https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-688-Is-That-Skin-of-Yours-Navy-s-or-the-Government-s-/13538993/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-690-Absolutely-No-Surrender-to-Pirates-/13538995/
Chapter 689: Ambushed
Chapter 689: Ambushed
New World, some island.
Hiss!
Boom!!
A yellow beam pierced through, triggering a blazing explosion.
A group of pirates flew in all directions from the blast, crashing onto the ground.
One pirate hit the dirt, scrambled up disheveled, and shouted, "What the hell is this!"
"Oh~ How scary. Still conscious, huh?"
From the smoke of the explosion, a human-shaped silhouette condensed.
Lucius Kro pointed a finger at the man, pouting, "‘Breakthrougher’ Riggs, impressive escaping from the sixth level of Impel Down. But wouldn’t retiring quietly have been better? Why steal a Navy warship?"
"I’m a pirate!"
The man named Riggs roared back, "Of course I’d steal it if I wanted! After escaping Impel Down, I’m coming for revenge!"
"How terrifying indeed."
Lucius Kro stepped from the smoke, his index finger firing a thin beam that skewered Riggs through the chest.
Spitting blood, Riggs collapsed to his knees.
"You’ll be going back in soon", Lucius Kro said, gazing down.
"My revenge won’t stop!" Riggs lifted his head, blood dripping as he grinned maliciously, "You’ll see, Lucius Kro! The Navy will pay!"
"Oh? A threat? How scary", Lucius Kro pouted again.
"Heh, don’t think I’m bluffing. That man you parade around—Golden Lion—if we kill him, your Navy’s face will crumble into dust!" Riggs spat gruesomely, "We’ll kill him! You’re already too late!"
The words made Lucius Kro pause. Pouting again, he murmured, "Oh? How... terrifying."
...
Grand Line. A colossal golden ship sailed across the waves.
"Achoo!"
Inside the largest fortress on the ship, a sneeze echoed through the office.
Kuro sat in his chair, rubbing his nose, "Who’s thinking of me now?"
"Don’t flatter yourself", Lida scoffed, "Who’d waste time thinking about you?"
After leaving Headquarters, Kuro had headed straight for G-3.
He hadn’t ruled G-3 long before leaving again—most of his time spent away, never truly settling in to slack off. Now, returning, he vowed to stay put for years. If he stayed indoors, he’d avoid trouble. Avoid encounters with Big·mom and Kaido.
Hiding his strength? A lost cause. Demotion? No path found yet.
Better to lie low. From his current rank, he could live comfortably. But the pressing issue—safety—remained.
Yet he’d gathered subordinates precisely to handle tasks for him.
After all, the Navy targeted pirates, but each officer had their jurisdiction. As long as his zone stayed quiet, peace followed.
As for the chaos stirred by the Worst Generation?
Let them tear each other apart. None of the Navy’s business.
"We can see G-3 now!"
Lida suddenly stood, pointing ahead through the transparent window.
On the horizon, a massive fortress slowly emerged.
"Finally here." Kuro stretched, "Lida, tell Ju Geng to prepare a feast. I haven’t hosted the crew yet—better do it now."
Coming here, he’d found G-3’s waters surprisingly pirate-free. His subordinates Klah and Kas had done well. But the Navy was a collective—strong leaders, but the lower ranks deserved care too.
And G-3’s Navy wasn’t weak.
Lida perked up, "A feast? Got it!"
"You feast daily", Kuro rolled his eyes.
"Good food’s never enough!" Lida clenched her fist, declaring it truth.
As the ship neared G-3, the fortress port already bustled with waiting Navy officers.
Klah led them, standing ramrod straight as the ship docked.
The golden vessel moored, a gangplank lowered, and Kuro strolled down leisurely. The waiting crew snapped into synchronized salutes.
"Vice Admiral Kuro!" Klah barked.
"Klah, long time", Kuro greeted, "Without you, things get messy."
Klah lifted his head slightly, glancing sideways—searching in vain for someone absent.
Kas hadn’t returned.
"Vice Admiral, per your orders, the sea’s cleared of pirates. G-3’s honor restored", Klah reported.
"Good." Kuro nodded, scanning the crowd, "Where’s Kas? You’re both supposed to be back."
"Unknown. No news yet", Klah shook his head, "Likely chasing pirates."
"Slow. Notify him—ask where exactly he is. The old man’s hosting a feast. Everyone’s required. If he’s chasing pirates, go fetch them, and finish the job."
"Understood, Vice Admiral!"
Kuro turned forward.
...
Boom! Boom! Boom!
On the sea, three warships encircled one battered vessel, bombarding it relentlessly.
The besieged ship lay in tatters.
"Hehehe!"
On one attacking ship, a pirate stood at the prow, grinning maliciously, "Still resisting? Fire! Shatter their hull!"
Cannonballs erupted in fiery explosions!
"Damn it!"
On the besieged ship, a faint white energy flickered weakly over the vessel, nearly invisible. Yet on its deck, the Navy crew brimmed with radiant white energy.
These were Kas and Wilbur’s ships.
They’d been ambushed.
After clearing pirates, they’d turned toward G-3 to report their victories to Vice Admiral Kuro.
But en route, warships appeared. Kas assumed allies—until the ambush began.
In Grand Line, aside from powerhouses, most relied on naval combat. Ships determined dominance.
"Counterattack! Counterattack!!"
Wilbur roared within the glowing energy, crimson-eyed.
They’d once had more ships, but his vessel sank under cannon fire. His subordinates sacrificed themselves to carry him—Devil Fruit user unable to swim—to Kas’s ship.
And now...
Splash!
From the water below deck, several fishmen emerged, grinning savagely.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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