https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-555-What-Kind-of-King-Were-You-Trying-to-Become-/13538532/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-557-Face-Come-and-Take-It-Yourself-/13538538/
Chapter 556: Do You Really Want to Die That Badly?
Chapter 556: Do You Really Want to Die That Badly?
That punch had thoroughly enraged Kuro.
With Shabondy thrown into chaos and their base demolished, his mood was already foul enough.
But Luffy was Garp’s grandson. Out of respect for Garp, Kuro had originally decided to let things slide.
Besides, given Luffy’s knack for causing trouble, leaving him in the first half of the Grand Line might actually be worse.
What was the point of capturing him?
Throwing him into Impel Down would only trigger the Revolutionary Army. Right now, the Navy had just completed its World Recruitment and was already stretched thin dealing with the pirates of the New World. Adding the Revolutionary Army into the mix would be a massive headache.
That was the World Government’s problem, not the Navy’s.
Plus, locking them up in Impel Down? Knowing this crew’s talent for chaos, the Navy would probably suffer another embarrassing escape.
Why take that gamble?
As for killing them? Even worse.
Garp might seem like a carefree old man, but he’d definitely hold a grudge over something like this. The Revolutionary Army wouldn’t let it slide either.
Kuro wasn’t afraid, but why invite so much trouble?
Why not just send them to the New World to annoy the Four Emperors instead? With their knack for chaos, those lunatics might actually get driven mad.
That was Kuro’s original plan—just teach them a lesson and be done. But now? Different story.
Haven’t you heard the saying, “Don’t hit someone’s face”?
These fools not only ignored that rule, they’d aimed straight for his face.
His cigar had even fallen!
And then there was that red mark on Lida’s ankle…
Could you possibly be more insulting? Why not just grab a ship’s rudder and smash it over Old Man Garp’s head while you’re at it!
How could Kuro not be furious?
“Damn it!”
Sanji gritted his teeth, charging forward in a burst of flame. His leg blazed like a meteor.
“Demon Wind Leg!”
Kuro didn’t even glance. Autumn Water sliced through the air.
Bang!!
Sanji’s foot was struck by Autumn Water, sending him howling in pain as he rolled across the ground, clutching his leg. The injury looked broken.
“You’re not even in the same league as my Haki, kid.”
Kuro’s cold gaze swept over him.
“Luffy, you idiotic cook!”
Zoro dove forward, his blade spinning.
“Nine Mountains and Eight Seas as One World!”
“Converge a Thousand Worlds into a Small Thousand Worlds!”
“Threefold Multiplication, Nothing is Uncuttable!”
“Three Sword Style—Mystic Art!”
“One Might!”
Zoro’s form blurred into a streak of light, leaving only the afterimage of his Haki-imbued blade as he lunged at Kuro.
Clang!
Kuro sheathed his sword, then instantly drew Autumn Water in a flash. Three blades of light erupted, cutting off every escape route as Zoro’s attack faltered.
“Swallow Return.”
“This is…”
Zoro’s pupils constricted. “How is this possible with just one sword?!”
This surpassed even his Oni Giri! He relied on multiple blades to corner enemies, but how could a single sword achieve this?
This guy’s swordsmanship rivals Dracule Mihawk’s!
Blade light flashed. Zoro appeared behind Kuro, his eyes beneath the black headscarf now pitch-black voids.
Hiss!!
Blood erupted from Zoro’s chest as he collapsed.
Kuro scoffed. “Flashy nonsense.”
The Straw Hat trio’s three main fighters now lay at his feet.
Kuro lit a new cigar, took a puff, and exhaled a plume of smoke.
“Trying to depart?”
He turned toward the ship docked at the port, swung his blade, and unleashed a golden slash.
“Let’s see how you leave after this!”
Thud-thud-thud!
As the slash neared the ship, a rapid series of footsteps erupted.
A figure dashed forward, intercepted the golden slash, shattered it, then countered with another slash aimed at Kuro.
Kuro’s eyes narrowed. He deflected the attack with a reverse slash, then struck downward.
Clang!!
A Haki-encased blade blocked Autumn Water.
“Let the young ones depart in search of their dreams, won’t you?”
The swordsman wore glasses, his hair and beard snow-white. He smiled at Kuro. “Don’t crush the dreams of youth, little lamb.”
Kuro parried the old man’s strike, his expression darkening. “Didn’t I warn you to stay out of trouble, old fool? You’re—”
He pushed forward, forcing the old man back, then slashed with a golden arc.
“So you really want to die?!”
The old man dodged sideways, evading the slash. His expression carried a faint, wry smile. “An old wreck like me—what’s death or life at this point?”
It was Silvers Rayleigh!
“Is that so?”
Kuro fixed Rayleigh with a glare, exhaling sharply. His Armament Haki surged from his chest, forming a swirling, pitch-black sun mark that spread across his body and head.
A purple cross glowed on his forehead, with matching tear-like streaks beneath his eyes.
Full Armament Haki—Awakened!
A bone-chilling killing intent filled the base.
The Straw Hats trembled involuntarily.
“What is this? What’s happening?!”
Usopp clutched his head in terror. “This aura—it’s too terrifying!”
“Stop shaking, Usopp.”
Robin suppressed her fear. “Quickly, while we still can—rescue them!”
The crew sprang into action.
But in a flash, a figure blocked their path. Franky was kicked flying, landing at the front of the group.
“That won’t do.”
Lida stood before them, arms crossed. “Kuro’s angry now. You’re not going anywhere.”
Nami felt her heart sink.
This woman was terrifyingly strong too!
Hmph.
Kuro glanced at Lida, smirking as he tightened his grip on Autumn Water, sparks of lightning crackling along the blade.
To Rayleigh, he said, “I’ll send you to meet your captain. If you hurry, you might catch up with your old friends—people you’ll be very familiar with.”
“Shanks and the others?”
Rayleigh chuckled bitterly. “Truthfully, I’d rather not see them just yet…”
This man was extremely dangerous!
Compared to two years ago, he’d fully matured.
Like his codename “Golden Lion” suggested, he’d grown from a lion cub with newly sharpened fangs into a mythical beast—part dragon, part lion, crowned with ram horns. Shanks, Lucius, Buggy the Clown, and other legendary pirates had all become his nourishment.
This time, he might actually be the one to end up buried here!
Kuro twisted his neck, gripping Autumn Water tightly as he fixed Rayleigh with a stare, his foot shifting slightly.
Rayleigh reacted instantly, dodging sideways and slashing.
“Afterimage Slash!”
The Kuro before him rippled like water and vanished. Autumn Water reappeared at his side, descending in a deadly arc.
Clang!!
The sharp ring of steel echoed through the base.
(End of Chapter)
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