"Cass!"

In the office, Kuro roared at the Den Den Mushi: "Why aren't you back yet? What are you up to out there?!"

After waiting for several days without hearing from Cass returning, Kuro finally couldn't help but make a phone call.

His eyelids kept twitching all day, and he had a bad feeling about it. He was afraid that that hot-blooded, idiotic, bearded man was up to something again, so he made the call.

The Den Den Mushi emitted shouts and sounds of fighting.

The Den Den Mushi, now sporting a large beard, roared a few times, its sound carrying the sharpness of blades cutting into flesh, before replying, "Colonel Kuro, we are clearing out pirates who have intruded into our territorial waters. Rest assured, we will ensure the safety of Pegasus Island and the vicinity of the Twin Horse Kingdom!"

What can Kuro say?

He couldn't say anything.

You can't just say, "Stop fighting, you won't kill anyone if you keep fighting like this."

He couldn't dampen his subordinates' enthusiasm; they were contributing to peace, unlike him, a lazy bum.

"Well, you can continue."

Kuro pursed his lips, pressed the receiver, and hung up the phone.

Cassina suddenly felt like he was in a precarious situation, with the front and rear both under pressure.

"Kuro, isn't Cass taking a bit too long to deal with the pirates? Should I go over there?" Lida said, taking a potato chip out of the bag and chewing on it.

"Let Chloe go."

Kuro thought for a moment and said, "I feel more at ease with him here, and I can also keep an eye on that idiot Cass to prevent him from doing anything unnecessary."

If he hadn't suddenly become a commodore, which greatly increased his sense of crisis, he would have wanted to personally go and quickly sink those pirates at sea, so that there wouldn't be so much trouble.

But this can be done in front of Crow, in front of Lida, but it cannot be done in front of Cass.

That hot-blooded idiot will be reported.

"Bring Kuro back. He's gotten too caught up in interacting with the residents lately and hasn't been training much. With Cass around, he's the instructor at the naval base now. He shouldn't be neglecting his duties all the time," Kuro said to Lida.

You seem to have no right to judge others.

Lida rolled her eyes.

Like father, like son; the boss determines the subordinates. Spending a lot of time with Kuro makes it a good thing if you don't become a lazy bum. As for Cass, he's a complete oddball.

"Okay, I'll go."

Just as Lida was about to leave, the door was knocked open, and Chloe walked straight in.

"Kroo, you've come at the right time. Go to that..."

Kuro saw the person and was about to speak when he suddenly paused, because there were two other people following behind him.

"Sister Kikyo!"

Lida saw one of them, and excitedly sat up, ran over and hugged Kikyo tightly. "You're finally here! Have you changed your mind and decided to join the Navy? I've been waiting for your cooking!"

"Ah... Miss Lida, it's been a long time." Kikyo smiled and patted Lida's head.

Lida had no objection to this at all. First, Kikyo was a woman she admired, and second, this woman was a very good cook.

“This person, huh, looks familiar.” Lida rubbed against Kikyo for a moment before letting go and looking at another middle-aged man carrying a cross-shaped spear.

"Long time no see," Donald chimed in from the side. "I'm Donald, my last name is..."

"Stop! I know who you are!"

Lida's white fur twitched, and she reached out to stop Donald from speaking.

Back on Meng Island, there was that weird, gossipy guy who wanted to avenge his master.

"Oh...it's you. What are you doing here?"

Kuro recognized the newcomer. It seemed that he had used a "momentum blade" on this guy. He still had some impression of the person who used a new move for the first time. Moreover, the man's weapon was quite novel. He used a cross-shaped spear and his marksmanship was quite good.

"Lord Kuro."

Donald stepped forward, took a deep breath, put down the cross-shaped spear, and knelt down gracefully, prostrating himself in a 'dogeza' posture, and said loudly, "Please allow me to follow you and learn!"

"Clam?"

Kuro was taken aback. "Learn from me?"

"Yes!"

Donald raised his head, his expression unusually serious, and said, "That strike... even now, when I recall that strike, I can still feel its immense power. I want to know that move, I want to learn that move. This is my desire as a martial artist, and I will do anything for it! Please allow me to join the Navy and follow you. I don't ask you to teach me, just let me watch over you!"

That longing look in his eyes startled Kuro.

He had seen strong people, and he had seen people who longed for strength, but this was the first time he had ever seen such a pure gaze from a martial artist.

That kind of longing... he actually understood it somewhat.

Kuro craves power, for power means security.

When he first transmigrated, he also wanted to frantically improve his strength. His state at that time was actually similar to what Donald's eyes revealed now.

After all, this world was extremely dangerous for him at the time.

There was no other way but to relentlessly hone his skills. It wasn't until he felt he could make no further progress that he gradually stopped that frenzied state.

In addition, nothing he encountered in the East Sea could really threaten him, so he gradually became indifferent. Although he never stopped cultivating, he no longer pursued that state.

When it comes to strength, once you reach their level, what you lack is no longer constant training.

At least that's the case for Kuro.

There is no doubt that he is not on par with the top-tier combat power. Akainu, Aokiji, Kizaru, Kaido, and Big Big Wolf are among the world's top tier.

Whether it's talent or experience, they are all top-notch. After all, among them, they are at the pinnacle of one of the following: domineering aura, physical skills, abilities, and swordsmanship.

Kuro knew that there was still a gap between him and them. Although the gap was not large, for experts, this gap could mean that after a few days of fierce fighting, the slightest flaw could make the advantageous one even more advantageous and the disadvantaged one even more disadvantaged.

"Lord Kuro!"

Seeing Kuro remain silent, Donald said emphatically, "Please grant my request and let me join the Navy!"

These words brought Kuro back to his senses. He glanced at Donald and said, "You can join the Navy anywhere, as long as you pass the review. I have no right to stop anyone from joining the Navy. If you want to come, go and sign up."

Donald is quite capable; if he were to join the Navy, he could compensate for the lack of mid-to-low-end combat power on Kuro's side.

He couldn't keep Cass out there forever; he needed to find someone of similar strength to lead the team. He had originally intended to have Sazir, but that guy wasn't entirely reliable either. If Donald came, he could fill that gap.

If these two cooperate, Cass can be kept on Pegasus Island and prevented from leaving.

This person actually solved the troubles I'd been having these past few days.