Chapter 62: Paradise, Here I Come!
Chapter 62: Paradise, Here I Come!
The one shouting, naturally, was Kuro.
After sailing to the 160th Branch Sea, even before reaching the Branch itself, he spotted that Warship—and the idiot standing on it.
The Warship approached rapidly. Before the ships even connected, Kuro leapt across, landing on the enemy deck in a single bound. Three strides brought him face-to-face with Kas. Grasping the man’s collar, he growled, “What have you done, Kas!”
Buggy’s expression darkened. He was currently impersonating Kas, after all. As a Mimic Human, his disguise wasn’t merely cosmetic—it required understanding and embodying his target’s entire persona.
Kas, by all appearances, was a renowned and resolute Navy officer devoted to Justice, a passionate idealist.
How dare this unknown Navy officer grab his collar?
As Buggy prepared to rage, he suddenly sensed something off.
This man’s wrist wore a watch-shaped Transponder Snail.
Only high-ranking officials possessed such devices.
Noticing this, Buggy finally studied the figures on the Warship.
The crew’s essence felt… different.
Having spent time in the Grand Line, Buggy could easily distinguish East Blue Navy from Headquarters Navy. The soldiers’ physical presence was visibly superior—clearly from the Grand Line.
Headquarters Navy?!
This person…
Buggy scrutinized him. The man wore distinct Navy attire, likely at least a Sergeant. Headquarters Sergeants outranked Branch officers by default.
This was bad. If this officer had a personal vendetta with Kas, Kas was doomed.
He couldn’t just wait to be exposed.
As Buggy prepared to drop his Transform and massacre both crews to restart his plans, the Navy crew erupted into shouts.
“Release Sergeant Kas!”
“Who do you think you are, grabbing Sergeant Kas like that? Do you even know who he is?!”
“He’s the successor of Navy hero Kuro Mr.! The most prized subordinate of our revered Kuro Mr.!”
“Right! Everyone in the East Blue knows Kuro Mr.!”
An exaggeration. Plenty didn’t know Kuro—if the entire East Blue revered him, Kuro might as well retire.
Kuro’s temples throbbed as he roared, “I AM Kuro! Lucius Kro!”
Kuro?!
Buggy froze. The very name Kas had constantly praised—the Kuro idolized by nearby Navy officers?
So he was an officer, not an enemy.
Buggy exhaled in relief, shifting his approach. “Officer Kuro, it’s… such an honor!”
Honor? What honor?
Kuro opened his mouth to retort, but the surrounding Navy erupted in gasps.
“Kuro?!”
“Lucius Kro?!”
“The great hero of the East Blue!”
“Whoa! I’m actually meeting my idol, Officer Kuro!”
Kuro groaned at the over-the-top reactions.
“Kas,” he released his grip, patting Kas’s shoulder. “Long time no see. I’m actually here to catch up.”
“I—”
Buggy’s eyes lit up. The perfect alibi materialized instantly. This man… was the perfect ticket!
If he was Headquarters Navy, he’d definitely be heading to the Grand Line.
Following him would let Buggy bypass his original route entirely. With his masterful Transform ability, he could impersonate Kuro and seize the Warship outright.
“I was just planning to join Officer Kuro’s crew!” Buggy declared, feigning excitement.
Kuro recoiled, stepping back. "Join me? Over my dead body!"
No way in hell!
“I’m serious, Officer Kuro,” Kuro continued, nodding solemnly. “Kas, you’ve done well in the East Blue, upholding your own steadfast Justice. You don’t need my name—you’ve forged your own beliefs. I’m in Headquarters now, no longer tied to East Blue’s legacy.”
“Officer Kuro, may I at least travel with you briefly? I’d value your insights on Justice.”
Joining wasn’t the goal—Buggy just needed to board.
“A few days?” Kuro pondered, then nodded. “Fine. I’m returning to Base 153—come along.”
“Gladly, Officer Kuro!” Buggy grinned inwardly.
Dismissing the 160th Branch Navy, Buggy boarded Kuro’s Warship, setting course for Base 153.
Once aboard, Buggy confirmed this was definitely a Headquarters vessel—the design differed from East Blue ships, and the crew’s presence alone set them apart.
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“I don’t enforce ‘steadfast’ Justice—I enforce ‘safe’ Justice,” Kuro explained, pulling Buggy aside. “Don’t hide behind my name. Your beliefs are yours alone. Don’t drag me into this, understand, Kas?”
Buggy nodded half-heartedly. Who cared about that junk?
His goal was achieved—now he simply needed to find the right moment to eliminate Kuro, transform into him, and steer this crew toward the Grand Line.
But he’d plan carefully. His Transform only lasted a day—he had to make it count.
Kuro blinked in surprise. When had Kas become so reasonable?
Before long, he slapped Kas’s back heartily. “Exactly! Do as I say—don’t use my name, and you’re free to do as you please!”
Humming a tune, Kuro entered the captain’s cabin. Kas had agreed—great! Once they reached Base 153, he’d dump Kas and start vacationing in the East Blue.
Meanwhile, Buggy studied the Navy crew, memorizing their faces to refine his Transform ability.
Focus fell on officers—they held authority.
The ship’s roster: 1 Ensign, 2 Sergeants, 6 Corporals.
Lucius Kro, Headquarters Ensign—weak. No problem.
Flo Lida, a child? The Navy’s truly rotten.
Klah, the bespectacled man—pathetic combat presence.
These three were key—Flo and Klah seemed Kuro’s confidants.
Tonight, he’d kill Kuro, assume his identity, and sail for the Grand Line.
He’d stolen Headquarters Warships before—he knew a secret.
Some Headquarters Warships possessed special technology to cross the Calm Belt into the Grand Line—far faster than traversing Reverse Mountain.
Kuro’s ship? One such vessel!
With this Warship, Buggy could conquer the world. Later, he’d retrofit it—his new flagship.
“Paradise, I’m finally returning!”
Buggy roared inwardly.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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