https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-521-Choosing-a-Codename-Carefully/13538077/
Chapter 520
Chapter 520
World Destroyer, Buggy the Clown, Died in Battle
Frankly speaking, Kuro didn’t find him as impressive as Shanks and Lucius.
It’s said that strong warriors in combat can clearly perceive their enemy’s will and thoughts, understanding their nature.
Shanks gave Kuro the impression of being unrestrained and magnanimous.
Lucius struck him as awakened yet arrogant.
Wald’s impression on him was simply twisted—like the vengeful bitterness of a forsaken woman.
Though that final moment revealed his brilliance, it was ultimately useless.
After all, Kuro gained nothing from it.
He could only marvel at how terrifyingly strong human will could be.
“Better this way,” Kuro sighed, looking at Wald, who knelt half-raised with a frozen fist. “The world’s pretty damn messed up, especially for someone like you—old but refusing to retire. Dying’s not a bad thing.”
As he spoke, his body floated upward, emerging through the hole above until reaching the ship’s height.
“Lion's Majesty·Sea Whirl Hell.”
With his words, a massive vortex erupted beneath the vessel. The Grand Line’s mighty roar surged around it, completely encircling Gloriosa.
With Wald gone, the tsunami swallowed the ship with abnormal ease.
Soon, the ship shattered under the vortex’s churning. Wood chips and steel separated—the heavy sank into the Grand Line, while the light floated everywhere.
As the tsunami spiraled downward, the massive ship was utterly destroyed.
Only scattered wreckage bobbed on the sea surface as the vortex calmed, whispering of its former glory.
A familiar-looking object shot straight from the sea toward Kuro. Enraged, he shouted, clenched his fist violently, and the air pressure churned around the object, reducing the ship’s rudder to dust.
Is this damn rudder determined to haunt him?!
Coldly snorting as the fragments fell, Kuro flew toward Shabondy.
Upon arriving, he scanned the area but found no sign of Hawk-Eye.
He landed and asked, “Where’s that guy?”
“He left,” Lida replied. “While you were dealing with the tsunamishipwrecks. He said he’d challenge you to a match when the chance comes.”
“Challenge him? He thinks I don’t have enough on my plate already?!”
Kuro rolled his White Eye. “Forget him. It’s fine he left. Wald’s gone anyway. Klah! Klah!”
Klah appeared. “Kuromr., you called?”
“Draft a report stating Hawk-Eye defended Shabondy, emphasizing his achievements. Then claim Wald died in a nearby tsunami after the fierce battle. Remove all traces of me—no residual energy left.”
Good that Hawk-Eye left. Now the report could say whatever he wanted.
Earlier, Wald provoked him into a frenzy, and wanting to test his new technique’s power, he just went for it.
But after the fight, cleanup was still necessary.
At this point, promotions didn’t matter much. Though he’d still avoid them if possible, the core issue had changed.
Back when his position was low, not showing much meant safety—indicating he wasn’t valuable within the Navy system.
But now, being a Vice Admiral, once trouble arose, he couldn’t escape. So he should stay low, keep a low profile at the base, and avoid the New World.
For something like Wald, the normal Navy would’ve boasted about it. Since this wasn’t a joint Navy operation with Admirals and Vice Admirals all joining in, as long as he didn’t overperform—unlike Sakazuki during the Top War promotion match—everything would be fine.
But now, it was just him guarding here, oh, and Hawk-Eye.
Hawk-Eye’s nature was usually to disdain speaking up.
Just shift the merit onto him.
He’s a Seven Warlords of the Sea. This position is the peak, so extra merit doesn’t matter. It actually relieved some pressure from Kuro.
The World Government was holding him back. Combined with his report, even if Gramps wanted to promote him, the World Government wouldn’t approve.
What a great situation.
“Understood, Kuromr. I’ll handle it well,” Klah nodded.
“Alright, I’ll leave it to you.”
Kuro waved his hand, heading toward the base. “Have Ju Geng prepare something. I’m damn hungry. I just drank with Hawk-Eye earlier.”
“I want to eat too!” Lida shouted, following behind.
“Eat, eat, eat. I’ll take you.” Kuro ruffled her hair, walking ahead.
…
Wald’s matter didn’t stir any ripples in the world.
Only the newspaper announced Wald was eliminated by the Navy, without much fanfare.
Unlike last time when Lucius and the four idiot Kings spread newspapers worldwide, Wald himself had little connection with the Old Era pirate legendary figures.
Though he was famous thirty years ago, that fame was only to the World Government. To pirates, his reputation wasn’t as big as Shanks or Lucius. So his death, those who knew would marvel, but most wouldn’t care.
Especially in the current environment.
Compared to Wald, there was a more noteworthy matter.
[Final Battle Concludes! Blackbeard Pirate Crew Admiral Marshall D. Teach Defeats Whitebeard Pirates Remnant!]
Newspapers were flooded with such news.
Led by Marshall D. Teach, the Blackbeard Pirate Crew defeated the Whitebeard Pirates led by Marco. This battle, ongoing for half a year, finally concluded.
Blackbeard solidifies his Four Emperors position!
“That bastard Marshall D. Teach,” Kuro muttered, biting a cigar while reading the newspaper in the office. “Looks like he’s thriving.”
Kuro wasn’t surprised Marshall D. Teach became a Four Emperors.
What surprised him was another matter.
The Navy had intelligence not published in newspapers. Another reason for the Blackbeard Pirate Crew’s victory was…
Kuzan, that idiot, seemed to have joined the Blackbeard Pirate Crew.
During the Final Battle, intelligence reported sightings of Kuzan.
The World Government and Navy didn’t disclose this. Many were unaware, but as Gramps’ protégé, he received this intelligence immediately.
This matter couldn’t be disclosed.
This was more severe than Zeff, that old man, leaving the Navy to form a new one.
An ex-Admiral becoming a pirate—if disclosed, it would severely damage the World Government and Navy’s prestige.
It’s said Sakazuki nearly burned down the office upon hearing this.
Too damn thrilling.
Was this his way to resolve his lack of confusion?
Kuro raised an eyebrow, murmuring, “What does he want? Help Marshall D. Teach become the One Piece and uncover historical truths? No way. This guy isn’t that bored, right? Being an Admiral was young enough, yet he still believes in this stuff?”
(End of Chapter)
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