https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-948-How-Can-You-Not-Bite-the-Evil-Dragon-Painfully-/13540386/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-950-No-Matter-What-Technique-They-All-Boil-Down-to-Light-Cannon-Style/13540388/
Chapter 949: Stuck in the Middle Without a Clue
Chapter 949: Stuck in the Middle Without a Clue
Wano Country had been under Kaido's iron rule for over twenty years, and suddenly these people became slaves who didn't dare resist - from this old man's face, Kuro could see the emotion and mindset of 'knowing resistance would end in certain failure, so choosing not to resist at all.'
Kuro had seen many nations and people, especially after entering the Grand Line. Some nations, some individuals, were capable of leaving him in awe.
He'd seen the Kolf Kingdom, where King Alexander Francising pursued his ideal village with obsessive determination, even going so far as to 'blacken' himself to complete his obsession, single-handedly transforming an entire 'pirate nation.'
He'd seen the Krayen Kingdom, where a king willingly let his entire family be executed and suffered universal condemnation to awaken his people's fighting spirit. Kuro didn't admire this action, finding it almost insane, but that didn't stop him from feeling deeply impressed.
He'd seen a pirate from Shabondy who, because of an impulsive act committed in youth, became known as a hero and eventually accepted that epithet, going to his death with calm determination.
He'd seen the Lion Ape of some Grassland Kingdom, who created widespread panic simply to gain recognition.
And he'd seen a religious nation where one individual made an entire country observe silence, ultimately causing their complete annihilation!
What were these people doing?
Of course - resisting!
They resisted accepted norms, resisted rules they deemed unjust, resisted prejudices held by the masses, resisted the ugly fates imposed upon them!
They might have succeeded or failed, but one thing remained certain - they all accomplished their 'resistance' goals. And those goals were powerful enough to make the world reconsider its actions and hesitate to repeat past mistakes.
Even the World Government, after nearly being destroyed during the New World crisis caused by Zeff, had carefully reconsidered its policies toward the Navy.
Because they dared not make the same mistakes again, dared not easily enact policies that would provoke Navy's wrath.
All because Zeff had 'resisted.'
Comparatively speaking, what were these people?
One death and their fighting spirit was completely extinguished?
And now they expected someone else to defeat the evil dragon, hoping their lost fighting spirit would magically return?
What an abomination!
Maybe they did harbor rebellious thoughts, but thoughts were just thoughts. They weren't actions.
When everyone dreams of reaching for the stars, some merely imagine, while others take action. They'd be foolish enough to stand on high places and leap toward the sky, even if it meant tumbling off a cliff.
Foolish, but impressive, because they actually took action.
At least they'd show others that standing on high and jumping won't pluck stars from the sky - alternative methods must be tried. Remember that person, then keep trying.
That might be a mistake, but it was also a spark.
Without predecessors taking action and making mistakes step by step, how could ultimate achievements ever be realized?
Were these people just passively waiting for achievements without effort?
"The evil dragon would respect you, grant you status, ensure you're well-fed, and provide medical care - not because its conscience improved, but because someone attempted dragon-slaying! Even failure made the evil dragon feel pain!"
Kuro pointed at Kaido while addressing the old man, "Unless you pour out every last drop of blood to show your determination and integrity in resistance, do you really think this thing would respect you? If you'd just shown a little strength back then, even in total defeat, I tell you - you wouldn't be in this situation now!"
"Kuroorooroo! Exactly!!!"
Kaido opened his eyes wide, laughing joyfully, "You really understand the old man, Kuro! I respect Oden because he was a legendary figure, but what right do these people have to that?"
Kaido despised the people of Wano Country except for Oden. Oden had resisted him, displaying courage and determination that earned Kaido's respect. If all of Wano Country were like Oden - not necessarily possessing Oden's strength, just that same integrity - Kaido wouldn't have made them laborers but would have found ways to make them serve him willingly.
If the people of Wano Country served him with such integrity, he would treat them like subordinates, naturally never destroying this place or making it a chaotic mess.
Militarily, Wano Country would surely lose any confrontation with Kaido.
But their status was something they needed to fight for themselves.
Kaido didn't mind them harboring rebellious thoughts - even if they wanted to kill him, he didn't care. He didn't dislike strong men, and strong men weren't defined solely by military might.
The expression revealed through willpower, the determination forged through integrity - that too was strength!
Even if that Blackbeard's Giant Serpent was killed, it wouldn't matter - the Shogun position would always find a new occupant.
Unfortunately, after Oden, no one had resisted for over twenty years. No one. Not even thieves in Wano Country dared resist.
"Shut up. I'm not helping you", Kuro coldly said, "I just don't like this place."
"Kuroorooroo, twenty years ago, Oden said I'd fail within these years, but all these years later, these people have become increasingly submissive to my rule. How could I possibly fail? Who are you relying on? That supposed Joy Boy?"
Kaido glanced arrogantly at Luffy.
"Joy Boy?"
Kuro was stunned, looking toward Luffy.
This was a name he'd heard for the first time.
Lucius Kro rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Phonetically, it sounded like...
Happy Boy?
What use was that?
"Forget it. Who cares what it means."
Kuro tightened his grip on the Yokai Blade as blood qi surged around him.
"Kuroorooroo! Right! Such things aren't important! Only strength is the truth!!"
Kaido charged forward with the Wolf's Spirit Thundercloud, swinging it down toward Kuro.
Crack!
Kuro's figure flickered as he sidestepped, then stomped the Wolf's Spirit Thundercloud underfoot. The force radiated outward, making his pant legs flutter.
At that moment, Charlotte·Big Mom seized the opening, cackling maniacally as she slashed her blade downward. Just then, a thick beam struck her body, sending her flying back.
Lucius Kro held the Ten-Fist Sword, the beam gradually fading from the blade as he smirked at Charlotte·Big Mom, "Oh? Did you forget about the old man's presence?"
Kuro lifted his head, locking eyes with the towering Kaido as blood qi continued rising around him.
"You'd better prepare yourself for the cost of trying to keep me and Gramps here - it'll be enormous!"
At the very least...
Leaving several deep marks on his body!
He had just destroyed Oni's Island, and Charlotte·Big Mom had been reminded of her nun days - these two wouldn't forget him easily.
Withdrawing now would create unknown future troubles.
He hated trouble and aftershocks most of all!
This fight needed to happen. Otherwise, leaving without resolution would let rumors run wild, damaging his prestige and making pirates target him more aggressively.
While Kuro didn't particularly want fame, he had to admit his reputation was growing. And with reputation came trouble.
But he hadn't reached that ultimate level yet.
In this world, only two types avoided trouble.
The first were those without fame or presence - exactly what Kuro wanted most. Without reputation or presence, no one would target him.
The second were those with immense fame, like the Four Emperors or Admirals - their strength created such despair that no one dared challenge them.
But those stuck in between, like Kuro, constantly faced people seeking to make names for themselves.
Since taking command of G-3, his life had never been peaceful.
Even that idiot Marshall D. Teach wanted to challenge him! Where was the justice? Why didn't Marshall target Gramps instead? Why not Sakazuki?
The Navy headquarters had been empty after their Arabasta deployment. If Marshall had any sense, he should have targeted Sakazuki instead. With that 'World's Greatest' attack power and a Logia Devil Fruit, wouldn't that be more tempting?
Although Kuro had hurt Marshall this time, there were still two more Four Emperors remaining.
With Gramps here, if they could hurt all these Four Emperors badly enough, they'd stop targeting him out of fear, simultaneously boosting his reputation.
Whether he won or lost wasn't certain, but as he said - bite the enemy hard enough to make them fear you, and they'd hesitate before coming after you.
When Kaido and Charlotte·Big Mom saw him arrive, their first reaction was to try keeping both him and Gramps here - wasn't that just because they didn't fear them enough?
If Sakazuki came to fetch Gramps instead, they'd never dare such a move.
For future safety, showing his strength meant no one would bother him again!
Make the Four Emperors fear challenging him, and his safety objective would be indirectly achieved!
Many paths lead to Rome. At his point, he'd long since abandoned the idea of a cure.
(End of Chapter)
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