Chapter 450: Sudden News of Promotion Stirs Alarm, Another Day of Casual Conversation
Chapter 450: Sudden News of Promotion Stirs Alarm, Another Day of Casual Conversation
Snug was captured by the Navy?!
Perospero was the first to react upon hearing the news.
"What happened to Snug? How could he get caught by the Navy? He was only sent to the West Blue!"
"Did you issue the order, Perospero?" Katakuri turned to him. "Was it you who commanded Snug to go to the West Blue?"
"Everything was for Mother, Katakuri."
Perospero replied, "If Olga hadn't vanished, Mother would have—"
No further words were needed. The scene from earlier was proof enough.
After the initial shock, Perospero noticed a flaw in the story. He muttered in disbelief, "And how could the West Blue even have someone capable of defeating Snug? That's ridiculous!"
"Sengoku and Garp captured Snug and Rezan. Unluckily for them, they were on Pegasus Island when they ran into Snug and Rezan. The base commander there, Dougleg·Kas, resisted Snug for quite some time. The newspapers reported it too. If not for him, Snug might have captured Olga after all."
Katakuri turned to Charlotte Big Mom. "Mother, what should we do?"
"Sengoku? Garp?"
Charlotte Big Mom's expression froze slightly at the names. "Mmm, those two actually being in the West Blue? Snug sure had bad luck. Perospero—"
"Yes, Mother!"
Perospero straightened his posture, sweat trickling down his face. "There's no problem here. We have a strong intelligence network, and we've recently made contact with the Vinsmoke Family. We can negotiate an exchange through the World Government."
"We're not like that old man Whitebeard. His son Ace was captured by Marshall D. Teach as a token to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. This time, once Sengoku and Garp hand Snug and Rezan over to the Navy for transport, we can launch a surprise attack to rescue them. As for the World Government, we just need the Vinsmoke Family to handle the negotiations."
"Hmm..."
Charlotte Big Mom pondered briefly before nodding. "Fine. Do as you say, Perospero. Rescue your dear brothers."
"Understood! I'll complete this mission." Perospero declared.
"And that Navy officer, what's-his-name Kas... He needs to be taught a lesson." Charlotte Big Mom added.
"Mother, he's under Lucius Kro's command." Katakuri reminded.
"Oh? So he's the one who eliminated Lucius's Navy? And what of it? I'm Big Mom! Besides punishing Kas, I'll make sure that old man feels it too!" Charlotte Big Mom laughed heartily.
"We don't need to start a war. We have too many advantages to exploit. Leave it to me, Mother. I'll ensure everyone connected to Dougleg·Kas suffers the consequences." Perospero licked his lollipop with a sinister grin.
...
New World, Navy Headquarters, Fleet Admiral's Office.
"That old man refuses to agree!"
Sakazuki roared into the Transponder Snail. "Handing them over to the Navy for custody is perfectly fine! Why the last-minute change to handing them to the World Government?!"
"What? The Government has its own considerations? The old man won't budge! Snug is a 600 million Belly bounty criminal! With Sengoku and Garp overseeing the transfer, he'll definitely reach Impel Down!"
"Unforgivable!!!"
Sakazuki slammed the call shut, his fist glowing red-hot with fury.
Lucius Kro entered the office holding a tea bag. "Oh~ So worked up, Sakazuki?"
"You know about Pegasus Island, right, Borsalino?"
Sakazuki gritted his teeth. "They want us to hand them over to the World Government to prevent another 'Top War' outbreak."
"That's not necessarily bad. The Navy can't afford another war like that."
Lucius Kro shrugged, settling onto the sofa and pulling out two glasses. "Care for a drink?"
Sakazuki nodded, then growled, "What Four Emperors! The old man won't let pirates do as they please! The Navy has never feared pirates!"
"But aren't you the one pushing the world conscription plan now?" Lucius Kro countered.
Sakazuki clenched his fist tighter. "Damn it..."
Lucius Kro poured the tea, took a sip, and chuckled. "The important thing is to act first. Big Mom can wait. Let them play in the New World for now. The old man doesn't think another 'Top War' will happen."
Sakazuki closed his eyes, taking a few heavy breaths. "Fine. Leave it to the Government."
"One more thing. About Dougleg·Kas defending Pegasus Island against Snug. Sengoku and Garp already reported it. We can't ignore his contribution. Lucius Kro is stuck in Shabondy, so the old man can't promote him directly, but he can reward his subordinate. What do you think?"
"Sounds good." Lucius Kro smiled. "The old man has no objections to that."
"Then it's settled. Dougleg·Kas defended the Navy's honor. Promote him to Commander. Consider it compensation for Lucius Kro." Sakazuki said slowly.
He felt indebted to Lucius Kro, but since the latter couldn't be promoted now, he'd settle for rewarding his subordinate.
...
"Kas got promoted?"
In Shabondy, Kuro hung up the call, slightly stunned.
"Huh?" Lida looked at him, puzzled.
"Just now, Headquarters called. They informed me that my subordinate Dougleg·Kas was promoted to Commander for resisting Snug, one of the Four Emperors under Big Mom's banner, and defending the Navy's honor."
Kuro bit his cigar. "Rumor has it Sengoku and Garp pushed for his promotion at Headquarters."
"Great news." Lida nodded. "So Kas will officially take over Pegasus Island?"
"More or less. Being a Commander now, thankfully this has nothing to do with me. If I got promoted too..."
At the thought of that horrifying possibility, Kuro shuddered. "I'd blow up Totto Land myself!"
Navy Commanders, whether in branches or Headquarters, were standard ranks for base commanders.
Kuro didn't mind Kas reaching that position, as long as it didn't drag him along. He was even a bit happy.
He wouldn't have to be lying down peacefully one moment, then jolting upright at news, only to find nothing happened and chat away the day again.
So exhausting.
(End of Chapter)
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