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Chapter 70: I Don't Want To Stay In The East Blue Anymore, Kuromr.!
Chapter 70 – I Don’t Want To Stay In The East Blue Anymore, Kuromr.!
Inside a small tavern in Shelz Town, Kuro let the other Navy members roam freely while he sat at a table with Lida and Klah, facing off against Kas.
"Ara, Kuro! It's been ages since you last visited", the barmaid Lily greeted with a smile, wiping a glass. "I heard you went to Headquarters. Did you bring back any interesting stories from the Grand Line?"
By the way, her younger sister Lisa was the little girl who used to deliver meals to Zoro back when he was being imprisoned.
Kuro's family had lived in Shelz Town for generations. As a native East Blue native, he knew everyone in the village.
"What's so great about the Grand Line?" Kuro scoffed. "It's nothing but pirates everywhere. Who in their right mind would go there willingly?"
After exchanging pleasantries with Lily, Kuro settled into his seat and waited for his food. Meanwhile, Lida stared at the bustling Lily like a suspicious cat, her eyes full of wariness.
"Hey, stop staring at her like that", Kuro scolded, patting Lida's head and forcibly turning her face forward. "It's rude."
"Hmph!" Lida pouted, leaving Kuro puzzled.
Suddenly, she leaned in and whispered, "Kuro, how old is that woman?"
"Old?" Kuro instinctively glanced at Lily's chest before mentally comparing it to Lida's transformed figure. Then he realized what was actually being asked. "Around thirty-something? She was already a young girl when I was a kid."
In this world, adolescence lasted surprisingly long, especially for strong men. Lucius Kro was nearly sixty but looked forty at most. However, once past eighty, they aged rapidly. Lily's youthful appearance was like a woman in her twenties despite being over thirty. Her real age was impossible to guess from looks alone.
Kuro suddenly remembered the old witch in Windmill Village from the original story. She looked the same when Luffy was a child and hadn't aged a day since.
A devil fruit user who halts aging? He shook his head, dismissing the thought.
"Kas", Kuro turned toward his subordinate, "about your so-called 'justice path,' I have a suggestion."
Kas straightened his posture like an obedient student. "Please enlighten me, Kuromr.!"
"Just one thing – stop using my name when you preach your ideals."
Kas flinched as if struck by lightning. "Why? Did I disappoint you somehow?"
"No, you did too well. Too well for my comfort."
Kuro continued, "I've already been transferred to Headquarters. It's unsettling how much you're promoting me in the East Blue. Besides, I'm not some 'unyielding Justice' but rather 'cautious Justice.' Whatever you're doing now is entirely your own merit."
Seeing Kas's crestfallen expression, Kuro added, "Because of your speeches, I got promoted to Ensign. Honestly, I feel unworthy. So please stop mentioning my name. You've done great work in the East Blue, and I'm proud to have had you as my subordinate."
"Proud of me?"
Kas's eyes sparkled with renewed vigor. "I understand now, Kuromr.!"
"Do you?" Kuro narrowed his eyes. "Explain."
"I won't spread your teachings anymore!"
"No, no, no!" Kuro waved his hands frantically. "They were never my teachings. From the beginning, you've been spreading your own ideals, not mine. We must clarify this!"
"Right! These are my own ideals!" Kas declared solemnly.
"And?" Kuro pressed.
"You belong to the Grand Line now. The East Blue is beneath you", Kas declared confidently.
Kuro clapped him on the shoulder. "Exactly! We've worked together long enough. I can't let you sabotage your own career by clinging to my shadow. You must forge your own path!"
"Understood!" Kas nodded. "I'll accomplish my own Justice, Kuromr.!"
"Great! That's why I came here today. Your speeches kept me up for days. Promise me you won't mention my name again."
Kuro laughed joyfully and called out, "Lily! Bring more drinks! Tonight, Kas and I won't leave until we're both drunk!"
Solved!
Finally solved!
This was the real deal – Kas himself had personally promised not to mention his name in the East Blue anymore. No more promotion risks!
After downing several barrels of alcohol with Kas deep into the night, Kuro strode toward the harbor and shouted to the sea, "The ocean is vast for fish to leap!"
"Must you be so happy? It's just the East Blue", Lida muttered.
"You wouldn't understand", Kuro grinned. "Smothering dangers in their cradle is my way of survival. Besides, Kas is reliable. We worked together long enough for me to know his character. He won't go back on his word."
He paused, then added, "Who in their right mind would refuse fame and keep passing it to others? Definitely no fools like that around."
Lida stared blankly while Klah adjusted his glasses wordlessly.
"What are you looking at me like that for? Let's go sleep. Tomorrow I'll take you to the Baratie!" Kuro patted Lida's head.
"Baratie!" Her eyes lit up. "You better not lie!"
"Don't worry", he chuckled. "When have I ever broken a promise to you?"
Meanwhile, Kas walked alone under the moonlight, sighing wistfully. What an admirable Navy officer! To come all the way to the East Blue just to humbly request he stop spreading his name for the sake of some minor reputation.
Kuromr. had always been noble-hearted. He couldn't betray that trust.
"Ensign Kuro is right", Kas murmured. "Now that he's in the Grand Line, the East Blue doesn't need his reputation. But the Grand Line does! My efforts here will never match the Grand Line's potential. Kuromr. himself will surely achieve greatness there. He doesn't need these petty East Blue accolades."
Gazing at the moon, Kas declared with fiery determination, "The more I stay here, the more I realize the East Blue's limitations! I don't want to stay in the East Blue anymore, Kuromr.! Only in the Grand Line can I serve you again and add my small strength to your Justice!"
Kuro's words ignited Kas's ambition. The Grand Line was where true legends were forged. Only there could he gain enough merit to enter Headquarters, and eventually return to Kuro's side.
"Kuromr., just wait. When we meet again, I'll surprise you!" Kas vowed silently. He had wanted to say that earlier, but Kuro disliked boastful men. He would conceal his ambition until he earned his place in Headquarters.
Just wait until he returned as a true force to be reckoned with. Kuromr. would surely welcome him with joy.
(End of Chapter)
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