Chapter 50: T Penn Commander
Chapter 50: T Penn Commander
Inside the inn, Kuro lounged on the sofa, smoking a cigar and sipping red wine while occasionally glancing through the window at the distant view.
This vantage point offered a clear view of Water 7’s main gate. Combined with Klah and Lida patrolling outside, there was no chance they’d miss any Marine movements.
“I’m back,” Lida announced as she pushed open the door.
Kuro didn’t turn around. “Why so early? I told you to keep watching. Did you run out of money?”
His expression suddenly froze as he twisted his head toward her. “Bloodstains? Did you kill someone?”
Lida curled her lip. “Ran into a few pirates. Their leader had a bounty of 36 million. The guy was disgusting—tried to take me to see goldfish.”
“Goldfish? Definitely deserved to die. Did you clean it up?” Kuro asked.
“Relax. No one saw. I sank their ship and tossed the bodies into the sea with the rocks. Won’t interfere with your promotion,” Lida replied.
Kuro gave a thumbs-up. “Good job. You’re starting to sound like me.”
36 million—a minor pirate in the Grand Line. To Kuro, it wasn’t big or small. If no one saw and the bodies sank without a trace, it hardly mattered.
No witnesses, no fame. One less threat to the world. How beautiful.
A few days later, Kuro spotted Luffy’s ship during patrol and immediately recalled Lida and Klah, holing up in the inn.
This upscale inn had chefs and decent amenities. No need to venture out for supplies.
At night, Lida munched on chips as red specks flickered in her eyes. Her Observation Haki scanned all of Water 7.
Most had long since fallen asleep, their presences evenly spread. Only a few spots showed clustered energy.
But she couldn’t see them—too far away to gauge their strength. Guesswork was all she had.
She wasn’t like Big Mom, whose Observation Haki could see through walls.
“Kuro, someone’s coming via Sea Train. A lot of them.”
Lida turned to Kuro.
Klah watched enviously. His Observation Haki had been developing for a while, but mastering it to the point of enveloping an entire island? Light-years away.
“Marines?”
Kuro activated his Observation Haki, far more advanced than Lida’s. Even at this distance, he could sense their strength.
“Yeah, they’re stronger than average. One of them’s a powerhouse. Numbers point to Marines.”
Kuro switched off his Haki and lazily slumped back. “Don’t worry about it. Tomorrow’s soon enough.”
---
Inside the World Government’s private Sea Train, Blueno shook his head. “Not yet.”
“What do you mean ‘not yet,’ Blueno? Why are you blocking the train? Did something go wrong?” Kaku asked.
Kalifa elegantly adjusted her glasses. “Blueno, while you’re slow by nature, you’re never this careless about missions. Remember, Lucci despises half-heartedness.”
“No,” Blueno said slowly. “The others aren’t here yet. They’re late.”
He raised his hand, pulling open a wisp-like door.
“Wait for me.”
He stepped through, vanishing into the void.
Back at the inn, Kuro had just deactivated his Haki when he froze. Lida and Klah followed his gaze to a distortion in space.
A wisp-like door materialized.
Blueno stepped out, eyeing them. “Still here? You’re late.”
Are you kidding me?!
Kuro forced a smile, suppressing his urge to curse. “Blueno, what are you doing here?”
“Picking you up,” Blueno said. “You’re late. Good thing I’m here. Let’s go—someone’ll get angry if we delay.”
“No need to wait on us! You should be out there! Don’t waste your time for us—it’d be a burden if our mistake messed up the mission!” Kuro argued.
He knew Devil Fruits were powerful. But he never expected Blueno to use his ability just to fetch them.
Blueno nodded solemnly. “Before, you were unhappy. Now, I’ve made amends. You’re good Marines. We must complete this mission together.”
He stepped aside. “Let’s go.”
What the hell?!
Kuro gritted his teeth, fists clenched. Finally, he exhaled sharply. “Fine, fine! We’ll go with you!”
They stepped into the air, entering a twisted space.
A few steps later, they emerged through another wisp-like door into the train’s carriage.
Klah inhaled sharply. “Devil Fruit power… terrifying!”
The Door Door Fruit’s signature trick—opening portals to a separate dimension. The ultimate cheat for skipping meals and dodging bills.
“This,” Blueno said, closing the door, “is the good Marine I told you about.”
He gestured to a Marine in a helmet, fish-scale armor, and a sword slung on his back.
“Oh, I’ve heard about you. A very responsible Marine.”
The man stepped forward. “Pleased to meet you. I’m T. Penn Commander. Glad to work with you. Rest assured, under my watch, nothing will go wrong during the mission.”
“Ah, a zombie?” Lida pointed, wide-eyed.
“Just a bit… unconventional in appearance,” T. Penn Commander chuckled dryly, his grin even more zombie-like.
Lida studied him. “Nice old man.”
Kuro smirked. True, with that look, T. Penn wouldn’t need Moria’s help in the Spooky Triangle. He’d fit right in as a lieutenant.
Still, a man who valued his crew and civilians.
“I’m Kuro. This is Lida and Klah. Glad to work with you, T. Penn Commander.” Kuro sighed.
With him around, maybe this’ll work. At least I can blend in with standard Marines.
---
Robin, brought along, stared in shock at Kuro’s group. She recognized them instantly—especially the man in the black suit. Klah? The Greatest Swordsman? The one Crocodile feared and couldn’t defeat?!
They’re all here?!
Robin felt despair. Had the World Government sent such power for her?!
Pacifista’s threat isn’t the only reason… Luffy, please don’t come here. You’ll die!
(End of Chapter)
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