https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-589-What-Does-This-Old-Man-Want-/13538655/
Chapter 590: You Old Man, So Stubborn
Chapter 590: You Old Man, So Stubborn
"Eliminate pirates?"
Kuro exhaled a puff of smoke, tightened his grip on Autumn Water, and pressed downward with immense force. "The New World isn’t just about pirates!"
"That’s the necessary cost!"
Zeff stepped forward, his mechanical arm swinging. A colossal surge of strength rippled around Kuro, sending him flying backward. As Kuro stabilized midair, Zeff extended his mechanical arm and unleashed a barrage of bullets.
"You yourself said everything has a price, Kuro! Now that Old Man’s throwing your own words back at you, how does it feel?!"
Kuro’s body flickered through the air, dodging the bullets. Suddenly, he reappeared to Zeff’s left and slashed downward with his Black Blade.
Clang!
Zeff’s left arm turned pitch-black, deflecting the strike. He grinned savagely. "Old Man heard the news, Kuro—no, Golden Lion Vice Admiral. How does it feel to become an Admiral candidate in the Navy’s weak ranks? Pretty impressive, huh?"
As he spoke, Zeff spread his five fingers, slid his arm along the blade, and grabbed Kuro’s sword. His mechanical arm swung forcefully.
"You old man—"
Kuro twisted his blade, knocking Zeff’s fingers aside, then leapt back to evade the heavy strike.
"You’ve changed a lot", Kuro remarked. "Your hairstyle’s different, your clothes wilder, and that black hooded cloak—looks like you’ve become more pirate-like yourself. Ai En, didn’t you try to stop this old man?"
"I—" Ai En opened his mouth, then shook his head, his expression hardening. "I’m just following Master Z’s path."
"Z?" Kuro frowned.
"That’s Z now!!" Zeff lunged forward, his mechanical arm swinging downward.
Kuro’s body floated upward, halting high in the sky as he looked down at Zeff. "You’ve fulfilled that old geezer Ehrnando’s wishes. But if he knew you’d abandon the Navy too, would he leap out of his coffin? Oh, wait—he’s got the qualifications. He’s a pirate himself."
"Ehrnando."
Zeff hesitated, then grinned. "Don’t compare me to him! What I do is justice!"
Kuro shook his head. This old man’s mindset had completely shifted. Back then, he’d refused to kill Ehrnando. Now, he spoke of him with disdain.
"I’ll say this—World Government’s actions weren’t fair, but we had other ways. You didn’t need to go this far", Kuro said.
Everyone wanted to eliminate that Whitebeard II. Gramps himself had visited the West Blue back then.
"Hmph. You and Borsalino both speak with that light, floaty tone", Zeff sneered. "But that was just the start. Old Man simply believes the Navy’s obsolete. Otherwise, Old Man would’ve acted personally to eradicate all wicked pirates!"
Kuro stared, then sighed. His figure faded.
"Give me the Explosive Rock."
The voice came from behind Zeff.
Startled, Zeff instinctively swung his mechanical arm backward.
Clang!
Black Blade clashed with metal.
"You know this is End Point", Kuro said. "You not only released the Explosive Rock but took it yourself. Why make things this extreme? If you want to fight pirates, go fight them alone. Are you afraid of pirates now?"
His remaining hand clenched. The earth around Zeff erupted, forming jagged earth spikes.
"If you fear pirates, forget I spoke."
Zeff laughed, his left arm glowing with Armament Haki. He swung violently, unleashing Haki’s External Release to shatter the spikes.
"Provoking Old Man won’t work!"
Zeff shoved Kuro back, extending his mechanical arm with a malevolent grin. "If you want to stop me, kill me, Kuro!!"
"Crushing Impact!!"
A fiery beam erupted toward Kuro.
"This won’t work on me."
Kuro flicked his fingers. A thick wall rose from the ground, blocking the explosion.
Boom!!
The blast shattered the wall, filling the air with smoke and dust.
"Old Man ever tell you not to rely too much on abilities?"
From the smoke, a voice echoed. Kuro’s pupils narrowed. Golden lightning surged along his Black Blade as he slashed.
Crack!
A wind-charged hand caught Autumn Water. Blood dripped from the palm, trailing down the blade.
Zeff leapt beside Kuro, his mechanical arm raised high, his grin gruesome. "Long-term station life made you complacent!"
Crash!!
The mechanical arm slammed down, gripping Kuro’s body.
"Old Man told you—this arm’s made of Seastone, specially to counter Devil Fruit users like you!"
Zeff lifted Kuro, landing heavily as he laughed. "Once Old Man grabs you, you’re useless!"
Steam hissed from the mechanical arm, fire gathering within.
"Crushing Im—"
Suddenly, Zeff’s pupils constricted. He flung Kuro aside and looked skyward. The sky had darkened.
Kuro landed, his body radiating Armament Haki. Black Haki armor enveloped him, forming a purple cross mark and tear streaks beneath his eyes.
"Feel that? If we’d waited longer, you’d be in real trouble", Kuro said, holding Autumn Water, its blade crackling with golden lightning.
He’d held back all along. Seastone nullified his powers, but its effect depended on quantity and concentration. That single hand’s worth wasn’t enough. He’d nearly severed it when this old man finally reacted.
And if Zeff had held on longer, the object in the sky would’ve fallen.
"Little brat!" Zeff laughed. "You haven’t changed!"
"You’re as stubborn as a rock", Kuro said, biting his cigar. "One last time—hand over the Explosive Rock, Zeff Teacher."
Zeff crouched low. "The answer’s no!"
"Shame. I get why Gramps didn’t want to come. You’re too much of a stubborn old man to strike hard, yet I can’t hold back either."
Kuro tightened his grip on Autumn Water. "I’m in a tough spot too."
"Borsalino and Old Man never got along", Zeff said. His mechanical arm suddenly grabbed an Explosive Rock, crushing its container, and aimed at Kuro. "No need to struggle—see the Explosive Rock’s power!"
The mechanical arm launched the rock. "Explode!!"
The Explosive Rock’s blast would trigger a chain reaction, obliterating the island.
But suddenly, the rock reversed mid-flight. In Zeff’s stunned expression, it exploded directly above him.
Boom!!
A massive explosion engulfed Zeff.
Simultaneously, the Explosive Rocks on the ground rose rapidly into the sky. At this distance, only Zeff himself would be caught in the blast.
"You old man’s too stubborn! There are still Navy men and your own subordinates on this island!" Kuro clicked his tongue. "In my presence, using terrain and props won’t work."
The flames dissipated, revealing no trace of Zeff.
The ships had retreated to the Grand Line during their battle, leaving only wreckage drifting on the sea.
Kuro glanced at the retreating ships, then the sea surface, his fingers twitching. He sighed.
"He escaped."
(End of Chapter)
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