https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-621-The-Devil-Fruit-User-Was-Right-Beside-Me/13538784/
Chapter 620: Old Manuneasy!
Chapter 620: Old Manuneasy!
"Vice Admiral Bogart? He's resting upstairs."
As the young man spoke, he suddenly thrust a mop toward Kuro. "Forget about this stuff—we're a harmonious family! Even if your military rank looks high, no matter what rank you hold, everyone must work. Come help us clean!"
Kuro's eye twitched. Even if he'd never wanted to be Vice Admiral, he was still Vice Admiral and Base Commander. Was he really supposed to participate in cleaning duty?
If he'd volunteered willingly, that'd be one thing. But with his lazy nature, how could he do such a thing?
And worse—being ordered around by a mere janitor!
What was this? If he refused, would this guy pout and have the Five Elders address him as "Imu Officer"?
Or have the Three Admirals call him "Tiger General"?
"Hey!"
Before Kuro could speak, Lida intervened first.
"Little brat, know your place!"
Lida shouted, "This is Kuro! Lucius Kro, codename Golden Lion, Admiral candidate, your Base Commander! Show some respect!"
No one objected to these words.
Even Kas, the most Justice-driven among them, wore a slightly impatient expression.
Kuro Mr. was the person he respected most. He wouldn't allow anyone to disrespect Kuro Mr.!
"But what of it?"
The janitor wore an expression of complete reasonableness. "Base Commander doesn't mean you're above cleaning. Here, even Vice Admiral Bogart does chores."
No one objected to this either.
The Navy officers still cleaning swept with expressions of serene equality.
This should've been correct.
At least according to Kuro's values, it was.
But this wasn't his past life!
Kuro had long been corrupted by this class-divided, capitalist-rotten, feudal-oppression world!
Now you expect him to play at "equality of all beings"? He might technically agree, but this world would never accept it.
Was this really how Garp's base operated?
Unlikely.
"Enough!"
Kas suddenly stepped forward, his face dark with anger as he glared at the janitor.
"Kuro Mr.'s hands are for executing Justice, not menial labor! If you make Kuro Mr. clean, who will arrest pirates?! Who will stop wickedness?! You?!"
"Tsk, what's with all this 'pirate' talk?" The janitor replied earnestly. "Arresting pirates is terrible! Pirates are life too. Everything is life. We should be peaceful, not so hostile. Everyone has their hardships—they don't become pirates just for fun. We must understand them."
Kuro raised an eyebrow.
These words sounded familiar.
He'd heard them in East Blue.
"What are you saying?!"
Kas roared, eyes wide. "If pirates have hardships, don't civilians have hardships too?! Those civilians who hope for Justice, who expect salvation to let them live stable lives! We persistently fight pirates to protect civilians! Now you tell me pirates have hardships?! Where's your sense of Justice?!!!"
As he shouted, a surge of white energy rippled outward, making the janitor shudder.
The janitor stood frozen for a moment before his mop clattered to the floor. He snapped to attention with a sharp salute. "Vice Admiral Kuro! Welcome—no, I mean, you've finally graced us with your presence! Forgive my earlier nonsense!"
Tears nearly spilled from his eyes.
He'd come here precisely because he admired the Navy's Justice.
Even as a mere janitor, he refused to give up.
His hometown had been burned by pirates.
So why had he spoken those words just now?
How shameful!
"Hmm?"
Seeing this, Kuro frowned. He bypassed the janitor, scanning the surroundings and noticing something odd.
The janitors not carrying weapons was understandable.
Even the lower recruits not carrying weapons inside the fortress was normal.
But starting from the officer ranks, none bore weapons at all. That was suspicious.
He approached a major scrubbing walls. "Where's your weapon?"
"Weapon?" The major turned. "Weapons are too violent. I tossed mine into storage."
Kuro nodded. "So those warships aren't maintained either, for the same reason?"
"Of course not! They're violent weapons meant for killing. Better not to use them. I'm Navy, but I want to be a peaceful Navy." The major spoke with conviction.
"Noble aspiration."
Kuro brushed past him, leaving one final order. "Kas, gather your subordinates. Brainwash these people—no, better, scold them awake."
The signs were unmistakable. This matched exactly what he'd seen in East Blue.
That strange ability user had come to G-3!
Kuro's face darkened as he ascended to the top-floor office where Bogart's aura lingered.
Pushing open the door, he found the hook-nosed man seated at his desk, writing something. His left arm was bandaged.
Hearing the door, Bogart looked up, surprised. "Kuro?"
"It's been a while. You're injured?"
Kuro's gaze flicked to the bandaged arm.
Bogart nodded with a bitter smile. "Soft-heartedness got me hurt. You're just in time—G-3 is yours now. I'm retiring from the Navy."
"Retiring?!"
Kuro narrowed his eyes. "Why?"
Bogart extended his hand, staring at his palm. "Because I'm soft-hearted. This injury came during a pirate chase. When I should've killed him, I hesitated—and got stabbed. Since then, I've known I'm unfit for Navy duty."
He turned, gazing nostalgically at a sword leaning in the corner. "I'll return to farming. I haven't told Vice Admiral Garp yet. I'll head to Headquarters first and inform Mr. Garp."
The sword hadn't been touched in ages, dust coating its sheath.
"Even someone like you can be affected? Strange. It seems that person's ability is truly formidable."
Kuro muttered something Bogart didn't understand.
Bogart possessed Haki, and no weak one at that.
Even against sneaky attacks, ability users had limits.
Strong men like Bogart would only become slightly soft-hearted, not turn into full "vegetarian Buddhists" like these Navy men.
"What do you mean, 'affected'?" Bogart asked, confused.
"You'll see soon. Don't rush your departure. Your mind's clouded—I couldn't get answers now. But since you've been affected, that person must be nearby."
Kuro bared his teeth, staring out the window toward the horizon with a grim smile. "Brilliant move—striking straight at the Navy! Whether you're bored or not, Old Manuneasy is furious now! You won't have peace either!"
He'd come to G-3 for peace and quiet. With G-3's formidable reputation, he could hide here without worry.
But now, these men's combat abilities were compromised—they'd even been bullied by pirates! How could he settle down peacefully?
(End of Chapter)
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