Chapter 448: The World's Most Formidable Wife
Chapter 448: The World's Most Formidable Wife
"Sengoku?!"
"Garp?!"
Snug stared in astonishment at the two old men approaching. Of course he recognized them!
But—
"Why are you two here?!" Snug shouted, disbelief etched across his face.
"Puhahaha! Obviously for vacation!" Garp roared with laughter.
"Exactly. Pegasus Island's so much fun, old man wants to stay a while longer. Tell Sakazuki later—we should make this the Navy's official resort spot", Sengoku nodded.
The two men advanced, one on each side of Snug. Sunlight cast their faces into shadow, the darkness creeping over Snug's features, deepening his scowl.
"No! I won't fall here!"
Snug gripped his Long Blade, leapt into the air, and slashed downward at the two old men—
...
"Mr. Kuro! Mr. Kuro! Big news!"
In Shabondy, Klah sprinted down the corridor clutching a newspaper, racing toward Kuro's office.
Before he could enter, he heard voices inside.
"Ahhh... it hurts."
Lida's soft whimper echoed from within.
"Be good. It doesn't hurt. Don't squirm."
"But it really does hurt..."
Klah pushed the door open expressionlessly. Lida lay half-reclined on Kuro's lap as he gently cleaned her ears with a cotton swab. After a few careful strokes, he patted her head.
"See? Ear cleaning's relaxing. I'll do it again sometime... Klah, what's the emergency?"
"Big news!"
Klah waved the newspaper. "From Pegasus Island!"
"What now? Did Kas drag me into another mess?!"
Before Klah could finish, Kuro shot up from the sofa, his first thought not about Pegasus Island, but about the bearded Kas.
Old habits die hard.
He feared the worst.
"It's not that", Klah replied, calming Kuro slightly. Kuro strolled to his desk, lit a cigar, and sat.
"What is it then?"
"Pegasus Island was ambushed by pirates."
"Just pirates? Pfft. Every sea's crawling with pirates. West Blue's no exception. Nothing serious—"
"Big·mom's crew."
"Cough cough!"
Kuro nearly inhaled his cigar smoke. He hacked violently.
"One of Big·mom's executives", Klah clarified.
"You itching for a beating? Finish your damn sentences! Hand me that newspaper!" Kuro glared, snatching the paper.
Klah obediently complied.
Kuro skimmed the article, tension easing.
"Snug got caught by those two old men? What happened? Weren't they still on my island?"
The headline read: Snug, son of a Four Emperors and former Yonko with a 600 million Beri bounty, ambushed Pegasus Island but was captured by Sengoku and Garp.
"Seems they never left", Klah adjusted his glasses.
"Wait—what's Big·mom's executive doing in my West Blue territory?" Kuro frowned.
Klah answered, "I called Kas specially. Turns out a woman named Olga makes amazing donuts. She fled Totto Land and hid in Pegasus Island, so Snug came hunting her."
"Also, Kas got injured."
"Hm?" Kuro's brow furrowed.
"Not too severe. Just a wound on his waist. He's stable now", Klah reported.
"Big·mom..." Kuro exhaled smoke. "I've never crossed her. Coming to West Blue to stir trouble? She's pushing it. So greedy—careful one day you'll eat yourself to death!"
"Greedy? Who's greedy?" Lida paused mid-bite into a cookie.
"Not you", Kuro rolled his eyes. "What about Snug?"
"Sengoku and Garp plan to escort him back as Vice Admirals."
"Heh. Hope no fools try ambushing that ship. 'Disaster of Drought' isn't even Big·mom's subordinate", Kuro sneered.
Klah wisely shut up, reading Kuro's mood.
He'd been with Kuro long enough to recognize his habits—less accurately than Lida, but well enough.
Kuro was angry.
But this also warmed Klah's heart.
Mr. Kuro didn't just favor Lida. He cared when subordinates like Kas or himself got hurt.
"Will Big·mom retaliate?" Lida asked.
"Unlikely", Klah mused. "She's no Whitebeard. Despite 'Strongest Family' claims, Big·mom's not sentimental about her children. This'll probably fizzle out."
"Headquarters' problem, not mine. But Klah, send Kas a message—tell him I'm checking in."
"Understood." Klah saluted. "I'll call him now."
As Klah left, Lida studied Kuro. "You're angry?"
"Annoyed, sure. But just a scratch. Navy life's dangerous—I'm no babysitter. Still..." Kuro's voice darkened. "That old hag's ruthless for food. Wonder if she ordered this or if her son acted alone. Either way, Klah's right—no second Top War. Sakazuki'll handle Big·mom's movements."
"Old hag?!" Lida latched onto the insult.
"Exactly. Big·mom's had dozens of husbands. At fifty, she was still birthing kids. Wonder how many more she's got now..." Kuro mused, stroking his chin. "Among Four Emperors, she's the most trouble. Definitely the one I least want to meet."
Though Kaido and Big·mom were equals in power, Kuro dreaded her most.
A steel balloon! At five years old, she killed a Giant Village hero—peak physical prowess. Devil Fruit abilities with fire, clouds, water, even lightning? Both elemental and physical mastery.
But irrelevant. He'd stay far from the New World.
"Still... I'll visit Pegasus Island soon", Kuro decided. "Even if no war brews, Big·mom's intelligence network could overwhelm Kas alone—especially if those two old men leave."
(End of Chapter)
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