"What is it, sir?"
Out of curiosity, Kuro leaned down and whispered something in Kizaru's ear.
"You'll see soon enough, Kuro. It's a good thing," Kizaru said with a grin.
Good news?
With such a large venue and so many people, if it's a good thing, then it must be a good thing; it shouldn't be a scam.
"You're pulling a surprise!"
Kuro exhaled a puff of smoke and stood firmly behind Kizaru, waiting to see what he would say next.
Kizaru cleared his throat, picked up the Den Den Mushi from the table, put the receiver to his mouth, and said:
"Moshi moshi, moshi moshi, can you hear me?"
The Den Den Mushi's amplification function allowed the sound to resonate throughout the conference room. After testing it a couple of times, Kizaru continued:
"I have been a general for over ten years now. I am fifty-nine years old this year, and today is my birthday. After my birthday, I will be sixty years old."
Huh?
Kuro was taken aback. The old man hadn’t mentioned this before. Was this his sixtieth birthday?
That's a good thing, no wonder they've all come over.
However, on the other hand, the old man hasn't mentioned his birthday or celebrated it in recent years, so not many people know about it.
These people don't seem to have a tradition of celebrating birthdays.
But for a major birthday celebration, it's worth having one.
Thinking of this, Kuro nodded, left behind Kizaru, walked to the back door, opened the Den Den Mushi on his wristwatch, and dialed a number.
The Den Den Mushi transformed into a bespectacled, mentally challenged... intelligent person, and hesitantly asked, "Mr. Kuro?"
"Go, book all the restaurants behind headquarters for me. Start with the biggest one so my father and I can have a place to eat. Then host a banquet for all the high-ranking navy personnel. Make the banquet last for seven days so that those who couldn't make it can have time to come back. It's my father's 60th birthday, and we have to make sure they give us face."
"Birthday? Yes, I understand, I'll go and let them know right away," Chloe replied hastily.
"Okay, call Cass and Wilbur over too. Seven days should be enough. If there are any that can't make it in time, that's fine, we can make up for them later." Kuro said, then hung up the phone and continued walking inside.
It's the old man's birthday, it's a bit petty to only invite your own faction, it would be more lively if you invited everyone.
"Time flies so fast. Some of you have grown up under my watchful eye, and now you're all over forty. I'm sixty too, and I'm starting to feel tired. The young people these days are terrifying. But the good thing is, there's one young person who happens to be on our side."
When he went in, Kizaru was still talking, and this sentence drew everyone's attention to Kuro, who had just entered.
In his eyes, there was satisfaction, excitement, and admiration.
Storoberg stroked his long beard, his face full of satisfaction.
The lieutenant generals standing nearby were somewhat impressed, after all, Kuro was a new generation player, yet he had such an impressive record, which was truly admirable.
The young major generals, on the other hand, were filled with excitement.
The Navy is actually more arrogant than pirates, especially the old-school Navy. Even a veteran like Stroberry isn't respected by everyone. Although he is very strong, his record is also quite impressive. Many vice admirals have a record that is not much worse than Stroberry's.
But Kuro is different; if we only consider age, then he definitely won't fit.
Even if someone is young and capable, it doesn't necessarily mean that people will respect them.
Even with his youth, talent, and terrifying record, there are still those who disagree with him.
But Kuro has the power!
Sword is unknown to ordinary navy personnel, but those at his level know a little about it.
The Seven Warlords of the Sea are known to everyone, and that power is the greatest power under Clow's control.
As a candidate for Admiral of the Headquarters, he defeated many great pirates and possessed superb strength and power. From the very beginning of joining Kizaru's faction, he was favored by many and was later designated as the faction's successor, destined to become an Admiral in the future.
Admiral Kizaru's words this time must mean he's preparing to retire. As naval commanders, they already had inside information; Kizaru's deliberate downplaying of his position during this period had given them a signal.
Now that it's out in the open, they probably already guessed it.
No one disagreed, and the young major generals were especially excited.
They also knew a lot about Kuro's life and knew that he was a colleague who would not mistreat his subordinates. Once he came to power, their scope of activities and the power to do things would definitely be much greater than before.
Only Kuro...
Why are you looking at me?
Kuro returned to Kizaru's side, looking completely bewildered, and wondered why everyone was staring at him.
They're just young people; it's normal for them to offer a few compliments at a meeting like this.
“Kuro…”
Kizaru stood up with a smile, pointed to the seat of honor, and said, "You sit here."
“Me, sit? Grandpa, that’s not appropriate for me,” Kuro said.
He didn't have much to say. He had already said everything he needed to say before the old man arrived. Wouldn't it be awkward to go up now?
Kizaru didn't say anything, but just looked at him with a smile.
"Please sit down..."
Suddenly, Storoberry said, "You can sit in this seat."
"Yes, please sit down! Vice Admiral Kuro, you can sit down!"
"Yes, I agree!"
I second that!
Following Strawberry's words, the naval officers below began to speak up one by one.
"Big brother, you have to sit in this seat!" Sentomaru shouted loudly from behind.
"I'll sit here no matter what it is."
Kuro rolled his eyes, didn't stand on ceremony, plopped down in the head seat, picked up the microphone, and said, "I'm telling you, today is the old man's birthday, what are you all doing? What's with all this sitting and everything? I've already said what I needed to say before, but I'll remind you again: I don't care how you dress or how you sit on ordinary days, but for the old man's birthday, at least dress like proper people!"
"Especially you, Sentomaru, change your clothes right now when the meeting is over. If you don't have any, go buy some. If I see you wearing a bellyband again after the meeting today, I'll skin you alive!"
As soon as the words were spoken, everyone straightened up, gave a naval salute, and shouted in unison, "Yes, sir!"
Storoberry was the last to rise, and he slowly gave a naval salute, smiling as he said, "Yes, sir."
Something touched Kuro's shoulder. He turned around and saw Kizaru take off his cloak and drape it over him. Kizaru then looked around at the people on the field and finally fixed his gaze on Kuro.
"Then, I'm retiring. You'll be in charge from now on, Kuro."
"?"
A large question mark appeared above Kuro's head, and then the question mark seemed to emerge violently as if it were being generated.
"???!!"
Kuro stared wide-eyed, looking incredulous, his mouth agape.
"Retire?!"
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