Chapter 537: Is It Something from the Incense Burner?
Chapter 537: Is It Something from the Incense Burner?
Clap clap clap!
Clap clap clap clap!
In the highest office of the Navy base at Shabondy, a rhythmic clapping echoed.
Inside the office, darkness filled the room as an indistinct object shifted slightly. A spark flared to life, sending a wisp of smoke curling upward.
Clap clap clap clap!
The knocking continued outside the door.
"Kuro! Are you going to do something about this?!"
Lida's voice rang out from the hallway. "Shabondy's turning into a pirate nest! Aren't you going to check it out?"
The room gradually brightened. A figure in a black coat with an open collar and a fur-lined hood stirred. A cigar dangled from its mouth. Hearing the voice, the head-like portion of the figure cracked open its eyes and sat up slowly.
"Pirates?"
The figure blew out a smoke ring lazily. "Can't you handle pirates yourselves? They're just trash. Why bother me?"
As the light increased, the figure's face became visible. It was Lucius Kro, wearing his signature gloomy expression. Well, actually, he should be called Golden Lion now.
Bang!!
The door slammed open as Lida strode in. "I don't have time! I'm going to see Soul King Brook's concert. It's supposed to be his last one, and it's really popular. I finally got tickets, how could I miss it?"
She waved two tickets in the air. "Hey Kuro, you haven't left this office in two months. Don't you want to go out for once?"
Since returning to Shabondy, Kuro hadn't stepped outside his office for two whole months. Meals were delivered daily. After eating, he'd just lie there like a soulless corpse, muttering strange phrases to himself. He looked completely broken.
At least, that's how Lida saw it.
As for Klah...
He'd come in walking and leave lying down. Eventually, no one bothered him anymore, knowing he was in a bad mood.
Normally, without Kuro, Shabondy could still be kept stable by the others. But this was no ordinary time.
Right now marked the annual period when the largest number of pirates entered Shabondy. Even with Lida, Klah, Sengoku, and Wilbur working together, handling the massive pirate influx while protecting the island and conducting sea patrols left them stretched thin. Someone had taken advantage of the situation.
After all, this island wasn't small.
According to intelligence reports, many unfamiliar faces had appeared on the island recently, including notorious pirates from wanted posters. This made Lida alert. She figured it was the perfect opportunity to get Kuro moving.
"What's there to see outside? Pirates? Let them go if they want. As long as they don't destroy my rules here, why stop a man from going to sea?"
Kuro muttered gloomily, "Don't bother me. Let me enjoy this last bit of peace. It might be the last time I get to relax like this."
"Really? You won't go?" Lida looked disappointed at the two tickets in her hand. "I worked so hard to get them."
"What's so great about some stupid concert? Wait, does this world even have concerts?"
Kuro rolled his eyes, then suddenly froze. "Wait, whose concert did you say this was?"
"Soul King Brook's!"
Lida pulled out a poster from somewhere, pointing at a skull with its mouth wide open as if roaring. "This one! A singing skeleton! How rare is that?"
"Hmph, this skeleton..." Kuro rubbed his chin, showing a bit of interest. "Damn, looks kinda familiar."
"Forget it, forget it. No need to get involved in trouble."
Kuro waved his hand dismissively. "Let them go somewhere else."
The poster triggered his memory. Thinking back, it had been two years since the Summit War. And now...
Luffy's crew was starting to gather. He already had enough headaches without going after more trouble. Let them cause chaos in the New World.
"Aren't you going to watch?" Lida asked, disappointed.
"What for? No way." Kuro replied. "You go yourself. Be careful, come home on time, don't run around. If anything happens, ask Klah. By the way, where's Klah?"
"He's on patrol."
"Whatever, forget it. Close the door. Wait, the door's gone. Whatever, I'm going back to sleep."
With that, Kuro lay back down, making Lida grit her teeth in frustration.
...
"Zoro, it's better not to go out much these days."
Inside the Bamboo Drum Bar, Silvers Rayleigh told Zoro. "The situation recently feels... different."
"I noticed something was off."
Zoro sat beside Silvers Rayleigh. Shaki poured him a drink, which he took with a sip. "There's a lot of martial law on the island, but I can be careful. Should be fine."
"It's not just that. There's bad news."
Silvers Rayleigh shook his head with an apologetic smile. "Your ship... it's gone."
"Expected that."
Zoro set down his cup, spinning it idly. "Leaving it here for two years, of course it's gone. A shame though. It was Franky's masterpiece."
"No, it's not that simple. Your ship was seized by the Navy. It's in their base now."
Silvers Rayleigh explained. "I checked around. It should be there."
"Oh? So it didn't disappear? That's actually good news."
Zoro's lips curled into a wicked grin. "If the ship's still there, we can just take it back."
"It's not that easy."
Silvers Rayleigh shook his head, looking out the window with a bitter smile. "Shabondy now has a powerful presence. There's a Vice Admiral stationed here. You might know him - Lucius Kro."
"Who?"
Zoro tilted his head, thinking. "Don't know him."
"Golden Lion." Silvers Rayleigh repeated.
Zoro stared at his cup for a moment before turning to Silvers Rayleigh uncertainly. "Is it something from the incense burner?"
Silvers Rayleigh: "..."
"The one who defeated Lucius?"
"Who's Lucius?"
A faint blue vein throbbed on Silvers Rayleigh's temple. "In short, he's a very strong Navy officer stationed here. Getting your ship back won't be easy."
"You mean it's dangerous?"
Zoro nodded, his wicked grin widening as he patted the swords at his waist. "Danger's been with us since we set sail. Doesn't matter. We'll get our ship back no matter what!"
There was no reasoning with someone who didn't follow the news or understand strong men.
Silvers Rayleigh opened his mouth, then closed it again. After a long pause, he finally said, "Anyway, wait until your crew's all here."
(End of Chapter)
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