Chapter 966: Have You Made Your Decision?
Chapter 966: Have You Made Your Decision?
"What I did wasn't even that impressive", Kuro muttered, pressing his lips together as he leaned back. "Just went to Wano Country to back up Gramps. No big deal."
Saying this, he unceremoniously plopped himself into the chair beneath Sakazuki's desk and lit a cigar.
Gramps, sitting across from him, chuckled. "Well, I'd say it was pretty significant. At the very least, we confirmed Kaido and Charlotte·Big Mom are indeed allied."
"Rocks rising again?" Sakazuki asked, raising an eyebrow.
The Fleet Admiral nodded slowly. "But even if that were the case, there's no need to worry. Pirates will always be pirates. After Whitebeard, their era ended long ago. The Navy will definitely win!"
Lucius Kro shrugged at this, while Kuro simply tilted his head back, puffing smoke rings from his cigar without uttering a word.
They were all seasoned Navy veterans, high-ranking and powerful. Such words meant little—they preferred actions. Sakazuki himself knew this all too well.
"Kuro", Sakazuki said, "you handled the Blackbeard matter excellently. With G-3's destruction, why don't you take some time to recuperate at Headquarters?"
"No objections here!"
He’d been waiting for this opportunity!
"My injuries won't heal overnight, and the Seven Warlords of the Sea haven't been fully reorganized yet. Might as well take an extended break."
Kuro spoke casually, but his knuckles turned white from gripping the armrest, blue veins bulging under his skin.
He appeared indifferent, but his heart raced with barely contained excitement!
Don't blow your cover!
Stay calm!
Don't let them see through you!
"Hmph. Then it's settled. You're dismissed", Sakazuki said with a nod.
"Later then, Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, Gramps."
Kuro rose, waved at the two men, and strode out. His exit was at least three times faster than his entrance.
Once Kuro vanished, Sakazuki turned to Borsalino, his expression darkening. "You've made your decision?"
Lucius Kro shrugged. "It's time to step aside for the younger generation. Kuro needs this position more than me—he has his own ambitions."
"It's obvious."
Sakazuki closed his eyes. "When I suggested he rest earlier, his body betrayed him. He was thrilled. He understands there's no room for him now."
What position could possibly be left besides the Admiral title itself?
Blackbeard's defeat was already a monumental achievement. Kuro had single-handedly infiltrated Wano Country to assist Lucius Kro, battling Kaido and Charlotte·Big Mom. His strength was undeniable.
Though young, he was qualified.
But he was Borsalino's subordinate, part of his faction. Unless Borsalino stepped down, there was no path for Kuro upward.
"Honestly, I wanted to wait longer. Kuro's still young. Rushing him into the upper echelons now isn't ideal. But with G-3's destruction, we can't delay. Rebuilding a base on a new island will take at least a year. Leaving Kuro idle that long? He'd never agree."
Sakazuki sighed. "Earlier, he held back his excitement out of respect for us. But in private, we can't treat him like that. You know this better than anyone, Borsalino. He's your protégé. But change won't come immediately—higher-ups won't approve so easily."
Lucius Kro nodded. "We'll transition gradually. For now, let's hand over the sword's command rights and phase him in."
"Agreed. This is an internal Navy matter—we won't report to the World Government. The sword's authority goes to Kuro."
Sakazuki paused. "Also, it's time to promote his subordinates. Blackbeard's merit alone justifies it."
Lucius Kro smiled. "No objections from me."
Sakazuki studied him, sighing. "So you're determined to retire too, even as an old comrade and longtime friend?"
Kuzan wasn't their peer—he was more like a junior disciple. Even so, as veterans, they still felt for him. Otherwise, during the Vegapunk Hazard incident, Kuzan's injuries would've been far worse.
But Borsalino was different.
Sakazuki's personality and methods clashed with many in the Navy. Only his own faction stood by him—and Borsalino was one of them.
They were classmates, similar in age. Borsalino's easygoing nature complemented their professional relationship as longtime friends.
Now Kuzan was gone, and Borsalino sought to retire. Their generation, who'd risen from the Sengoku era into the current age, seemed to be fading. The Three Admirals—Akainu, Lucius Kro, and Kuzan—had ruled the Navy. That era was gone forever.
Leaning back, Lucius Kro crossed his legs, hands resting on his thighs, his sunglasses gleaming as he tilted his head. "The times move forward, Sakazuki. We can't cling to our posts forever. If the young have the ambition and qualifications, it's their turn."
He paused, recalling a conversation between Kas and Wilbur he'd overheard earlier, smiling faintly.
"Let's clear the path. The young have more fire in them, more courage to act."
He smirked at Sakazuki. "Heh, me retiring doesn't mean I'm leaving the Navy. Don't look at me like that—your scary face doesn't work on me anymore."
Sakazuki exhaled sharply. "Fine. Kuro's qualified. I'll arrange a meeting with the Five Elders at Mariejois personally."
Lucius Kro smiled silently.
Some things...
Kuro wouldn't say, and he wouldn't ask.
Some matters couldn't even be discussed openly, lest Kuro flee.
That ambition of his? Dangerous.
Others might not understand, but Lucius Kro did.
It was something utterly despised by the World Government. If exposed, it would be a life-or-death conflict.
Lucius Kro loved books, had loved reading since childhood, and enjoyed writing.
He understood countless philosophies.
But the more he knew, the more he became this way—detached, indifferent.
In harmony with light and dust, a hundred matters unasked. That was his nature.
But to say his heart never stirred? Impossible.
Everyone had their youth, their time.
He was old now. His time was short. But Kuro had the chance to realize that terrifying ambition.
Everything he did now was to prepare the path.
Retiring now, letting Kuro take over—should accidents occur or World Government interference block his promotion to Fleet Admiral, Kuro would still have 30-40 years as an Admiral.
Admiral and Admiral Candidate were entirely different realms. Two distinct levels of authority. It would grant Kuro access to deeper secrets, revealing hidden truths.
With sufficient authority and time, he could accomplish what he truly desired.
As Kuro's direct superior, he'd pave this road for him.
Lucius Kro's smile deepened, his eyes nearly closed as he radiated benevolence.
After being called "Gramps" for so long, how could he disappoint Kuro's faith?
That's enough for today. Climbing mountains earlier drained some energy. If possible, I'll push for more tomorrow.
Apologies for the delayed updates—young master Mei's support will be repaid gradually.
Fish Head kowtows!
(End of Chapter)
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