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Chapter 910: When Wrath is Due, Wrath Shall Be Shown; When Rest is Needed, Rest Shall Be Taken
Chapter 910: When Wrath is Due, Wrath Shall Be Shown; When Rest is Needed, Rest Shall Be Taken
"That really is an unparalleled privilege, meow!" Pizarro could only chuckle slightly, with little else to say.
Looking at Pizarro's gloomy expression that still held a glimmer of hope, Kuro raised his eyebrows slightly.
"Keep an eye on him."
He said to Joe Rudolph beside him, then turned and walked toward the base.
Joe Rudolph opened his mouth as if to speak, but watching Kuro's retreating figure and then glancing at Taylor who had just recovered his breath, he found himself unable to voice his thoughts.
"Oh, one more thing."
As Kuro approached the base entrance, he suddenly stopped and turned around. "You did well. Try to rein in your perpetual smile from now on. That expression won't bring you any respect. As one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, you need to project more authority."
With that, he finally entered the base.
Joe Rudolph felt a huge weight lift from his chest, experiencing an overwhelming sense of relief.
It seemed... things had worked out.
"Thank you!" he deeply bowed to Kuro.
Only after Kuro had completely disappeared inside did he straighten his back. When he moved his mouth to stretch his facial muscles, he realized how stiff they had become, maintaining that curved shape even under normal conditions.
"Do you think my smile lacks approachability?" he asked Dagon.
"It's actually too approachable", Dagon sighed. "It makes you seem less threatening."
And lacking in prestige as well.
Taylor, who wouldn't dare talk back to his own superiors, occasionally dared to challenge Joe Rudolph - unless Joe was really angry with his mouth turned down at the corners.
But the only time Joe's smile would fade was when matters had become extremely serious.
That Golden Lion had been absolutely right. That perpetual smile... was completely meaningless.
Let the tears flow when sorrow comes, and the laughter ring out when joy arrives. Unleashing one's might freely was how a truly strong person should behave.
Without that smile, Joe Rudolph would still be seen as a hero and leader by his people, but with it, he risked being underestimated.
In Kuro's eyes, Joe Rudolph's constant smile was simply ineffective.
He could understand the need to appear humble for the survival of one's people, but in this world, such tactics wouldn't work.
In this world where willpower reigned supreme, suppressing one's true will would only lead to growing weaker and more confused.
They had a perfect example of this in Zeff.
One could use cunning strategies, but never at the expense of one's fundamental will.
When anger is due, unleash thunderous retribution. When rest is needed, grant respite - this is how one reveals their true character.
Even Kuro himself had become someone who spoke harshly when necessary and punished without hesitation. If he had to hold back, it would be extremely uncomfortable.
Joe Rudolph hadn't been born with that ever-present smile. In fact, Kuro could see that the man's inner tyranny was no weaker than anyone else's.
Compared to that loudmouth Taylor, when it came to pure ruthlessness, Joe could leave Taylor in the dust without even needing to turn around.
But he'd been holding back too much. It seemed he hadn't made much progress in a long time. At his current age, he was probably at his peak. If he had allowed his will to flow more freely in the past, he might be even stronger now.
Besides his strength, his character was commendable too. Willing to bow his head for his tribe's sake and possessing great rationality, he would be more than capable of becoming one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, securing a Navigational Route's safety.
"Prepare my room, and tell the Navy personnel not to be too tense. Those people will help deal with things. Give them a few tents and living supplies, and make sure they're not shortchanged when it comes to food."
He instructed the Base Commander who had accompanied him.
"Understood!" The Base Commander saluted.
This Base Commander was actually a Headquarters Commander. The G-314 Branch was merely a small outpost in the New World, primarily handling frontline reconnaissance. With limited manpower, if they had to surround and guard Pizarro full-time, they wouldn't be able to accomplish anything else. Since Joe Rudolph and his people had captured Pizarro, it made sense for them to handle the guarding.
"Tents, huh?" Taylor scoffed as he watched the Navy personnel bandage the wounds of the Half-fishman injured and set up tents in the port plaza, bringing out several steaming pots filled with food. "At least they have some consideration." His anger had noticeably cooled.
In truth, he didn't have many demands. All his frustration stemmed from a lack of respect.
But now, watching the Navy personnel bustling about, tending to the injured, setting up tents, and actively inviting them to eat, Taylor found himself without much resentment.
His mind was simple, and his requirements were simple.
Fairness.
As long as they were treated fairly, it would suffice.
Half a day later, a yellow glow appeared in the sky, descending upon the G-314 Branch.
Lucius Kro landed on the ground, his hooded cloak floating as he examined Pizarro, who was bound in chains. Smirking, he said, "Oh~ How frightening. So the Despot King has truly been captured."
"Lucius Kro!" Pizarro opened his eyes, seeing Lucius Kro watching him with interest. He burst into laughter. "You actually came, meow! Hahaha!"
The Half-fishmen looked toward this elder with apprehension. The four of them - Joe Rudolph and his companions - felt a chill run down their spines.
Another powerful figure had arrived - an Admiral renowned throughout the world.
"Huh?"
Lucius Kro noticed their gazes and turned to look at Joe Rudolph. With just one glance, he pierced through their true identities. "Oh~ A Half-fishman, how rare. You're all gathered together?"
"Yes, Admiral Lucius Kro." Joe Rudolph started to bow but suddenly stopped himself mid-motion. Straightening his back, he met Lucius Kro's gaze head-on. "I am the captain of this tribe, the king of all Half-fishmen!"
Dagon's pupils slightly contracted as he instinctively looked at Joe Rudolph.
King...
He had never referred to him like that before.
But it sounded... quite impressive!
With the world's affirmation of the Half-fishman people, if Joe Rudolph became one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, he would gain sufficient prestige and fame. Once the other Half-fishmen learned of Joe Rudolph's name, they would surely come to him.
And as he gradually gathered those Half-fishmen who had been bullied and looked down upon, eventually they might even establish a true Half-fishman Kingdom!
In that case, he truly could become a king!
What an incredible achievement it would be if Joe Rudolph could become the king of all Half-fishmen!
Dagon's eyes showed a hint of yearning.
Perhaps then, he could become the... Prime Minister of this Half-fishman nation?
"King, huh? How frightening." Lucius Kro nodded, then introduced himself. "This old man is Lucius Kro, an Admiral in the Navy. I've heard of you, Joe Rudolph. You've done well capturing Pizarro and handing him over to the Navy. Are you trying to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea? That's quite the challenge you've presented us with, but nevertheless, well done."
Lucius Kro chuckled, turning to a senior Navy officer who had accompanied him. "Where is Kuro?"
"Vice Admiral is inside the base. I'll go inform him."
Lucius Kro waved his hand to stop the Navy officer. "This old man will find him myself."
With that, he strode into the base alone, hands in his pockets, swaying slightly as he walked.
Last year on Qixi, I performed drinking water for you - the loneliness
This year on Qixi, I'll perform a frog croak for you - the solitude
Gu gua gu gua gu gua...
(End of Chapter)
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