Chapter 568: Navy Must Have the Navy's Ya Zi
Chapter 568: Navy Must Have the Navy's Ya Zi
The warship gradually entered Port and came to a halt. As it dropped anchor, a wisp of a staircase extended from the gap on the ship’s side.
Thud.
Kuro stepped onto the staircase, a cigar clenched between his teeth, descending at a leisurely pace.
Lida and Klah followed closely behind, leading a group of Navy officers down the stairs.
“Well, Smoker, Tashigi, long time no see.”
Kuro greeted them casually, his hand flicking a cigar from the breast pocket of his jacket.
“Ah, Vice Admiral Kuro, it’s been a while,” Tashigi replied politely.
“You bastard! When will you ever kick that habit!” Smoker glared, his temper flaring.
“Ah, sorry. Force of habit.”
With no trace of remorse, Kuro tucked the cigar into his coat. “Anyway, Headquarters sent me here to find you. I’m here now, so tell me what you’ve discovered.”
The intelligence report had come from Smoker, the suspicious activity he’d uncovered, and the secret request for backup had all been his doing. Who else would Kuro approach?
“This isn’t the place to talk,” Smoker said, glancing at his subordinates. “Come to my office.”
“Fine, let’s go.”
Kuro nodded and turned to follow Smoker toward his office.
“Hey, you’re just leaving like that? Ignoring us?”
Suddenly, a booming voice rang out from the G-5 Navy ranks. A burly man stepped forward, his face twisting into a malevolent grin as he spat out each word: “Golden Lion Vice Admiral.”
“Hey, you all!”
Tashigi’s cheeks puffed up in irritation. “Vice Admiral Kuro and Mr. Smoker have business to discuss. Don’t cause trouble!”
Her words instantly softened the rowdy sailors. One by one, they stuck out their tongues, their eyes turning into hearts.
“Aww, Tashigimiss is so cute today!”
“Tashigimiss, I love you!”
“Tashigimiss, marry me!”
“Ugh…”
Tashigi pushed up her glasses. “No causing trouble. And how many times do I have to say it—call me Commander Tashigi!”
“Yes, Tashigimiss!”
“Understood, Tashigimiss!”
The G-5 Navy chimed in unison. Then the same burly man who’d spoken earlier stepped forward, blocking Kuro’s path. Towering and muscular, he bent his arm to flex his biceps, sizing Kuro up with a sneer.
“You call this twig of a guy fit to supervise us? Listen here—don’t go sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong. We G-5 Navy have our own way of doing things!”
Kuro’s expression remained indifferent as he turned to Smoker. “Smoker?”
“Dajin, back off. This isn’t someone you can intimidate,” Smoker exhaled a plume of smoke, his tone serious.
“But Vice Admiral Smoker, if he’s here to investigate us, we’re already the Navy’s trash. What’s there left to investigate? Headquarters is just looking for an excuse to target us!” Dajin protested, his voice cracking with indignation. “We’re the most heroic Navy there is! If our deeds aren’t praised, why must we endure supervision? It’s not fair! I don’t care about Golden Lion or Silver Mud—this won’t stand! If you want our respect, prove you’re stronger than us!”
Kuro fixed him with a stare. “Smoker, your subordinate?”
“Yes…”
Smoker sighed. “Go easy on them. They’re not bad people.”
Kuro nodded. “My Haki sensed their hearts aren’t evil—just their actions are misguided. Klah.”
“Yes, sir!”
Whoosh!
With a shout, Klah vanished, leaving afterimages flickering through the ranks. A cacophony of crackling sounds erupted as he reappeared behind the G-5 Navy, one hand casually at his side, the other pushing up his glasses. A cold gleam reflected off the lenses, a silent mockery of their weakness.
Thud!
Thud!
Thud!
One after another, the Navy officers collapsed. Some clutched their stomachs, others their chests or legs, their faces contorted in pain.
“You bastard!”
Dajin staggered to his feet, grinding his teeth at Klah, his fists trembling with rage.
Boom!!
Suddenly, his body quivered violently. His lips trembled involuntarily as cold sweat poured from his brow like rain.
He wasn’t alone. The fallen Navy fell silent, heads bowed, too terrified to move. Up close, their bodies shook uncontrollably.
Killing Intent!
“If an old man comes to supervise, there’s a reason for it,” Kuro said, exhaling a puff of smoke. “What you’ve done doesn’t interest him, but let me make one thing clear—Navy should stand and sit with proper posture. Or have you all forgotten? Did being exiled here as outcasts make you give up on yourselves? What happened to the Navy posture you learned back then? Forgotten it all, you bastards?”
“And another thing—your uniforms! Officers of higher rank should wear their hooded cloaks properly. What the hell are you wearing? Anyone seeing this would think this is some circus, not Marine Base G-5!”
Kuro wasn’t exaggerating. Years in the Navy had never shown him such disgraceful posture.
Back in East Blue, Kas’s subordinates might’ve lacked strength, but their posture was impeccable.
At Headquarters, the Navy’s stance was no worse.
Later, at Sabaody, Wilbur’s trained Navy under Kas’s methods weren’t inferior either. Kuro had assumed Kas’s training was unique.
Perhaps it was just coincidence.
Either way, Kuro’s standards for Navy etiquette had been spoiled.
Even when Navy officers led alone, he’d overlook minor lapses. But when gathered, they’d better stand in proper formation—only then would it feel dignified and imposing.
As for Smoker’s crew? What a mess.
If his Observation Haki hadn’t sensed their malice was more frustration than malice, and if not for their Navy identity and Smoker’s factional ties, Kuro would’ve acted already.
He held back—out of respect for Smoker, his friend.
Before arriving, Kuro had Klah gather intel on G-5. Smoker’s decision to come here as a Vice Admiral was clearly strategic.
Under Smoker’s leadership, part of G-5’s Navy had joined his faction, but most remained loyal to Base Commander Vergo. Even Smoker’s subordinates leaned toward Vergo—understandable, as Vergo was the official commander.
To them, Smoker’s transfer was seen as “stirring trouble,” even if unintended.
The fact Vergo tolerated Smoker was strange. A typical Vice Admiral would’ve been politely reassigned long ago.
But Vergo, a marginal figure who kept quiet, had survived thanks to Kuzan’s faction still holding influence.
Regardless of Smoker’s motives, his presence here was a signal. For his subordinates to defy him after so long was baffling.
That’s why Kuro had just said Smoker’s leadership was lacking.
(End of Chapter)
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