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Chapter 960: It's Fine, He Doesn't Care
Chapter 960: It’s Fine, He Doesn’t Care
But now Sakazuki was troubled. Eliminating Blackbeard was a monumental feat – a Four Emperors member taken down single-handedly by Kuro.
Such an achievement demanded more than just celebration; it required recognition in the form of a formal promotion.
Yet the G-3 Fortress, and even the island it occupied, were now unusable. Rebuilding the base meant not only reconstructing facilities but also carefully selecting a new location.
Marine Base selections weren’t arbitrary. These locations had to consider climate conditions and strategic positioning for rapid deployment. They also needed islands large enough to accommodate direct subordinate branches – entire fortresses, not the smaller outposts that could coexist with civilian towns.
Developing a new major base would require massive resources and time. The nearby sea area’s islands were already populated, making civilian relocation another massive undertaking.
Reconstructing G-3 Base would take years. For now, Kuro would have to return to Headquarters.
But a mere Admiral candidate returning to Headquarters with no active station? That would appear idle at best.
Assigning him elsewhere posed its own problems. There were no truly significant positions left unclaimed – offering anything less would effectively be a demotion.
While G-3’s loss reduced Kuro’s authority somewhat, he still held significant power as the overseer of Seven Warlords of the Sea affairs – a responsibility normally reserved for Admirals. This alone ensured his influence remained strong.
As one of the Navy’s rising stars, Sakazuki naturally wanted Kuro to advance further. But with no available positions, this dilemma gnawed at him.
Still,
“Merit will be reported,” Sakazuki said with an uncharacteristic smile toward the assembled Navy officers. “You’ve all performed admirably.”
Naturally, Kuro’s subordinates deserved promotions for this campaign. With Kuro himself in temporary limbo regarding stationing, promoting his subordinates was the best immediate solution.
…
Banote Admiral, a restaurant.
The sweating attendants rushed to clear empty plates while more remained on the table.
An older man in traditional Wano Country attire leaned back in his chair, sipping tea. His meal finished, his empty plates already removed. Beside him, a younger man continued eating voraciously, responsible for most of the empty dishes.
The restaurant’s food supplies were nearly depleted. The owner had already sent staff out for emergency purchases. Even with abundant sea beast meat available, cooking required seasonings – surely one couldn’t eat the same ingredients endlessly without tiring?
“What? Prepare multiple versions of the same dish?”
They were chefs! Professional pride forbade such compromises!
Kuro quickly shoveled a slice of premium sea beast sashimi into his mouth, chewing briefly before swallowing.
“Finished?” Lucius Kro asked.
“No, just taking a break to eat more elegantly now.”
Kuro shook his head, gesturing toward the mountain of empty plates. “Clear these away. Clean the table.”
Turning to Lucius, he added, “If not for needing to replenish my strength, I’d always eat elegantly. You know me, Gramps.”
He picked up a napkin untouched since the meal began, flicked it open, and gracefully fastened it around his neck.
Lucius smiled, lifting his glass for a tea sip.
“Finished. We should return to Headquarters.”
“My accommodations arranged?” Kuro lit a cigar while waiting for new dishes.
“Not yet. But no rush.” Lucius grinned.
“True. No rush at all.” Kuro exhaled smoke, feigning solemnity. “Whatever Headquarters decrees! Let them keep me stationed here, or send me back to the Grand Line’s first half – even East Blue, I’ll obey without question!”
With G-3 gone and the area unsuitable for rebuilding, Kuro’s duties would temporarily reduce to merely managing the Seven Warlords of the Sea affairs.
What a relief! No longer stuck in this wretched New World, he could leisurely travel selecting Seven Warlords candidates. Even stationed at Headquarters, he’d essentially be on break for two or three years.
Reassigning him to another New World base? Impossible. The few major bases – originally G-1, G-3, and G-5 – were already occupied. G-1 swapped places with Headquarters, G-3 destroyed, and G-5 under Smoker’s command. While Headquarters’ relocation had shifted many Navy veterans to the New World, it ironically left no space for Kuro’s former G-3 station – a post originally vacated by Garp.
Why should anyone relinquish hard-earned territory? It would be unreasonable, and likely refused. Even if offered, Kuro had no intention of accepting – that would cause unnecessary destruction of Navy camaraderie.
He could easily sacrifice personal interests for comrade harmony. No problem at all. He didn’t care.
Smirking, Kuro thought – this battle wasn’t without profit. Marshall D. Teach wouldn’t dare target him for years. Kaido and Big Mom were preoccupied in Wano Country planning their One Piece ambitions, likely for years. Combined with his newly enhanced reputation, no pirate would dare challenge him now. With G-3 gone, he could finally enjoy this unexpected break.
Viewing it differently, this assignment limbo might prove quite beneficial.
That damned Luffy!
Kuro’s grin widened, his injuries suddenly feeling less painful.
“Pardon me!” A booming voice suddenly called from outside. “I noticed this island flies the Straw Hat Pirates’ flag. Might I request supplies? Allow me brief rest – I am their helmsman!”
The voice carried bold, heroic energy.
Luffy? The helmsman?
Kuro and Lucius instinctively turned toward the door as a fishman entered calmly.
“Oh~” Lucius pursed his lips, eyes glinting oddly.
“Jinbei?” Kuro asked around his cigar.
The blue-skinned whale shark fishman wore Wano Country’s traditional garb and a hooded cloak. Former 438 million bounty, former Seven Warlords of the Sea member – now the Straw Hat Pirates’ helmsman, ‘Sea Knight’ Jinbei.
An old acquaintance indeed.
After blocking Big Mom’s pursuit to buy the Straw Hats time, Jinbei had fought alongside the Sun Pirates against Charlotte Big Mom, using his fishman traits to stall her forces. After his defeat, he’d vanished into the Grand Line and traveled onward to Wano Country.
But even fishmen needed supplies eventually – hence his swim ashore to restock.
Now, however, circumstances seemed… less than ideal.
(End of Chapter)
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