https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-771-This-Treasure-Is-Destined-for-Me-/13539206/
Chapter 770: Lucci, Come On, Smile
Chapter 770: Lucci, Come On, Smile
Being Fleet Admiral wasn't easy. While the World Government wouldn't issue orders on every trivial matter, the Fleet Admiral still had to execute every command given.
The Impel Down escape incident had forced Sengoku to keep certain World Government orders confidential. Recently, during Gran Tesoro's sky drop tribute, the World Government had again issued directives, compelling Sakazuki to dispatch ten warships.
When the World Government issued orders, the Navy had no choice but to comply.
Except for Kuro. He had no intention of dealing with such bureaucratic nonsense. Even as an Admiral candidate with considerable recognition from the World Government, he refused to get involved. After all, procedures were procedures - the World Government coordinated directly with Fleet Admirals and Admirals, not with Vice Admirals like himself.
Orders should go to the Fleet Admiral or Admirals first. He, a mere Vice Admiral, had no need to know these things. And honestly? He couldn't be bothered.
Especially regarding Cipher Pol. He held no grudge against Lucci personally, but that black-and-white masked bastard? Now that one rubbed him the wrong way.
"What's your plan, Lucius Kro?" Lucci's eyes narrowed as he asked.
Kuro bared his teeth in irritation. "Since I'm leading this operation, you'll follow my lead. If you'd rather play solo, that's fine - just don't interfere with my work."
He despised CP's arrogant attitude - always thinking their mission made them superior, acting like kings.
Lucci paused. "Understood, Lucius Kro."
"You'd better listen up, Lida."
At Kuro's sharp call, Lida kicked Kaku - who was still lying on the ground - transferring some of his physical strength to help the fallen man rise.
Kaku shot Lida a wary glance before retreating a few steps, wisely choosing silence.
The air grew tense.
Kuro exhaled a plume of smoke. "No need to be so stiff. We're on the same side, comrades. Cheer up! My words might've been harsh, but it's to prevent future conflicts, right? You understand me, don't you?" He turned to Lucci with a grin. "Come on, smile!"
"If nothing else, I'll rest first."
Lucci's curt reply was all he offered before leading Shalria and Kaku toward the ship's nearby fortress structures.
Kuro shrugged, reclining back into his lounge chair. He reached for his drink, only to find the glass nearly empty. Without a word, he passed it to Klah.
"Bring me another."
"Yes, Kuro Mr."
Klah accepted the glass, glancing toward where the others had departed. "Should we keep watch on them?"
Kuro shook his head. "No need. Lucci might be a mission-obsessed weirdo, but he knows what's appropriate. Besides, there's Shalria - that woman's got her head on straight. As for Kaku... well, he's not completely clueless."
The warnings still stood, but truthfully, he bore these people no real ill will.
"Some nerve."
Inside one of the fortresses, Kaku muttered darkly. "That Golden Lion sure carries himself with pride."
Shalria's voice lowered. "Unlike Momousagi and Tatsumaki, Golden Lion is confirmed as the next Admiral. His influence and power within the Navy are immense - such pride comes naturally."
While Cipher Pol held equal status to the Navy as one of the World Government's three direct subordinate organizations, Lucci - and most CP agents - understood there was no real hierarchy between their branches. But when it came to pride? The Navy unquestionably held the advantage in both strength and attitude. Golden Lion's arrogance wasn't unique - men of his caliber were common within the Navy ranks.
"Enough chatter. Our mission takes priority."
Lucci spoke coolly. "We've been ordered to cooperate with Lucius Kro - that's our primary objective. Beyond that, we must secure the 'Bomb Rock' supply chain from Kolf."
Kaku considered. "The island's probably controlled by pirates already. We don't necessarily need to seek out a Pirate King - any influential pirate leader would suffice."
Capturing pirates wasn't CP's specialty nor their concern. They'd use any means necessary to complete their mission.
Half a month later...
Kolf Kingdom, Kolf Island.
The island measured roughly a third the size of Dressrosa - small, barren, and rocky. Sparse vegetation clung stubbornly to the terrain like sparse hairs on a bald man's head - stubborn yet fragile. Thin columns of smoke rose faintly across the landscape.
A golden-hued capital ship approached from the sea.
Inside the warship's largest fortress tower, Kuro watched the rocky island approach through his office window. "This is the place?"
Klah consulted the nautical charts. "Confirmed. Kolf Kingdom."
"Not far from Dressrosa", Kuro noted. They'd passed Dressrosa just three days prior.
"Anchor here."
Kuro rose, fingers flicking toward his blade - the Autumn Water - resting on its rack. The sword lifted itself and fastened to his waist as he strode toward the deck.
Lucci's group already gathered there, while Sazil eyed them curiously. As Klah's direct subordinate, Sazil had joined the mission alongside Ju Geng - Lida's subordinate.
"Gathered already?" Kuro greeted casually as he approached with Lida and Klah.
"Golden Lion Vice Admiral", Lucci addressed him, "shall we disembark directly? No need to waste time."
"One port only. Even if we wanted to rush, we'd have to wait our turn", Kuro chuckled. "Patience prevents mistakes."
The Golden Lion anchored at the island's natural shallow-water port.
"Half the Navy stays to guard the ship. The rest follows me down."
Kuro led a thousand Navy soldiers - two-thirds of Golden Lion's full complement. Leaving half aboard, the remaining five hundred disembarked - their sheer numbers filling the landing area completely. A thousand men - the equivalent of multiple tightly-packed squads creating a powerful, overwhelming presence.
"Hold on, let me scout first."
Kuro closed his eyes, spreading his Observation Haki across the entire island.
"The strongest auras lie to the left..."
Opening his eyes, he deliberately headed right.
"Golden Lion Vice Admiral, if the threat concentration is leftward, where are you heading?" Shalria questioned.
"Haven't I said? We start from the ground up. Going straight for the capital would teach us nothing. If you're in such a hurry, feel free to handle matters your own way."
Kuro nodded toward the visible smoke plume on the right and began marching.
Shalria glanced at Lucci, who after a brief pause, followed.
"Move out."
(End of Chapter)
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