Chapter 56: Have I Been Promoted?
Chapter 56: Have I Been Promoted?
"Hmm?"
Right in the middle of the fierce battle on the bridge, Kuro suddenly felt an odd sensation and turned his gaze toward a distant point on the horizon.
"Huh? Something coming this way?"
Lida also sensed the anomaly. Following Kuro's line of sight, his eyes widened in shock. "A ship! An unmanned ship! How is it moving on its own?!"
"Just a ship."
Kuro exhaled a plume of smoke, smirking slightly as he muttered, "Nothing to worry about."
Though he'd never seen a ship spirit before, the vessel with its alpaca-shaped bow gave off no strange aura. To Kuro, a ship was just a tool - he'd never encountered anything like a mystical ship spirit.
Suddenly, the fighters on the bridge leapt down in perfect unison, landing precisely on the approaching ship.
"Cannon fire! Open fire!"
A Vice Admiral aboard bellowed orders. However, as the cannons locked onto the Going Merry, the ship trembled violently, throwing off the trajectory. The massive warships began drawing closer to each other.
"The Gate of Justice has been closed! The ocean currents have returned!"
"Cursed! Why would the Gate of Justice be shut?!"
"Don't let the Straw Hat Pirates escape!"
Boom!!!
The tiny ship surrounded by monstrous warships suddenly launched into the sky like a rocket, soaring above the swirling currents and disappearing into the distance.
Klah stared at the retreating Thousand Sunny with a complicated expression. "Can they really escape even in this situation?"
Back in Syrobu Village, that Straw Hat Luffy had continuously created miracles, growing stronger with every challenge. Adjusting his glasses, Klah silently vowed, "This debt will be settled someday."
"Ah, what an unexpected scene."
A voice suddenly echoed across the deck.
"Kuzanadmiral!"
"It's really Kuzanadmiral!"
Kuzan?
Kuro instinctively turned his head. A tall man in a white shirt stood watching the distant ships, scratching his head in thought.
It's really him.
Kuro spun around, turning his back to Kuzan.
You can't see me, you can't see me, you can't see me.
"I didn't expect you to come personally", a Navy commander stammered with visible anxiety. "We'll definitely continue the pursuit, eliminate the Straw Hat Pirates, and capture Nico Robin - the world's most wanted criminal! Please approve additional fleet reinforcements and soldiers!"
Kuzan glanced at the commander, then at the silent Storbery, shaking his head. "Forget it. We already used the Pacifista units, and look at the devastation at Enies Lobby. There's no denying Luffy escaped. I'll explain this failure to headquarters. Let's call it quits."
His gaze shifted to Kuro, who was trying to slip away near the deck. "It really is you. When I saw your face in the report, I had to come check. Lucius Kro."
You've gotta be kidding me!
Kuro forced a stiff smile, turning around with a serious expression. "Honor to finally meet you, Kuzanadmiral."
"You know him?" Storbery asked curiously.
"Oh, didn't he tell you? He's Borsalino's direct subordinate." Kuzan explained.
"Oh?"
Storbery looked at Kuro in surprise. He'd never heard of this Navy officer before - how did Lucius Kroadmiral end up recruiting someone like him? Could this ordinary-looking man have hidden potential?
Seeing Storbery's confusion, Kuzan scratched his head. "Well, never mind."
Approaching Kuro, he leaned on the ship's railing facing the sea. "The Straw Hat Pirates have truly made a name for themselves now. The World Government won't ignore them anymore. Old man's got his hands full. You were there - why didn't you stop them?"
"Me?" Kuro pointed at himself in disbelief, waving his hands. "Come on! I'm just an Ensign!"
Kuzan gave him a knowing look. "Don't play dumb. Smoker told me first."
Kuro's eye twitched violently. If not for the crowd, he'd have words with Kuzan right then.
Kuzan was part of the upper echelon - Lucius Kro had full authority, and Kuzan knew it. Turns out you're the one who started this mess!
"Five Vice Admirals couldn't stop them - why should I? Everyone trusted Rob Lucci, so did I. Who knew Luffy would beat him?"
Kuzan scratched his chin. "Huh, seems you understand more than you let on."
Kuro shrugged. If everyone else was slacking, why should he be the only one to work?
Kuzan grinned. "Though I must admit, you intrigue me. The Navy's got some interesting characters. How about joining me for a little trip? We could use some bonding time."
Interesting characters?
You're literally standing right here, buddy.
Kuro looked at Kuzan and declined flatly. "No time. I need to report to headquarters."
"Fine by me. But just saying - status matters sometimes. Without proper authority, things get... complicated."
Trying to trick me?
In your dreams.
Kuro pretended not to hear.
I'd rather drown in the sea than get promoted!
Kuzan pedaled away on his bicycle, the Pacifista ships heading back to headquarters. Kuro boarded Storbery's ship, returning with them.
Knowing Kuro was Borsalino's direct subordinate, Storbery's attitude warmed considerably.
Back at headquarters, Storbery suggested, "Kuro, how about joining my unit? I could put in a good word for your merits."
Storbery, once Borsalino's subordinate himself, naturally wanted to connect with someone from the same chain of command.
Kuro shook his head so hard it looked like a rattle drum. "Appreciate the offer, but Lucius Kroadmiral has other plans for me."
Merits?
Can I eat that?
Storbery didn't press further. If Lucius Kroadmiral had specific orders, what could he say?
After parting with Storbery, Kuro went straight to Lucius Kro's office.
Lucius Kro was leisurely sipping tea when Kuro entered. "Oh? Back already? I heard about the Enies Lobby incident. Today's pirates are truly terrifying."
Even among notorious pirates, the destruction of Enies Lobby was considered 'barbaric' by the government. To cover their tracks, they placed all blame on Luffy - making him the sole destroyer of the island.
Now Luffy was truly infamous across the world.
Not that Kuro cared.
Getting straight to the point, Kuro demanded, "Mission's done. You promised me freedom of operations."
Lucius Kro chuckled, handing Kuro a stack of documents. "Old man keeps his word. But congratulations - you've been promoted."
Promoted?
Promoted?!
Kuro's eyes bulged as he grabbed the papers. His rank had changed from Ensign to... another Ensign? No, wait - the paperwork showed he'd officially become a Navy officer, graduating from enlisted ranks.
"How? What did I do at Enies Lobby? I didn't even show off!"
Kuro's head spun.
Organizing civilian evacuations? That was standard Navy duty.
Besides, CP9 was probably taking the fall now, and Blueno wouldn't be filing any reports. Even if he did, those wouldn't count as merits.
So how the hell did I get promoted?!
(End of Chapter)
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