https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-855-Seven-Warlords-of-the-Sea-Serve-Time-in-Prison-Choose-One/13539381/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-857-Don-t-Let-It-Increase-Any-Further/13539883/
Chapter 856: Then Give It To Him
Chapter 856: Then Give It To Him
New Marine Headquarters.
Fleet Admiral’s Office.
Sakazuki stood on the balcony, gazing downward while clenching a cigar between his teeth, his silence unbroken.
After a long pause, he finally spoke: “Has Borsalino returned yet?”
Behind him, a burst of golden light flickered, solidifying into the figure of Lucius Kro.
“Oh~ Sakazuki, were you waiting for me?” Lucius Kro chuckled.
“What about Kuro?” Sakazuki asked.
“He’s decided the victory,” Lucius Kro said cheerfully. “Four days and three nights. Kuro won.”
“A victory at last,” a faint smile tugged at Sakazuki’s lips. “No one interfered, I hope?”
Lucius Kro nodded. “Seems they fought in earnest. According to Storbery’s report, Rob Lucci wanted to join the battle, but Kuro rebuked him.”
Sakazuki’s voice turned cold: “Hmph. Cipher Pol always prioritizes missions. Lucky they didn’t interfere. Otherwise, Kuro would’ve developed a bottleneck in his heart.”
They were true top-tier powerhouses—precisely why they understood how a mental bottleneck could cripple one’s growth.
That would hinder Kuro, the key to keeping the Navy at its peak for the next fifty years. A mistake here was unthinkable.
If Sengoku, Garp, and Zeff were the ones who propelled the Navy into its golden age, then their generation—Lucius Kro, Sakazuki, and Kuzan—were the energies that solidified that supremacy. But even that energy would fade.
The day Kuzan left marked the beginning of the Navy’s decline.
Without Kuro, the next generation lacked successors. Smoker? Perhaps in decades, when he reached their age, he might rise—but time was too uncertain. Worse, the Smoke-Smoke Devil Fruit’s innate nature wasn’t ideal.
Other Navy prodigies—Koby, or the “Demon Arm” Granth Thorne that Sakazuki had heard of? Equally unready. The gap was too vast.
Unlike their generation, where Sengoku, Garp, and Zeff stood above, followed directly by the Three Admirals, the next tier was murky. The only clear successor now was Kuro.
With the right age, skill, status, and strength, Kuro alone could stabilize the Navy’s peak for at least two decades, ensuring its decline wouldn’t exceed acceptable limits for fifty years.
If his growth was compromised—
Sakazuki instinctively clenched his fist. A crimson glow seeped through his black gloves, raising the temperature around him.
“Borsalino, was Kuro’s Seven Warlords of the Sea proposal approved?” he asked.
“Approved,” Lucius Kro grinned. “But those old men weren’t too thrilled. Especially since two days ago, a major incident happened.”
“Oh? You were there, weren’t you? The Revolutionary Army?” Sakazuki pressed.
“Ah~ That old man didn’t show up in time. Vegapunk and Tatsumaki handled it,” Lucius Kro pouted.
Late? He could’ve arrived instantly if he wanted.
But such matters no longer concerned the Navy.
“What did the old men say?” Sakazuki asked.
Lucius Kro shrugged. “Who knows? But since the decision came from the Meeting, they’ll honor it. Though… they might send someone to meddle.”
It wasn’t rare for the World Government to intervene in the Navy. Sakazuki knew this well—even as an Admiral, he’d seen how many Navy officials were assigned by the World Government, and that was just the visible part.
“I’ll lobby the higher-ups for support. The rights must stay with us. If we secure them, I’ll hand management to Kuro. What do you think, Borsalino?”
Two equals conversing naturally wouldn’t use terms like “old man” repeatedly, not when they had an amiable rapport.
“Meh, no objections from me,” Lucius Kro shrugged.
Of course he didn’t. This was even better.
Sakazuki couldn’t carry this burden alone, but handing it to Vegapunk or Tatsumaki was unthinkable. That left only Lucius Kro himself.
And Lucius Kro? He’d gladly pass it to Kuro. But knowing that kid’s personality…
He’d probably run to Sakazuki whining about it.
But if the decision came directly from Kuro? The rights and responsibility would rest on his own shoulders—a perfect test.
“He’s got nothing else to do besides G-3’s defense. Time he shouldered more,” Sakazuki said.
“Just hope those old men don’t object. After all, he’s only an Admiral candidate,” Lucius Kro grinned.
“I’ll handle the higher-ups myself,” Sakazuki replied grimly.
---
Mariejois.
Rights Chamber.
Five Elders.
Pose.
“Unexpected that the Revolutionary Army would strike here,” the elder with a map-like pattern on his face muttered grimly. “We were too careless.”
The bearded elder shook his head. “Their officers have some capable Devil Fruit users. They infiltrated successfully.”
The curly-haired elder pondered, “But this is the first time in decades they’ve dared attack. Are they launching a full-scale assault?”
“No,” the red-skinned elder countered. “It’s about Bartolomeo. Regardless, this incident has stirred discontent among member states.”
The blade-wielding elder gritted his teeth. “This was the World Meeting. Such a solemn occasion, and they interrupted it, humiliating the World Government. But…”
He paused.
“On the bright side, Lucius Kro salvaged our reputation.”
“Oh? You mean defeating Bartholomew?” the bearded elder asked. “Indeed. During the World Meeting period, to ensure security, Lucius Kro led the Navy to annihilate the pirate festival, killing Bartholomew and Festa. A commendable act.”
“That’s why we agreed to release the Seven Warlords of the Sea rights,” the curly-haired elder added.
“To whom?” the red-skinned elder asked. “Assigning our own people?”
“Probably not.”
The map-patterned elder crossed his arms. “That proposal came from Lucius Kro himself. During this time, he eliminated Bartholomew—proving his strength. Besides, we can’t expand the Admiral ranks or distribute too many rights.”
The blade-wielding elder nodded. “Normally, we’d assign our own. But the Revolutionary Army’s intrusion during the World Meeting made Kuro’s actions shine. He resolved the conflict between the World Nobles and the Kings flawlessly at the Meeting’s start.”
“Then give it to him,” the red-skinned elder concluded. “For his loyalty and performance, we shouldn’t disappoint Kuro.”
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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