Kuro is qualified to criticize them. As the designated next leader of Kizaru's faction, he is convincing, which comes from his achievements.
In the navy, the seniority-based queuing system was very serious, a problem left over from the Warring States period. It was only after Sakazuki's "world conscription" that a group of people with strong abilities but no seniority entered the navy, which slightly improved the situation.
But that applies to the Navy as a whole. For the older Navy personnel, those who joined the Navy at a young age and worked their way up step by step, seniority is very important.
They also don't get along with the group of people in the 'world recruitment'. Perhaps as colleagues, they can fight side by side, complete missions together, or be friends.
However, the core faction has always been unable to gain entry, which is due to the arrogance of the old guard.
But Kuro is different. First, he has been a member of the Navy for no less than these veteran Navy members, more than ten years now. He just joined when he had just reached the minimum age, so even after ten years, he is still not thirty years old.
Of course, that alone is not enough. One important factor that makes the Navy within the faction, and even the entire Navy, submit to Kuro is his combat power and the achievements he has made!
Those infamous pirates who were renowned throughout the world all became victims of Clow Reed's blade; their achievements are undeniable.
Having combat power, achieving results, and being a veteran of the Navy—all these factors combined are one of the reasons why Kuro's words are listened to, and why people can even laugh and rant about him.
It's not unusual for strong people to have quirks.
Sakazuki is impulsive and easily angered, and he doesn't hold back when he gets physical. His hobbies are tattooing and flower arranging, which is normal.
Borsalino's hobby is to slack off everywhere, and he is considerate in his dealings with others, making him a man of goodwill.
Kuzan likes to sleep a lot and is lazy and lacks fighting spirit.
Yi Xiao enjoys gambling and frequenting red-light districts.
Green Bull doesn't like to eat.
Jiaji likes to call out outsiders.
Gion loves sake and also enjoys frequenting the pleasure quarters, but she's there to become a geisha.
The kind that involves performing arts but not selling one's body...
Their Golden Lion General has a penchant for cursing and getting angry over things he doesn't understand.
Having spent a long time at headquarters, they knew the characteristics of these 'celebrities' very well.
Kuro certainly had the right to scold them, but the only one who didn't have the right to be scolded by Kuro was Strawberry, who was sitting upright all along.
"Seriously, the navy should act like the navy. We're having a meeting, let's be serious. You guys are acting like bandits."
As he spoke, Kuro exhaled another puff of smoke, his expression somewhat arrogant, "Are we the Navy or bandits? Don't be like those G-5 idiots."
Upon hearing this, many sailors sat up straight, but some hadn't changed their habits and looked crooked.
But at least they were all sitting up, so Kuro didn't insist. He nodded and prepared to find a place to sit down, but after looking around, it seemed there were no seats available for him.
"Where's my spot?" Kuro said. "Make way for me, give me a spot."
"Brother Kuro."
Sentomaru then said, "The old man said that if there are no seats available, you can sit in the head seat first."
"ah?"
Kuro looked at the huge main seat, thought for a moment, and then sat down directly.
He was the old man's direct subordinate and had some influence here, making him the undisputed second-in-command of the faction.
He'll just sit here, it's nothing. He'll let the old man have his seat when he comes later. He's stood behind the old man too many times like this, it's nothing.
"Alright, let's have a quick meeting while the old man isn't here. First of all, forget about posture, just don't slouch too much, that's not a big deal. But pay attention to your attire, don't wear anything too outlandish."
"I know you all have your own style, but please dress a little more like human beings. I don't even expect you to wear formal attire; as naval officers, you should wear formal attire. I'm not forcing you, but please have some sense of propriety."
"yes!"
The generals shouted loudly, and their posture became much more orderly than before.
Kuro nodded, then stood there quietly for a while, thought for a moment, looked at Strawberry, and said, "Brother, why don't you say a few words?"
The old man hadn't arrived yet, and Kuro had no idea what the meeting was about.
He had never attended any meetings of the old man's faction and once thought that the old man didn't even attend them.
It seems that he did have something to say, but he didn't know what to say.
Staying here will only lead to this awkward situation, and we'll have to pass the buck—no, we'll have to hand over the power of discourse to someone else.
Strawberry had been with the old man the longest, so he definitely knew what to say.
To everyone's surprise, Storoberry shook his head and said, "Kuro, this time it should be your turn to speak. Get used to it. In the future, you will have many more opportunities to take the lead in meetings like this and at this time."
I take the lead?
Kuro instinctively leaned back, somewhat bewildered.
What can he control?
And does this mean he'll be in charge of future meetings?
How many meetings does the old man hold? He's been with the old man for over three years and has never seen a meeting before; this is the first time.
“Okay, then I’ll take the lead from now on.” Kuro nodded.
Anyway, the meetings are spaced far apart, so it doesn't matter; there's only one every few years.
"Oh, it's quite lively."
Just then, a sound came from the passageway behind the main seat.
Upon hearing the sound, Kuro immediately stood up and looked toward the passage.
A figure gradually emerged from the entrance of the passage.
Kizaru's figure appeared there, still dressed in a yellow suit with a turtleneck underneath, walking in with his hands in his pockets and swaggering in.
But it seems...
"No cape?" Kuro asked, somewhat surprised.
The old man forgot about his cape.
Seeing Kizaru approach, Kuro automatically went to his side, took off his cloak, and draped it over Kizaru's shoulders.
"Grandpa, you've forgotten something," Kuro said in a low voice.
"Oh, how thoughtful of you, Kuro."
Kizaru chuckled and said, "Alright, I'll wear this for now and return it to you later."
After saying that, Kizaru sat down in the main seat, while Kuro stood behind him, cigar in mouth, just like before.
"Well, let's start the meeting now..."
Kizaru glanced around at the people who had come and said with a smile, "To be honest, I rarely hold meetings. Unlike Sakazuki, when I do hold one, it's usually a small meeting. But this meeting is a bit big, so I've called you all here. The main reason is to announce something."
Announcing something?
Kuro glanced at Kizaru. Was there anything he didn't know? Did he have to hold a special meeting to discuss it? Kizaru would definitely know about these things normally.
Are you keeping things from me now?
Kuro glanced at the expressions of the others and found that they all seemed somewhat bewildered, while Storobe remained expressionless.
But his expression remained the same, without any change.
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