
Seeing Kuro's dazed expression, Koby misinterpreted it as stunned joy and grinned. "Mr. Kuro, I'll definitely learn from you in the future. I've decided—I'll surpass you before becoming a Navy Officer. Gotta go now, Mr. Kuro!"
NO!
Wait!
I don't want to stay at Headquarters at all!
Kuro reached out, watching Koby sprint away, and instinctively clutched his chest.
"What's wrong?" Lida asked.
"I feel like someone stabbed me in the heart."
Kuro inhaled deeply. "No, I need to stay calm. It's just a transfer to Headquarters—I can still guard East Blue. I still have Smoker. Smoker would never screw me over like Koby."
"Hey, Kuro! Been looking for you all over!"
As if summoned, Smoker appeared, Tashigi trailing behind, a cigar dangling from his lips. "Just timed it with your training ending. Got your transfer orders here."
Kuro's hope reignited. Smoker was reliable!
"East Blue?!" Kuro asked, eager.
"Not East Blue."
Smoker glanced away, avoiding eye contact.
"West Sea?"
"No."
"South Sea?"
"No."
"North Sea?"
"Why do you always think of the Four Seas?"
"G-8 Fortress?" Kuro tried again.
Smoker shook his head. "Even safer than G-8."
"Where?!"
"Headquarters."
Kuro stared at him, slowly enunciating each syllable. "Smoker?!"
Smoker turned his head aside. "I did my best."
"You did your best leaving me at Headquarters?!"
Kuro grabbed Smoker's collar, snarling. "You promised me a completely safe post! Explain yourself, or I swear I'll make you lose a hand right here. You'd fit right in as another one-armed man!"
"Headquarters is completely safe!"
Kuro's face went blank as he released Smoker.
"Ah, right. I forgot."
His mind had been fixated on the upcoming Summit War, neglecting that before that, Headquarters was the safest place in the world—safer than anywhere else.
"Here, the papers." Smoker thrust the documents into Kuro's hands, already backing away. "Got a mission—urgent! Come on, Tashigi, let's go!"
He vanished in a blur, trailing white smoke, desperate to escape Kuro's wrath.
Kuro didn't bother catching the papers—Lida did.
"Kuro", Lida's eyes widened. "Looks like we're assigned to Admiral Lucius Kro's command."
"What?!"
Kuro snatched the papers, scanning them.
Black on white—his new status as Headquarters Ensign, now under Lucius Kro's forces.
His chest bore two wounds now.
But he was getting used to it.
"It's fine, it's fine. Admiral Kro's the typical type who avoids work. Joining his forces is actually a relief. He doesn't know my strength—I'll keep it hidden and stay out of trouble", Kuro reassured himself.
"Who's Kuro? Who's Kuro?!"
A thunderous bellow echoed from afar.
A burly man waved a photo in the air, charging toward Kuro. Comparing the picture to his face, he snapped to attention. "Ensign Kuro! I'm Colonel Wade, direct subordinate of Admiral Lucius Kro. The Admiral requests your immediate presence."
Seems efficient enough.
Kuro sighed deeply, handing the documents to Lida. "Alright, lead the way."
Lucius Kro—Borsalino, one of the Navy's Three Admirals, a pinnacle force of the World Government.
Ppap Creator.
Suspected Revolutionary Army mole.
Nicknamed "Monkey D. Kuzan"?
Pfft.
To Kuro, he was simply a man who harmonized with light and dust—nothing more.
In this world, Lucius Kro was someone Kuro genuinely admired.
Being under his command wasn't bad at all.
Better than serving under Akainu—way too rigid.
Kuzan wouldn't work either. Though lazy and somewhat similar to Kuro, their similarities might cause clashes.
Only Lucius Kro—diplomatic and reasonable—was the ideal superior.
Inside a typical Japanese-style tenshukaku, Kuro reached the top floor, slid open the door, and entered a vast office facing a plaque reading: Vague Justice.
A man in a yellow suit, at ease, trimmed his nails casually.
"Oh, you're here, Lucius Kro."
Admiral Lucius Kro set down his clippers, lips curling into an amused arc. "Come in."
"Admiral Lucius Kro, first meeting", Kuro saluted, expression serious.
"Eh, no need for formality. Sit."
Lucius Kro gestured to the chair opposite him. Kuro obeyed.
The moment he sat, Kuro asked, "Admiral, I don't understand why I'm in your forces. I'm just a Navy officer from East Blue—too weak, and I'd only burden your team."
"Why not? Maybe a whim, maybe something else."
Lucius Kro pulled out a cigar box, offering one. "Smoke?"
Kuro took it, lit it, and his eyes widened instantly.
High quality!
No wonder—an Admiral's cigar.
"Someone said you're my illegitimate son."
"Cough cough!"
Kuro choked violently on the smoke, stunned into silence.
(End of Chapter)
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