Chapter 534: I Will Definitely Fulfill Your Ambition!
Chapter 534: I Will Definitely Fulfill Your Ambition!
Kuro had reached this point through sheer determination, and not a single person on the Grand Line was innocent—neither Navy nor pirate. — Words from the legendary Navy Vice Admiral and Admiral candidate, the "Golden Lion" Lucius Kro.
After realizing there was no hope left for him, Kuro sat motionless on his chair like a stone statue. The other Navy officers assumed he was simply overwhelmed with joy, dismissing his behavior and leaving one by one.
An hour later, Lida, growing impatient from waiting, finally arrived with Kas and Klah in tow.
"Kuro, sir!!!"
Kas shouted the moment they reached the door, his voice cracking with excitement. The sound jolted Kuro from his daze, his hollow eyes flickering with life for the first time.
"Kuro, what's wrong?" Lida asked, striding forward and clapping a hand on his shoulder. "Relax, it's just a promotion. No big deal."
She knew exactly why Kuro was so distraught. This man who had always avoided promotions had finally been stripped of his excuses.
"Kuro..." Klah added cautiously, "There must still be a way to fix this."
"Klah." Kuro's voice cut through the air as soon as Klah finished speaking. "Come here."
A chill ran down Klah's spine. He could practically see a giant red "Danger" sign flashing above Kuro's head. Still, he swallowed hard and took a trembling step forward.
Klah swore he only took one step.
In an instant, Kuro transformed into a black blur, lunging forward to grab Klah by the neck and shake him violently.
"Tell me how to fix this, damn it!!!" Kuro roared, his face twisted with anguish. "I'm gonna have to get a damn coffin-shaped warship now!!!"
"K-Kuro, sir... can't breathe..." Klah gasped, his eyes rolling back as he weakly slapped at Kuro's hands.
"Shit!" Kuro released him abruptly, his temple throbbing with a visible blue vein. "You have no idea what I've been through! You only think about yourself! Vice Admiral! Admiral candidate! Even a codename! They gave me a damn codename too!"
"Golden Lion, Golden Lion! You know what? It actually fits me pretty damn well!"
"You never help me when I need ideas—you're either slacking off or chatting with someone. And when I really need you, you're useless! I was just an Ensign when I met you, and now I'm a Vice Admiral! A Vice Admiral!!!" Kuro bellowed.
"You're just having one of your helpless rages, Kuro", Lida said, rolling her eyes.
"Shut up, Lida! You too! I met you even earlier when you were just a Sergeant! Now look at you! Now look at you!! At least try to keep up with me!"
"Barbecue? Where?" Lida glanced around, feigning distraction.
Kuro: "..."
"Did you catch Ju Geng's madness?!"
Meanwhile, Kas—the only one who didn't understand Kuro's true feelings—stood silently, watching the scene unfold.
Why was Kuro so furious?
He had just been promoted to Vice Admiral. Shouldn't he be happy?
And why did his words sound so bitter?
Kas recalled Kuro's achievements: defeating Shanks, Lucius, and Buggy the Clown—legendary pirates whose names shook the world. These were glorious feats. Why did Kuro seem so tormented?
Wait...
Kas stared at Kuro, his eyes suddenly welling up. He wiped his tears with his sleeve. "I understand, I understand completely, Kuro, sir!"
His sudden breakdown startled Kuro, who stopped mid-rage. "Understand what?"
"Kuro, sir, you shouldn't have become a Vice Admiral", Kas blurted out, trembling with emotion.
Kuro's eyes widened in shock. "You really get it?"
"Yes!"
Kas nodded furiously. "You shouldn't have taken this promotion. Staying at your current rank would've been better."
He actually understood?!
He truly understood?!
Kas's words made Kuro lean back in surprise, his anger dissipating. For the first time in ages, this bearded fool finally grasped his feelings.
"You finally get it!" Kuro wailed. "I shouldn't have taken this promotion. How will I face anyone now?"
"Whaaah! I understand you completely, Kuro, sir!"
Kas's tears now flowed uncontrollably as he threw his head back and sobbed. "This is so tragic, so heartbreaking! I understand you completely, Kuro, sir!!!"
"Stop, stop! Don't cry!"
Kuro groaned, rubbing his temples. "What are you, some big lord crying like this?"
"I shouldn't have let you become Vice Admiral! You shouldn't have taken this promotion!"
Kas wept. "Now you'll never fulfill your ambition, Kuro, sir!"
Oh-ho!
You actually remember my ambition?!
Kuro's eyes widened in disbelief. After all this time, this headache of a man finally understood him.
"Relax, relax", Kuro said, his anger now replaced with resignation as he comforted Kas. "It's just a promotion to Vice Admiral. No big deal. As long as you understand me, we'll work together and eventually fulfill my ambition."
He walked to a chair, ripped off one of its legs, and snapped it in front of Kas. "A single piece of wood breaks easily."
Then he dismantled the chair completely, took another chair, and gathered several legs together.
"A bundle of wood isn't so easy to break, right, Lida?"
He handed the bundle to her. She took it, gave it a quick glance, and snapped it in half with one hand.
"Snap!"
Lida stared at the broken pieces in confusion. "Huh? What were you saying again?"
Kuro: "..."
I was trying to put on a performance here!
Why are you so literal, damn it?!
Kuro shot Lida an exasperated look before clearing his throat and turning back to Kas. "The point is, as long as we stick together, we can overcome any problem. Stop crying, will you? A big guy like you crying—it's embarrassing. I haven't cried since I was a kid."
Except for the day his parents in this world had died, he hadn't shed a tear since.
Kas wiped his eyes, his face still flushed from crying. "I just wish I could have been by your side, Kuro, sir, to share your pain! No, I should go report this to Headquarters!"
"Forget it", Kuro waved a hand dismissively. "What can you possibly say? If Gramps kept this from me, what can you do? It is what it is. Vice Admiral is Vice Admiral."
He sighed. "Go prepare yourself. I might transfer you back here."
As a Vice Admiral, he'd likely be reassigned to the New World. For safety, he'd need more people around him.
"Really?! I can serve under you again, Kuro, sir?!"
Kas's eyes lit up with joy. Instinctively, he saluted. "Kuro, sir, I'll always be ready for your orders!"
Kas's words proved he truly understood.
Kuro's ambition had always been safety, not promotions.
If he was transferred, bringing Kas along wouldn't be a problem.
Kas wiped his tears, determination burning in his eyes.
Such incredible achievements, yet only a Vice Admiral?!
Even being an Admiral candidate wasn't the same as being a full Admiral!
No wonder Kuro was so furious! He must feel he deserved direct promotion to Admiral!
How tragic!
Kas felt sorrow for Kuro—and for himself—for being useless at such a critical moment.
But!
"But!"
Kas suddenly shouted, his voice ringing with conviction. "I will definitely fulfill your ambition, Kuro, sir!!!"
"I, Kas, will devote my life to making sure you achieve your dream of becoming an Admiral, Kuro, sir! I will never let you feel this helpless rage again!"
(End of Chapter)
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