https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-439-If-They-Don-t-Transfer-Me-I-ll-Eat-This-Table-/13537576/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-441-Upholding-Principles-in-Life/13537636/
Chapter 440: I Will Be the Spear Ahead
Chapter 440: I Will Be the Spear Ahead
New Marine Headquarters.
Fleet Admiral's Office.
Akainu hung up the call, cigar smoke swirling around his face until his features blurred into obscurity. Faintly, the curve of his lips remained visible.
"Good work."
After a long silence, he finally spoke.
Beside him, Lucius Kro sat leisurely sipping tea, raising an eyebrow. "Oh~ Is this about Kuro?"
"Hmph. Didn't you already know, Lucius Kro? That brat slaughtered quite a few people at Shabondy."
Akainu continued, "The Five Elders sent inquiries. Many complained about your handling of the situation there."
"Oh~ How terrifying", Lucius Kro chuckled, unfazed. "So what's the verdict on Kuro?"
"Verdict?" Akainu's lips curled into a smirk. "You want me to punish Kuro, Borsalino?"
Lucius Kro shrugged noncommittally.
"No need for punishment", Akainu declared. "He did well. That kind of ruthless efficiency is exactly what the Navy should embody. This matter won't be investigated by those old men above, but even if it were, they'd still back him!"
"Oh~ You've got heart, and the old men agree", Lucius Kro sipped his tea calmly. "If Mariejois has matters to discuss, the old men do have time to visit soon."
"The old men understand your meaning. They'll convey it."
Akainu nodded, adding, "As for Kuro, let him stay at Shabondy for now. When the opportunity arises, the old men will bring him up."
His fist glowed crimson. "Justice must never be defiled. For a Navy officer who upholds Justice, the old men won't make things difficult!"
...
"Achoo!"
Kuro sneezed violently, rubbing his nose as he slouched in his chair, staring blankly out the window. After a long sigh, he muttered:
"What weather."
Shabondy's climate truly was splendid. As a famous tourist destination on the Grand Line, it rarely rained, boasting perpetually clear skies. Bubbles drifting upward from the trees shimmered into rainbow hues under sunlight—a breathtaking sight.
"Such perfect weather, yet not a single call comes through!"
Kuro sighed again, glancing at the motionless Transponder Snail on his desk, then at his wrist-mounted Transponder Snail.
No movement. No sound. For ages now, not even a flicker of life from those Transponder Snails' eyes.
Not a single call!
Where were those complaints?
Where were the inquiries?
Where was the transfer or demotion they promised?
This damned silence was like those bubbles outside—popping into nothingness.
It left Kuro feeling like a damned living corpse, waiting pointlessly day after day, his soul adrift.
Slam!
The door pushed open.
Lida appeared at the threshold, eyes sparkling. "Hey Kuro! Let's go out and play!"
"Play?!" Kuro shot him a glare. "I've got no mood. Go play by yourself."
"Oh..." Lida pouted, retreating silently.
"What nonsense!" Kuro rolled his eyes, sighing again. "Not a single one of you makes my life easier."
Because these damned fools had started again.
Lida spent his days eating and playing.
Klah resumed his "patrols" of Shabondy, reveling in the "military-civilian camaraderie" whenever locals called him "Klah Mr."
Sazil busied himself with his "Yamato-style yakuza boss" affairs, making decent progress lately.
Fen Ni had established a new Research Institute, where explosions echoed daily.
Ju Geng focused on creating new dishes—delicious, yes, but...
"This damned routine is all wrong!" Kuro's forehead vein throbbed. "This isn't routine—it means I'm stuck stationing here at Shabondy!"
If this happened back at his base in Pegasus Island or his hometown in the East Blue, he'd be happy. Such routines usually meant stability.
But stability at Shabondy?
"Doesn't make sense." Kuro frowned. "Logically, I should've been transferred. With so many complaints, even Headquarters would cave. Even Sakazuki must consider the Five Elders' opinions. Could those five political hacks above actually support me?"
Politics was the art of compromise.
One step back, another forward—that's how problems got solved.
Too rigid, and you'd never survive as a politician.
As for politicians...
Don't be ridiculous. This world had no such creatures.
Kuro understood this world's reality all too well. And precisely because he saw through it, he'd lost interest.
Like Gramps—seeing too deeply only led to harmony with light and dust.
The world weighed too heavily. So heavily that no officer, from any side, dared claim they could carry its burden.
Kuro certainly couldn't.
So why not find a quiet place to retire?
"Kuro."
Lida's head peeked through the doorway again.
"What now?"
"New arrival—Commander, replacing Massey."
"Eh?" Kuro blinked. "New Commander? I didn't request one."
Lida stepped aside, revealing a burly man with a bashful expression entering behind him.
"Vice Admiral Kuro, long time no see." Wilbur lowered his head shyly, then suddenly remembered his manners. Snapping upright, he saluted sharply. "Commander Wilbur, officially transferred from Marineford to Shabondy!"
"Oh, it's you", Kuro said. "Has been a while. You transferred from Headquarters? Demotion? Did you offend someone?"
A lateral transfer from Marineford to Shabondy?
Though geographically close, comfort levels couldn't compare. Marineford might no longer be Headquarters, but as G-1, serving there beat this wretched place.
Marineford had no pirates constantly cropping up like weeds—pirates who'd regrow after being cut down. No need to appease world nobles or wealthy civilians. Who in their right mind would choose this hellhole?
"Well, heh... Headquarters has its reasons", Wilbur chuckled awkwardly, hiding his voluntary transfer request.
Though he deeply admired Kuro, he couldn't admit seeking this transfer. If Kuro Vice Admiral thought he'd schemed for proximity...
"Whatever. You're here now. At least you're better than my other subordinates." Kuro waved dismissively. "Take charge of Marine Base operations."
Of his subordinates, only Klah and Kas reached the "competent" level. Kas, that hotheaded idiot, was better left at Pegasus Island.
Klah had been handling everything—serving as aide, filtering intelligence, communicating upward, and managing all Navy affairs in Shabondy, including external governance.
Though currently preoccupied with "military-civilian camaraderie", it was his only solace. Push him too hard, and Kuro feared he'd collapse from exhaustion.
Wilbur's arrival was perfect.
A perceptive, capable man. Delegating some authority felt safe.
"Understood!!"
Wilbur's voice rang out, eyes shining with excitement.
So much responsibility upon arrival!
Vice Admiral Kuro truly recognized my worth!
This was simply fantastic!!!
Wilbur hadn't been idle lately. Obsessed with his idol, he'd studied Kuro's records thoroughly—even his subordinates' profiles.
Flo Lida, the unarmed combat prodigy who maintained a childlike form in daily life but transformed into a raging beast during battle—Kuro's trusted subordinate.
Klah, once rumored to be a pirate, now served as Kuro's indispensable right-hand man. A strategist who handled every detail meticulously, surpassing even a butler in thoroughness.
Dougleg·Kas, who shone during the Top War. Once an ordinary Navy officer, his rise to become base commander of Pegasus Island came solely through following Kuro.
As for lower-ranking subordinates, Wilbur didn't concern himself. As a Commander, he'd measure himself against these direct subordinates of Kuro.
Kuro had his right-hand men and protective shield... but one role remained unfilled.
"I will be the spear at Kuro Vice Admiral's forefront, clearing all obstacles!" Wilbur silently vowed.
(End of Chapter)
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