Chapter 786: Can You See Me?
Chapter 786: Can You See Me?
"Kas?"
Kuro paused, thinking. "Oh right, those two went to escort David."
"Have them come over", Kuro said.
"Understood."
Klah nodded and went to deliver the message.
"Aren't you going out?" Lida asked from the couch where she was snacking.
"Go out for what? Let them come if they want. Do you really think I, a Navy Vice Admiral, should personally greet my subordinates?" Kuro said, chewing on his cigar.
"But David's also a King now", Lida pointed out.
"So is your brother. Do I look like I care?" Kuro rolled his White Eye.
Lida froze, then flushed bright red. "I-I just don't look at him!"
Kuro: "..."
"Lida."
He fixed her with a steady gaze. "You're getting corrupted! Who taught you to talk like this? Klah? Or Moer?"
Who the hell is influencing her?!
How did this kid turn out like this?!
"What? What do you mean?" Lida tilted her head. "Nobody's teaching me! What could they possibly teach me?"
She thought for a moment. What could Klah teach her? Carrying bags?
Moer? Don't really know him.
"We're always together. Who else could there be?" Lida added.
Oh. It's me, isn't it. F*.
"Never mind", Kuro muttered, pressing his lips into a thin line and leaning back.
Maybe I should watch my language. Lida was so innocent when she first arrived - just really good at eating snacks and being cute.
But after spending time with me, she's getting...dirty.
No way. Absolutely not.
A good kid should be sunshine and rainbows and adorable. No corruption allowed.
As Klah went to deliver the message, two distant warships escorted a massive vessel closer. Soon, the ships aligned with Golden Lion's Navigational Route.
The two warships followed behind, while the Dressrosa ships paralleled Golden Lion. Compared to the colossal flagship, they looked like junior officers next to a child.
As the vessels synchronized, a bridge extended between them. David, Kas, and Wilbur crossed onto Golden Lion's deck where navy personnel stood at attention, offering synchronized salutes.
"Kas, Wilbur, and David", Klah greeted, adjusting his glasses. "What a coincidence running into you."
"I didn't expect meeting you on the same Navigational Route either."
David smiled, scanning the navy ranks before settling on Ajitan - the only one dressed differently.
"Greetings. I'm Ajitan, Kolf Kingdom's new King. We're neighbors", the man said with warm sincerity.
Dressrosa!
This was Kolf Kingdom's King!
Just when Kuro mentioned seeking allies...
Now one appeared.
Kolf Kingdom had always been powerful. As neighbors, Ajitan had heard tales of "King Conqueror" David's relentless expansion that kept neighboring nations on edge. Even before his father fell to Luffy, his family had discussed this ambitious, formidable monarch.
Exactly the kind of powerful ally he needed!
"Fascinating, a new monarch! Please wait while I pay my respects to His Lordship."
David nodded and strode toward the largest fortress.
Ajitan's smile stiffened, then he sighed. A great nation's king having pride was perfectly normal.
Long road ahead...
Inside the fortress office, Kuro sat across from Lida, lecturing, "Where's the comfort in that? You must watch your language - it damages a girl's image! Listen to yourself! I'd freeze the speaker in Aokiji's Ice Age if anyone else taught you this!"
"I like it this way! Last time you said holding things in made me uncomfortable", Lida pouted.
Their conversation ended abruptly as Kas pushed open the door.
"Mr. Kuro!!" Kas called excitedly.
Kuro turned. "Kas."
David followed, bowing deeply. "It's an honor sharing this voyage with Lord Kuro."
"I told you to stop calling me 'Lord'!"
Kuro tossed him a cigar.
David caught it reverently, carefully tucking it inside his coat.
"You're supposed to smoke it, not treasure it!" Kuro groaned.
"I want to savor it slowly", David said, then asked, "By the way, Lord - why is Ajitan the Kolf Kingdom's King now? I thought Noardi held that title?"
"His son. King Alexander Francising passed away. Succession's natural. Kolf Kingdom faced turmoil, becoming World Government's ally. A stable Kolf would never have joined."
"I understand, Lord", David nodded solemnly.
Now he understood everything.
Kolf Kingdom perfectly aligned with Dressrosa's ambitions. A new monarch amidst internal chaos...
This opportunity was too perfect to miss.
After their visit, the trio descended to the deck. David immediately approached Ajitan, who stood waiting with a forced smile.
"Crack!"
David seized his hand firmly. "You're Ajitan, Kolf's new King! Pleased to meet you!"
His eyes sparkled with manufactured enthusiasm. "I'm David, Dressrosa's new King! As fellow new monarchs, we should exchange views thoroughly!"
He didn't know Ajitan from Adam. Shouldn't the Kolf King be Noardi?
But details didn't matter.
He had the crucial information.
His Lord's message was clear. The rest depended on his initiative. Great men didn't wait for handouts.
But wasn't this situation already his "handout"?
Failure meant unworthiness to fulfill his Lord's ambitions.
"Ex-Exchange views?" Ajitan, expecting cold treatment, instinctively tried pulling his hand free from David's iron grip.
This wasn't at all what he'd imagined...
"Absolutely! We're neighbors - both new Kings! We have so much to discuss about our nations!" David declared with earnest warmth.
This man would fall today!
(End of Chapter)
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