Chapter 452: Assassination
Chapter 452: Assassination
Navy Mess Hall.
Olga was led inside by Klah. The mess hall bustled with chefs preparing ingredients—Grand Line fish, meats, and vegetables neatly arranged, the kitchen alive with activity.
"This is the Navy Mess Hall. You'll make donuts here—feel free to make extra", Klah said. "I want to taste these sweets that Big Mom keeps raving about. Let's see what all the fuss is about."
"No problem. That's exactly why I'm here", Olga replied, rolling up her sleeves. "Time to get to work!"
Klah guided her into the kitchen, pointing to a woman in a navy hooded cloak wearing a chef's hat. "This is Ju Geng, a Navy Ensign and the base's head chef. Lidamiss is her superior. If possible, let her watch you make the donuts or leave the recipe. That way, Lidamiss can enjoy them anytime without you running over every time."
"Huh? What? You want soup?" Ju Geng turned, puzzled.
"No, I wasn't talking to you", Klah twitched his lips.
"Soup is already liquid. What do you mean 'melt' it?" Ju Geng frowned.
Olga sweatdropped. "Does this woman have a hearing problem?"
Klah sighed. "She's a bit hard of hearing, but she understands cooking. Just work beside her."
"Got it." Olga nodded, then bowed slightly to Ju Geng. "Please guide me."
"You drank soup and now you need to urinate?" Ju Geng wrinkled her nose, disgusted. "You're gross."
Olga: "..."
Klah left in a hurry, as if retreating.
Olga pressed her lips together, stepping beside Ju Geng to grab high-gluten flour. As she began kneading dough, Ju Geng's eyes sharpened, watching intently.
She couldn't hear men's voices clearly, but women's words got through. Lida had mentioned someone coming to teach donut-making. Was this woman the one?
---
Two hours later.
"Time for lunch." Kuro stood, stretching toward Lida. "Let's eat."
"Yay! Time to dry rice!" Lida cheered. "Donuts today!"
"Calm down, you've got your favorites", Kuro grumbled, ruffling Lida's hair. "Where are Kas and Wilbur?"
"Dunno. They were chatting earlier." Lida dodged Kuro's hand, walking ahead.
"Klah! Klah!" Kuro barked outside his office.
"Kuro Vice Admiral?" Klah emerged from a corner, adjusting his glasses. "You need me?"
"Fetch Kas. I'm treating him to lunch."
"Understood." Kuro's lips thinned as he left.
Truthfully, Klah rarely tasted Ju Geng's cooking—she mainly served Kuro and Lida. Even he only got scraps. Now Kas, a newcomer, earned Kuro's favor? Unfair!
As Klah exited, a Navy officer saluted. "Klah Commander, Kas Commander seeks you."
"Hmph? I was going to find him. What does he want?" Klah frowned.
"I'm unsure."
"Fine. Lead the way."
Meanwhile, another officer approached Kas. "Kas Commander! Kuro Vice Admiral summons you!"
"Me? Right away!" Kas straightened, turning to Wilbur. "Wilbur Commander, Kuro Vice Admiral's Justice guided my path to 'Persistent Justice.' Helping him is my purpose—doubt is useless!"
He pulled out a white notebook, handing it solemnly. "My 'Justice Quotes' collection. Read it—maybe you'll find your own Justice. If not, I'll share mine. Let's fight for Kuro's future!"
"Thank you!" Wilbur clutched the book, tears welling. "I'll research it thoroughly! I'll help Kuro Vice Admiral!"
Kas gripped Wilbur's hand, saluted, then followed the officer. Wilbur eagerly flipped to the first page, which read:
"The anthem of humanity is the anthem of courage!" —Lucius Kro
---
"Where is this?" Klah eyed a dead-end alley, asking the officer. "You said Kas wanted to meet me?"
"Indeed. Kas will find you... in the same place."
A dagger plunged into his back. Klah's pupils contracted. Behind him, a Navy officer withdrew the blade.
"You won't sense their auras", Ju Geng had warned.
Before Klah could react, another dagger pierced his chest. The officer ahead grinned. "You'll reunite in hell!"
In another alley, Kas asked, "Is Kuro Vice Admiral here?"
"Very soon", the officer's voice darkened. "You'll meet him... underground."
A gunshot cracked from above.
"Where? Where?!" Kas spun wildly.
A bullet tore through his shoulder. Blood erupted as he staggered.
"You—"
The officer lunged, kicking Kas's neck. He crashed to the ground, cratering the floor.
"Big Mom Pirates paid dearly. You won't live", the officer sneered, booting Kas's chest.
---
Kuro and Lida stepped out.
"Kuro Vice Admiral, Lidamiss", four officers saluted. "Klah Commander needs you."
"Huh? Klah? Why not come himself?" Kuro rolled his eyes. "Tell him to handle it. I'm busy feeding people."
"Urgent matters", one officer insisted.
Kuro waved them off. The officers exchanged glances, hands drifting to their daggers.
Halfway down the hall, Kuro spat, "Klah's incompetence—"
Two cold blades slashed left and right toward him. Two more targeted Lida.
The four Navy officers lunged, daggers gleaming, faces twisted in gruesome grins.
(End of Chapter)(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
