Kuro, still seemingly unsatisfied, continued, "Fighting to the death, risking my life to storm Wano Country and slay two Emperors, how do you account for that? Yes, I was lucky enough to snag a prize, but if I hadn't been lucky, I would have fought a grueling battle, and might have even left something behind. Even if I didn't achieve anything, I still deserve credit for my efforts. If you just tell me to leave and I do it, where will my pride be?"

Leaving aside the fact that he has failed to reform Wano Country over the past year, he has already taken root here, so don't even think about making him move away easily!

He's moved so many times!

From the East China Sea to the Grand Line, from the Grand Line to the West China Sea and back to the Grand Line, every time we arrived at a new place and just as we were getting used to it, we were immediately called away.

Even disregarding the renovations and business he's done here over the past year, just considering Wano Country's excellent location, favorable terrain, easy defense and difficult attack, making it an inaccessible natural retirement home, it's impossible to simply ask him to leave.

Thinking of this, Kuro exclaimed excitedly, "I'm leaving the East Blue, I'm leaving Moe Island, I'm leaving Pegasus Island, I'm leaving Sabaody! This time I'm not leaving, I'm not leaving even if you kill me!"

"How can this be repaired?!"

The Den Den Mushi roared, "No matter what you think, you must obey orders! That's it! If you don't, you'll face the consequences!"

Snap!

A crisp ring sounded from the Den Den Mushi, followed by a busy tone.

Kuro threw the receiver away, stood up, pointed at the Den Den Mushi, and said, "Is this old bastard crazy? We were fighting so well and now he's telling me to retreat. Doesn't he know what the consequences of retreating will be? I'm already starting to take the initiative, and he's trying to shirk responsibility with me?"

He paused, looked at Chloe, and asked uncertainly, "Mary Geoise has been breached?"

Kro shook his head vigorously, cold sweat pouring down his face: "We don't... no, I mean, we don't have any information about that."

Kuro casually picked up a cigar, put it in his mouth, lit it, and exhaled a puff of smoke. He asked in confusion, "Strange, what's going on up there? Otherwise, would this old man have told me to retreat? If I had even uttered the word 'retreat,' he would have burned my skin off."

"Should we retreat, Mr. Kuro?" Kuro asked.

Kuro said irritably, "Are you fucking crazy too? Retreating now would make everything a waste of time, and the pirates would cause even more trouble. Oh, the newspapers are making all that noise about me, calling me a naval hero and the terminator of the era, and now I'm just going to chicken out and go home? There's no such thing as being a coward like this."

He continued cursing, "Why didn't he say so earlier? He should have said so earlier! He should have said so earlier! If he knew he was going to retreat, he shouldn't have sent me to Wano Country. He could have just watched the show. Damn it, I'm already in there and he still wants me to come out? No way! Ignore him, just keep going as planned. He won't fight? I'll fight!"

"Yes, Mr. Kuro."

Kro pushed up his glasses with the heel of his hand, the lenses reflecting light, and he seemed lost in thought.

On warships at the forefront of the new world.

Sakazuki flung away the microphone he had melted, his breath scorching as he gritted his teeth and said, "This brat, isn't he a bit too arrogant!"

"As expected."

As if he had expected this, Tsuru said, "He's right. They wouldn't give up territory they've conquered after going through so much trouble. You know Kuro's personality; now that he's established himself in Wano Country, he won't give up territory so easily. As for dealing with pirates..."

The old crane glanced at Sakazuki with an air of nonchalance, "Isn't that what you admire about him?"

Sakazuki smiled slightly upon hearing this, but the smile quickly faded. He had already returned to his office, where he leaned back unconsciously and said in a deep voice, "Then... let the battle continue!"

He narrowed his eyes. "You want to take responsibility?"

"I am the Marshal!"

Sakazuki seemed to have made up his mind, his eyes gradually hardening: "My subordinates want to wipe out the pirate era, how can I, as the Fleet Admiral, give up!"

Bang!

The scorching red fist slammed into the newly replaced desk again, burning another hole in it.

From Sakazuki's mouth came the most resolute voice: "The pirate era must be eradicated! The war must continue, and for that... even if I lose my position as Fleet Admiral!"

He sighed upon hearing this, glanced at Sakazuki, and then looked out the window at the sea. "This sea... I don't know how many people have left. Should this old woman like me go down too?"

She stood up and walked outside. "You can deal with them upstairs. I'm not an old woman who's just sitting here doing nothing. As for Kuro, I'll talk to him about it. You just had a fight, so it's probably not appropriate for you to come."

Sakazuki remained silent as Tsuru left, leaving him alone at the scorched desk. The flames illuminated his face and his pupils, as if the flames themselves had been absorbed into them...