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Chapter 63: How Could This Be?
Chapter 63: How Could This Be?
The warship sailed toward Base 153. As the voyage continued, Buggy confirmed these people were trash, his mind steadied.
"Look, there's a sea beast!"
No journey through the vast seas could ever be smooth sailing, even in the East Blue.
While storms and lightning could sometimes be avoided in these waters, encountering sea beasts meant sheer bad luck.
A monstrous creature emerged with a tiger-like head and a body twice the size of the warship, radiating ferocity.
"Fire the cannons! Fire!"
Sergeant barked orders as Navy soldiers scrambled across the deck, manning guns and artillery to attack the beast.
Meanwhile, those three individuals Buggy had been watching remained completely still.
Kuro pulled out a cigar, lit it with deliberate calm, and exhaled a thick cloud of smoke.
Lida munched on snacks, her eyes gleaming with curiosity at the tiger-shaped sea beast.
Klah adjusted his glasses, his expression unreadable.
But to Buggy, these three had clearly been paralyzed by fear.
Not even flinching, let alone issuing commands—utter cowards! They couldn't hold a candle to Sergeant. This Headquarters Ensign's courage was truly lacking.
Though even if they weren't cowardly, Buggy wouldn't have cared. After all, they were just a Headquarters Ensign.
"Is it tasty?" Lida nibbled her cookie, eyeing the beast being bombarded by cannon fire.
Sea beasts could be seen in different lights—commoners feared them like tigers, while bold adventurers craved their tiger bones.
Kuro wanted nothing to do with it. He just longed to return to Base 153 quickly.
What was so delicious about sea beasts? During his cultivation days, he'd personally slaughtered countless ones. Roasting them never yielded exceptional flavor anyway.
Perhaps because he'd never had a decent chef...
Kuro rubbed his chin, glancing at Lida's curious face before sighing. They said prolonged illness made a good doctor, but why didn't prolonged eating make a good chef?
The beast retreated under artillery fire. The warship wasted no time lingering, accelerating their journey.
By nightfall, they reached Base 153 and anchored at a nearby island for repairs. Compared to an ordinary island, this place resembled a miniature continent—vast and mountainous, with endless peaks connected like an unbroken chain.
"This world has strange islands", Lida observed, awed. "Kuro, these mountains... they have no peaks!"
Indeed, the terrain was peculiar. Every mountain lacked a summit, as if sliced cleanly at the waist. Jagged cuts of uneven heights stretched across the landscape.
"Reporting, Ensign! Repairs complete. Please rest here."
Sergeant approached after the Navy erected tents and lit campfires. "Understood", Kuro waved a hand. "Light fires and prepare meals."
As Navy sailors settled down, he turned to Buggy. "Kas, come. Let's catch up."
Now that he had Kas under control, Kuro felt no urgency. As long as Kas remained in his sight, no one else could promote the "Justice" narrative. Without someone spreading it, the issue would fade naturally.
Even if Kas agreed to stop using his name, Kuro decided to keep him close for safety. After more persuasion to confirm Kas's change of heart, releasing him later wouldn't matter.
For now, he'd stay in East Blue. Time was on his side.
Watching Kuro head toward a tented corner, Kas's eyes lit with sudden hope. He'd been pondering how to deal with Kuro when fate handed this perfect opportunity.
As an officer, Kuro's tent naturally occupied a prime location—a high slope overlooking the Navy's campsite, isolated and convenient for Buggy's plans.
Inside, Kuro seized the moment to... persuade Kas about his Justice philosophy.
"Kas", Kuro began earnestly, "I admire your boldness in promoting Justice, but that's your merit, not mine. Perhaps I offered some guidance, but our concepts of Justice differ. I'm not the 'Relentless Justice' type. You don't need to follow my path—create your own true Justice."
His voice softened. "I've seen your deeds in East Blue. Those victories came from your leadership against pirates. While stationed at Headquarters, I take pride in your achievements. But you mustn't let others accuse me of stealing subordinates' glory."
He leaned closer. "So Kas, next time you strike pirates, don't associate my name. I disdain taking credit from former subordinates. I have my own way. Acknowledge that!"
A passing Navy soldier delivering food felt moved. Ensign Kuro refused to claim glory earned by his men—a truly noble superior.
Though East Blue was weak, becoming a Navy hero here held prestige.
Buggy nodded half-heartedly. "Understood, Kuro Ensign. I won't mention you again."
Kuro smiled. "Good! You execute Justice in East Blue while I do so at Headquarters. I look forward to your fame spreading to Headquarters, earning recognition from all Navy there!"
Just keep doing your 'Justice' in East Blue. Never come to Headquarters. Never apply to serve under me again!
His words seemed flawless—a righteous officer uninterested in personal glory. Yet Buggy, hardened by years in dangerous territories, detected something deeper.
This Headquarters Ensign, despite his calm demeanor, hinted at... fear?
Of course. A powerless officer like Kuro would fear rising fame attracting pirate assassins seeking to climb the ranks.
Suddenly, Buggy saw it clearly.
Sometimes only a cautious man recognized another's careful nature.
In that moment, mutual understanding passed between them.
Buggy himself survived through caution—his challenge against Kaido had been meticulously planned.
"You might not realize", Buggy mused, "what it means for an ordinary pirate to reach a bounty over 300 million Berries. We call such people 'Great Pirates.'"
Caution was never wrong. One merely needed clear targets.
His gamble against Kaido failed, but targeting a small-time Headquarters Ensign? Impossible to lose.
Unless this Ensign was some hidden powerhouse—strong yet utterly cautious.
But how could that be?
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(End of Chapter)
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