https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-709-Unlike-Old-Man-Only-Capable-of-Breaking-Your-Heart/13539048/
Chapter 708: The Infamous Navy "Golden Lion"
Chapter 708: The Infamous Navy "Golden Lion"
Kuro, now an Admiralcandidate Vice Admiral, had reached the pinnacle of the Navy hierarchy—barring the rank of Admiral.
The titles of Admiral and Fleet Admiral were equal in rank, with Admiralcandidate-level officers like Kuro reigning supreme beneath them.
But he couldn’t ascend further.
Gramps stood in his way, and honestly, Kuro didn’t even want to climb higher anymore.
Promotions no longer mattered. What mattered now was safety.
In the past, he avoided promotions because the higher his rank, the more entanglements he’d face—compromising his safety. But now that his position had peaked, he had to acknowledge reality and seek safety through different means.
G-3 was a safe haven. With its dense Navy presence and towering fortresses, even minor pirates dared not approach.
But major threats were another story—especially those escaped relics from Impel Down’s sixth level.
“Klah, explain clearly to Gramps what my current reputation is. Be specific,” Kuro said, biting his cigar as he turned to Klah.
He’d assumed his fame was limited to being a renowned Vice Admiral—dominating East Blue, West Blue, parts of North Blue, and the early Grand Line. Essentially, he’d thought his notoriety was like Buggy’s remark during the Top War: “What’s going on? Both the Navy and pirates are famous figures from the Grand Line!”
Fame was abundant. Even being labeled “famous” meant little when countless others were equally known—blending into the crowd, their names fading into obscurity.
But judging from these era relics specifically targeting him, things seemed different.
Klah pushed his glasses up with his palm and mused, “Kuro Mr., your reputation has surged since the Top War, especially after the publicity from the North Blue Four Kingdom Kings. Now, you’re globally recognized.”
“I know that.”
The thought made Kuro clench his teeth in frustration.
“Afterward, when Sakazuki Fleet Admiral publicly appointed you Vice Admiral during the global Navy broadcast and you were internally nominated as an Admiralcandidate, your fame began to… shift,” Klah continued.
He paused, then suddenly rushed out, returning shortly with a newspaper.
“This is an older issue,” Klah said, pointing at the headline. “It features a photo of the New Marine Headquarters and your statement.”
This was the same newspaper Klah had once tried to show him, but back then, Kuro had been too despondent to care.
The front page displayed a banner photo of the Navy’s New Marine Headquarters with a bold title:
“Golden Lion: The Old Era is Nothing But Discarded Remnants.”
Beneath it was a detailed report covering Sakazuki’s ascension to Fleet Admiral, news of the New Marine Headquarters, and notable remarks from Vice Admiral Golden Lion.
The most striking line:
“After Whitebeard’s death, all Old Era pirates should exit the Grand Line stage. If they refuse, I will eliminate them myself.” — Vice Admiral Golden Lion, celebrated Navy officer who defeated Shanks, Solitary Crimson, and World Destroyer.
At the article’s end was an image:
A close-up of Kuro soaring in the sky during the Top War, facing Whitebeard and his pirate crew alone. The gloomy sky behind him framed him like a sinister antagonist.
Kuro stared at the newspaper, stunned, then snapped his head up. “Did I say this? And who the hell took that picture?!”
“I don’t know,” Klah replied, shaking his head. “Technically, the Top War’s impact should’ve faded after two years, but this image resurfaced shortly after you became an Admiralcandidate. The newspaper’s account is incomplete—most people don’t know about the mass escape from Impel Down’s sixth level. This is a calculated move, Kuro Mr.”
Kuro inhaled sharply, realization dawning. “Someone’s scheming against Old Man?”
“It’s not a conspiracy,” Klah clarified. “It’s a distraction. Given the circumstances, you’ve already become the target of those escaped prisoners. They want your head to humiliate the World Government and Navy, damaging their prestige.”
“Hold on,” Kuro raised his palm, halting Klah. He grabbed the Transponder Snail on the table and dialed.
“Boroboroboro…”
The snail rang, but no one answered. Kuro redialed.
Soon, the line connected.
“This is Navy Admiral Lucius Kro’s vessel,” a unfamiliar Navy voice answered.
“This is Kuro. Get Gramps on the line.”
“Yes, Kuro Vice Admiral!”
The snail’s screen shifted to Lucius Kro’s smug face.
“O~ Kuro, here to bother Old Man again?”
“Cut the crap! You used the bugged Den Den Mushi earlier, didn’t you? I’ll say it again—the black one can’t make calls! Now, Gramps, explain this newspaper about my promotion to Vice Admiral. No one bothered informing me beforehand? Why does it paint me like this? I have serious objections—very serious!” Kuro exploded, his words firing like firecrackers.
“Newspaper?” Lucius Kro mused. “Ah, you mean that declaration we released to bait sixth-level criminals?”
“You said it—bait! You admitted it!”
Kuro stood, furious. “Are you kidding? I’m just a Vice Admiral! Hunting sixth-level convicts isn’t something one person should handle. It’s every Navy’s duty! Why single me out? Because of this stunt, an entire ship of sailors died! If I hadn’t rushed there in madness, my subordinates would’ve been frozen in Aokiji’s Ice Age!”
“Who did you meet?” Lucius Kro asked.
“Nobody! Just a storm!”
Kuro dodged the question, pressing forward. “That’s not important. What matters is your reasoning.”
“Kuro, this newspaper’s been out for a while. We assumed you knew. When you didn’t object, we took it as approval.
It was Sakazuki’s decision. We trust you completely. At the time of publication, we dispatched many agents near G-3 to relay updates. Even Old Man himself got involved. Didn’t he just give you the news?”
The update arrived so late it felt like an old lady crossing the street—half the cars had already passed!
Kuro was momentarily speechless.
What could he say?
Admit he’d ignored it?
“Kuro, G-3’s fortress sits at the forefront of the New World’s Four Emperors’ territories. From your position, you can reach their domains and influence areas of other pirates. Any ambitious pirates aiming to break into the New World must pass through your sector. Releasing this newspaper wasn’t just to lure criminals—it forced those troublesome ones to approach from a predictable direction. Whether we capture them or not, we maintain control.”
Control? That’s just inviting trouble!
“And what about ‘Old Era Bane’? Who the hell did I kill to earn that title?” Kuro gritted his teeth.
“Oh, that wasn’t our doing,” Lucius Kro chuckled. “Your achievements are well-known. Maybe someone gave you an alias. How scary—looks like Old Man himself is part of the Old Era too.”
(End of Chapter)
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