Chapter 60: I, Kas, Will Never Betray
Chapter 60: I, Kas, Will Never Betray
"On leave? Good timing to come home. By the way, have you seen Kas?"
Kuro asked.
At the mere mention of Kas, Li Pa's expression lit up with excitement. "You've read the newspapers, right? Kas has truly inherited Superior Kuro's methods! His relentless resistance against pirates has inspired Navy forces across the surrounding seas. Now pirates rarely dare to appear in these waters."
Newspapers? What newspapers? He got featured in newspapers?! And my methods? Which ones? Since when does appearing in a newspaper count as my methods?!
Kuro inhaled deeply, forcing himself to stay calm.
"Then where is Kas now?"
"Kas? He probably went out patrol duty. Since pirates have practically vanished from nearby waters, he might’ve gone farther out."
A vein throbbed on Kuro’s temple. "To other Branch jurisdictions? What business does he have going that far? Does he even have authority for that?"
Li Pa tilted his head. "It’s not about anti-pirate operations. He’s simply spreading Superior Kuro’s will and the path of Justice. I must say, Kas has inspired countless people! Kuro, this is all thanks to your merit!"
"……"
Kuro swallowed hard. "So where exactly did he go?"
"Why the rush? He’ll return soon. Since you’re finally on leave, stay home a while. You’ve been away too long—I wanted to catch up too!" Li Pa laughed heartily.
Catch up with your grandmother’s backside!
With Kas running wild across East Blue, how can you talk about catching up? You’ll be reading my name on the casualty list if this keeps up!
Kuro nearly shouted, "That’s not my merit! I have nothing to do with this!"
"Kuro…"
Li Pa froze, staring at him in utter disbelief.
Oh no—he’d said it aloud.
Damn it, he was Navy! How could he speak such disgraceful words?!
"Kuro", Li Pa sighed, "that’s just who you are."
Of course! Li Pa had always known about his laid-back nature!
"Then tell Kas I—"
Before Kuro could finish, Li Pa cut in, "That’s exactly why you’re such a caring superior to your subordinates!"
"……"
"?"
"True, you’re stationed at Headquarters now. You didn’t personally participate in East Blue’s achievements", Li Pa continued. "But that doesn’t mean your merit is zero. Your will—Kas, I, even—were both inspired! Despite chronic illness and that cursed sword technique, you continue fighting for Justice! This unyielding Justice is exactly what we need!"
Justice. Each person defined it differently. But among lower ranks, they lacked the authority to interpret Justice. Their minds never dwelled on crafting personal ideals of Justice—they simply weren’t qualified.
Only those at the top—the big shots—could define Justice.
Conquering Justice. Pure Justice. Absolute Justice. Lazy Justice. Vague Justice. Tactical Justice.
The higher-ups, tempered by strong men’s trials, understood what Justice they needed. Grassroots Navy? They’d never grasp it.
Li Pa found his answer through Kuro: Unyielding Justice.
As Navy, strike pirates relentlessly no matter the difficulty! Fight for Navy’s Honor!
Li Pa. Kas. And countless Navy inspired by Kas—all shared this belief.
Watching Li Pa’s eyes blaze with fervor, Kuro rubbed his temples, feeling drained.
Talking to this Li Pa—Kas’s brainwashed disciple—was pointless. His priority? Find that culprit Kas and set him straight!
You can preach your Justice, but don’t drag me into it!
I want safe Justice—not unyielding!
Kuro straightened. "Justice needs clarification. I have more to say. I must speak with Kas about my Justice."
"Leave it to me!"
Li Pa summoned a Navy crewman, ordering him to send a telegraph to Kas’s ship. The reply came swiftly.
"Kas is at the 160th Branch."
"Perfect!"
Kuro strode out immediately. Before anyone could offer farewell, he’d already boarded a ship, barking orders to sail full speed to the 160th Branch jurisdiction.
"Wait, Kas—he—"
Li Pa’s voice faded as Kuro vanished. Left alone, he muttered weakly, "I told him you’re coming—he’s rushing back now!"
*
160th Branch Base.
Main plaza.
"Justice means facing pirates unyieldingly!" Kas thundered, standing atop a podium. "My superior Kuro proved through action—even impervious enemies fall before indomitable Justice!
"But we aren’t strong men! We must rely on collective strength! Blades, firearms, fists, kicks, even teeth—we must fight unyieldingly as long as we have strength! As long as comrades stand beside us, we’ll show pirates the unyielding courage of Navy!"
Kas’s voice roared across the square.
Initially, his pursuit of "Unyielding Justice" faced ridicule. But after clearing Base 153 of pirates—driving them to avoid the region altogether—Navy forces across jurisdictions began adopting Kas’s doctrine.
The results were bizarre.
They embraced Kas’s unyielding Justice, and suddenly became fiercer fighters. Wounds no longer fazed them. Their minds fixated solely on crushing pirates.
In this state, they won.
And thus, they believed.
Zangao would’ve recognized this phenomenon instantly—self-hypnosis, more complete than external influence. Strength, defense, attack intensity, aggression—all surpassed their former limits.
To outsiders, it seemed miraculous. Navy in these waters grew increasingly ferocious.
Kas’s method? Step-by-step "conquest." After converting one Branch through actions and speeches, he moved to the next. Proving unyielding Justice as the ultimate anti-pirate weapon.
Now addressing the 160th Branch meant total acceptance. His speech marked total victory here.
He lifted his gaze to the sky.
"Superior Kuro! Can you see it?! Your Justice—I, Kas, will never betray!"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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