https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-599-Kuzan-You-Absent-Minded-Drifter/13538673/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-601-My-Skin-s-Itching-Someone-s-Talking-About-Me/13538675/
Chapter 600: Twenty-Six Years, A Dream Unchanged
Chapter 600: Twenty-Six Years, A Dream Unchanged
"But..."
Ai En naturally wanted to fight the pirates.
She had once been part of the Navy, grown accustomed to the Navy's ways. Even after founding the Neonavy, she was still following Teacher Zeff's path, essentially rebuilding the Navy anew.
She understood Zeff's ideals, but out of deep respect for Teacher Zeff, she could only proceed this way.
Yet deep down, she had always been concerned about Zeff's goals, and secretly, she never truly agreed.
Now that Teacher Zeff had been stopped without any casualties, Ai En felt relieved beneath her sorrow.
As for the proposal to rejoin the Navy...
If it were another Navy officer making the request, she might have flatly refused. In fact, she had just done so.
But with Kuzan's persuasion, and the man being Kuro...
Her rationality finally overpowered her grief.
Kuro had once saved her life.
Back then, he had rescued her.
"Ara, don't overthink it", Kuzan said, observing Ai En's expression. "Let's just settle this—I'll accept the offer on your behalf."
"Mm... Fine. I'll go inform the higher-ups about your re-enlistment. I'll also ask those Neonavy soldiers if any wish to join the Navy. I welcome all applicants", Ku continued, "and they can all come with me to G-3."
Kuro waved his hand. "Alright, decided. Rest for a day, then we'll head back."
Saying this, he glanced at the sky's whiteness and beckoned, "Klah!"
Whoosh!
Klah arrived using Shave, saying, "Yes, Mr. Kuro."
"Go get some alcohol and food. For the wine, add an extra bottle of sherry. Also bring some paper—burnable paper", Kuro instructed.
"Eh, are you hungry, Mr. Kuro?" Klah asked.
"Just do it. Why so many questions?"
Kuro glanced at the prosthetic leg in his grip and added, "Then take Ai En and Binz to rest. No need to wait for me—I have something to handle."
"Understood", Klah replied, adjusting his glasses as he approached Ai En and Binz. "Please follow me to rest, you two."
"I—"
"Hm?"
Ai En wanted to say more, but Kuro's sharp gaze silenced her. She pressed her lips together, finally sighing as she stood and followed Klah with Binz.
"I'm leaving too."
Kuzan lifted the mechanical arm. "I'll take this with me."
"Hey—"
Kuro called out to Kuzan, making him pause.
"Don't go dying on me, Kuzan."
"Ara, worried about me? Don't worry—I'm not easy to kill."
With his back to Kuro, Kuzan waved his hand. "Let's drink together again next time we meet."
With that, he carried the mechanical arm and gradually disappeared into the distance.
Kuro watched his retreating figure, letting out a soft tsk. "Hmph, Devil Fruit user."
The item he carried contained Seastone, but judging from Kuzan's relaxed demeanor, even this level of Seastone barely affected him. Even without his powers, he was still a formidable man.
Soon, Klah returned with wine, food, and a stack of white paper.
Kuro took the paper and shook it. "No yellow paper, huh? Well, this'll do. This world doesn't have those traditions anyway."
Saying this, his figure soared straight into the sky, piercing through the clouds until he reached the distant high-altitude realm where a floating continent lay suspended.
As Kuro ascended, an opening formed beneath the continent, allowing him to fly up and land on its surface.
The continent's surroundings were desolate, but its center still had greenery and a small stream.
This was the continent Kuro had previously constructed by connecting islands. Though much had been destroyed during his battle with Charlotte "Big Mom", he had salvaged the lion heads used in his past fight against Kaido to rebuild it. Combined with recent reinforcements, the continent was now significantly larger than before.
At its core, however, remained unchanged.
A small patch of "Pure Gold" gleamed there, along with...
Kuro reached the central area and glanced down. Two objects lay on the ground.
One was a pair of crossed swords, and beside them, a black Bat Umbrella.
These represented two masters.
Shanks, Shanks.
Red Earl, Lucius.
These two had greatly influenced Kuro, teaching him much. Though enemies, they were still figures he deeply respected.
As for Luo Shen and others...
They weren't worthy of this honor.
Buggy the Clown? He hadn't taught Kuro anything, so naturally, he didn't qualify for this ritual.
Yes, this was a ritual of burning paper.
"Thinking back... it's been so long. First time doing this for you. Qingming Festival is approaching—I'll pay my respects early this year." Kuro murmured.
This world had no Qingming Festival.
This was entirely Kuro's own initiative.
"First time burning paper for you. Though I've said it every year, this time I won't forget."
Kuro placed the prosthetic leg down, intending to position it between the two objects. But suddenly, he hesitated, shaking his head as he moved the prosthetic leg to face the two objects instead.
"Better keep Navy and pirates separate. Different matters entirely."
He planted the prosthetic leg into the ground, then sat cross-legged between the two objects, pouring himself a glass of wine.
"I don't know if this wine is expensive or not, but you great pirates probably drink anything—after all, it's the atmosphere that matters."
He placed the wine glass before the two objects, then took the sherry and poured another glass specifically in front of the prosthetic leg.
"As for you, old man—I know you and Kuzan both favor this brand. Though I just defeated you, this is just a ritual. Don't overthink it. Besides, you can't hear me anyway."
He placed the sherry bottle beside the prosthetic leg, then arranged food offerings before all three memorials.
After completing these preparations, he lit a cigar, inserting three sticks into the food offerings at each memorial.
Finally, he lit one for himself, clenching it between his teeth as he exhaled smoke.
"Twenty-six years..."
Gazing at the almost transparent sky, Kuro said, "Twenty-six years now. Old Man, my memories of my homeland have faded to mere fragments. I've become more like a native of this world. I have to admit, this world becomes more familiar with time. When in Rome, do as the Romans do."
"Thankfully I still remember the dates. Otherwise, I couldn't even perform Qingming rituals. Though it's not the exact day yet, in our tradition, burning paper before or after Qingming is acceptable."
"This time, I'll honor you first. When the actual date comes, I'll return to East Blue to pay respects to my parents."
Kuro fell silent for a moment, then chuckled. "Truly, fate is unpredictable. Old Man Zeff, I could understand, but I never expected to burn paper for pirates. Still, it feels bold and unrestrained—especially you, Shanks. If we'd met earlier, perhaps I'd have been swayed by your boldness, following you for twenty years. When you died, maybe I really would have inherited your Flying Pirate Crew's Admiral position."
(End of Chapter)
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