The navy, belonging to G-3, bypassed the government officials and quickly boarded the ship.
As the sailors boarded the ship one by one, Kuro, puffing on his cigar and exhaling a large cloud of smoke, asked the man beside him, "Who stayed behind at G-3?"
Knowing that Kuro wasn't asking about those who weren't part of his direct faction, Kuro said, "It's Fanny."
"Turn on the power and check if she's alright."
"yes!"
Kro waved his hand, and a navy officer brought over a Den Den Mushi and dialed the number on the other end.
Soon, the Den Den Mushi was connected, and the face that appeared was soft, delicate, and alluring.
"Moshi Moshi? Is that Lieutenant General Kuro?"
"I am Kuro, and Mr. Kuro is beside me..."
Kuro glanced at Kuro, who was standing there with his head down and not saying a word, and asked, "Are you alright?"
"I don't..."
The Den Den Mushi said, "Someone attacked G-3. I was conducting an experiment at the time. He moved very quickly, and by the time I came out, he was gone. I'm organizing a rescue effort now, but... half of the G-3 base has been destroyed."
"How many dead or injured?" Kuro asked very quickly.
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the Den Den Mushi, then Fanny said in a tearful voice, "So many..."
"How much is 'a lot'?! Say it!!" Kuro roared.
"Yes! They're still counting!"
Seemingly sensing Kuro's angry tone, Fanny quickly replied, "But I estimate that more than one-fifth of the remaining Marines have died..."
One-fifth!
He had a total of 5,000 troops in G-3. He took 2,000 with him, and Caswellber and Ian also took some with them for escort. There were at least 2,000 left in G-3.
Even disregarding the injuries, the death toll alone accounts for one-fifth, which is four or five hundred people!
"Did you see who they were? How many were there?!" Kuro's tone grew increasingly cold.
"Yes, according to the surviving naval personnel, only one person broke in here. That person was wearing a military uniform, and according to them, it seemed to be..."
Fanny paused for a moment, then said, "It seems to be Douglas Barrett."
As soon as he said this, the surrounding area fell silent.
“Douglas Barrett?” Crowe pushed up his glasses and frowned. “What’s going on? Didn’t headquarters deny that he’s still alive?”
Barrett? More than twenty years ago?
Kuro didn't know, but Crow did. Barrett was still alive, but they were keeping their story separate and wouldn't let anyone know.
But... he seemed to remember something; he seemed to have returned to that time period before and fought with that man.
But after just one meeting, this guy remembered him for over twenty years?!
Kuro narrowed his eyes, activated the Den Den Mushi on his wrist, and dialed a number.
"Moshi moshi, this is Kizaru's office."
"I am Kuro!"
"Ah... Vice Admiral!" The navy voice on the other end immediately became serious.
"Where is the old man?" Kuro asked coldly.
"Over there in the Marshal's office..."
"Give me the phone, I want to speak with them."
"But the marshal is discussing matters with the general..."
"Right now, immediately! Can't you hear me?!" Kuro roared.
"yes!"
The Den Den Mushi rang with hurried footsteps, and after a while, the sound of a navy officer panting could be heard from the other end.
"Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, Admiral Kizaru!"
"Huh? What are you doing coming in during a meeting?!" That voice belonged to Sakazuki.
"Yes, it's Lieutenant General Kuro."
"Kuro?" That was Kizaru's voice.
The Den Den Mushi's appearance changed, transforming into a lewd one. "Oh~ Kuro, what's up?"
Kuro gritted his teeth and said, enunciating each word clearly, "My base was destroyed! Many people died!"
An unusual silence fell on the other end of the Den Den Mushi.
“Give me authorization! You should have news about Douglas Barrett!” Kuro continued.
The Den Den Mushi rang, and Sakazuki's voice came through: "Kuro, the government has made a request. You know, the news that Douglas Barrett is still alive must be denied. The destruction of the base is a serious provocation against our navy. At least until after the World Conference, I will personally..."
"I can't care about that!"
Kuro's eyes turned bloodshot: "I lost a bunch of my men, not in a real fight with pirates, but by someone who single-handedly broke into my base and killed them. You tell me, after the World Conference ends, who will care about my reputation?! Fleet Admiral, where is your reputation now?!"
There was another moment of silence on the other end of the Den Den Mushi, then it said, "Douglas Barrett, according to intelligence, should be with Buena Festa. They seem to be inviting other pirates, preparing to hold a 'World Conference' for the pirate world."
Kuro asked, "Who's investigating this right now?"
"It's Smoker. Kuro, I can authorize you to be specifically responsible for arresting Buena Festa and Douglas Barrett, dead or alive. The Navy will be under your command for the time being, but you must do this well!"
Kuro's answer was even simpler: "I'll bring back the head!"
*Smack*
He hung up the phone immediately.
"Board the ship, establish communication, call Smoker and ask him where he is!"
...
Headquarters, New Marineford.
Sakazuki and Kizaru were momentarily speechless as they listened to the busy tone on the Den Den Mushi.
"How can it be repaired!"
Sakazuki clenched his fist, a scorching red appearing on his glove, raising the surrounding temperature. "Damn pirates, how dare they do this during the World Government Summit!"
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