Chapter 716: More Men Than Dogs, More Dogs Than Men
Chapter 716: More Men Than Dogs, More Dogs Than Men
Headquarters had provided detailed materials regarding their faction, including records of major criminals who escaped from Impel Down. They ranged from the first to the sixth level, though most came from the sixth level.
Every escaped sixth-level inmate had been thoroughly cataloged. Those missing were all listed in these files.
Kuro even spotted the name "Bartholomew" on the list.
However, most escapees' current locations remained unknown. The Grand Line was vast, and if these criminals truly wished to vanish, no one could track them down.
Especially now, with the World Government keeping Impel Down's chaos under wraps. Most Navy personnel didn't know where to search and focused only on existing wanted lists.
This didn't mean the higher-ups were ignoring the situation. While the World Government might turn a blind eye, men like Sakazuki would never stop hunting them.
The files given to Kuro marked several names with notes—intelligence tracing their last known locations and suspected activities.
Besides the 【Phantom Thief】 Apu, other key targets included records indicating they were all heading to Gran Tesoro.
【Sword God】 Chuan Zang, 【Fist Technique Master】 Gerion, 【Red Dragon】 Sig—these three were major priorities. Their former bounties had been 800 million, 830 million, and 945 million Beri respectively.
"Sword God?" Kuro frowned. "Which Sword God?"
To his knowledge, only the so-called "Sword God" rivaling the Axe Emperor had ever borne that title.
As for Sig's name, it felt oddly familiar.
Kuro had heard it before—wasn't that the same name as the infamous "Mountain King of Pirates", the man who'd supposedly defeated fifty-six Shankspeer-level fighters?
Of course, that was probably just rumors.
Still, this Sig warranted special attention.
The intelligence came from CP. For all his disdain toward Cipher Pol, Kuro acknowledged their information-gathering prowess.
After all, it was CP that had uncovered the truth about Roger's child, leading the World Government to eradicate all newborns during that timeframe on surrounding islands.
Frankly, that had been an unconscionable act.
And the Navy officers who obeyed those orders? Equally despicable.
Kuro had been only two or three years old back then. The incident hadn't been publicized until much later, when he joined Headquarters and overheard Gramps mentioning it. That's when he'd realized the truth behind the "script" he'd seen.
Though the Navy operated as a single entity outwardly, its members were far from uniform.
There were those like Kuro and Smoker who treated the World Government as an afterthought.
Men like Sakazuki who openly opposed it.
Others like Sengoku who feigned loyalty while subtly undermining it.
And then there was Gramps, who'd long since retired into a haze of apathy, always slacking off no matter what task he was given.
Honestly, Kuro often wondered if Gramps had grown disillusioned after witnessing too many horrors.
But thinking deeper, that wasn't it at all—his personality had always been this way.
While their attitudes toward the World Government varied, none of these Navy officers were fully under its thumb.
But other Navy members? Entirely different. Some served the World Government unquestioningly, even acting as errand boys for the World Nobles.
Such men existed within Navy influence, and in large numbers. Many Vice Admirals came from this group.
Though these were only ordinary Vice Admirals. True elite officers maintained their own convictions, even if their methods varied. At least they were still individuals, not lapdogs.
"What? You're saying being in the Navy means being a dog no matter what?"
Not quite. The Navy had more men than dogs, while pirates had more dogs than men.
It's all about who's more rotten.
There's no absolute right or wrong, just a contest of who's less rotten—figuring out which decayed apple is still edible.
These marked targets hadn't given up. Their blades remained sharp, their ambitions undimmed. They aimed to accumulate strength for one grand strike, forcing the world to acknowledge them once more.
Judging by Kuro's current reputation among them, eliminating them quietly would be most efficient.
With his targets selected, it was time to depart.
Kuro wouldn't abandon G-3 entirely for Gran Tesoro. Most of his combat power needed to remain here, preparing for unexpected incidents.
Kas stayed behind as G-3's commander—his strengths suited defense better than offense.
But Wilbur accompanied him. Someone needed to command Golden Lion, after all.
Normally, Kas or Wilbur handled ship navigation. As for other subordinates? Honestly, their professionalism left much to be desired.
Kuro himself wasn't exactly a model officer. Although he'd been in the Navy for years, he'd slacked off since day one. When he first joined, he'd been nothing more than a frontline fighter—never learning navigation or artillery operation.
Those skills made for faster promotions, and possessing special abilities earned you points in the Navy. But for hardship-stricken frontline soldiers like him, only combat achievements and raw power mattered.
He'd hidden his true capabilities well, staying safe since his rookie days.
After his promotion, Kas became his subordinate, sparing him even more responsibility.
With a commander like him, his crew's professionalism was predictable.
Ai En possessed solid skills, but she couldn't match Kas and Wilbur—two Navy veterans who'd studied their crafts thoroughly. So she stayed behind as well.
Fen Ni was still adapting to her abilities, so she remained.
Moer came along, of course—he was their messenger, making communication much easier.
Besides Moer, Kuro only brought Lida and Klah.
"This is Golden Lion, huh?"
Kaku whistled after boarding, dramatically inhaling. "Man, what an incredible flagship! You're the only one in the entire Navy with a ship like this, Kuro!"
"Can we not talk about this? Want it, Brother? I'll give it to you if you want. We're practically the same shade anyway—chestnut brown and golden." Kuro rolled his eyes.
"No thanks! This is your signature ship, and it's way too much trouble." Kaku chuckled.
You finally figured that out, huh?!
Kuro twitched his lips but said nothing.
"Whoaaa!! Gold City!"
Lida cheered, eyes sparkling. "Affirmation says there's tons of amazing food there!"
Klah nodded beside him. "I've heard so much about Gold City! Finally getting to see it with my own eyes!"
Pirates coveted this place too—not just because it was a safe neutral zone, but because its name alone lured adventurers.
Gold.
One of the greatest dreams pirates pursued—treasure itself.
"Uncle, I'm really curious about that Farming Region too", Moer scratched his head, grinning.
"Set sail!"
Wilbur, standing on the deck, barked orders through the Transponder Snail once the Navy deployment was complete.
Hiss!!
The Lion Beast Statue at Golden Lion's stern belched steam. With a mighty groan, the golden ship departed from G-3's port, following its course toward Gran Tesoro.
(End of Chapter)
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