Chapter 576: A Hero by Interest's Whim
Chapter 576: A Hero by Interest's Whim
Navy's sudden appearance drew the villagers outside, their gazes shifting between curiosity and tension as they stared at the uniformed newcomers.
This was the New World, a land swarming with pirates. Their archipelago had remained peaceful, but Navy's presence always signaled trouble—pirates were near.
The mere thought of such a terrifying threat sent chills down the civilians' spines. Unlike those in Paradise or the Four Seas, New World residents understood the true danger pirates posed. After all, not all pirates were created equal.
"What are you doing here?" Kuro asked bluntly, his sharp gaze sweeping over the crowd.
The question stunned the villagers. An elder resembling the village chief stepped forward. "Navyofficer, we've always lived here."
"Always?" Kuro's brow furrowed. "What about earlier? Feld the Hidden—no, an old man in a leather coat. What did he do to you? What happened?"
The chief blinked. "Navyofficer, we've never seen an old man in a leather coat. We've lived here peacefully, nothing's happened."
Kuro's frown deepened. "What about the disappearance demon from Coltiga? You haven't seen it?"
The villagers collectively flinched.
The chief's voice trembled. "The disappearance demon? It's here? We've only heard rumors—a man-eating demon that devours people silently. We were preparing to abandon Coltiga."
Their expressions betrayed genuine fear. Yet Kuro knew they'd vanished before.
"Another ability? What bizarre power is this?" Kuro exhaled a puff of smoke, his gaze darkening toward the aura's origin. "New World folk are different."
He hated the New World for this very reason. Devil Fruit users here were unpredictable, their abilities defying logic. In the Four Seas, pirates were common. In Paradise, Devil Fruit users thrived. But in the New World, skilled users could manipulate abilities like art, while Haki masters honed their physical prowess to terrifying levels.
Physical strength and Haki were manageable—they fell within "normal" bounds. But unknown abilities? That was terrifying. Devil Fruits were too varied. Some could be countered with Haki, others couldn't. Their sheer unpredictability was what truly unnerved Kuro.
Still, he couldn't ignore that ancient old man. Kuro soared into the sky, racing toward the aura.
...
On another island, Feld the Hidden sat on a slope, watching the distant sky above the final island. He scratched his head. "Troublesome. I don't want to fight him—my old body won't hold up. Back in our era, he was still so young. Did he find the secret to eternal youth? Would he tell me if I revealed myself? Probably not. He despises pirates."
Suddenly, his eyes narrowed. He pushed off the ground, leaping aside as spikes erupted from the spot he'd occupied.
"Careful, Kuro-san/Kuro-brother", Feld called to the sky. "That was dangerous!"
Kuro descended, cigar clenched between his teeth, his gaze fixed on Feld.
"Old man, explain why those villagers reappeared. What did you do? What's your goal?"
Feld chuckled. "I can tell you. I'm dying soon anyway."
He gestured around. "In two days, this earthquake-prone archipelago will collapse, killing many. I'm saving them—just indulging a final whim to play hero, as our captain used to say."
"Huh? A whim?" Kuro stared. "You have hair. Not bald. How'd you translate that phrase? People here say this?"
"Saving lives?" Kuro narrowed his eyes. "How do you know it'll collapse?"
"Can't say." Feld shrugged. "If you stop me, my plans fail. I'm no match for you. Could you let me be, Navy-brother? Yes, brother. I'm older now, after all."
"Always speaking nonsense." Kuro tightened his grip on Autumn Water, cigar smoldering. "But you're a Devil Fruit user. That complicates things."
Rain began to fall.
"Then I'll capture you first and ask questions later."
Against Devil Fruit users, he'd avoid contact and use sea water—enough to subdue one.
"Sea water?" Feld sighed, gazing at the rain. "Cruel technique for a dying man. No wonder our captain refused Devil Fruits."
In an instant, Feld vanished.
Kuro's eyes narrowed, his Observation Haki flaring to track him.
But as Feld disappeared, a presence materialized behind Kuro.
Spinning, Kuro found Feld's hand on his back. "You're troublesome. Could you let me be for these final hours? I mean no harm, especially to you."
When? How?
Even with Observation Haki, Kuro hadn't sensed him!
"Did you use Moonstep?!"
Feld smiled. "I've waited here ten minutes to stop you. Farewell for now."
Kuro drew his blade, slashing.
Feld vanished again, leaving Kuro cursing.
"Again?!" Kuro's scowl deepened. Observation Haki searched the archipelago—but Feld's aura was gone.
"What? Even Lida and Klah's auras disappeared?"
(End of Chapter)
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