https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-506-Failure-in-Slaying-the-Dragon-Also-Makes-One-a-Dragon-s-Claw-of-Evil/13537989/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-508-The-Arrogance-of-the-Old-School-Navy/13537997/
Chapter 507: Five Billion?
Chapter 507: Five Billion?
Marineford.
Kuro’s Warship docked at the harbor. With his subordinates trailing behind, he stepped onto land with a cigar clenched between his teeth, his hooded cloak swaying with each stride.
Marines along the way snapped into crisp salutes as they spotted him.
“That’s the Pirate Snake Princess Boa Hancock, right? She’s even more stunning in person!”
“Absolutely! The World’s Greatest Beauty lives up to her title. So breathtaking!”
“Ah! Officer Snake Princess!”
A group of Marines melted into a lovesick stupor at Boa Hancock’s divine beauty, their eyes sparkling with heart-shaped pupils while hearts practically popped from their chests.
The Snake Princess’s allure, amplified by her Devil Fruit powers, was undeniably worthy of her title as the World’s Greatest.
“It’s been a while since I last came here. They’ve restored Marineford nicely,” Kuro remarked, glancing at the fortress’s near-pristine condition as he nodded approvingly.
He remembered he still had a residence here. It should’ve been maintained by the staff regularly.
Accompanied by his men, Kuro entered Marineford’s fortified headquarters, guided by Marines to a grand office.
“Kuro, long time no see.”
Storbery, wearing his signature towering chef’s hat, was already waiting inside.
“Brother, it’s been ages,” Kuro greeted casually.
“Your mission must’ve been grueling,” Storbery said with a warm smile. “Admiral Lucius Kro often praises you. From now on, we’ll rely on your guidance.”
This was a clear gesture of allegiance.
Though Lucius Kro’s faction had several qualified candidates for succession, they all knew none were yet worthy of the Admiral title. Among them, Storbery was the strongest contender—before Kuro joined Gramps’ ranks, he was the faction’s de facto leader.
But once Kuro entered the faction and began outshining everyone, the leadership naturally shifted.
After all, Kuro possessed the Float-Float Fruit, had slain Lucius Kro, and faced off against Charlotte Big Mom. At his current strength, defeating the legendary pirate Shanks seemed all but certain.
Rank was secondary; the faction wasn’t in a rush. With Lucius Kro still holding the line, and Kuro’s succession already a foregone conclusion, they were in no hurry.
Compared to Aokiji’s and Akainu’s factions, where succession remained undecided after Kuzan’s departure, Kuro’s faction was the most stable.
This calm confidence made them the most relaxed group within the Marines.
They had a successor!
“Don’t flatter me. I’ll need your support too,” Kuro replied politely. “Besides these two, are others coming?”
“‘Thousand Rhyme’ Buggy has also agreed, though he seems to prefer acting alone,” Storbery said.
“Buggy?” Lida tilted his head. “You mean the Red Nose?”
“I’ve heard of him in the East Blue,” Klah added, adjusting his glasses.
Buggy was a major pirate in the East Blue, though his promotion to the Seven Warlords of the Sea had raised eyebrows. However, intelligence confirmed he was a former crewmate of the Pirate King Roger, making his credentials undeniable. Now, he commanded a group of Impel Down escapees, growing stronger by the day.
Klah’s doubts faded—after all, Buggy was Roger’s comrade and a close friend of Shanks. His presence in the East Blue likely served a hidden purpose.
Just as Klah had grown, Buggy’s strength wouldn’t have diminished.
“Buggy’s free to do as he pleases. Let’s proceed,” Kuro said. “His presence or absence won’t sway the outcome.”
Is Buggy strong? It depends.
For swordsmen, he was a nuisance—Hawk-Eye’s Haki couldn’t harm him, and his Devil Fruit ability was second nature. Even Kuro, a swordsman, found him a minor headache.
But for others? Like Wald?
Not even a blip.
“Two Warlords are enough. Let’s begin,” Kuro declared.
Storbery nodded, glancing at the two Seven Warlords of the Sea present. “Two is sufficient. Let’s start.”
The grand hall featured a large round table. Boa Hancock and Law took their seats, while Kuro claimed a chair, flanked by Lida and Klah standing respectfully behind him.
As for Sazil and others, they lacked the qualifications to attend this meeting and had already been stationed at the port.
At Storbery’s signal, a Marine Commander stepped forward, pulling aside a curtain to reveal a photo of Buggy the Clown.
“This isn’t just a meeting for Blamenco. Every Marine base has its own ‘Meeting King.’”
“The World Destroyer Buggy the Clown was imprisoned in Impel Down thirty years ago but escaped last year due to Marshall D. Teach’s actions. His bounty has risen from two billion to five billion Belly. He’s an extremely dangerous threat,” the Commander explained.
“Wait a second.”
Kuro suddenly interjected, raising an eyebrow. “Five billion?”
“Yes, Vice Admiral Kuro. Five billion,” the Commander clarified. “The World Government’s new bounty.”
“Only five billion for a man like him?” Kuro scoffed. “Has the government lost its mind? Fine. Five billion it is.”
He understood the government’s reasoning.
Buggy’s fame dated back thirty years—raising his bounty from two billion to five billion now seemed reasonable, given his old reputation. The World Government likely wanted to downplay Buggy’s threat to avoid panic, hoping pirates or bounty hunters would target him. A higher bounty might deter them instead of incentivizing action.
Five billion was still enough to make Buggy’s escape troublesome.
“Buggy Wald’s intelligence suggests his primary target is us—Marines and the World Government are inseparable. He’ll likely strike Mariejois next.”
“The Momu Devil Fruit user Wald is a threat we must prepare for,” the Commander continued. “This is an emergency. The World Government needs all Seven Warlords of the Sea to confront Buggy the Clown and stop his ambitions.”
“Oh? The Marines need help from the Seven Warlords of the Sea?”
Law smirked. “Is this Buggy the Clown on par with Whitebeard?”
Boa Hancock leaned back into her serpentine seat, her expression radiating disdain.
The mighty Marines needing the Seven Warlords of the Sea?
Whitebeard was a different story, but Buggy was just an old pirate long past his prime.
She glanced at Kuro, sitting silently. That man alone should be enough to handle Buggy.
Was this a test of the Seven Warlords’ loyalty? Or did the World Government have another agenda?
As the world’s most cunning pirate, Boa Hancock might ignore the news, but her instincts for global power shifts were sharper than most.
“That’s irrelevant.”
A voice cut through the air.
Footsteps echoed.
A man dressed like a Western swordsman kicked open the office door and strode in.
“Oh? You’re coming too?”
Storbery’s eyes widened. “I never expected you of all people to show up here.”
“I’m just curious about someone,” the man said, tipping his hat. A massive Black Blade rested on his back as he fixed his gaze on Kuro. “You’ve made quite the name for yourself. I’m dying to test my blade against yours… Lucius Kro.”
Hawk-Eye!
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
