Chapter 591: He Really Dared to Do It
Chapter 591: He Really Dared to Do It
Kuro gazed at the warships on the sea surface, shook his head, and turned back while biting his cigar.
On the ground, Navy soldiers struck down by the Neonavy lay scattered.
A sweep of Observation Haki confirmed they still had life auras.
"This old man..."
Kuro sighed.
"This way! Hurry and provide support!"
Other Navy forces from the fortress rushed over.
But by now, the enemy had long vanished.
The leading Navy Commander spotted the only conscious Navy officer still standing. After a closer look, he recognized the figure and saluted sharply. "Golden Lion Vice Admiral."
Of course they knew him. The live broadcast during Kuro's defection had made him infamous across the Navy.
"Patch up the wounded", Kuro said. "And prepare a meal for me. I'm starving."
"Understood!" the Navy Commander barked.
...
Inside the fortress, the three giant Vice Admirals who had regained consciousness stood around a large round table. Bandages wrapped their bodies as they bowed their heads toward the tiny figure devouring food, their expressions filled with remorse.
Kuro gnawed on a massive meat leg, his bite taking off a chunk larger than his own head. He glared at the three towering figures.
"Seriously? You three giants aren't resting but staring at this old man?"
"Kuro. We failed", one giant Vice Admiral admitted. "We couldn't stop Zeff Teacher from seizing the Explosive Rock."
"That doesn't matter anymore", Kuro said, taking another bite. "That old man was always strong. It's normal you couldn't stop him. I'll explain to Headquarters. But keep this place secure. Since the island wasn't destroyed, that old man won't give up easily."
The three Endpoint islands were critical. Missing even one would prevent complete destruction of the New World's foundation.
Now that Kuro had protected this island, Zeff faced multiple options.
Either restart the plan or target another island first.
This uncertainty made it harder for the Navy to predict his next move.
But that was the intelligence department's problem.
His mission was complete.
After satisfying his hunger, Kuro made a call to Sakazuki.
The Transponder Snail screen flickered to reveal Sakazuki's perpetually grim face.
"Hello, Sakazuki Fleet Admiral. Zeff escaped."
"Escaped?!"
The Transponder Snail crackled with surprise.
"Kuro! With your abilities, how could you let that man get away?!"
"Nothing I could do", Kuro shrugged, leaning back in his chair. "He triggered the Explosive Rock's detonation himself. I was too focused on preventing island destruction to notice his move. He used the explosion to escape, probably into the sea. Whether he survived... well, who knows?"
"I see."
A pause from Sakazuki. "Fine. Return to Headquarters."
The call disconnected.
Kuro snapped his pocket watch shut and stood. "Alright, you three rest. Stay vigilant. Contact me immediately if anything happens. I'm heading back."
"Understood, Kuro", the three Vice Admirals replied in unison.
Leaving the fortress, Kuro flew back to Headquarters. By noon, he arrived.
"Gramps."
Without wasting time, Kuro headed straight to Lucius Kro's Office.
"Oh~ Kuro. The old man already knows. Zeff Teacher escaped."
"Yeah, he got away. Next time, don't assign me such troublesome tasks. I'm done with this."
"That won't work", Lucius Kro chuckled. "This isn't just your responsibility. It's all of Navy's duty."
He grinned. "After all, he's done a lot for us."
"What now then? Zeff's gone. The world's huge. We can't find him", Kuro said meaningfully.
"No problem", Lucius Kro smiled. "If we can't find him, we'll wait. Slowly search."
"Guess that's the only way."
That old man better abandon this obsession.
As long as he only hunts pirates with his influence, Headquarters won't interfere.
After all, he was the teacher of countless named officers across the Navy.
Even Kuro had to call him 'teacher' once.
If he doesn't threaten the world, who in their right mind would go after him?
But things would change in a few days.
Before Kuro could leave, Gramps summoned him again.
"What's up?"
Arriving at Headquarters' rear, Kuro asked directly.
"Regarding Zeff Teacher", Lucius Kro said, lips pursed. "He destroyed another Endpoint. Scary stuff."
Kuro's brow furrowed. "Which one?"
"The only barren island left. He destroyed that too."
Lucius Kro continued, "We'll discuss the rest at the meeting."
With that, he strode toward the Meeting Room.
Kuro glanced down from the Castle Tower. Warships already gathered outside, each a flagship of elite Vice Admirals.
"They're all here."
Kuro shrugged and followed Gramps into the Meeting Room.
Inside, several figures had already arrived.
Shiranami sat first at the left row, arms crossed. She nodded slightly as Lucius Kro and Kuro entered.
Smoker and Tashigi stood behind her.
On the main screen at the back, Tina leaned against the wall with arms folded.
"Yo."
Kuro greeted them casually as he followed Gramps inside.
Lucius Kro took a seat beside the head position, pointing to the first seat on the right. "Kuro, your seat."
I know the old man! Don't need you to tell me!
Kuro rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed, and slumped into the first seat on the right.
Soon, other Vice Admirals trickled in.
A bald man with a white ponytail and wearing a burgundy dress uniform entered, nodded to the room, and sat below Crane. (Note: This might refer to a character's name in the original text.)
Gumier Vice Admiral, base commander of G-2 Branch.
Following Gumier Vice Admiral came Storbery Vice Admiral, taking the third seat on the left.
Next, Doflamingo Vice Admiral entered, sitting directly below Kuro.
After Doflamingo came Aokiji, taking the third seat.
Stress took the fourth.
Finally, Togeko occupied the fifth.
Two rows totaling ten Vice Admirals filled the room.
Soon, a Navy officer distributed files to each position.
Kuro flipped through his, eyebrows lifting slightly.
Zeff's report.
That old man really destroyed an Endpoint.
"Tch. Still not giving up", Kuro muttered, lighting a cigar.
At that moment, Sakazuki entered from the front, sat at the head, and declared, "Begin."
A massive screen lit up behind him.
It showed a warship-encircled island now engulfed in flames, the inferno filling the entire frame.
"Tina, brief them."
Tina spoke, arms crossed. "Endpoint. Of the three terminal islands, this connects to the New World's safety. Destroying it would collapse the Grand Line in New World. Currently, one island is already destroyed by the man in the files. He stole the Explosive Rock specifically for this. Fortunately, the destroyed island was just a barren one."
"Finished viewing?"
Sakazuki's fist clenched, crimson flames flickering.
"He really dared to do it. Using the Explosive Rock meant to fight pirates and protect Endpoint... to destroy Endpoint itself!"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
