https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-531-Could-You-Possibly-Be-Talking-About-Me-/13538137/
Chapter 532: My Life is Ruined
Chapter 532: My Life is Ruined
Shanks?
For the Marines watching the live broadcast, some recognized the name while others didn’t.
After all, he’d been missing for over two decades. But those who didn’t know him quickly learned the truth through explanations from veteran Marines.
Legendary pirate!
Skyward Pirate Crew’s Admiral!
Shanks… Shanks!
Was that man actually defeated by their Marines?
In a certain office, Garp and Sengoku sat facing each other, snacking while watching the live feed on a small Transponder Snail.
Garp slammed the table, laughing maniacally: “Puhahaha! Kuro’s finally getting promoted, that little brat!”
“That’s good news, Garp,” Sengoku chuckled. “It’s about time he stepped up to deal with those criminals escaping from the Sixth Level.”
Beyond the Marines, another figure watched the broadcast from the shadows.
Dressrosa.
A synchronized live feed projected in a dimly lit room.
“Kshhhkshhkshh—kya!”
On the throne-like seat facing the broadcast, Donquixote Doflamingo sat hunched, shoulders shaking with laughter: “So it’s finally here, huh? Lucius Kro, you’re finally stepping onto the stage!”
…
Kuro stood frozen, staring at Sakazuki addressing the Transponder Snail:
“Defeated Absolon.”
Absolon?
“Who’s that?”
At a Marine base, a young officer asked his superior.
The veteran had weathered countless major events and knew a bit about everything.
“[Phantasm Devil], a notoriously dangerous pirate who once stirred chaos in the Grand Line. If you cross him, you’ll die without even realizing how.”
Meanwhile, at the New Marine Headquarters:
“Absolon? Sounds familiar…” Garp scratched his chin thoughtfully.
“Old man remembers vaguely. He’s a Devil Fruit user who can disrupt senses and perception, but Old Man caught him.” Sengoku adjusted his glasses. “That ability’s useless against Old Man.”
He was a giant Buddha-like figure, possessing divine intellect and unshakable spirit. Mental attacks had no effect on him.
“Defeated Luo Shen.”
Sakazuki continued.
Luo Shen?
The older generation recognized the name instantly.
“That martial arts madman,” Garp grinned, crunching a rice cracker. “Got taken down too, huh?”
“Old Man thought he’d vanished,” Sengoku’s glasses glinted.
Yamete! Don’t say more!
Kuro screamed silently.
When Sakazuki mentioned Absolon, Kuro hadn’t fully processed it yet—he’d even forgotten who Absolon was.
By the time he finally recalled the Devil Fruit user who manipulated senses in some religious nation, Sakazuki’s next words sent panic surging.
“Defeated Lucius.”
Yamete! Stop! Stop!
Kuro felt his heart contort.
Solitary Crimson, Red Earl—a well-known legendary pirate. His name had spread through newspapers.
“Defeated Buggy the Clown.”
Yamete—Butterfly!!
Kuro’s heart shattered, emitting a meaningless wail.
Name after name spilled from Sakazuki’s mouth, draining the color from Kuro’s face until he stood pale and trembling, his body going limp.
The office seemed dim, but in the live feed, Kuro—standing behind Lucius Kro—looked unnaturally pale, his face clearly visible.
Smoker glanced at Kuro, his gut tightening.
This guy had taken down so many legendary pirates in the first half, while I’ve been grinding myself to death in the New World catching pirates who can’t even compare to Kuro’s record.
“Oh~ Tina’s shocked.”
Tina blinked in surprise.
After lunch, when she visited Hakutei, she’d learned Kuro was getting promoted, but assumed it was just a factional promotion. She hadn’t known about the others.
This guy’s been hiding his strength this whole time…
“Hahaha, Kuro Brother, you’re quite something,” Kaku chuckled, shrugging from his third-row seat.
“Right, those were all world-shaking pirates,” Zoro nodded, smiling.
“Oho, Kuro, you’re scary,” Lucius Kro grinned.
Kuro’s eyes nearly popped from glaring at Lucius.
What the hell is going on?!
Isn’t this supposed to be the completion ceremony for Sakazuki’s first speech as Fleet Admiral?!
What does this have to do with me?!
And why the hell did they investigate so thoroughly?!
They even dug up Absolon?!
“Indeed, such a feat deserves recognition. Step forward, our Navy’s hero!”
Sakazuki bellowed: “Navy Vice Admiral, Lucius Kro!!!”
Just as his pale face stood out in the darkness, his name now echoed from Sakazuki’s mouth, reaching Marines worldwide through the live feed.
At that roar, Kuro felt dizzy, staggering sideways.
Suddenly, Lucius Kro reached out, gripping Kuro’s arm and pulling him forward into the center of the seats.
To onlookers, it seemed like Lucius had calmly stepped onto the stage after Sakazuki’s announcement, facing the broadcast and the watching Marines.
“Oh!!! Kuro Mr.!!!”
Below the plaza, Kas clenched his fist, a blue vein bulging on his neck as he shouted at the live feed.
He looked like a fan seeing his idol.
Or witnessing a deity’s descent.
Klah, startled by Kas’s intensity, pushed his glasses up, hiding his inner turmoil.
Kuro Mr. is becoming Vice Admiral.
Which means our faction is finally solidified.
A good thing.
Now, besides carrying Lucius Kro’s faction heir’s halo, Kuro has the ability to independently establish his own faction—though he might never need it.
But having power and not using it is different from having no power at all.
But…
“Does it have to be this dramatic? You’re the only one cheering like this, Kas,” Klah muttered, glancing at his comrade.
“Oh!!! Kuro Mr.!!!”
At the same moment in Sabaody, Wilbur clenched both fists, his face flushed as he stared at the broadcast hanging from a tree.
Sengoku jumped slightly.
“You scared me, Wilbur,” Sengoku grumbled, then turned to the video. “Big Brother Kuro took down all those pirates? Great! Now that I’m officially Navy, I’ll work harder too! I’ll catch a legendary pirate someday!”
Back in the office, Sakazuki nodded approvingly at Kuro’s initiative, smiling: “Lucius Kro’s pirate-slaying is confirmed. Headquarters rewards merit. After verification, I hereby appoint Lucius Kro as Vice Admiral and ‘Admiral Candidate.’ Sit down, Kuro.”
“The first seat on the right is yours.”
Kuro stood expressionless, his heart feeling like someone caught him committing a shameful act—social death incarnate.
My life is ruined.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
