Chapter 9: Misconceptions About Strength
Chapter 9: Misconceptions About Strength
The doctor arrived swiftly, his face paling when he saw Lida collapsed on the floor. He immediately summoned his assistants to begin treatment.
Meanwhile, Kuro lay motionless on the hospital bed, faking unconsciousness.
The diagnosis came quickly—Kuro was suffering from exhaustion.
Though Lida hadn’t managed to fully drain his energy, she’d siphoned off about half, which explained the doctor’s conclusion. This was exactly what Kuro had aimed for.
As for Lida? Purely hunger. After being fed a small portion of food on a trial basis, she bounced back to her energetic self.
Kuro pretended to lie still for an entire day, finally rousing himself when he judged the timing right.
“It’s not like I enjoy playing dead,” he muttered. “But my energy regenerates too quickly. Staying down for even a day feels like torture.”
When news spread that Kuro had awakened, Li Pa and the others rushed to his bedside.
“Kuro, what happened to you?” Li Pa asked, his voice laced with concern.
Kuro sat up slowly, his face unnaturally pale. Lida, munching on snacks nearby, dutifully supported him as he leaned against the headboard.
“Just an old ailment, cough… cough…”
He coughed weakly, his voice trembling. “I’ve had a frail constitution since childhood. The family swordsmanship drains me terribly—using even a single move leaves me exhausted. Normally, I can barely maintain basic combat readiness.”
This carefully rehearsed excuse, paired with the doctor’s confirmation, created a flawless alibi.
It meant that any occasional displays of strength could be explained without suspicion.
“Kuro Sergeant, to think you’ve been hiding such hardship all this time… yet still risked your life for civilians! How noble… how deeply moving!”
Kas burst into tears again, his tears clinging to his thick beard.
Lida scooted sideways with a grimace, giving Kas a look of clear disdain.
“Rest easy, Kuro. I’ll handle everything else.”
Li Pa nodded solemnly before leading Kas out.
Handle what? Kuro stared at Li Pa’s retreating back, a vague unease prickling his spine. Something felt off, yet he couldn’t place it.
Outside, Li Pa fell into deep thought. Suddenly, he turned to Kas. “Transfer all credit for this mission to Kuro.”
“No objection here,” Kas replied readily. “Sergeant has sacrificed so much for us. Without his leadership, we’d have drowned long ago.”
Kas’s enthusiasm made Li Pa’s expression soften. “Then it’s settled. The capture of the Devil Fruit user and Mongar’s defeat—both go to Kuro. He’s toiled in Branch for ten years without recognition. With these two achievements, the Headquarters will accept his transfer for advanced training.”
He paused, his voice firming. “His body is weak. Perhaps the Grand Line holds answers. If he can overcome this, Kuro will shine brightly in the Navy.”
Unlike Mongar, who ruled through brute force, Li Pa was a justice-driven officer who valued his subordinates.
Kuro was no stranger. He imagined the despair of possessing supreme swordsmanship yet being shackled by a fragile body—how agonizing that must be.
As both superior and old friend, he’d ensure Kuro’s future.
“Ah-choo!”
Kuro sneezed, rubbing his nose.
“Strange… Who’s scheming about me? Anyway, Lida, peel me an apple.”
“You peel it yourself!”
Lida’s brow furrowed. She still couldn’t fathom how this monster cultivated such power. She’d used every ounce of her ability, yet failed to drain his energy—only to collapse from starvation afterward!
Meanwhile, the East Blue basked in calm seas and bright sunshine.
Sunlight filtered through the office window as Kuro lounged with his boots propped on the desk, wearing sunglasses and idly puffing a cigarette beside a bottle of red wine.
He stubbed out the cigarette, lazily swirling the wine in his glass before taking a sip.
Outside, the breeze whispered through the leaves, carrying the warmth of a perfect day.
“Crunch… crunch…”
Kuro’s eye twitched.
“Lida, eat your snacks quietly! You’re ruining my peaceful mood!”
Beside him, Lida unapologetically crunched on another handful of biscuits.
“I’m hungry.”
“Then go eat outside!” Kuro snapped, waving her away. “Don’t interrupt this rare moment of tranquility!”
With Mongar arrested and Luffy departed from Base 153, peace had finally settled.
Now, Kuro could indulge in leisurely days—savoring rare moments of calm, interspersed with cultivation…
“Kuro Sergeant!”
Heavy footsteps and Kas’s booming voice shattered the serenity. The door swung open, revealing Kas panting with a report clutched in his hand, his face glowing with excitement.
“Sergeant, big news! Great news!”
Here we go again… Kuro thought grimly. Whenever he says “great news,” it’s never great for me.
“Spit it out, Kas.”
Kas missed the edge in Kuro’s tone entirely. “You’ve been promoted! You’re now a Sub-Ensign!”
Kuro exhaled, relieved. “Just a petty officer rank. Not even a proper officer…”
“No, no! This is a Headquarters appointment! They’re summoning you to the Headquarters for advanced training!”
Kuro froze. “Headquarters?!”
“Precisely! Sergeant… no, Sub-Ensign Kuro!” Kas beamed.
“Let me see that report.” Kuro snatched the document, scanning it rapidly.
His heart sank.
It was official. The transfer orders to Headquarters were real.
“But this doesn’t make sense! I’ve earned the promotion, sure, but why Headquarters? That’s excessive!” He tugged his hair in frustration.
“It’s because of our recommendation,” Kas explained proudly. “Lieutenant Kurepa and I insisted you were wasted in the East Blue. We shifted all the credit to you.”
You fool! Kuro’s glare could’ve skewered Kas.
A chill ran down Kas’s spine. He glanced out the window, puzzled. “The weather’s warm… why do I suddenly feel cold?”
Kuro massaged his temples, defeated. “Sub-Ensign Kuro… will you travel to Headquarters yourself, or wait for their delegation to retrieve Mongar?”
“Let me think it over. Now kindly leave me in peace.”
“Of course, Sir!” Kas exited, humming happily. “Strange… Kuro seems oddly subdued. Must be overwhelmed with joy!”
As soon as Kas left, Kuro roared toward the sea, “What the hell is this?!”
“Why am I being dragged into the Grand Line? I’m not strong enough to deal with those behemoths out there!”
Lida scoffed, eyeing him with open disdain. This man… does he even understand what “strength” means?
“Are you going?” she asked.
“To Headquarters?” Kuro grinned bitterly. “Might as well. Staying here risks running into Garp to hand over Mongar… and that unreliable, troublemaking bastard’s strong enough to expose my secrets. Better to flee while I still can.”
He sighed. “At least as a lowly officer in Headquarters, I can play mediocre and maybe even get demoted back to a Branch post if I slack off enough…”
“Then I want to eat at Baratie,” Lida interjected, her eyes sparkling. “Heard it’s the finest restaurant in the East Blue. Let’s stop by on our way.”
(End of Chapter)
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