Chapter 7: Mongar's Rebellion
Chapter 7: Mongar's Rebellion
The planned sea patrol had to be abandoned due to Lida's presence.
Kuro grumbled as he gave the order to return to Base 153.
"When are we getting back? I'm starving!"
Lida slumped lazily on Kuro's office sofa, her voice weak.
"Shut up! I wouldn't have to head back early if it weren't for you!" Kuro snapped.
"You said you'd let me eat", Lida replied with a pitiful pout.
"Act like an adult. What are you, some kind of mascot?"
Kuro lit a cigarette, pointedly avoiding her gaze. "We'll be back soon. Then you can stuff yourself until you burst."
"If I could just eat until I'm full, I'd die happy", Lida sighed contentedly.
"You glutton", Kuro muttered. "Less talk about dying, more obedience. When we reach Branch, you're staying put. No eating the island's animals."
"Just feed me properly."
Suddenly, Lida sat up. "Hey... Are you one of Mongar's Navy under Base 153?"
"You know him?"
"I've heard. He's a terrifying commander. Brutal reputation."
Kuro exhaled a stream of smoke. He didn't care much. He'd never worked closely with Mongar, preferring Lieutenant Kurepa's faction. Keeping a low profile meant no trouble.
Besides, Mongar was probably finished.
Two days later, the warship docked at Shelz Town port in Base 153.
"Lieutenant Kurepa, incoming warship! It's Sergeant Kuro!"
At the harbor, a group of Navy soldiers saluted toward the sea. A pink-haired petite figure stood among them.
On a small wooden boat nearby, two figures finished preparing their supplies. One wore a straw hat, the other carried swords at his waist.
The warship passed them without incident.
On deck, Kuro narrowed his eyes at the grinning straw hat boy.
First time seeing someone so obviously idiotic.
"Know him?" Lida asked, chewing an apple and following his gaze.
He looked... normal.
"Not really", Kuro shrugged. "But I feel like those two will cause a storm someday."
Not my problem, he thought. With those troublemakers leaving, Base 153 should stay quiet.
"Lieutenant Kurepa", Kuro greeted the middle-aged officer waiting at the dock.
Second-in-command of Base 153's Branch. Once Mongar fell, he'd take over.
"Sergeant Kuro, perfect timing. I need to discuss something urgent", Kurepa said grimly.
Must be about Mongar's arrest.
Before he could speak, a deafening explosion shook the Branch base in the distance.
A panting Navy soldier ran up. "Lieutenant Kurepa! Mongar... Mongar has rebelled!"
"What?!"
Kurepa's face darkened. "How?! You were supposed to contain him!"
"We failed, sir!"
"Damn it!" Kurepa barked. "Gather forces immediately! Prevent Mongar from escaping the base at all costs!"
"Understood!"
Kuro sighed. "So Mongar was defeated, but those two kids on the boat caused the rebellion? Why?"
Kurepa clenched his jaw. "Take your squad, Kuro. Help suppress this uprising. We can't let him escape!"
Mongar rebelling? Never heard of this in the records.
"Understood", Kuro nodded. "Kas!"
"Sir!"
Kas mobilized the Navy soldiers, rifles in hand, racing toward the base.
In the Branch plaza, a crowd surrounded a towering figure.
This world's inhabitants had absurdly tall builds. Kolmo before, now Mongar.
At least ten feet tall.
Physical cultivation here apparently stimulated growth, maybe due to high oxygen levels.
Mongar held a Navy hostage, his massive axe pressed against the man's throat, sweat drenched the soldier.
"Back off! Let me go, or he dies!" Mongar roared.
"Is that Mongar?" Lida asked, unimpressed. "Tall, but so what?"
Weakling. Compared to the monster beside her, East Blue commanders were all pushovers.
The soldiers hesitated to shoot.
"Lieutenant Kurepa!" A Navy officer called. "What now?!"
Kurepa glared at Mongar, fists clenched.
Taking a hostage complicated things.
"Mongar! You've already lost! Stand down! Are you too proud to accept defeat?!"
"Silence, Kurepa! I'm still the commander here!" Mongar bellowed. "Let me go, or I kill him!"
The axe pressed deeper, drawing blood.
"P-please!" the hostage whimpered.
"Damn it!" Kurepa muttered.
Suddenly, Kas stepped forward. "Mongar! You've lost! You're unfit to lead! Only Sergeant Kuro deserves that honor! He's the true Navy hero here!"
Kuro blinked. Why drag me into this?
"Right! Sergeant Kuro protects us!"
"Drop your weapon, Mongar!" the soldiers chanted.
"Mongar", Kuro finally spoke. "You know me. Lucius Kro. This weakling Navy officer? How dare you compare yourself to me?"
They'd joined the Navy together. But years ago, Mongar captured 'Captain Kuro,' earning a promotion. Meanwhile, the real Kuro (Kurokotsu) served as a butler, hiding in plain sight.
"Hey", Lida nudged Kuro. "Aren't you going to act?"
Kuro shot her a look. "None of my business. I don't seek attention."
"Kuro!" Mongar snarled, bloodshot eyes blazing. "Prove your worth! Take his place as my hostage! Do you dare?!"
(End of Chapter)
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