Chapter 896: Let's Go to the Grand Line!
Chapter 896: Let’s Go to the Grand Line!
Escaped!
As the pursuing forces behind him vanished, William, soaring through the sky, exhaled in relief.
His contingency plan wouldn’t be needed after all.
Otherwise, he’d been ready to trigger a steam explosion to sink the entire island.
Thankfully, no one chased him.
As for the battle itself, William had entered the fight with a resigned mindset.
But when Kuro’s Killing Intent surged, it shattered his control entirely.
All he could see were the faces of pirates who’d died back then—their mangled remains mingling with the corpses of his fallen crewmates. William’s will to fight crumbled completely.
He felt certain he’d end up like them, slaughtered by Kuro’s blade, and the fear kept mounting.
So what else could he do?
Naturally, he fled!
William didn’t care why Kuro hadn’t pursued him. Logically, Kuro had the ability to chase him down, but if he didn’t, that was a blessing. No need to overthink it.
His dream was to become a great pirate, not to defeat Kuro. The two goals weren’t conflicting.
As for overcoming his heart demon…
At least he’d managed to block Kuro’s blade this time. That was progress.
In his imagination, he’d always seen Kuro’s blade from his childhood—but now he realized it wasn’t unblockable. Surviving that strike was enough. Surviving proved Kuro wasn’t invincible.
He’d keep striving, slowly dismantling this heart demon. At the very least, he’d no longer be easily killed by Kuro.
“Kuro, aren’t you chasing him?” Lida asked as they stood on Beast Island.
Kuro shook his head. “What’s the point? Whether we catch him or not, it’s the same outcome. Let it be.”
Catching him would mean cutting him down—a necessity. Failing to catch him would be a humiliation.
Though he wanted William to experience fame and the fear of living on the edge, he wouldn’t let himself become a stepping stone for some upstart.
He was a Navy Vice Admiral and Admiral candidate! Capturing a mere East Blue pirate and failing repeatedly—what kind of disgrace would that be? He’d end up like Smoker, that fool who couldn’t catch a 30 Million Belly bounty, only to watch him rise as the Fifth Emperor.
If he failed to catch this 30 Million Belly pirate who hadn’t even solidified his name yet, would the world think he’s chasing the One Piece?
“I’ve seen his face now. The wanted poster will come soon. Let’s just force him into the Grand Line.”
Kuro took out his cigar box, picked up a cigar, then glanced at his remaining stock and shook his head. “Forget it. The cigars can wait. Getting him out of the East Blue is more important.”
Between indulging his pleasures and watching someone he envied suffer, Kuro chose the latter.
What’s the point of smoking cigars if that man isn’t suffering in the Grand Line first?
He’d never feel at peace until that pirate faced hardship.
Why should he, who’d exhausted himself trying to escape East Blue, only to be forced into the New World?
This pirate had stayed in the East Blue for years, hiding in plain sight. If Kuro hadn’t pursued the cigar lead, no one might’ve discovered such a threat lurking there.
He was a pirate!
Pirates and Navy are different. Navy officers can choose obscurity, but what pirate stays unknown? If you’re not famous, you might as well go run a bathhouse in Shell Town!
But with subordinates present, he tempered his words. “His current infamy isn’t worth my pursuit. Let the Grand Line pirates test him.”
This earned nods from the Navy officers present, except Lida and Klah.
Indeed, their Vice Admiral Kuro was formidable. Why should he chase a pirate with no reputation?
“Let’s move out. Seeing him once is enough. I’ll stay in East Blue briefly to ensure he leaves. Otherwise…”
If he stubbornly refuses to leave, even if Kuro deemed him harmless, he’d still be eliminated.
Besides, calling him harmless was a stretch.
He still faced charges for secretly infiltrating the Kingdom—another reason Kuro couldn’t let him operate freely.
Back on the flagship of the Sam Pirate Fleet, William landed heavily on deck, his hands swirling with steam. The mist enveloped all his ships, climbing higher as they accelerated.
“William, are you okay?!” Elmira rushed over, worry etched on her face.
William shook his head. “Tricked Kuro and escaped. Dammit, why would a Navy Vice Admiral target me?”
“Maybe just a whim,” Elmira mused. “We’ve always been different from others in the East Blue.”
Everyone knew East Blue pirates were no match for them.
Perhaps that’s why the Golden Lion targeted them.
Yet with Golden Lion’s strength, he could’ve decimated them entirely, or at least crippled their ranks. Why did they escape with only minor losses?
William pondered, finally muttering, “Pride?”
That was the only explanation.
Could it be Kuro simply disliked chasing him? That excuse felt too flimsy.
Only if Kuro scorned the chase could William accept it.
“William, what now?” Sverre asked.
William glanced at his crew. Those who hadn’t landed still looked composed, but his three surviving trusted subordinates wore expressions of frustration and defeat.
He knew he couldn’t delay anymore.
If he did, even his closest allies would grow resentful.
William kept his crew’s rising ambitions in check through his strength and prestige. But their confidence stemmed from never failing in the East Blue.
Now, after this setback, staying put wasn’t an option.
The Grand Line—the most perilous place of all…
It was time to face it!
“To the Grand Line!”
William clenched his teeth. “We’ll set our base in the East Blue, return to Sweats Island, regroup, and then conquer the Grand Line!”
“Finally taking action, huh?” Montblanc, recovering his strength, grinned. “You should’ve headed to the Grand Line sooner, William.”
“No. Now is fate’s chosen moment.”
William raised his head. “No preparation is ever enough. You always want more, but this incident proved that no matter how prepared you are, accidents happen. So let’s go to the Grand Line! Though dangerous, it brims with opportunities. There, I’ll become a true great pirate!”
The Grand Line—his dreamland. This time, he’d stake everything on it!
Death or glory!
Staying in the East Blue meant death under Kuro’s blade. The Grand Line offered the same risk—but at least he’d die as a seafaring warrior, charging into the legendary waters where the four seas converged.
This time, William was all in!
(End of Chapter)
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