Chapter 768: Kolf Kingdom
Chapter 768: Kolf Kingdom
"Hmph, if we're not going to Fishman Island, that's fine too", Lucius Kro shrugged. "We've got plenty of other places to choose from."
Sakazuki's brow furrowed slightly as he turned to Kuro. "If you'd prefer not to go underwater, how about Kolf Kingdom instead? The new King recently expressed interest in joining the World Government. Headquarters approved the request, but it's still under review. We'll send one representative from the Navy and one from the World Government to assess whether the country qualifies for member state status."
For Kuro's part, Sakazuki was satisfied. If he didn't want to go underwater, a change of scenery worked just as well. After all, Kuro had singlehandedly secured two billion Beri for the Navy's Headquarters - not that the amount was particularly impressive to the organization, but the gesture itself proved Kuro's loyalty.
That man was as solid as they came - a true, unwavering Navy officer.
Compared to that idiot Kuzan, Kuro was light-years ahead.
Hearing Sakazuki's suggestion, Kuro pressed his lips together thoughtfully. Not going underwater suited him just fine. With Sakazuki's personality, refusing twice would be outright disrespectful.
Besides, this was the Grand Line - nothing like Totto Land's convoluted membership process.
After Tina concluded her presentation on the nations attending the meeting and distributed the assignments, the conference dispersed.
Kuro followed Gramps back to his office, settling into a chair across from the old man while waiting idly. He also learned who'd been assigned to accompany him.
Flipping through the documents from Gramps' desk, Kuro's lips curled into a grin. "Rob Lucci? CP0, huh? Seems the World Government's taking this seriously."
The World Government's representative was indeed Rob Lucci - an old acquaintance.
While Kuro generally despised government officials, a few exceptions existed - Rob Lucci being one of them.
"Be careful in Kolf Kingdom", Lucius Kro chimed in. "It's a pirate nation. Even old man like me has heard about it - the former King ruled with an iron fist, enslaving pirates to serve him alone. They called it the Slave Nation. Outsider pirates became slaves too. Now that Luffy's defeated the King, the place is probably in chaos."
"All pirates?" Kuro glanced at the Kolf Kingdom dossier, briefly surprised but not particularly concerned. "That's nothing special. The New World's Farming Region is already crawling with pirates. Weakness means conquest, strength means threats. That lawless place could've turned into anything."
Or rather, that should be the norm.
Geographically, Kolf wasn't far from Dressrosa. While Dressrosa had been under the Seven Warlords of the Sea and enjoyed World Government member state status, Kolf lay deeper in the New World's chaotic frontier as a non-member state.
The dossier described a poverty-stricken nation - hardy people with martial spirit, surviving through raiding alone. Surrounded on all sides by powerful influences, its only "protection" was the World Government's member states behind it, starting with Dressrosa's strength.
Under King Riku, even pirates hesitated to approach Dressrosa. The World Government had its merits - pay the protection fee, become a member state, and they'd actually protect you through the Navy and Cipher Pol agencies.
Further back loomed Donquixote Doflamingo - a force even Kolf couldn't hope to challenge.
As for the present...
Dressrosa's recent madness had left even powerful nations trembling.
Kolf's other neighbors weren't pushovers either - independent islands and nations that had survived New World annexation through either strength or allegiance to pirate flags.
Kolf itself was a barren rock island with meager resources - minimal food production beyond stone.
Yet it had unique advantages:
- Exceptionally durable stones for construction
- Decorative patterned rocks coveted by collectors
- Most importantly - "Bomb Rocks", natural cannonballs second only to the Navy's "Dynamite Rocks" in explosive potency. This geological blessing fueled Kolf's military strength.
Built on stone resources and enslaved pirates, Kolf had endured the New World's brutality.
Until Luffy arrived.
His destruction of the old regime, freeing enslaved pirates, had plunged Kolf into chaos. The new King - the former ruler's son - desperately sought World Government membership.
"So the World Government's eyeing their Bomb Rocks? Even scum like this get accepted now?" Kuro muttered, unimpressed.
He could already guess the true purpose of this "assessment"—to evaluate Bomb Rock mining potential for future Heavenly Gold hoarding.
But seriously - was a nation full of pirates even worth accepting?
"Orders from above", Lucius Kro shrugged. "Just go through the motions."
Kuro tucked the dossier away, rising to leave.
"By the way, Kuro", Lucius added, "if we propose controlling the Seven Warlords of the Sea, should we nominate candidates early?"
"Deal with it later. Headquarters might not even agree", Kuro dismissed, stepping outside.
No need to fetch Rob Lucci personally - the man would meet him at Headquarters. For now...
Kuro flicked open his Transponder Snail, dialing a number. "Hey Smoker. Let's go drinking somewhere."
"Who's paying? Obviously you, right? You think I'd cover it?"
"Stop nitpicking. You're a G-5 Base Commander - can't afford a few drinks?"
"Affordable? I'm broke! Don't you know?"
His funds were carefully budgeted - saving where possible. After all, investments required capital. The meager profits from his Pegasus Island ventures would need reinvesting.
He still had some reserves of gold - his prized collection, not to be touched lightly. After all, who didn't love the gleam of gold jewelry?
After hanging up, Kuro strode toward Headquarters' Commercial District. Along the way, he messaged Lida and Klah to join him for dinner, waiting for Rob Lucci's arrival.
(End of Chapter)
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