Chapter 790: Seems No One Has Better Qualifications Than Me
Chapter 790: Seems No One Has Better Qualifications Than Me
"You... how are you this terrifying too?! I analyzed this beforehand—your reputation was supposed to be great!"
Striker staggered backward as sweat poured down from his scalp.
He wanted to become a world noble, but with his current connections, the path felt nonexistent. The ranks of world nobles hadn’t expanded in ages.
Still, he wanted to try. That’s why he’d targeted only the most formidable figures.
Garp, the Navy Hero—his reputation was massive.
Back at Shabondy, he’d already voiced his plea, but Garp’s response had been identical to this Golden Lion’s words.
He’d lost his nerve then, assuming this Golden Lion, another East Blue native with a supposedly stellar reputation, might actually help him.
But the answer had been the same.
Are all East Blue natives mad?!
The Navy Hero, East Blue’s pride, the Revolutionary Army’s leader, its Chief of Staff—rumored to be from East Blue too—as well as Fire Fist and Luffy…
All these figures hailed from East Blue. Even the Navy’s side, the only seemingly normal faction, had two absolute lunatics here!
Kuro couldn’t care less about Striker’s pale, expressionless face.
Truly didn’t care.
Go ahead, rat me out?
See how many of these people you think you can trust.
If even one of them believed you, I’d thank you.
He’d even considered seizing the chance to relay this directly to the world nobles, hoping for a demotion.
But on second thought, it wasn’t worth the risk.
Now that he’d built such a vast domain, if the upper echelons took action and both the Revolutionary Army and pirates caught wind of an opportunity to capture him, escaping himself was certainly possible—but his subordinates wouldn’t be so lucky.
Besides, after serving in the Navy for so long, he’d grown accustomed to it. Changing sides wouldn’t work anywhere else.
This whole scheme would also betray Gramps and other elder mentors and friends he’d bonded with.
Back in Mariejois, when Kuzan was still around, he remembered Sakazuki and others openly clashing with the world nobles for his sake.
A man’s got to have some conscience.
Unless a heaven-sent powerhouse emerged bearing the Red Flag of Human Hope, Kuro would pledge allegiance without hesitation. Without that? Please—be my guest.
Without such grand ideals, his priority was ‘safety’, not ‘reckless self-destruction’.
Of course, he could say these things freely. No one would believe him anyway.
Besides, world nobles were trash to begin with. What was there to debate?
"The door’s open!"
Someone shouted. A heavy creaking noise followed as the massive iron gate slowly swung inward, revealing its entrance.
Kuro gestured to David and Ajitan, "Go on in. Don’t linger."
"Lord", David suddenly bowed deeply, "May I have the honor of inviting you to accompany us to this Meeting?"
"Old Man isn’t a king. What meeting would I attend? My task’s done—I’m leaving." Kuro shook his head.
What was he supposed to do here? Stay and wallow in disgust?
"Ahhh!"
Suddenly, Garp smacked his right fist into his left palm, remembering, "Kuro, we really do need to go in!"
"Eh? Why?" Kuro turned to Garp.
"Old Man just recalled—Yi Xiao’s inside. Regarding your proposal, Sakazuki and Borsalino said to let you handle it fully. Told me to inform you, but I almost forgot!" Garp laughed heartily.
Kuro: "……"
"You’re telling me now? And why me?! Why won’t Gramps contact me directly?! What about Fleet Admiral Sakazuki?!"
Kuro raised his arm, opening his wristwatch Transponder Snail, dialing Gramps’ number.
"Boroboroboro…"
The Transponder Snail buzzed for a while, but no one answered.
Typical. No need to guess—Gramps had certainly answered the wrong call.
He tried calling Sakazuki next, but the line was busy.
Garp roared, "Hahahah! Sakazuki’s probably handling pirate matters now. After all, we encountered countless pirates en route. Rumor has it a royal family was even kidnapped, but Koby rescued them."
"But this shouldn’t fall to me! Plenty of others have better qualifications! Look at that—"
Kuro stopped mid-sentence, suddenly at a loss.
Now that he thought about it… he couldn’t find anyone more qualified than himself!
Garp?
No way. This old man was unreliable. Any sane person knew better than entrusting decisions to him.
Sengoku?
Retired. Sakazuki barely worked with him anyway. No chance.
Yi Xiao?
Don’t joke. Without that fellow’s proposal, half these troubles wouldn’t exist.
Tatsumaki?
Kuro sensed the aura—still in Mariejois, probably guarding a gate somewhere. A World Recruitment member. Unlikely to be chosen.
So the only remaining options were the three Admiral candidates.
"But what about Momousagi and Tatsumaki?" Kuro muttered weakly, barely audibly.
"Puhahahaha! Old Man probably doesn’t know either. Anyway, it’s your call now. Oh, and Old Man’s accompanying you too. Almost forgot!" Garp added.
"But I’m so close to Yi Xiao—Brother relation! Suddenly giving me this task? I can’t do it! I’m such a shy person! How could I possibly speak freely at such a grand Meeting?!" Kuro protested.
"Then let Old Man handle it?" Garp grinned.
Kuro pressed his lips tightly, "Forget I said anything."
Entrust it to you?
With your reckless personality, you’d bungle even a guaranteed proposal—let alone this one, which was already a toss-up.
"Regarding the Seven Warlords of the Sea?" David interjected, "Lord, rest assured. I know what to do."
Lord had already briefed him on these matters en route.
David knew exactly how to proceed.
Dressrosa alone wouldn’t suffice, but fortunately, Lord had allies.
"The gates are open. Let’s go in. Kuro, want some senbei?"
"Say it one more time—I don’t eat it!"
One laughing uproariously, the other with a blue vein throbbing on his forehead, they entered the hall with the crowd.
"Ah, I wanted to try the delicacies inside…" Lida mumbled, disappointed.
The remaining Navy officers certainly couldn’t enter.
Mariejois required proper registration, but Pangu Palace was no place for ordinary folks.
"Then come inside, Rita!"
A familiar voice called from the entrance.
A figure leaned against the doorway, wearing kung fu attire, a round cap, and sleeves hiding both hands, staring at Lida.
"Eh?"
Kuro, already moving forward, and Lida behind him both froze.
"Luo Wei?!" they gasped in unison.
"Address me as Elder Brother!"
Luo Wei gritted his teeth, "No respect at all! At least call me King!"
He turned his head, "I just felt sorry for you. Even if I refuse to admit it, you’re royalty now. Don’t disgrace the royal family. No drooling, understand? Definitely not because you’re my little sister that I’m letting you in!"
Kuro twitched his lips. You possessive older brother, what’s with the tsundere act?
If you’re so capable, why not secretly deploy your own support and criticize me openly?
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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