Okay, okay. This feels right.
The Five Elders told me to wait. They didn't hang up, which means they are thinking hard.
I knew it. They definitely want to get more control over the Marines right now.
It's too late to do anything once things calm down.
The government probably wanted to spin the story. They wanted it to look like, "The government wants to fix things, but the Marines won't work with us."
If that idea stuck, the government's past mistakes would look even worse.
The Marines would also regroup their forces that were busy fighting pirates.
Okay, first I need to review the strategy with Daz and the others. I also need to tell them where I put the backup plans.
I knew this might happen, so I left plans in case I die.
The only problem is Robin... her face is a mix of shock and tears... oof!
"You idiot!!"
Whoa, Kuzan!?
--
"You idiot!!"
Before he knew it, he had grabbed the front of his shirt.
This man had fought many strong enemies, but he was still just a boy, and his body lifted easily.
"Ghh... Is something wrong, Admiral Aokiji?"
"You're doing something crazy!"
The boy—no, the young man—winced in pain, but he asked the question as if nothing was wrong.
"It's okay. I cornered the government by involving the Marines. I also made them talk in front of all these soldiers and officials. If they agree to my offer now, it's even better—"
"That doesn't change the fact that you're the one walking into the most dangerous place!"
Kuzan thought, this man would not hesitate to do that.
Back then, he showed up all alone in front of three Marine officers in Marine Headquarters.
"I have a plan to win.
...Or rather, I made one. The moment the World Government agreed to talk to me, they admitted to all these soldiers that our 'Black Cat' group has value. They are taking time to answer my request for a meeting."
It's the same now.
He's not usually like this.
Kuro was normally full of expression. When he was with his friends, he acted his age, even if he was a little mature.
When he was with Daz Bonez, he quietly talked about books he had read.
When Hina teased him about being a pillow for a napping Perona, he frowned.
When he was with Nico Robin and Hancock, he joked around while enjoying tea and snacks.
When he finished training with the "Marine Hunter" and the guard kids, they all ate and talked together.
"You can't promise that someone there won't try to kill you! Look at what happened! Some of your own men went crazy, ignored orders, and tried to kill Nico Robin!"
"Yes, I know that's a risk, but..."
He never hurts citizens. He never steals from them.
"We talked about this with the Fleet Admiral. Just as we thought, many people are being sent to the New World as slaves. The Marines are trying, but the pirate forces are getting stronger with all that labor. A hard time is coming for people who can't fight."
He's the kind of man who would build a farm rather than steal.
"If we don't fix the relationship between the World Government and the Marines right now, we will be too late to deal with this Great Pirate Era."
He's better at fighting pirates than most Marines.
"If there's a chance I can make this better, then risking the life of one pirate is more than enough."
"Don't be stupid!!" Kuzan roared.
This man...
"A pirate!?" Kuzan shouted, looking around wildly. "Where is the pirate? I don't see any pirate here! Hey, tell me!"
He glared back at the man in his grasp. "Right now! Who is calling you a pirate!?"
--
I'm! Right! In front! Of you!!
What do you think I am!
I'm a model pirate! I took over an island, I rule the people, I make them work, and I take protection money!
I'm ready for war, my territory is a ship, I've fought a member nation, and I declared war on the government! On top of that, I'm hiding the survivor of Ohara! If I'm not a pirate, what am I!?
"Kuzan, please. You have to understand..."
Look, I know we're almost friends. To be honest, I don't want to fight you either. But you are still a Marine, and I am a pirate!
"The government is scared," I explained patiently. "Things are a mess right now. This is the only chance to force them to change. If we wait until things are calm, it's too late."
The government probably didn't know what to do. They must have hesitated because of the chaos, and because I have Robin.
"That's why I have to be the one. Right now, only 'Black Cat' can talk between the government and the Marines. If the government brings in their own person, the Marines won't trust them, right?"
Robin is the biggest reason.
The government is most afraid that the Marines will back us, and the knowledge from Ohara will spread.
That's why, because we have Robin, the Marines can use us as a bargaining chip against the government.
...I was counting on Sengoku to understand that when I sent you with the offer.
I'm just glad we avoided a stupid two-front war against the pirate alliance and the Marines.
If that had happened, I would have had to use a risky plan to crush those rude pirates and absorb their forces.
"Kuzan, for the Marines... and for 'Black Cat'... the real test starts now."
"But the pirate alliance is—"
"No, This isn't about an organized army anymore. Now, small, random pirate problems are going to explode."
It's going to be hell.
Scared people are easier to control than people who just got a little bit of freedom. Small, unorganized groups of thieves are worse than locusts.
I was only able to control Mopuchi Country because they were scared of the 'pirate' name.
"From now on, the soldiers doing the rebuilding will have to face the ugly side of people. That fight will break their minds more than fighting a clear enemy like pirates."
Kuzan is a fighter. He's always sent to the battlefield.
He has almost no experience with rebuilding.
"Remember what happened to Captain Vigle's unit. Things like that are going to happen a lot more. Plus, we only caught the middle managers of the pirate alliance. The real leaders are still free. We can't relax just because things seem calm."
My 'Black Cat' soldiers are trained for this. I can step in and help them. But the Marines... I don't know if they understand...
Now we're going to see a lot of real pirates... people stealing just to eat. Damn it...
"And the pirates who show up now will be people forced to steal. The soldiers might be able to handle it if they're "pirates," but not all of them will be. Killing a starving person who is holding a sword with a shaking hand... only a few soldiers can do that without breaking."
The privates are in the most danger.
I've had my guards make a list of soldiers who get too emotional. I'll give it to Kuzan later.
"If the soldiers don't trust the government in this situation, they'll burn out. They might even do something crazy. Like the ones who tried to kill Robin."
Kuzan must know this. He's been here with me, watching the soldiers.
In this world, all the crazy theories about the government are true...
"That's why I'm going to fix this. I promise. I will fix this so the soldiers can focus on their jobs and be proud of their uniforms again."
I'm sharing secret info with Sengoku in code. I'm sure I can escape Mary Geoise, even if Kizaru is there. I just have to focus on running. I slipped right past him once before.
"Sengoku and I will handle the politics. I need you to handle things here."
Having you, one of the strongest fighters, in the West Blue is a big help. Sengoku knows that, too. That's why he hasn't called you back. He's thinking the same thing I am.
"I will. I will make this situation better."
So, please... can you let go of my shirt?
Kuzan stared at me, his expression grim. "...You have a plan to win?"
"Of course."
The moment the Five Elders took time to think, I already won.
"You're coming back?" Kuzan asked, his voice low.
"Yes."
I'd say it's a 70% chance. As long as they don't stop my legs, I'll be fine.
The real problem is Kizaru... that shady old man. Why did he send killing intent at me earlier? I'm glad Mihawk warned him off.
"...I still..." Kuzan started.
"Hm?"
"I still have... so many things I want to learn from you."
Learn from a pirate!?
Kuzan finally let me go, his hands falling to his sides. "I will protect this sea with my life. So... just make sure you come back."
--
"We tried to weaken the non-member nations, stop 'Black Cat' from growing, and set them up to be surrounded... but he turned it all around," one of the Elders said.
"This is a chance to fix things with the Marines, but what is 'Black Cat' planning?" another asked.
"Even if he helps talk, won't he just side with the Marines?"
"He's a pirate. The Marines are one of his enemies. Is it possible he's planning to trick the Marines?"
"Like Spandine?"
"Yes. That man would never check with us before chasing glory. Kuro must have tricked him."
"That 'Silent Step.' He has become a huge problem."
A bounty shows how dangerous someone is to the government.
Like Nico Robin, some people get high bounties even if they aren't strong fighters.
In that sense, Kuro was a top-level threat. The government wanted to give him a bounty of over a billion, right now.
But, the fact that Kuro was also helping keep the peace made things complicated.
"We will accept the talk. I think that is fine, but..." one said, trailing off.
"...Can we catch and kill him when he comes?"
"That will be difficult."
"Seeing the Germa fight, his crew is also very strong. We must stop them from becoming a clear anti-government force."
"But, if Kuro is gone, and his forces are spread out trying to control the non-member nations, then—"
The main problem was what to do with Kuro.
How should they handle this pirate who was connected to so many problems?
Four of them were talking. One just sat there, thinking.
"What is it? Do you have an idea?"
"...Yes. It is an idea I would normally laugh at, but..."
"What if... we make him a World Noble? And make his followers his official servants?"
The other four stared.
"That's crazy!"
"That would never be allowed!"
"It has never been done! What would that do to the status of the World Nobles?"
"We bring in outside blood all the time. Look at Rosward. He has over 10 wives and only makes children with them."
"And he just uses most of those wives and throws them back to the lower world."
"They have children, but..."
"A... 'welcome groom'...?"
The others argued against it, but they all knew.
They knew how useful it would be to have his talent on their side.
"We cannot leave a man with his vision out there. Especially not as a pirate, our enemy."
"But what about the Ohara knowledge?"
"If we bring him in, we can control it."
"...No, he's not the type who wants power. He controls Mopuchi Country, but I hear he didn't take power from the royal family. He will never accept..."
"If only... he had accepted the offer to become a Warlord."
They felt that way during their first talk. That's why they offered it.
Of course, their plan back then was to use him to fight other pirates.
"It's no use talking about the past. ...I know what you mean. It's a waste to let his talent run free, but it's also a waste to crush it."
"A way to bring him in..."
"No matter what, we must meet him and talk face-to-face... Agreed?"
The other men all nodded. The man reached for the phone.
"It's me. ...Yes. We accept the request. We have decided to set up a meeting."
"We will contact you when the date is set. Stay there until then, and gather as much information on 'Black Cat' as you can."
"...That is all."
--
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