https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-857-Don-t-Let-It-Increase-Any-Further/13539883/
Chapter 858: Kong, King of the Pirates
Chapter 858: Kong, King of the Pirates
This Log Pose hadn’t shattered as he’d claimed earlier; instead, Kuro had quietly handed it to Bartholomew the moment he emerged.
In this world, everyone—pirates, the Navy, even the World Government—chased after this Grand Secret Treasure, the greatest prize in existence!
“Laugh Tale…” Kuro muttered, picking up the compass. “Since Roger’s time, how many pirates have set sail for this, completely different from the old days?”
Pirates had always existed in numbers, impossible to eradicate. Even Kuro’s past world, from which he’d come, couldn’t eliminate war. The environment was what it was—you could only curb it. Even if you were some heaven-sent warrior, even a saint, you couldn’t wipe it out entirely.
But did that mean Kuro had no interest?
None. Not even a little. He wouldn’t even bother to look. This was a hot potato—if it ever surfaced, it’d burn you. But as long as others didn’t know, keeping it for himself was actually advantageous.
He seriously suspected Roger’s treasure was just a scrap of paper reading: You’ve reached the end. Congratulations! You’ve completed the game. The world’s greatest treasure is the treasure of life itself—the courage and glory in your heart, the greatest human riches. And other such nonsense.
As for what Roger supposedly said—reputation, rights, wealth—truthfully, anyone who reached that point already had those things in abundance.
But as someone who wanted peace until his dying day, Kuro’s principle was simple: All the world’s riches pale next to self-preservation. Destroying it would end things neatly. But since no one had noticed, obtaining this Log Pose was a solid backup plan.
If this truly stirred the world into chaos, threatening his future stability…
Then he’d follow this compass to Laugh Tale, root it out completely.
Find Laugh Tale?
Good luck—you’d have to look to the skies!
From now on, One Piece would forever be called Kong, King of the Pirates!
But that was only a last resort.
Kuro returned the compass to the small wooden box, closed it, and sent it floating away. Simultaneously, a mass of earth erupted from the continent’s core, drifting toward the box. The earth split open, revealing a swirling orb of golden light—Pure Gold. The gold parted next, exposing a chunk of soil inside, which itself split open to reveal a glimmering, radiant fragment of something strange and golden.
Pure Gold.
Bathing in its light could slow aging to near-stasis—virtual immortality.
As for true eternal life, Kuro wasn’t sure. But those who stood in its glow would remain unchanged for centuries, making it indistinguishable from immortality.
All part of the Grand Secret Treasure.
The wooden box floated beside the Pure Gold. The soil encircled it, then the gold surged forward like water, swallowing the soil. Finally, another layer of earth enveloped the whole, forming a perfect sphere.
“Not quite enough…” Kuro mused, stroking his chin. He raised a hand, and a floating debris field—a chaotic pile of wreckage—flew over, encasing the sphere in layers.
The wreckage ball then soared toward the continent’s core, settling into its deepest center, wrapped entirely within the island itself.
At this altitude, no one would ever find it. Even if Kuro collapsed unconscious or the island shattered, the core’s protective layers would never be destroyed. No one would ever think to probe the island’s absolute center.
Who’d be that bored?
Shaking his head, Kuro carved another hole through the continent and descended, flying back toward the Golden Lion.
Half a day later, the Golden Lion arrived at Red Port.
“We’ll be off then—we’ve got a protective escort mission ahead. Kuro, take care to recover.” Storbery called out to Kuro before departing with his subordinates.
The other Vice Admirals followed suit. Their orders were to escort the World Government’s leaders—those very pirate kings awaited at Red Port after the World Meeting.
“You’ve my thanks. If anything comes up, give me a shout—I’ll be there.” Kuro smiled, addressing the departing officers.
Kas and Wilbur stepped forward. “Mr. Kuro, we’ve missions too.”
“Go on, go on—finish quickly.” Kuro waved them off. “And pass a message to David for me: I won’t be seeing Ajitan off. You lot can accompany him partway.”
Smoker, disembarking nearby, called out: “Hey, Kuro. You’re not going?”
“Gramps called direct line—I’ve to return to Headquarters.” Kuro replied.
“Puhaahaha! Kuro, what the hell’s with that getup?!”
Garp strode over from the docks, laughing as he pointed at Kuro’s bandaged form.
Kuro rolled his eyes. “Can’t I play dress-up? Haven’t you heard of Shishio?!”
“Old man hasn’t.” Garp grinned. “Heard you fought one hell of a battle—why didn’t you call me?”
You think the World Government would’ve let me?
Kuro pressed his lips tight. “Old man—here to mock me?”
“Nope! Just wanted to see how bad you got roughed up. This’s the first time you’ve been this injured, even Yi Xiao came out better.” Garp chuckled.
“Hm? Yi Xiao?”
Kuro’s brow lifted. “Brother got hurt too? At Mariejois?”
Garp nodded. “Haven’t you heard? The Revolutionary Army stormed Mariejois to reclaim Bear. They clashed with Yi Xiao and Tatsumaki. Old man was around, but couldn’t help—he missed the fight, puahaha!”
“Klah—get me a newspaper.”
Kuro barked, floating toward a nearby restaurant as Klah handed him the paper.
Inside, other Navy officers lingered—Kaku and Zoro among them. Seeing Kuro, Zoro raised an eyebrow. “You really got worked over, huh?”
“Yep. Ten years to recover, easy.”
Kuro replied casually, grabbing a seat. “Bring me something to eat.”
“C’mon, Kuro—getting this wrecked by Bartholomew? Even Sengoku and Garp had to exhaust him with Pacifistas just to catch him.” Kaku shrugged, smirking.
“Don’t rub it in. How’s the Revolutionary Army?”
“No clue.”
Kaku chuckled. “We arrived too late.”
Zoro nodded.
Kuro: “….”
“Mr. Kuro—here’s the newspaper.”
Klah handed it over. Kuro scanned the front page, dominated by a headline:
“Revolutionary Army’s Chief of Staff Sabo and Four Major Officers Killed!!!”
The article detailed how Sabo, the Revolutionary Army’s Chief of Staff, and four commanders had infiltrated Mariejois, triggering a battle before being killed by Vegapunk, Tatsumaki, and Navy forces.
Sabo?
Dead?
“Is this real?” Kuro doubted.
“No clue.” Kaku shrugged. “We got there after it ended.”
Kuro skimmed the article, then tossed it aside. “Whatever. Not our problem.”
Yi Xiao, his brother, got injured? Probably hadn’t even tried hard.
But regardless, the Revolutionary Army was the World Government’s headache. The Navy had done its part with two participants.
Everyone arrived late—lazy as ever.
Old sailors understood.
(End of Chapter)
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