https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-761-Rome-Rome-is-in-Zhangjiakou-/13539175/
Chapter 760: I'm Loaded with Money!
Chapter 760: I'm Loaded with Money!
"Achoo!"
"Achoo-achoo!"
G-3 Branch Office.
Kuro sneezed repeatedly in bewilderment, rubbed his nose, and glanced out the window. "Hmm, which beauty must be thinking of me?"
"Huh?" Lida paused mid-bite, her eyes narrowing at Kuro. Beauty? Impossible! She monitored him daily. She knew every woman around him, especially those suspiciously pretty ones who looked like someone’s wife. There was no way anyone else could exist.
"Probably some old pirate", Lida muttered.
"I've taken down plenty of old pirates around here recently. As for distant ones, as long as they don't come poking around or threaten me, I can't be bothered."
Kuro picked up his powder brush, lifted Autumn Water, and lightly dusted the blade with white powder resembling a fluffy ball. "Can't you think better of me for once?"
Lida smirked and crammed another handful of snacks into her mouth.
"Kuro Mr.", Klah entered, pushing the door open. "Kas has news—confirmed attackers in Raya Kingdom."
"Oh? Who?"
"Dressrosa. Leading the charge is David Pancha."
Kuro’s powder-brushing stilled. He turned to Klah, "Dressrosa? David? You're joking, right? Dressrosa’s way too far out. How could he possibly reach me?"
Klah adjusted his glasses. "I was surprised too, but it’s true. Confirmed by Kas—David Pancha has already killed Raya’s King and seized Raya Island."
"Tch, didn’t see that coming", Kuro resumed brushing Autumn Water. "So the kid’s got conquest fever now? But if it’s him, he won’t harm civilians. Not my problem."
Blades needed maintenance—it wasn’t like Yokai Blades that stayed sharp with blood alone. Nearly any blade required care.
As for David’s affairs, that was Dressrosa’s business. As a Navy, Kuro had neither the qualifications nor the desire to meddle. If David wanted to fight, so be it. He was no fool. David wouldn’t have been chosen King otherwise.
"Hungry. Tell Ju Geng to prepare something good", Kuro ordered.
"I want Sukiyaki Meat!" Lida raised her hand.
Kuro rolled his eyes. "Water 7’s way too far to get that fast. Wait a few days. Klah, make a call—have Water 7’s ingredients and sea salt delivered."
"Understood, Kuro Mr." Klah nodded, exiting.
Even normally, such small requests were no issue. Lida often bought things herself—she had shares in Pegasus Island. But this time, Kuro had just pocketed hundreds of billions. He was swimming in cash.
The three candidates split spoils—Kuro took 25 billion alone. After squeezing another 30 billion, leaving Headquarters with 20 billion and swiping 10 billion more, he’d raked in 35 billion total while offloading responsibility. He’d gladly repeat this circus act anytime.
"I’m loaded now. Nothing I can’t afford", Kuro smirked. "Lida, eat till you burst!"
Lida arched an eyebrow. "Pfft. Never mind, forget I said anything", Kuro quickly backpedaled. With her Devil Fruit ability and mastery of Life Return, she’d never get full. Given time, she’d literally eat him bankrupt.
---
A few days later, same office.
Kuro dug into his meal—Ju Geng had rushed Sukiyaki Meat over and cooked it perfectly. Delicate lobsters and fish from distant regions arrived via Steam Launches designed to transport delicacies in massive shell-like containers. Speedy and practical.
On the couch, Lida devoured dishes with gusto, leaving the coffee table littered with empty plates.
"Kuro Mr." Klah returned, trailed by several others. "Kas has come back."
He stepped aside, revealing Kas, Wilbur, and—
Kuro paused mid-bite. "David?!"
Kas and Wilbur saluted sharply. "Kuro Mr.!"
Beside them, David—the only one not in Navy uniform—dressed in opulent robes, bowed low, hand over heart. "My Lord, long time no see."
Kuro frowned. "Stop calling me Lord. You’re King now."
David shook his head, voice humble. "You chose me for Kingship. You bestowed my weapon. You gave Pansha Family rebirth. To Pansha, you are our Lord."
"Cut it out. I’m just a Navy. Rule your Kingdom—it’s nothing to do with me."
"Do your best", Kuro added.
"Forever in my heart, Lord." David bowed again.
Kuro rolled his eyes. Guess he won’t drop the title.
"By the way, what brings you here?" Kuro asked. "Heard you’ve been making big moves—dragging your fight from Dressrosa all the way to G-3. How’d you manage it? With Dressrosa’s size, must’ve been tough."
David opened his mouth, paused, then fell silent.
Can’t say. Not yet.
He longed to tell his Lord about fulfilling the sacred mission, the "world peace" they’d dreamed of. But not now. He hadn’t even completed a fraction of his Lord’s wishes. His Kingdom still teetered on the brink—speaking now would mock both his struggles and his Lord’s vision.
"Forgive me", David whispered, bowing his head.
"Eh? For what?" Kuro blinked. What’s he apologizing for?
"OH! How humble!" Kas interjected enthusiastically. "Kuro Mr.! David fights for his dream—to let backward islands live like Dressrosa! He fears no sacrifice for that ‘unified world’!"
"But Dressrosa’s resources are drained. Though Wilbur and I have donated, it’s not enough. Could the Base Navy contribute? Such a noble ideal—surely Justice itself would give!"
What the hell are you yapping about? Kuro raised an eyebrow. Conquering from Dressrosa to G-3 meant a massive, linear territory. Maintaining Dressrosa’s lifestyle alone would drain resources. Even if he ordered the entire G-3 Navy to donate their salaries, it’d vanish like a pebble in the ocean.
"Wait—" Kuro lit a cigar, eyeing David. "Dressrosa’s broke?"
"Shameful, but true, Lord." David bowed. "Our expansion drained funds—we cannot advance further."
Kuro’s grin widened. "I’m loaded! Need investors? How about 30%—Dressrosa included? I’ll invest! I’ve got 35 billion!"
A classic sky-high demand. Dressrosa itself wasn’t small—small nations sold for 50 billion alone, throne and land. Kuro’s 30% stake was pure robbery. But he expected bargaining.
"Really?!" David’s eyes widened. "Lord, you’d support me?! 30%? Absolutely!"
The room froze. Even Lida and Klah stared, stunned.
"Eh?" Kuro’s hand froze mid-gesture. He agreed?!
(End of Chapter)
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