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Chapter 879: I've Been in the Navy Half My Life—What's Wrong If I Want to Enjoy Myself?
Chapter 879: I've Been in the Navy Half My Life—What's Wrong If I Want to Enjoy Myself?
Since Kuro joined the Navy, even back in the East Blue, he'd seen friends sacrificed in service, left with nothing to do but rage at their loss.
Kuro himself had once lost track of his quarry temporarily.
Though he eventually found Aokiji's Ice Age, others lacked his relentless persistence. First, the Grand Line was too vast to guarantee finding anyone. Second, Navy officers had official duties—unlike pirates, who could freely fixate on a single target.
But the Navy's inability to retaliate for fallen comrades was unnatural.
This was the World Government's fault—a systemic flaw. Back then, the Navy was still crude in its methods. When enemies infiltrated a Navy homeland and slaughtered an Admiral's family, the only response was assigning a codename to hide the victim's identity.
Hiding identities worked for undercover agents, but upright Navy officers eliminating pirates shouldn't need codenames!
Though codenames now served more as a mark of renown, their original flawed intent remained.
Yet correspondingly, the Navy could address issues internally. Kuro's declaration wasn't just about asserting Naval authority—it was calculated.
He'd made his stance clear for three reasons.
Safety! Safety again! Still damned safety!
If the principle "sacrifice one Navy officer, kill ten pirates" was firmly established, reckless pirates would think twice before targeting Navy personnel to boost their fame.
That way, his G-3 base wouldn't be pestered by confused pirates seeking cheap glory, keeping things peaceful.
A different approach to handling matters? Flexibility never hurt.
Whether Kuro spoke or not, the Navy would still combat pirates—so why not shift tactics? Petty-mindedness had its perks.
Aokiji gazed at Kuro with admiration. "Well said. No matter the cost, we must eradicate every pirate!"
"No, we can't trade Navy lives for pirate scalps. But I'll hear Kuro out—he might have a point worth trying." Togeko interjected.
Dalmatian nodded in agreement.
Storbery didn't care either way. Frankly, he hadn't lifted a finger during the entire battle, preferring to hold formation—classic fish-monkey school tactics!
In short, Kuro's words became their faction's principle.
After singing, drinking, and watching the burning town fade, a Commander hesitated, glancing back. "Vice Admiral, about this town..."
Kuro turned, clicked his tongue, and flicked his wrist. Dark clouds swallowed the town's sky, drenching the ruins in torrential rain.
"Once the fire's out, send people in. Check for survivors and provide aid according to protocol."
"Understood!" The officer snapped a sharp salute.
Leaving a few Navy personnel to handle the aftermath, the rest dispersed. They were on tight schedules—only Zeff's involvement had justified this interruption. Without it, who had time to chase a single pirate when their own missions were overwhelming?
Kuro boarded the Golden Lion, navigating back toward G-3.
A mere Edward Weibull wouldn't make world-shaking news. Currently, the world buzzed with post-Meeting updates and Big Mom's humiliation at Luffy's hands.
The only true headline was Golden Lion assuming full authority over the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Yet official news still listed the World Government's three great institutions unchanged.
Most nations remained calm—no perceived balance destruction meant no panic.
Inside G-3's offices, Klah reported recent updates.
"Mr. Kuro, the tourism industry connecting G-3's border islands to Dressrosa nears completion. David invites you to attend the opening ceremony."
"Oh? Already? I thought it'd take longer."
Kuro pondered. "Kas and Wilbur are there, right? Let them represent me."
"Understood, I'll inform them." Klah adjusted his glasses.
"What about the cigar investigation?" Kuro asked.
"No concrete leads yet."
"Tsk! Hiding this deep? Keep looking—I won't let it slide." Kuro clicked his tongue. "Contact Rob Lucci. Mobilize CP's resources in the East Blue."
"Kuro, are you really involving CP over a cigar?" Lida turned. "Aren't you overreacting?"
"Overreacting? I've been Navy half my life—can't I have a hobby? What's wrong with enjoying a little luxury?" Kuro rolled his eyes.
Only Lida dared question him like this.
"Lida, focus on training instead of snacks. The Grand Line's turning dangerous—Big Mom's targeting Kaido, Teach's up to his usual tricks, and Shanks acts calm but always makes the biggest moves."
Kuro kept close tabs on these threats.
Who did she think he was?
He, a man obsessed with safety, meticulously cataloged every danger—especially now in the New World.
"I understand", Lida nodded. "But I still need to eat."
"Food, food, food! When have I ever starved you?" Kuro's lips twitched. "You must get serious. Just because I'm around doesn't mean you're safe—I don't even feel safe myself anymore. Your innate talent rivals the strongest in the Grand Line."
"Sure, Devil Fruits held you back before, but you've mastered yours now. No weaknesses left—apply yourself! Don't keep dragging me into every crisis. Try handling things yourself. Look how long it took you to learn Instant Hell Kill, and even then you relied on borrowed strength. All that food you eat—where's the energy going? Into what?!"
Lida grimaced. She knew his paranoia was acting up again.
Still, he had a point—time to develop new techniques.
"Lida, your strength's limitless—absorbing energy lets you grow stronger, absorbing foes' strength to counterattack. You're both tank and artillery. Cultivate for twenty or thirty years, and you'll rival Charlotte Big Mom herself!"
"What?!"
Lida scowled. "Are you saying I'll turn into that old hag?!"
"No, no—power-wise, not looks!" Kuro scratched his chin. "Though Big Mom's youth wasn't bad-looking either... Never mind. Point is, you'll match her might! Scary stuff!"
Kuro instinctively puckered his lips.
Lida's eye twitched. "I don't know what I'll become in twenty years, but I'm certain if you keep hanging around Lucius Kroadmiral, you'll end up his mirror image in thirty! And I'm not talking power—I mean your looks!"
Kuro: "..."
How rude!
(End of Chapter)
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