https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-615-There-Are-Two-Trees-in-Front-of-My-House/13538746/
Chapter 614: East Blue's Pride
Chapter 614: East Blue's Pride
Thankfully, the annihilation of the four pirate crews with bounties over 100 million happened near the Calm Belt. After finishing them off, the Golden Lion sailed for a full day before finally entering the Calm Belt.
Thanks to the ship’s Seastone-embedded hull, Kuro finally got some peace and quiet in the Calm Belt, free from the thunder of cannons.
The technology didn’t affect his abilities in the slightest.
The Seastone inlays on the ship’s bottom were minimal, and Kuro’s power source was the ship itself. The Seastone was merely incidental, so it posed no threat to him.
After crossing the Calm Belt, the Golden Lion finally emerged in the East Blue.
“Oh! East Blue!”
Standing on the deck’s railing, Lida leaned forward with her hands braced against the bar, gazing out at the horizon.
Beside her, Kuro took a deep breath, closing his eyes in quiet relief.
Finally back in the East Blue.
The sky was a brilliant blue with wisps of white clouds, the breeze gentle and warm.
No terrifying pirates lurked here, no eerie Devil Fruit users. Devil Fruits in this region were as mythical as legends.
An aura of peace and stability filled the air, soothing Kuro’s senses.
This was his dream—a sanctuary of tranquility.
Arriving here, his entire body relaxed.
“Hey, Kuro, I wanna go to Baratie. It’s been ages since I last visited,” Lida turned to him.
“Don’t even start.”
Kuro rolled his eyes, “You think I don’t know you? Every time you get a break, you bolt to East Blue, running around with Klah—the so-called ‘Black and White of East Blue.’ He’s the night, you’re the day. Even Old Man Klah only comes back once a year.”
He paused, ruffling her hair, “After I pay respects to the ancestors, I’ll take you. I haven’t eaten there in a while either.”
“I said stop messing up my hair!” Lida swatted his hand away, smoothing her white locks with a pout.
“East Blue…”
Kas, feeling the sea breeze, let out a faint smile, “Been a while since I’ve been back.”
“Never thought both you and Mr. Kuro hailed from East Blue. Pretty surprising,” Wilbur remarked.
Though he’d known all along, stepping into East Blue still felt surreal.
East Blue!
The weakest sea, yet it birthed someone like Mr. Kuro and a justice officer like Kas.
Could it be that East Blue itself was a land of justice?
Even Klah, another East Blue native, had become a paragon of justice.
“East Blue, huh?”
Donald rubbed his chin thoughtfully, “Maybe it’s a place full of surprises.”
Sazil clenched his fist, “No doubt—the world’s strongest men have nothing to do with where they’re born.”
Ai En glanced at Kuro, unfazed, “Not surprising at all.”
After all, Navy hero Garp hailed from East Blue too.
And the legendary One Piece…
East Blue wasn’t weak at all.
…
Shelz Town, Base 153.
Since Mongar’s arrest, the people here had lived free from tyranny. Combined with East Blue’s peace, they’d enjoyed two stable years.
Today was the same, yet different.
In a small restaurant near the port, a young girl anxiously asked a woman who looked like her older version, “Hasn’t Kuro-nii-san come back yet?”
The woman, Lily—the restaurant owner and someone Kuro strongly suspected of being a user of the ‘Non-Aging Devil Fruit’—wiped dishes while glancing out the window.
“Soon enough. Every year around this time, Kuro comes back.”
“I miss him so much!”
As Lisa spoke, a group of Navy officers passed by the restaurant.
Seeing them, Lisa’s eyes lit up. She jumped off her chair and ran outside, shouting, “Li Pa-uncle! Is Kuro-nii-san back?!”
“Lisa…”
Leading the group was Li Pa himself. He smiled warmly, his voice gentle, “Yes, Vice Admiral Kuro has sent word. We’re heading to greet him now.”
With that, he continued walking.
“Commander, watch your step! There’s an ant!”
Suddenly, one of the Navy officers called out.
Li Pa halted, looking down to see an ant crawling by.
“Oh, thanks for the warning! Almost stepped on it!”
He gave a sheepish grin, waiting patiently for the ant to pass before moving on.
This scene made many in the Navy group cringe awkwardly, though a few seemed accustomed to it, as if it were normal.
Lisa opened her mouth, then shook her head helplessly, trailing behind them toward the port to await Kuro’s arrival.
Soon, a massive warship gleaming with golden light appeared on the horizon, drawing closer.
“Wow! Golden!”
Lisa’s eyes widened as she stared at the Navy flag atop the approaching vessel, “A warship? Is Kuro-nii-san here?!”
Besides her, the townsfolk gathered, buzzing with excitement as they watched the golden ship.
That’s Kuro!
The child they’d watched grow up had become a Navy officer—a Vice Admiral!
They all felt a swell of pride.
The Golden Lion slowly docked at the port. As the gangplank lowered, Kuro stepped off first, leading a group of Navy officers in hooded cloaks, standing tall on the docks.
“Whoa!! Kuro!!”
“Shelz Town’s pride!”
“Dummy, call him Vice Admiral! He’s East Blue’s pride too!!”
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Kuro blinked, slightly stunned by the reception.
“They all came…”
Scratching his head, he muttered, “I just sent a telegram to let them know I’d arrived. No need for such a big welcome.”
“Vice Admiral Kuro!”
Li Pa stepped forward, saluting sharply, followed by the rest of the Navy.
“Long time no see, Li Pa.” Kuro nodded.
“Long time indeed.” Li Pa grinned, “Never thought you’d become a Vice Admiral. Definitely the right call sending you to Headquarters.”
Right my foot! Kuro rolled his eyes. You were part of the problem too!
“Kas, you too! Now a Headquarters Commander,” Li Pa continued smiling.
“All thanks to Mr. Kuro’s guidance!” Kas declared proudly.
Headquarters Commander and Branch Commander were worlds apart.
If he could swap…
Kuro wouldn’t mind trading places with Li Pa.
“Kuro-nii-san!”
Lisa pushed through the crowd, beaming up at him, “Long time no see, Kuro-nii-san! I missed you so much!”
“Oh, Lisa.”
Kuro raised an eyebrow, noticing her outfit, “You joined the Navy too?”
Lisa had grown taller since last year, wearing a Navy-styled apron with the official insignia.
“Yep! I’m a Navy apprentice steward now!” Her eyes sparkled with admiration, “Someday, I’ll go to Headquarters and serve you there!”
“Good. Keep at it.”
Kuro ruffled her hair, then told Li Pa, “I’ll go pay my respects first. Catch up later.”
“Understood. I’ll get the others settled.”
Li Pa nodded, leading the Navy personnel to rest.
Lisa stuck her tongue out at Li Pa, “Not letting you handle it! If you do, they’ll never get to eat meat!”
(End of Chapter)
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