https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-603-What-the-Hell-a-Goldenlegend/13538677/
Chapter 604: Let's Return It to Smoker
Chapter 604: Let's Return It to Smoker
As the golden warship drew closer, Kuro observed it more clearly.
This ship was... pretty massive.
The cluster of fortresses and the wide, sprawling decks made it look like a miniature island.
Even a standard capital-class warship wouldn’t be this absurdly enormous.
Pirate ships were usually smaller by design—built for speed and agility to launch surprise attacks. That was the norm.
But this world defied conventional logic.
Some pirate ships were ludicrously massive and fast.
Where’s the justice in that?
“Huh?”
Kuro was still admiring the ship when a tiny figure suddenly waved at him from atop the bow sculpture.
“Hey, Kuro!”
Lida stood there, waving enthusiastically.
“Lida?!”
Kuro furrowed his brow, then scanned the rest of the ship.
Klah, Kas, Wilbur, Ai En, Binz, Donald, Ju Geng, Sazil, Fen Ni—his entire crew was there. Behind them stood squads of Dougleg Navy personnel. Their auras radiated from the fortresses.
Wait—did he bring his entire fleet here?
The warship docked at the harbor, and only then did Kuro fully grasp its scale. The bow sculpture alone made him feel like an ant by comparison.
“Kuro!”
Lida leapt down from the sculpture and landed neatly in front of him, pointing excitedly at the ship. “Golden! Isn’t it awesome?!”
“I know it’s awesome, but why are you all on Smoker’s ship?” Kuro asked.
“Smoker?”
Lida tilted her head. “What Smoker? He’s in G-5. This is your ship.”
“Just get off Smoker’s ship already.”
Kuro ignored her last words, muttering, “Smoker’s in G-5 on a mission. We shouldn’t take his ship without asking. We’ve got our own.”
He mechanically shuffled forward, pointing at a nearby capital ship docked at the harbor—the one that looked like a child’s toy compared to the golden behemoth. “That’s my flagship, right there. Let’s take that one.”
“Kuro?”
Lida’s head sprouted a cluster of question marks. “I’m telling you, this is our—”
“Oh, I get it! This one looks a bit off. How about that one instead? No more changes—this time, it’s definitely my flagship!”
Kuro pointed at another ship nearby, slightly larger than the capital ship, its hull adorned with a spider emblem.
“That’s Vice Admiral Aokiji’s ship,” Lida said flatly, her eyes lowered.
“Oh right, my mistake. I see now.”
Kuro repeated the pointing motion like a malfunctioning automaton, then jabbed at another vessel. “This one! This one’s gotta be it! No more changes!”
“You’re acting like a child throwing a tantrum,” Lida muttered, her lips twitching as she added, “That’s Vice Admiral Stress’s ship.”
“Lida! Why are you sabotaging me?!” Kuro snapped, baring his teeth. “Just hand back the golden ship to Smoker and let’s find our real flagship!”
“Kuro, sir…”
A timid voice interrupted. It was Klah.
Kuro’s subordinates had already disembarked via the gangway.
In a flash—so fast the idiot wearing glasses couldn’t even see it—Kuro lunged, grabbing Klah’s collar and yanking him face-to-face. He glared, his breath hot with fury.
“Klah! Tell me, as a Navy officer, shouldn’t we be honest? We can’t just take what we want, right?!”
Klah swallowed hard, his eyes wide with fear. “Yes, sir, Kuro!”
“Good.”
Kuro released him, then turned to Lida with a sugary smile. “So, Lida, give up on this ship. Let’s return it to Smoker.”
Lida remained expressionless.
“Fine, fine. I’ll call Smoker later. You can play with it for a day.”
Kuro extended a finger like a doting parent. “Just one day! That’s generous enough. Smoker’s my good friend, and this ship must’ve cost a fortune. We can’t be greedy, got it?”
“You’ve stolen from Smoker plenty before,” Lida deadpanned, rolling her eyes.
“Three days! Three days, and no longer! This is my compromise,” Kuro declared, already flipping open the wristwatch transponder snail on his arm. “I’ll call Smoker now and tell him three days!”
“Kuro, sir!!”
Wilbur burst from the crowd, his voice trembling with excitement. “This is your ship! I followed your orders to the letter!”
Kuro’s forehead bulged with blue veins. His palm stiffened, veins popping on the back of his hand.
His glare could’ve killed. He inhaled deeply, forcing calm. “What exactly did I order? Who told you my instructions?”
“Ju Geng, miss…”
Wilbur, sensing Kuro’s displeasure, bowed his head shamefully. “I’m sorry, sir. I couldn’t achieve the effect you wanted, but I gave it my absolute best.”
“My wanted effect?!” Kuro nearly choked. “You think this gaudy golden glow is what I wanted?!”
“How did Ju Geng phrase it?” Kuro’s voice quivered.
“She said the ship should be extraordinary, eye-catching, and built with premium materials,” Wilbur replied honestly.
“I—”
Kuro nearly collapsed from exasperation.
Why did Ju Geng relay the message?!
Wait, didn’t I tell Lida—
“Lida!”
Kuro’s roar made her flinch. “What did you tell them?!”
“I did relay it!”
Lida shrank back, her voice trembling. “I did, Kuro! I really did!”
Impossible!
Would Ju Geng mishear a man’s words but not a woman’s?!
“JU Gen! What did you say?!” Kuro bellowed.
“Huh? You want mixed candy?” Ju Geng blinked. “I get it. I’ll make it later.”
“That’s not—forget it!” Kuro groaned, pinching his temples.
He stared at the blindingly golden ship, his lips pressed into a thin line. His hand drifted to his sword hilt.
“Kuro, sir!”
Kas suddenly stepped forward, pulling Wilbur with him. Bowing deeply, he pleaded, “I know Wilbur disappointed you, but please give him another chance! He’ll improve—I swear it! Everyone evolves from bad to good. That’s what you taught us! Wilbur will reach the level that satisfies you!”
Wilbur’s head drooped lower, his aura dimming.
Kuro’s expression screamed dissatisfaction, but he knew Wilbur had tried his hardest.
Seeing Wilbur’s dejection, Kuro’s teeth gritted. He exhaled sharply, then patted Wilbur’s shoulder.
“Don’t overthink it. You did fine. The problem was… the message got twisted somewhere.”
Wilbur was one of his more reliable subordinates. Kuro couldn’t afford to crush morale—especially when Wilbur had followed instructions as he understood them.
After all, Kuro wasn’t unreasonable.
The real issue? Lida’s miscommunication.
Yell at Lida?
Her pitiful, wide-eyed look made his anger evaporate.
Yell at Ju Geng?
She’d never understand.
Yell at Klah?
He’d deal with him later.
Klah shivered suddenly, as if sensing impending doom.
---
These two days have been hectic—I rushed home both nights. I meant to update last night but was too exhausted. Planned to write it today, but got delayed again. Had no choice but to post the chapter I’d already written. Just got back now, so I’m making up for today’s chapter immediately.
Please bear with me, lords.
You all know I take at most three days off monthly.
After these two days, I’ll take only one day off this month—no more.
As for yesterday’s missed chapter, I’ll sleep first, then see if I can make it up.
(End of Chapter)
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