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Chapter 573: Demon Rumors
Chapter 573: Demon Rumors
G-5.
Kuro had no idea Headquarters was already feverishly crafting his flagship.
Right now, he was sprawled across the office sofa, legs propped up, biting down on a cigar, one hand holding a wine glass, the other flipping through a newspaper, occasionally chuckling.
"What's so funny?"
Smoker, seated at the main desk, narrowed his eyes.
"Wanna hear this?"
Kuro exhaled a puff of smoke, took a sip from his glass, and read aloud:
"An old man was walking, accidentally fell into a river, and cried for help! Two Navy officers passed by, ignored him completely, and kept chatting as they walked. In desperation, the old man shouted, 'Down with the World Government!' The two Navy officers, hearing this, were shocked and immediately jumped into the river, dragging the old man ashore and handcuffing him."
Smoker: "...".
"What newspaper is this?" A faint blue vein throbbed on his forehead.
"World News Paper. That pigeon-head publishes it. Pretty good joke, right?" Kuro said, flipping the joke column.
Some jokes, humanity's treasure, work just as well even transplanted to foreign lands or other worlds, needing no explanation to thrive.
Probably because they're all capitalist and feudal.
"Hey! Kuro!"
Smoker barked, "Your mission's over. Why are you still loafing around here? Don't you need to report back? And shouldn't you be stationed at G-3 now?"
With Vergo eliminated, Smoker had naturally become G-5's top officer. Though not officially appointed Base Commander yet, the position was his once Kuro left.
Smoker had already submitted his report, though it contained little detail. Kuro had said nothing, merely submitting what he'd witnessed.
"What's the rush? Rare chance to take a paid vacation. Let me enjoy myself for a while."
Kuro tossed the newspaper aside, downed his wine, and set the glass on the table. "Besides, I can help you prevent some trouble while I'm here. You don't fully control G-5 yet, do you?"
Unlike his past-life memories, Vergo hadn't been dismembered by Law, nor was there direct evidence of him ambushing Navy forces. The combination of those facts had allowed Smoker to quickly seize G-5.
But now, Vergo's death remained mysterious. At least to Smoker and the G-5 Navy, Vergo had died without explanation, with no evidence.
Kuro had said nothing, simply reporting that Vergo had been killed by Golden Lion. This left the G-5 Navy seething with resentment toward him.
Vergo Mr.!
Their base's respected Vergo Mr., that gentleman, had been cut down by Golden Lion!
Anyone would feel indignant.
Kuro stayed silent because, for Smoker and the G-5 Navy, this was information they didn't need. Vergo working under Donquixote Doflamingo required reporting to higher-ups for a decision.
Though Kuro suspected it would all quietly fade away eventually.
That flamingo-head had done plenty for the World Government—acting as an intermediary in deals between the Government and the Four Emperors, handling dirty work the Government couldn't do openly. With his former World Noble status and position as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, the Navy might not have much leverage against him.
They were the Navy, bound by the rules of the game.
Unlike pirates, who could flip the table anytime and quit the game altogether.
Of course, the size of the pirate mattered. If a Four Emperor flipped the table, no one could stop them.
But a small-time pirate trying the same would pay dearly.
"Whatever. But I'm heading to Raijin Island to arrest someone", Smoker said, clenching two cigars between his teeth.
"Raijin Island?" Kuro blinked. "Who's there?"
"Luffy!" Smoker growled. "He'll definitely choose that dangerous island. I'll arrest him there!"
He glanced at Kuro. "Come to think of it, he escaped from you too, didn't he? Funny how it works—one at East Blue's end, one at Paradise's end. But why did you let him go?"
At East Blue's end in Loguetown, Luffy's crew had escaped Smoker.
At Paradise's end in Shabondy, they'd slipped through Kuro's grasp.
But Smoker had been stopped by Dragon then. As for Kuro...
The only explanation he could think of was that the man had thrown the fight.
Smoker's words darkened Kuro's expression.
He couldn't mention Garp's interference. Unlike that reckless old man, Kuro was a team player who valued protocol.
Still, thinking about it, he'd practically handed himself a promotion to G-3. Who could he complain to?
"Raijin Island?"
Kuro narrowed his eyes. "If that's where he is... Forget it. You handle it. I'll take a break."
"You might as well stop loafing. If you're really bored, I have a request."
Smoker stood. "We haven't fully scouted the sea area near G-5. If you're free, check it out. There's a rumor I'm concerned about. I was going to go myself, but you'd handle it better."
"At least this way, you won't be stuck here idling."
"Fine." Kuro nodded. "Otherwise, your subordinates' glares might kill me. What's the rumor?"
Though indifferent, the Navy's resentful stares were annoying.
"Keritiga Archipelago—you know it?" Smoker asked.
"Yeah, a nearby island chain. What about it? Pirates?" Kuro asked.
"Pirates would be simpler."
Smoker shook his head. "People have been vanishing mysteriously. Rumors say a demon's behind it, but it's always been just rumors—no solid evidence. If you're free, check it out."
"Not pirates, huh?"
Kuro chewed his cigar. "Alright. I'll accept Vice Admiral Smoker's commission to investigate. That way, no one can accuse me of idling here."
He stood, waving a hand. "I'll be gone about ten days to two weeks. If Headquarters asks, say I'm on your assignment. Don't slip up."
With that, he left the office.
Smoker shook his head, muttering, "That lazy bastard hasn't changed in years. Then again, I'm not exactly one to talk."
He turned to the window, clenching his fist. "Luffy... I'll catch you. I swear it!"
Whether arriving in the New World or transferring to G-5—all of it was to close the distance between him and that man!
The man who, on Loguetown's execution platform, had worn the same grin as the One Piece legend!
(End of Chapter)
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