Chapter 46: The Strongest Force on the Sea
Chapter 46: The Strongest Force on the Sea
Water 7, the water city—a renowned shipbuilding metropolis in the Grand Line.
It’s most famous for its Sea Train connecting Water 7 to Enies Lobby, a marvel of the Grand Line.
Marineford, Enies Lobby, and the Justice Gate are nearly inseparable, built atop dangerous rotating sea currents. Without passing through the Justice Gate, one would be trapped in those currents forever.
Kuro hadn’t requested a Warship. Instead, he’d hitched a ride on someone else’s vessel to Enies Lobby, now preparing to take the Sea Train to Water 7.
That “someone” was none other than—
“Tina’s disappointed.”
Tina stared at Kuro, sprawled on a deck chair like a deadbeat stray, and said, “You’re too lax, Kuro. You’ll never get promoted like this.”
She didn’t dislike him, but she wasn’t particularly fond of him either. He was Smoker’s friend, and Smoker was her own close companion.
If possible, she’d even pass him some merits.
Like how she’d deal with pirates—taking out half the threat herself, then handing the rest to Zangao and Fendebadi to earn them promotions faster.
“Don’t believe everything Smoker says. I’m not like you Elite Class students. My power’s barely enough to scrape by.”
Kuro didn’t even look up, pulling a cigar from his coat pocket.
“Can an Ensign even afford cigars this good?”
Tina smoked herself, instantly recognizing the brand’s quality.
“Ah, some old man insisted I take it. Refusing wasn’t an option. I definitely couldn’t afford it myself.”
He’d been riding Tina’s ship—conveniently, Tina was on leave and heading to Water 7 for vacation, tagging Kuro along.
Originally, Kuro had wanted to wait for Smoker to settle an old score, but Smoker hadn’t returned.
Tina lit a cigarette, glancing at Klah standing nearby.
“If you want into the Elite Class, train harder. Connections matter, but without strength, they’re useless. Honestly, you’re even weaker than your subordinate.”
She’d never seen Kuro’s skills firsthand, nor did he radiate much power. Though Smoker claimed he was strong, “strong” here probably meant Tashigi-tier—just lucky to have a capable subordinate.
Kuro shrugged. “Spare me. My talent’s nowhere near the Elite Class. In regular training, I barely scraped by.”
His final exam had ended in a stalemate with Koby, but the fight was too bizarre and short for the instructors to evaluate properly. They’d chalked it up to a fluke and relied on his earlier training records. A verdict that suited Kuro perfectly—his act had paid off.
“Exactly why you’ve got it easy. That subordinate of yours hides his strength just to keep from overshadowing you. I’m jealous, really.”
Tina turned to Klah. “How about transferring here? Zangao used to be your subordinate. You’d work well together.”
Zangao stiffened, shooting Klah a terrified look.
Even now, he feared his former captain.
“Thank you for the kind offer, Miss Tina.”
Klah glanced at Kuro. “But I think staying with Ensign Kuro suits me better.”
Mainly because he couldn’t escape even if he wanted to.
He’d mastered Six Styles, becoming a formidable force—yet standing beside Kuro still sent chills down his spine.
He’d grown strong enough to crush ten past versions of himself without breaking a sweat, but facing Kuro felt like staring into a nightmare. Worse, he’d inherited the title of “Greatest Swordsman.” If some idiot challenged him, they’d kill him before realizing the title was outdated.
Staying with Kuro meant backup. Kuro had promised him peace, and so far, the job was quiet—aside from the occasional scheme.
“A shame.”
Tina shook her head, falling silent.
Klah’s potential was wasted.
As an Elite Class graduate herself, she knew firsthand how slow promotions were without power or connections.
The Navy’s backbone? Zeff’s students. Most senior officers, including the Three Admirals, were his protégés. Decades on, they’d become a unified faction. Their internal conflicts were minor squabbles compared to the divide between Elite Class and everyone else.
Even if Kuro could join the Elite Class—which he couldn’t—the program had long since faded. Zeff no longer taught.
Out of loyalty to Smoker, she’d tried guiding Kuro, but the man simply didn’t care.
A typical Navy officer—decent enough, but utterly unremarkable.
Klah’s fate was worse. Stuck under Kuro, his promotions would crawl. Based on their last fight, Klah could easily be a Headquarters Major. Under Kuro, though? Years of stagnation awaited.
“If you change your mind, come find me.”
Tina left the deck.
Kuro smirked. “Let me ride your ship, and you think you can poach my subordinate? Please. What’s He’s protegé compared to me? I’m a disciple of Lucius Kro himself. Not that I’d brag. You’ve got to stay humble, Klah. Learn from your superiors—like me. Positions mean danger.”
In the Navy, majors commanded their own Warships—autonomous forces with sweeping authority.
But it came with responsibility. Those officers led the charge against top pirates.
Kuro’s current assignment would earn him autonomy from his mentor, without the burden of hunting pirates. A perfect deal Tina couldn’t fathom.
Klah studied him. “If safety’s your goal, why join the Navy at all?”
Kuro chuckled. “Klah, tell me—who truly rules the seas?”
“Pirates.”
Klah’s answer was immediate.
“Not wrong. Pirates flood the oceans like sardines. If they united, they’d be unstoppable. But since ancient times, no one’s managed it.”
Even legends like Roger hadn’t ruled the pirates—only the seas, and even that was exaggerated.
Impossible, really. If it happened, neither pirates nor the Navy would be what they are today.
“The strongest force on the sea… the Four Emperors ruling New World domains? The rising Silver Medalists? The cunning Seven Warlords? No. The Navy.”
Kuro grinned.
Why else would he join? Safety and stability, guaranteed.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
