https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-529-What-Does-My-Wealth-Have-to-Do-With-You-Treating-Me-/13538134/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-531-Could-You-Possibly-Be-Talking-About-Me-/13538137/
Chapter 530: I'm Not Worthy
Chapter 530: I'm Not Worthy
Two days later.
The docks at New Marine Headquarters were packed with ships, their decks overflowing with Navy representatives from every corner of the world. Those who hadn’t arrived by now wouldn’t make it—theceremony was starting today.
From the highest point of the fortress, Castle Tower, Kuro gazed down at the sea of white uniforms writhing below and sighed. “Sure is lively.”
He’d come looking for Gramps right after their last meal together and had been loitering here for two days, watching the crowds swell.
“Oi, Kuro! Don’t stand there gawking. Come in.”
Lucius Kro appeared behind him, waving him inside.
“Got it.”
Kuro pushed off the railing and followed Lucius Kro into the topmost chamber of Castle Tower.
The room was an expansive office in traditional Japanese style—tatami mats stretched across the floor, no sliding doors, and the front completely open, much like Sakazuki’s no-nonsense personality.
At the head of the room, Sakazuki stood in his pristine white dress uniform, the crimson shirt he always wore peeking beneath a white hooded cloak. A Navy hat sat firmly on his head, and the neatly trimmed beard circling his jaw added a scholarly air. Nodding at the newcomers, he rumbled, “You’re here.”
Below and to either side of him, a row of chairs had been arranged. Two were already occupied—Doflamingo and Aokiji, the hawkish Navy representatives, had arrived.
“Oh? Some early birds already here, huh?”
Lucius Kro chuckled, striding forward to claim the wide chair beside Sakazuki. Kuro quietly took his place behind him.
Technically, Kuro should’ve been watching the proceedings via Transponder Snail downstairs. But as Gramps’ subordinate, he’d been allowed inside.
These seats weren’t for someone of his rank. Even Vice Admirals couldn’t just sit wherever they liked. Only those with immense reputation or high-ranking faction leaders—Vice Admiral at minimum—could claim these chairs.
“Looks like we’ve got more company.”
A hunched silhouette entered through the open doorway—Steel-Toothed Mitokonai, better known as He Popo.
Behind her walked three figures: Tina, Smoker, and a man in a blue hat, wearing a long green-patterned robe with a purple sash at his waist. A folding fan twirled in his hand, and a navy hooded cloak draped his shoulders. His mustache curved like a crescent moon, while the goatee beneath jutted forward like a sword—every inch the image of a cunning tactician.
“That guy…”
Kuro blinked. Tina’s presence wasn’t surprising, nor was Smoker’s.
Garp had arrived too, but semi-retired as he was, he was probably holed up with Sengoku somewhere, playing shogi or something. Smoker wouldn’t be with them—he wanted a seat at the Navy’s power table, so he’d naturally come here. Tina inviting him along made sense.
After all, Smoker had declined Kuro’s earlier offer to join them after their last meal. Tagging along with Lucius Kro’s faction would’ve meant officially aligning himself, and Smoker clearly wasn’t ready to take that step.
Zhuge Liang’s faction still had strength. If he rebuilt it, he could fly his own flag again. Joining Lucius Kro’s faction would mean surrendering that last vestige of independence. Smoker had his own calculations—he wouldn’t throw that away lightly.
But coming with He Popo? That was different. She was just looking out for him.
As for the mustachioed man, Kuro was seeing him in person for the first time—but he could guess who it was.
“Little Kuro, long time no see.”
He Popo settled into the first seat on the left below Sakazuki, smiling up at Kuro.
“Long time, He Popo.” Kuro nodded.
“You must be Vice Admiral Lucius Kro?”
The man with the crescent mustache flicked his fan, grinning. “Pleased to meet you. I am Zhuge Liang. Your reputation has reached even the Grand Line.”
“Oh, no, no—don’t be so formal,” Kuro replied hastily.
“Hehehehe! I hope we can work together, Kuro,” Zhuge Liang chuckled, his tone sharpening on the last word. “Together, we’ll crush those despicable pirates!”
Though part of He Popo’s faction, Zhuge Liang was a Headquarters Vice Admiral with his own loyalists. His methods leaned hawkish—childhood trauma from pirates had left him with a deep hatred, and he’d sworn to eradicate them through sheer cunning. His intelligence work had already dismantled countless pirate crews, earning him fame even in the New World. He held Kuro in high regard—their styles aligned: ruthless efficiency, decisive action, no prisoners. And as a rising star in a major faction, an alliance with Kuro could make pirates tremble across the seas.
He held Kuro in high regard—their styles aligned. Ruthless efficiency, decisive action, no prisoners. And as a rising star in a major faction, an alliance with Kuro could make pirates tremble across the seas.
“Come to think of it, I haven’t congratulated you yet, Kuro Vice Admiral—no, Kuro Captain—”
“Ahem!”
He Popo coughed sharply, cutting him off. "Zhuge Liang, the meeting is starting."
“Hehehehe! Of course, He Popo.” Zhuge Liang fanned himself, falling silent.
“Wait—congratulate me on what?”
Kuro frowned, puzzled.
Did Kas get into trouble again? That was his first thought.
But no—Lida had told him yesterday that Kas had arrived safely at New Marine Headquarters. They were together now. If anything had happened, he’d know.
“These guys with weird names sure love being cryptic,” Kuro muttered. Sure, this Zhuge Liang shared a name with the legendary strategist from his past life, but Kuro knew better than to assume they were equals. Plenty of people shared names or even faces—like Ju Geng, who’d copied both and still ended up a deaf fool.
As He took her seat, more Navy officers filed into the chamber.
“Yo, Sakazuki boss! Borsalino, bro!”
A man in earth-toned casual clothes and a loincloth swaggered in, hands in pockets, plopping down into the third seat on the right.
“Kaku, you’re here too? Didn’t expect that,” Lucius Kro said, surprised.
“Mariejois gave Tatsumaki the cold shoulder, so I came here instead.”
Kaku shrugged, flashing a grotesque grin as he leaned back and waved at Kuro behind Lucius Kro. “Long time, Kuro bro! Why’re you standing? Come sit!”
“Long time, Kaku bro,” Kuro smiled, staying put. “Nah, I’m good standing. Rules are rules.”
After all, what would it look like for a Vice Admiral to take one of these seats? Unseemly.
Behind Kaku, Momousagi entered, her long legs striding in as she claimed the second seat on the right.
“Ah, Auntie He Popo, you're here too!”
Zoro greeted He Popo with a grin before turning to Kuro. “Kuro, why’re you standing there?”
You think I wanna stand here? Kuro rolled his White Eye. What’s with these people always trying to shove me into a seat?
Do I deserve it?
Nope. Not even close.
(End of Chapter)
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