Chapter 980: The Century-Old Pirate Crew
Chapter 980: The Century-Old Pirate Crew
Alcohol is a wonderful thing—it can dissolve a thousand sorrows, erase your worries, boost your courage, and even create life. — Lucius Kro
After sharing a drink with Luo Wei, the two parted ways. Luo Wei had his own nation to attend to, while Kuro remained on Pegasus Island to enjoy his vacation.
“Roar!”
Inside the luxurious Hot Spring Pavilion, Kuro lounged on an opulent cushion at the head of the room. Beside him lay a golden beast resembling a lion-tiger hybrid, its fur gleaming under his strokes. His hand lingered a moment too heavily, earning another pained growl.
A sharp tap on the creature’s head silenced it.
“You’re making a scene, Golden Lion.”
“Rrgh…”
The Golden Lion turned its head with a whine, clearly indignant.
This Golden Lion had been discovered on Beast Island when they went searching for William. Initially dismissed, it had followed them onto the ship and earned its keep. Kuro had dubbed it “Golden Lion” without a second thought.
The sliding door burst open. Lida darted in, a donut clamped between her teeth. Spotting the golden beast, she beamed and flung herself at it.
“Haha, Licking!”
“Raaah!”
Golden Lion groaned, its neck crumpling under Lida’s squeeze as her arms circled its head.
“I told you, it’s Golden Lion, not Licking!”
Kuro rolled his eyes, sipping tea as the creature squirmed, its face purpling.
“It is Licking! My name sounds cuter,” Lida chirped, releasing her grip.
She straightened and added, “By the way, my brother sent a telegraph. He says the West Blue isn’t safe anymore. We should leave soon.”
“Unsafe? Pirates?” Kuro frowned.
Lida shook her head. “He didn’t specify, but he insists we leave the West Blue immediately to avoid trouble.”
“Who cares? I’m a Navy Vice Admiral and Admiral candidate. Can’t I relax here on vacation?” He lit a cigar, leaning back. Pegasus Island had been home for over a month now. Why not stay longer?
“Kuro, Kuro!”
Klah slid the door open. “News from ‘Sword’ members.”
“Huh? What Sword?”
Kuro paused, then waved a hand. “Oh, you mean that group? I told you to handle small matters yourself.”
“This one’s… unclear. Ou Kadi from the South Sea wants to know if we should allow the Longsword Pirate Crew into the Grand Line.”
Kuro stiffened. “South Sea? Why report that? Decide yourself—wait, Longsword Pirate Crew?”
Klah nodded. “They want to enter the Grand Line.”
Kuro’s mind raced. The Longsword Pirate Crew. Even he had heard of them.
Back in the East Blue, he’d heard tales of this infamous crew. Though based in the South Sea, their reputation echoed globally. A rarity—pirates surviving a century.
Most crews faded like fleeting shadows. Even titans like Big Mom or the Beast King would crumble after their leaders’ deaths. Even Rocks, despite World Government intervention, had dissolved after four decades.
But the Longsword Pirate Crew defied time. Not through immortality, but through tradition. When a captain died, a new one was elected. No family or master-apprentice chains—just collective will.
Roger’s crew splintered after his death. Whitebeard’s became mere remnants. Yet Longsword endured. Their creed: “As long as Saber’s Hilt remains, Blade Body shall endure.”
The captain always bore the title Saber’s Hilt, assembling the Blade Body anew each generation. Their loyalty? Unshakable, because they chose their leaders.
Yet now, Kuro frowned. “They’ve stayed in the South Sea for over a century. Calling them pirates feels too modest—they’re practically a kingdom. Why move to the Grand Line?”
Klah elaborated, “Ou Kadi is a former Navy officer embedded in their crew. Nineteen when he joined the Navy, became a Headquarters Commander in ten years. Later killed a Navy Vice Admiral after clashing over his merit being stolen, then fled to Longsword. Ten years there now.”
Kuro exhaled smoke. “An old Navy man turned pirate… Why the Grand Line? Abandoning their South Sea stronghold?”
A pirate crew with such history and structure entering the Grand Line? Trouble loomed.
(End of Chapter)
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