https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-652-When-It-Comes-to-Beauty-You-Can-t-Compare-to-Me/13538917/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-654-Let-the-Terrifying-Handle-the-Terrifying/13538919/
Chapter 653: Return My Caesar Clown to Me, Kuro!!
Chapter 653: Return My Caesar Clown to Me, Kuro!!
"Old man!!"
Chinjao's collapse triggered Lao Cai's anguished roar. Gritting his teeth, Lao Cai suddenly leapt upward, his single foot churning up Haki. The air around his leg began to twist violently, radiating a powerful shockwave.
His body twisted downward, his foot aimed straight at Kuro in a devastating kick.
"Mystic Art!!"
"Oh? A shockwave? Interesting unarmed combat techniques, Lida", Kuro remarked with mild surprise.
"OK!" Lida gave an 'OK' hand signal.
"Is that so? Then—"
Kuro's body flickered, splitting into two afterimages. One wisp was struck by Lao Cai's kick, while the other appeared at Lao Cai's side. Kuro's right hand flashed out, drawing his blade in an instant.
Hiss!!
Black Radiance erupted, spraying blood from Lao Cai's chest. Letting out a pained cry, he collapsed to the ground.
"Hmph!!"
Hilding's fist smashed downward from behind.
Bang!
The fist cratered the ground, kicking up a dust mist.
"Hilding, is it?"
Kuro materialized atop Hilding's fist, glancing back at him. "Buggy's subordinate. As a Seven Warlords of the Sea's follower, you dare attack me even after encountering the Navy?"
Hiss!
A wound split open on Hilding's shoulder, blood misting upward. His massive frame stiffened before crashing down.
Kuro sheathed his blade, leaping off Hilding's fist to land gracefully. "Guess you'll have to fall here."
"Everyone!"
Cavendish panicked, his Rapier: Deng Shi activating. His sword cleaved the ground, leaving a jagged fissure as he pulled it backward, unleashing a massive slash toward Kuro.
"Beautiful Sword·Slash!"
"Your swordsmanship isn't bad."
The slash missed completely. Kuro's figure flickered again, reappearing before Cavendish. His blade rose, striking Cavendish's body and sending him sprawling.
Autumn Water spun—a flash of Black Radiance cleaved through Slaiman's neck before he could react, severing his head.
"Still not impressive enough", Kuro said coolly.
Whoosh!
Hardly finishing his sentence, Cavendish—who had been knocked unconscious—rose again, swirling like a howling wind. His handsome face twisted with wicked ferocity.
"Rommel's Scythe Weasel? Faster indeed, but—"
Pfut!
Autumn Water's Black Radiance moved faster. The blade pierced Cavendish's abdomen.
"Too weak."
Withdrawing Autumn Water, Kuro kicked the transformed Cavendish backward, flicking blood from his blade before cleanly resheathing it.
This level of opposition meant nothing to him. Whether Lao Cai, Chinjao, or the recently renowned Cavendish—formidable to others, but mere flicks of his blade to him.
Neither their Haki reserves nor physical constitutions approached the Four Emperors' caliber. Kuro dismissed them entirely. Devil Fruit users might warrant serious attention, but these opponents? Not even close.
"Is it... over?" Minorin swallowed hard, disbelieving.
These were dangerous pirates—some he couldn't defeat alone. Yet they'd fallen so quickly.
"Don't underestimate Kuro. He's nothing like you lot."
Lida scoffed. "If they'd been any slower, it'd be an insult to him."
"You lot guard this place. I'll head to the Factory. I promised that bird I'd fulfill my end."
Kuro strode toward the massive smile Factory cratered into the ground, shaking his head inwardly.
The Navy's combat power gap was severe. Minorin and Bastille ranked among the Grand Line's strongmen, yet struggled against these famous pirates. But the Navy's upper echelons held countless powerhouses—a frustrating reality.
...
"Franky Karate Punch!"
At the Seastone-forged Factory entrance, battered Franky swung his massive fist into the blood-soaked figure wearing a baby outfit and pacifier.
Crash!
The punch sent Sen'ior flying, landing hard on the shattered ground. Trembling, Sen'ior rose again, standing rigidly at the Factory gates.
"Man keeps his word! I won't let you pass!"
"You bastard! Fine, this round's yours! But next time, I'll crush you!" Franky panted.
They'd agreed to a man-to-man duel—alternating attacks. Last round, Franky endured Sen'ior's assault. This round, Sen'ior had survived Franky's punch.
But Sen'ior knew—he was losing. Next round, though it'd be his turn to attack, his strength was fading. He couldn't overcome this Iron Body.
Yet...
"A real man never concedes defeat!"
Sen'ior roared, lowering his stance. "Take this—my attack!"
As a Logia-type Water-Water Fruit user, he could liquefy objects and swim freely through them. Though the Grand Line's sea rendered him powerless, on land, he could maneuver freely. Exploiting this, he'd execute a back suplex—Franky's back remained vulnerable as human flesh.
But as he moved, a voice interrupted.
"Ahem..."
A man in a Navy hooded cloak strolled from the side, scratching his head. "Hate to interrupt, but—is this the smile Factory?"
"Golden Lion?!"
Both shouted in unison.
"You bastard! What are you doing here?!" Franky broke into cold sweat.
This man represented their worst defeat—their first loss after reuniting. Luffy nearly died that day.
"Golden Lion, don't interfere with my duel with Franky!" Sen'ior bellowed. "This is a man's duel!"
"I've no interest in your perverted duels. Continue..."
Kuro glanced at the Factory's sign—smile Factory in bold letters. "Seems this is it."
He clenched his fist. "This place isn't safe—too many meddlers. Entrusted by that bird to guard here, I'll claim authority over this Factory."
Boom!
The earth trembled. Cracks split the ground around the Factory, lifting it into a floating island. Simultaneously, the earth beneath the Factory split open, a hemispherical earth shield soaring upward—revealing countless dwarves inside.
"My mission is guarding the Factory. I have no interest in these strange races within."
Kuro's lips curled slightly, heart racing.
This was the real prize!
Seastone!
The entire Factory was built from Seastone!
Incredibly valuable, and perfect for neutralizing Devil Fruit users. Next encounter with one? He'd just drop an entire Factory on them.
"Hey! What did you do?! This Factory's our Young Master's most prized possession!" Sen'ior's eyes widened.
"Just holding it temporarily. Relax—I'll return it if your Young Master wins", Kuro said, dropping cigar ash. "Continue your duel. Ignore me."
Boom!
Before he finished, a muffled thunderclap echoed beyond the Birdcage. An oppressive aura blanketed the entire Kingdom.
"Caesar Clown!! IS Caesar Clown Dead?! Kuro!! Return MY Dream! Return MY Caesar Clown!!"
A maddened voice tore through the battlefield.
The voice—and aura—were unmistakable.
"Big Mom!!"
Kuro's eyes widened, his composed demeanor shattering. His cigar dropped from his slack mouth.
"What the hell is that old hag doing here?!"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
