"Grandpa, Grandpa!"
Outside the office, Kuro approached while shouting.
Kizaru's office layout was similar to Sakazuki's; both had doors that were never closed. As Kuro approached, he saw Kizaru holding a microphone and talking to someone.
As Kuro's voice rang out, he looked up, pressed the microphone, and watched Kuro approach with a smile.
"Grandpa, look what I've brought you."
Kuro pointed to the cigar box floating beside him as if showing off a treasure, chuckling to himself.
"Oh, Kuro, regarding the decorations on that box, have you found the owner who made the cigars?"
Kizaru still remembered this incident and pouted, saying, "That's quite surprising. You're still persisting. I thought you had given up long ago."
"I found it by chance, I didn't do it too deliberately. Here, old man, this is for you. This thing is great. Don't say I'm not grateful. I ripped you off with so many cigars, now I'm giving you something even better."
Kuro sat opposite Kizaru, and with a domineering gesture, the floating cigar boxes landed one by one on the desk, stacking them neatly.
"Oh~ are these all for me?"
"Of course, I have good things, how could I not be filial to you?" Kuro said nonchalantly, "No need to thank me. I said before that you have been good to me, so I will take care of you in your old age and see you off in your final days, and burn paper money for you when you die."
Even his enemies who had taught him, he would burn paper money for them during festivals, let alone the old man.
"That's true..."
Kizaru stared silently at Kuro, a look that made Kuro feel somewhat uncomfortable.
He shifted uncomfortably and said, "Grandpa, why are you looking at me like that?"
"Well, I was just thinking that when I first met you, you weren't very tall. In the blink of an eye, you've grown so much," Kizaru said with a chuckle.
Kuro rolled his eyes. It was as if he had watched him grow up. Although there was no difference, he wasn't this tall back then. Now he was a solid three meters tall.
"You've grown taller and stronger too," Kizaru said meaningfully. "You can stand on your own now."
"Oh, not at all, it's still early."
Kuro chuckled awkwardly and said politely, "Don't say things that could be misunderstood. You sound like you're going to retire. But how could that be?"
"Oh~ what if this old man really retires?" Kizaru said with a chuckle.
"Really refunded? Impossible."
Kuro confidently exhaled a puff of smoke and said, "How could the higher-ups let you off so easily? How could they just let you retreat like that? Unless you don't even want to be a Marine anymore, like that MADAO Kuzan."
There is precedent for this.
When Garp retired, he wasn't allowed to leave the Navy, so he became a recruit instructor.
When Sengoku retired, he was not allowed to leave the navy, so he was given the position of Grand Inspector.
People like them can't possibly leave the navy peacefully. If they do, it means there's something they can't get over.
This is still because of the reasons at the top, and someone has to take responsibility for it. If it were someone like the old man, it wouldn't be so easy for him to step down. Unless the World Government needs someone to take over, if we look at it from a neutral perspective, the old man definitely won't be able to step down.
What's the point of stepping down? The fighting strength will still be the same. Given the nature of the World Government, they would never agree to this without some benefit.
Seeing Kuro's disbelieving expression, Kizaru chuckled: "Well, that's settled then. Let's go back first, Kuro. We'll have a faction meeting in a few days."
The factions within the Navy are all quite open and aboveboard. It's clear where each person comes from and where they come from. They never hide anything. Perhaps some people don't say it, but it's generally accepted that way.
Kizaru's words puzzled Kuro. He stroked his chin and pondered, "We have something like faction meetings?"
He's been working under the old man for several years now, and has always been his direct subordinate, so why has he never participated in anything like this before?
Kizaru chuckled and said, "Because it's not necessary, but I've had some things to take care of lately. Anyway, that's all for now."
"Do as you please."
Kuro shrugged and said, "I'll head out now, but I'll be there on time."
"This is a small faction meeting, you can come by yourself," Kizaru reminded him.
"Okay, I understand."
Kuro didn't turn around, waved his hand behind him, and walked straight out.
Kizaru stared at Kuro's departing figure for a long time, then suddenly pouted and said, "How scary, you've been hiding it all this time? Well then, I'll give you a hand."
...
A few days later, Sam William went up to headquarters.
There was a little incident when he arrived at headquarters. His ship was docked quite far away, and he flew there using his abilities. However, on his way there, he encountered the returning Storobelli and fought a great battle with him.
The battle ended in a draw, as time was short and the noise attracted the attention of many who rushed to their aid, surrounding William. Seeing that things were going badly, William simply said, "He's here to become a Shichibukai."
Then he was taken to headquarters.
In Kuro's office, he frowned as he sized up the fellow countryman who had come to headquarters alone. After a long while, he said, "Not bad, quite polite. Much more polite than the last person who barged in without permission."
He was referring to that rude brat, Luo, who barged into headquarters without even saying hello.
“Golden Lion, no, Vice Admiral Kuro, I accept your invitation.”
William stared at the neighbor's child and said slowly, "I've also given back to him; I'm here to become a Shichibukai."
"Klo".
In response, Kuro simply called out, and the person next to him immediately handed the prepared documents to William. William didn't even look at them, but directly picked up the pen and signed his name.
"Aren't you going to watch?" Kuro asked curiously.
“I’ve heard about the new Seven Warlords of the Sea, so I won’t watch it,” William said.
Kuro nodded: "Alright, that's quite generous. Don't even think about building any influence in the East China Sea. Just move all your remaining industries out there and put them on the shipping routes you choose. Of course, putting them in the New World isn't out of the question either. It's up to you, but don't even think about the East China Sea. Also, these cigars are nice. Give me some every year. You don't need to build the supply chain; just send them to me as tribute."
"No problem, I agree, but I have one condition..."
William took a deep breath, looked at Kuro, and said, "If one day I feel that I can surpass you, I hope you will not hesitate to teach me."
Having survived life and death and overcome his demonic obstacles, William's obsession remains unresolved. He still wants to challenge Kuro, but this time he must wait for the right opportunity.
"What are you thinking about? Get in line."
Kuro, with a cigar in his mouth, tilted his head back and said, "If you want to deal with me, you'll have to beat Mihawk first."
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