The doctor arrived in a flash, only to freeze in shock at the sight of Lida sprawled on the ground. Without wasting a second, he shouted for assistance and began emergency treatment.
Meanwhile, Kuro lay motionless on the hospital bed, feigning death like a seasoned actor.
The diagnosis came quickly—Kuro was suffering from severe exhaustion.
Even though Lida hadn't managed to land a successful hit, her ability had still drained half of Kuro's stamina. Based on that, the doctor concluded it was simple fatigue.
Which was, of course, exactly what Kuro had hoped for.
As for Lida? She had just passed out from hunger.
Once she had something to eat, she was up and energetic in no time.
Kuro, on the other hand, continued his Oscar-worthy performance of playing unconscious for a full day. When he felt the timing was just right, he finally "dazedly" opened his eyes and blinked awake.
His stamina had already recovered long ago—one day was the most he could endure pretending.
No sooner had Kuro stirred than Lida and the others came rushing to his bedside.
"Kuro! What happened to you?!" Ripper asked, worried.
Kuro slowly sat up, his face pale and expression weak. Lida, still nibbling on something nearby, played along flawlessly. She walked over and carefully helped prop him up against the headboard.
"Old condition... cough, cough..."
Kuro gave a couple of weak coughs before murmuring, "I've always had a frail body... The sword style passed down in my family puts too much strain on me. Just using one technique drains me completely. Usually, I can only maintain the most basic level of combat..."
That was the excuse he'd prepared.
With the doctor's official diagnosis to back it up, it was airtight.
This way, even if he displayed strength now and then, no one would think too deeply about it.
"Chief Kuro, to think you've been carrying such a burden all this time... And yet you still fight for the sake of the people. It's... it's too moving!"
Cass burst into tears again, his sobs soaking into his bristly beard.
Lida casually shifted a couple of steps away from him, giving him a look of pure disdain.
"I understand, Kuro. You focus on your recovery. Leave the rest to me," Ripper said with a solemn nod, then turned to leave—with Cass in tow.
Leave what to him? What "rest"?
Kuro watched Ripper's back as he left, a faint sense of unease tugging at him. Something didn't feel right, but he couldn't quite figure out what.
Outside the room, Ripper lowered his voice and said to Cass, "Let's credit the entire operation to Kuro."
"I've got no objections," Cass replied firmly. "Chief Kuro gave his all for us. Without his presence, our morale would've crumbled and we'd be feeding the fish right now."
Ripper nodded, satisfied. "He captured a Devil Fruit user and took down Morgan. Those merits alone are enough to recommend him for training at Marine HQ. Ten years without a single promotion... it's time he got what he deserves."
"Maybe in the Grand Line, they'll find a cure for his condition. If that happens, I know Kuro will shine brighter than anyone!"
Ripper wasn't like Morgan, who ruled through sheer brute force. He was a just, fair officer who truly cared for his subordinates.
He'd known Kuro for a long time. To be born with incredible swordsmanship yet trapped in a frail body—it had to be torture.
As both his superior and his friend, Ripper was determined to ensure Kuro's talent didn't go to waste.
"Achoo!"
Kuro sneezed and rubbed his nose.
"Huh... Is someone talking about me? Whatever. Lida, peel me an apple."
"Peel it yourself," Lida snapped, eyebrows twitching in irritation. She simply couldn't understand how someone like this even existed.
She'd gone all out and still couldn't drain his stamina completely—and then she herself passed out from overexerting her power!
(***)
The East Blue remained calm, with gentle sunlight streaming in through the window.
Inside the office, Kuro leaned back in a chair with his feet propped up on the desk, sunglasses on his face, a cigarette in his mouth, and a bottle of red wine within reach.
He put out the cigarette, picked up the wine glass, and gave it a light swirl before taking a sip.
Rustle rustle.
The weather was perfect. The sunlight felt great. The breeze was just right.
Rustle rustle.
Luffy had already left the 153rd Branch. Morgan had been arrested. Peace had returned.
Rustle rustle.
Ahh... how relaxing.
Kuro was already picturing a slow, easygoing life from here on out.
Rustle rustle.
"Enough already! Lida, can you stop making noise when you eat?! You're ruining the mood!"
Veins popped on Kuro's forehead as he shouted.
Right next to him, Lida was munching loudly on a huge box of cookies.
"I was hungry," she said flatly.
"Then eat somewhere else!" Kuro waved her away impatiently. "Don't ruin my moment of peace."
With everything settled, he could finally train a little, stay low-key, and live a life of leisure.
"Chief Kuro!"
Footsteps came pounding from the hallway, followed by Cass's booming voice.
The door flew open and Cass burst in, panting and holding a report with eyes sparkling in excitement.
"Chief! I bring amazing news—fantastic news!"
Fantastic for you, maybe.
For me, it's always the start of a disaster.
Every time Cass called something "good news," it meant they were off to fight pirates... again.
Kuro let out an annoyed sigh. "What is it now, Cass?"
Cass, completely oblivious to Kuro's sour mood, beamed. "Chief Kuro, you've been promoted—to Warrant Officer!"
Kuro sighed in relief. "Oh, just Warrant Officer? Not even a real rank. Don't scare me like that."
"It's HQ Warrant Officer. They want you at Marine HQ for training!"
"Even if it's HQ—wait, what? HQ?!"
"Yes, Chief—uh, I mean, Warrant Officer Kuro!"
Cass nodded proudly.
"You've gotta be kidding me. Let me see that report!"
Any trace of relaxation vanished. Kuro snatched the report from Cass and read it.
And immediately fell into despair.
It was HQ.
The orders were clear—he was to transfer to Marine Headquarters for training.
"This can't be happening... Why would they do this? I'm fine with the promotion, but going to HQ? There's no reason for it..."
"It's because of us," Cass declared with pride. "Ripper and I gave you all the credit. We couldn't stand the thought of someone like you being stuck in a backwater post."
You son of a..
Kuro glared daggers at Cass, his gaze so sharp it could almost cut steel.
Cass shivered suddenly, glancing around in confusion.
Weird... the weather wasn't cold.
"Ensign Kuro—uh, Warrant Officer Kuro! This is just a small gift from everyone at the 153rd Branch. You've worked so hard. If HQ can cure your condition, then maybe you can finally shine like you deserve."
Cass was brimming with goodwill and optimism.
Kuro, however, felt like his soul had just died.
"Warrant Officer, will you be departing alone, or waiting for HQ personnel to collect Morgan?"
"I'll think about it... Thanks. You can go now," Kuro said weakly, pressing his fingers to his forehead.
"Understood. I'll take my leave."
Cass walked out humming cheerfully, muttering to himself, "Strange. Warrant Officer Kuro doesn't seem that excited. Must be overwhelmed with joy. Yeah, that's gotta be it."
"Damn it!!"
Once he was sure Cass was gone, Kuro leaned out the window and shouted at the ocean.
"This isn't how it was supposed to go! The Grand Line is full of monsters—why the hell do I have to deal with them?! I'm not ready yet!!"
Lida looked over at him with pure disbelief.
Did this guy seriously not understand what it meant to be strong?
"Are you really going to the Grand Line?"
"Yes!!" Kuro ground his teeth. "One way or another, I was gonna end up there. I might as well leave now. If I stay until HQ sends someone to take over Morgan... my luck will just get worse."
The person coming to take over Morgan...
Was Garp.
That insane old troublemaker—absurdly strong and even more absurdly unpredictable. If he found out about Kuro's hidden strength, it'd be game over.
Better to go to HQ now. At worst, Kuro could just be a background character over there. If he screwed up enough, maybe they'd send him back to some peaceful little base in the East Blue.
"In that case!" Lida's eyes lit up. "I want to eat at Baratie! That famous sea restaurant in East Blue! Let's stop there on the way!"
(***)
It was the same old patrol ship, the same bunch of people, and the same bearded man, Cass, leading the Navy soldiers on deck.
Inside the office, Kuro slumped in his seat, utterly drained.
Why… why did it turn out like this?
"Don't look so down. Worst case, I'll share some of my snacks with you."
Lida casually offered the chips in her hand toward Kuro.
At the moment, Kuro was wearing a black leather coat with a fluffy collar, the word "Justice" proudly emblazoned on his back. His slim-fit black trousers and slightly messy, parted hairstyle gave him a strangely refined, yet spiritless appearance.
He had been promoted to Warrant Officer. While he wasn't eligible to wear the Navy cape yet, he no longer needed to don the standard-issue uniform.
"That was bought with my money!"
Kuro glared at Lida. "I asked for advice, not for you to eat everything!"
"Could you really bear to see me starve, big bro?" Lida asked, her big, glimmering eyes weaponized for maximum guilt.
"Could you bear to see my wallet die a slow, painful death?"
That hit a nerve.
"You've only been here a few days, and you've already eaten through nearly all my savings!"
"You said I could eat till I was full! And you promised to get me into the Navy—but you haven't!"
Lida puffed up her cheeks in frustration.
Kuro had no comeback.
He had intended to get her into the Navy as his subordinate—use her as a shield, really. But a string of unexpected events had completely derailed those plans.
As a result, Lida had been freeloading off him the entire time. Her monstrous appetite had devoured nearly every belly he'd scraped together.
"When we reach headquarters, I'll put in a recommendation. And if I end up getting myself killed, at least make sure my name becomes famous." Kuro growled. "I'll send you to fight those lunatics."
"I'm sticking with you, big bro~ You really gonna abandon me?"
Lida looked utterly pitiful, completely unbothered by his threats.
"Yeah, yeah..."
Kuro turned away with a sigh. "Just eat less while we're at sea. Once we reach Baratie, you can eat till you explode."
This base didn't have ships that could sail the Grand Line. First stop was Loguetown. From there, they'd board a proper vessel with a Log Pose and head to Marine Headquarters.
Cass and his crew were only tasked with getting them as far as Loguetown.
Which was perfect. Kuro had no desire to keep working with this overly enthusiastic idiot who kept making decisions without asking.
BOOM!
A cannon blast echoed from outside.
Moments later, Cass burst into the room.
"Report! We've encountered the Black Cat Pirates. I've ordered cannon fire!"
The Black Cat Pirates?
Kuro frowned. If memory served, that was Klahadore's old crew.
Ever since Kuro had been captured by Morgan years ago, the Black Cats had kept a low profile.
But that didn't mean they were weak.
Jango – 9 million belly.
Sham and Buchi – 7 million each.
And Kuro—also known as Klahadore – 16 million.
Total bounty, nearly 39 million Belly. A major threat by East Blue standards.
Don't tell me Luffy hasn't met Usopp yet, and they've run into the Black Cats instead?
Kuro picked up his saber and stepped outside. A nearby Marine handed him a telescope.
He peered through it—only minor members were visible. None of the high-bounty elites.
Faced with cannon fire, the pirates panicked and began raising their sails to flee.
BOOM!!!
The enemy ship was old. After several direct hits, the mast snapped and much of the deck was blown apart. It was dead in the water.
"Captain, Captain!"
On the Black Cat ship, crew members rushed into the cabin in a panic. "The Navy's attacking!"
"Silence."
A refined man reclined in a chair, wearing a captain's coat. His hair was neatly combed, round glasses perched on his nose.
"I know. Leave."
"Captain—!"
The pirate tried to say more, but one glare from Klahadore sent him running.
"The Marines…"
Klahadore adjusted his glasses, his face calm despite the cannon fire rocking the ship.
"Let them capture me, then. I'm sick of this."
His years-long plan had been ruined by some punk in a straw hat. He was done. He didn't want to be a pirate anymore—didn't want to kill, didn't want to run.
If the Navy captured him, maybe that would be the end of it.
Even if… technically, he had been "captured" once before.
BOOM!
A shell struck the cabin, blasting Klahadore out onto the deck.
The moment of tranquility shattered.
"Marines…"
Klahadore's expression darkened. He opened his briefcase and strapped on his iconic weapons—the "Cat Claws."
"You're asking for this!"
"???"
Through his telescope, Kuro caught the scene.
Another cannon shell fired. Klahadore swung his arm—five long claws cleaved the shell in half. Then he stepped onto the railing, preparing to leap onto the Navy vessel and turn it into a bloodbath.
"Tch. Trouble..."
Kuro shot a glare at Cass. This bearded maniac had clearly gone off-script—firing at every pirate ship he saw.
If Klahadore actually boarded, the casualties would be brutal.
To stop that—
"I'll just go over first!"
As the Navy ship neared the disabled pirate vessel, Kuro prepared to leap. But before he could—
A figure soared high from the Black Cat ship and landed on the Navy deck.
Since when did pirates get this bold?
"Then I'll kill you first!"
Klahadore charged, claws outstretched.
"Don't be so dramatic, Klahadore."
Instead of slicing his enemy apart, Klahadore heard a calm voice beside him.
He turned—and there stood Kuro, cool as ice.
He knows me?
No... I've been "dead" for years. Was I exposed?
"Die!"
Klahadore vanished, using Nukiashi to reappear behind Kuro in an instant, claws poised to strike.
"Too many people around. Not a good place to talk. Let's go somewhere quieter."
Kuro spun, drawing his blade in a flash.
"Ittōryū - Akkai."
Whoosh!
A gust of wind swept across the deck. The pirates caught in its wake went still.
Thud.
One pirate collapsed.
Then another.
And another.
Like dominos, they fell.
Klahadore froze mid-thrust, staring at the blade inches from his chest. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
What... was that?
His entire body was trembling.
That slash... it felt like a tidal wave looming over the sea. He could barely breathe.
This man… I can't win. If we really fought… I'd die.
"Now can we talk?"
Kuro lowered his blade and smiled. "I'll get straight to the point—Klahadore, join me. I need your brains."
This was Klahadore.
Cunning beyond belief. Patient to a terrifying degree. He'd spent years pretending to be a butler just to inherit a small town.
Most importantly—he was tired of being a pirate. He just wanted peace.
And that… was Kuro's dream too.
Lida was a glutton and absolutely unreliable. He needed someone who could really think ahead.
From the moment he laid eyes on Klahadore, Kuro had already decided—
He had to recruit this man.
(*****)
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