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Chapter 766: The Fifth Emperor?
Chapter 766: The Fifth Emperor?
A staircase was lowered from Golden Lion's ship. Kuro strode down with a cigar clenched between his teeth, his subordinates trailing behind, his hooded cloak billowing in the wind.
Two rows of Navy officers stood at attention below, chests puffed out in crisp salutes as they welcomed Kuro's arrival.
"Kuro."
The voice came the moment he stepped off the ship's ramp.
"Hm?"
Kuro turned. Tina stood with arms crossed, her ample chest accentuated, a cigarette dangling from her lips as she approached with her entourage. Smoker walked beside her.
"You two? Been ages."
"Definitely has been", Tina nodded.
"Didn't think you'd show up for this meeting", Smoker said, his trachea cigar jutting from his mouth as he addressed Kuro.
The three fell into stride side-by-side, Kuro in the middle. Their groups began marching toward the Headquarters' main building.
Kuro shrugged. "Wouldn't have come if Gramps didn't insist. What about you, Smoker? G-5 getting too dull?"
Smoker paused. "Didn't plan to come either, but Vegapunk mentioned something that caught my interest. Something I can't do, but he might."
Tina murmured, "The Seven Warlords of the Sea issue? What's your take, Kuro?"
Smoker being a veteran Navy officer meant he'd never loved the Seven Warlords of the Sea concept, though he wouldn't confront it as bluntly as Vegapunk did. Still, he wouldn't block Vegapunk's proposal either.
"Nonsense", Kuro's blunt verdict silenced the others.
Expected too - he'd always opposed that motion.
"Let's table this for later. I'll never agree anyway." Kuro adjusted his cigar, Headquarters' main building coming into view ahead. The trio climbed the steps together, entering the Meeting Room.
The chamber already buzzed with occupants. Rear rows held Commanders and Vice Admirals in pairs of chairs. Five ornate seats with circular side tables bearing drinks and cigars occupied each front quadrant. Familiar faces already occupied seats on both sides - Storbery, Dalmercia, Gumier, Togeko, Aokiji.
"Ah, Kuro", Lucius Kro called from the main seat's side, waving toward the first right chair. "Take a seat."
Kuro grimaced. He'd rather avoid that chair after nearly suffering social death last time. Lida and Klah positioned themselves rigidly behind his chair. They knew protocol - this was no joking matter.
"Been ages", Kuro greeted the assembled Vice Admirals, who nodded back.
"Kuro", Aokiji asked, "what's your take on Admiral Vegapunk? You met him in Dressrosa."
Kuro leaned back, adjusting his cigar. "Brother did fine. Though as Vice Admirals, we've no authority commenting on Admirals, Aokiji Brother."
Aokiji exhaled smoke. "We all dislike Vegapunk's proposal. You oppose it too. Why not push our alternative? Let us propose Navy-controlled Warlord selection instead of waiting?"
Togeko countered, "Premature. Better keep it as Kuro suggested - spring it when Vegapunk acts. Our allied Kings would agree."
This high-level meeting excluded even World Recruitment members, allowing unfiltered discussion.
"Why hide our best play?" Aokiji snapped. "We should act! Controlled Warlords would show pirates our Justice isn't to be trifled with!"
Though both Hawks and Doves opposed abolishing the Warlords of the Sea, Kuro's proposed alternative had spread through old Navy circles. Aokiji, the Hawk, wanted immediate implementation. Togeko, the Dove, preferred caution.
"Enough", Kuro waved them off with a white-eyed sigh, pouring himself wine. "Focus - we're here about the World Meeting escorts first."
"Justice demands debate!" Aokiji retorted. "We must seize control ourselves!"
Togeko warned, "But methods matter. We're Navy, not World Government. Your aggressiveness risks misunderstanding."
"Cowardice!" Aokiji shot back. "Justice requires any means necessary!"
Sakazuki's booming voice cut through, "Fleet Admiral Sakazuki arrives."
The argument halted as Sakazuki entered, white uniform contrasting his red undershirt, sitting like a yakuza boss at the main seat. "Full attendance? Doesn't matter. Meeting starts."
Tina activated a massive map projection from a Transponder Snail behind the curtain - showing all seas, Grand Line's first half, and Navy-controlled New World regions.
Sakazuki announced, "Before the World Meeting, news first."
Navy attendants distributed newspapers and wanted posters. Kuro snorted at the familiar face on the bounty poster - Luffy's grinning visage from Dressrosa.
The newspaper - The World Economic News - screamed the headline:
"The Fifth Emperor?"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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