https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-527-The-Higher-Ups-Are-Investigating-You/13538115/
Chapter 526: Tashigi, Your Hairstyle is Dangerous
Chapter 526: Tashigi, Your Hairstyle is Dangerous
New World.
Navy New Marine Headquarters.
"Kamekame. A living Steel Fortress indeed."
As the warship docked at the Navy New Marine Headquarters, Kuro tilted his head upward, gazing at the massive fortress at the heart of the complex. His eyes widened in astonishment.
The stone fortress bristled with cannons of all sizes—massive single-barreled cannons and nimble double-barreled ones lined every level from ground to summit. Atop the highest point stood a three-tiered structure resembling a Castle Tower. Even the smaller fortresses surrounding it were packed with artillery. Behind the fortress cluster loomed two colossal magnet-like structures anchored at either end, their gaping entrances doorless.
In this New World, where magnetic fields fluctuated violently, these two titanic installations stabilized the island’s magnetic field, preventing the weather from becoming even more chaotic.
As the Navy’s headquarters, stability was paramount—unlike the lawless pirate territories. Here, order reigned supreme.
The harbor was already bustling with ships. Navy officers from across the globe had gathered for the upcoming ceremony.
"Kuro, look! So many Vice Admiral flagship ships!" Lida tugged excitedly at Kuro’s sleeve, his eyes sparkling.
Navy Vice Admirals naturally had the qualifications to commission their own flagship.
"Yeah, I see them", Kuro replied, scanning the deck. Among the array of Vice Admiral ships, he spotted one shaped like a dog’s head. Garp, that old man, had arrived too.
"Hey, Kuro, you should request a flagship! Then I could sail back to East Blue and visit Baratie whenever I want!" Lida grinned.
"You idiot!" Kuro rolled his White Eye, exasperated. "Me with a flagship? Why not just custom-order a coffin-ship for me to lie in?"
As they disembarked, a line of Navy officers stood rigidly at attention, saluting the group.
Kuro immediately activated the Transponder Snail on his wrist, dialing a number.
"Hello, this is Lucius Kro." The Transponder Snail’s image distorted into a lecherous grin as a flirtatious voice crackled through.
Since Kuro was calling the office line, the loud ringer would surely be heard.
"Gramps, I’ve arrived", Kuro said casually as he walked.
"Oh~ Kuro, you’re here already?" The Transponder Snail’s image puckered its lips in mock surprise. "Then come straight up. The old man’s waiting above."
"Got it. Wait, I’ll take a quick tour first. See you later."
Kuro’s eyes suddenly caught a familiar figure. He abruptly ended the call and shouted, "Hey, Smoker!"
At the far end of the harbor, Smoker stood facing a woman in a floral shirt and Navy hooded cloak, lecturing her. The woman nodded meekly, looking increasingly flustered.
Smoker turned, startled. "Kuro?!"
"Didn’t expect to see you here. You’ve changed a lot", Kuro remarked, approaching and scrutinizing Smoker’s appearance.
It had been a while. Smoker still wore his signature Navy jacket but now sported a hooded cloak he’d never worn before.
"Ah! Vice Admiral Kuro!" The woman beside Smoker brightened instantly. She snapped to attention, saluting sharply. "Long time no see, Vice Admiral Kuro! And Lida and Klah too."
"Long time", Kuro replied, eyeing Tashigi. With a casual hand, he plucked a cigar from Smoker’s jacket pocket and pocketed it.
"Tashigi, it’s been ages. You’ve gotten prettier, but that hairstyle’s dangerous. I like it", Kuro smirked.
Tashigi’s long hair was tied in a neat Hair Knot—a classic married woman’s style. Her face had matured, exuding a gentle, refined grace. Her figure, too, had filled out in all the right ways.
"Hey, Kuro!" Lida thumped Kuro’s thigh, annoyed, before turning to Tashigi. "Long time, Tashigi."
"Kuro!" Smoker glared. "Why do you always steal my cigars when you’ve got your own?!"
"Force of habit", Kuro shrugged. He studied Smoker’s face. "Looks like G-5’s been rough on you. What’s with that scar on your head?"
A thin, winding scar stretched from above Smoker’s right eye across his sunglasses to his left hairline, adding a touch of gruesomeness to his perpetually intimidating appearance.
"Just a small price for eliminating pirates. Not like you’d understand", Smoker scoffed. "At least I took down Lucius."
"Let’s not talk about that. We’re still friends, right?" Kuro rolled his eyes, clapping Smoker’s shoulder. "C’mon, let’s grab a drink."
"You’ve grown", Smoker muttered, looking up.
Kuro used to be shorter than Smoker, but now he towered over him. Smoker had been two meters and ten centimeters tall—now barely reaching two meters and fifty. Kuro, however, stood at two meters and eighty.
"Shocking, isn’t it? Don’t dwell on it", Kuro said, slinging an arm around Smoker. "Let’s go. I’m loaded now!"
With his Pegasus Island enterprises and Shabondy taxes, Kuro had become one of the world’s wealthiest.
Back when he was a mere officer, he’d worried about his Navy salary. Now, even a Vice Admiral’s pay couldn’t compare.
Most Navy officers at the Commander level or above managed their own bases and rarely faced financial struggles.
Ah, the decadent feudal and capitalist society! How utterly vile!
Indeed! Vile!
The Navy New Marine Headquarters had accommodations, though families still resided in Marineford. That area’s defenses were formidable. As the New World’s Navy gateway, allowing families here would create vulnerabilities.
Sakazuki would never permit such weakness. The headquarters remained strictly military, though limited commercial activity was permitted.
Taverns, dining halls, and recreational facilities existed to help Navy officers unwind. After all, a formal Dining Hall couldn’t provide true relaxation.
(End of Chapter)
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