https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-817-Even-the-Seven-Warlords-of-the-Sea/13539316/
Chapter 818: Eliminate Them All – Saves Us the Trouble
Chapter 818: Eliminate Them All – Saves Us the Trouble
"That bastard!"
As the Transponder Snail shattered on the other end, Boa Hancock snarled, hurling the receiver across the opulent palace chamber on Kusnake Island. The Transponder Snail clattered against her grandmother, Gloriosa, who stumbled backward with a muffled grunt.
"I'll never obey your command, bastard!"
Her long, lustrous legs trembled with fury as she lashed out, her foot inches from kicking the massive Luffy-shaped pillow beside her. After a moment's hesitation, she restrained herself.
"Then don't accept", Kuro replied coolly through the broken connection.
Gloriosa steadied herself, brushing dust from her robes. "It's not an order from the World Government. Just some Vice Admiral. Even if the Navy Fleet Admiral granted authority, we're not obligated to comply."
This wasn't the Summit War, nor their confrontation with Buggy the Clown. Without World Government sanction, refusal was an option – one they'd exercised before.
Gloriosa, confident in this precedent, expected agreement.
"No."
To her shock, Boa Hancock shook her head, her teeth sinking into her thumb. "Actually, I must go."
"Why? Boa Hancock?" Gloriosa gaped. Opposition? Impossible! Boa's pride made her as unpredictable as a storm. Yet here she was, defying expectations.
"You're surprised, Gloriosa." Boa swept her cascading hair aside. "Simple. That man is furious. I may be headstrong, but I recognize the stakes. Golden Lion doesn't respect rules. For Kusnake Island's sake, I can't afford risks."
Natural disasters weren't metaphors here. Admirals were walking catastrophes, yet even they obeyed the World Government – the old Three Admirals like Sakazuki, and the new ones too. But Kuro was different. Not an Admiral, and with none of their constraints. If she refused? The island itself might become collateral.
Though the trigger for his rage remained unclear, the fact he'd mobilized the conscripted Seven Warlords of the Sea proved the crisis' magnitude.
"Prepare my ship", Boa commanded, rising from her silken bed. "I'm going."
...
"All set."
Kuro leaned back in his chair, cigar smoke curling from his lips after his final call to Buggy.
Even the Seven Warlords had been recruited.
Klah pressed his lips together. This setup was so extreme, he wouldn't be surprised if Kuro revealed Bartholomew was just a distraction while he double-crossed to attack Kaido and Big Mom directly.
Yet Kuro wouldn't play that card – not his style. Still, this was excessive.
Klah glanced outside, watching pirates celebrating below. Pity colored his expression.
Kuro alone could annihilate this rabble, yet he'd insisted on assembling an army. Every last pirate was doomed.
"Kuro, why not just summon a tsunami?" Lida frowned. "Why gather so many?"
"Why exert myself unnecessarily?" Kuro blew a smoke ring. "Learn some political savvy, Lida. With everyone enlisted, blame gets shared. Think – if I solo this, I shoulder all consequences. Even if we split credit, these pirates are Vice Admirals too. Why should I take the fall alone?"
He exhaled slowly. "And think of the rewards! Wiping them all out myself would be greedy. What if the higher-ups panic and brand me a threat? But dividing spoils?" His smirk sharpened. "Perfectly reasonable."
"Besides", Kuro's gaze hardened, "Bartholomew's strong. More hands ensure he doesn't escape."
Escape? Klah bit back a scoff. If the Cyclops fled, he'd have the strength to claim the New World's fifth emperor throne – no exaggeration.
"Patience now", Kuro murmured, watching the harbor fill with pirate ships. "Once this Grand Treasure Hunt begins, and that old fool appears... he's finished."
His sources confirmed the Cyclops' terrifying profile. Not just power – an Artificial Devil Fruit user capable of fusing with objects. The stronger the material, the mightier the fusion. A direct counter to Kuro's Heavenly Treasure Vault.
"No way I'll let him plunder my treasures", Kuro muttered. "That's why I banned ships. Imagine if he absorbed them all."
The next phase? Preparation. Neutralize every ship on this island.
Days passed as Kuro waited. Smoker vanished scouting intelligence. Kuro treated it like a festival – feasting, wandering, watching the pirate armada swell. The atmosphere thickened with anticipation.
Yet Kuro never spotted the Worst Generation. They should be here. Word was they'd split forces after Dressrosa, likely en route to Wano Country. Eustass Kid hadn't surfaced since losing an arm to Shanks' rival.
Whatever. Live or die, they'd face his wrath. He'd already compromised once for Garp's grandson – no repeats. Better they stayed away.
While Kuro ignored the young guns, Klah noticed other predators.
"Kuro-sama."
The Cyclops entered their quarters, adjusting his glasses. "Several dangerous fugitives have surfaced."
Kuro watched pirates swarm the docks, eyes gleaming. "Who's worth mentioning?"
"All escaped from Level Six prisons", Klah reported. "Rozu, 'King of Insects' – bounty two hundred seventy-six million. Fugure 'Dog-Biter', former Vice Admiral turned traitor for massacre and corruption – three hundred million. And most notably..." He hesitated. "Klah the Cyclops. Brought down a bounty of five hundred forty-two million."
"Five hundred million? Shanks or Wald tier?" Kuro chuckled. "The Old Man was right to rally everyone."
Back then, bounties meant something. Five hundred million signified raw power matching emperors.
Kuro's eyes darkened. "Perfect. Eliminate them all – saves us the trouble!"
(End of Chapter)
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