Chapter 4: Morgan Rebel

The originally planned patrol at sea failed due to Florida's presence.

Kuro, feeling defeated, issued orders to start heading back to Branch 153.

"When are we going back? I'm so hungry," Florida lay in Kuro's office, speaking weakly.

"Shut up! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have to go back so soon!" Kuro shouted.

"You said you'd let me eat my fill," Florida put on a pitiful expression.

"Adults should act like adults, none of that cute stuff."

Kuro lit a cigarette, ignoring Florida's expression. "We'll be heading back soon, and then you can eat to your heart's content, eat until you drop."

"If I can eat a satisfying meal and die, I'd be content," Florida said with satisfaction.

Kuro replied sarcastically, "Shut up, you glutton. Stop saying gloomy things. Once we're back at the branch, you stay put and don't eat any animals on the island."

"Just let me eat my fill."

Suddenly, Florida remembered something. "You're from Marine Branch 153, under Captain Morgan?"

"You know him?"

"I've heard of him. He's a very influential Marine, known for being extremely ruthless."

Kuro exhaled a puff of smoke. He was indifferent to such comments. He didn't have much interaction with Morgan and had been leaning more towards Captain Lipa. Besides, he kept a low profile and didn't make a show of himself in Morgan's camp, so they coexisted peacefully.

Moreover, he was a seasoned Marine, and the Marines in the branch treated him courteously, so he didn't have much trouble.

Furthermore, Morgan was probably in trouble this time.

After two days of sailing, the warship arrived at Branch 153, docking at the port of Shells Town.

"Captain Lipa, the warship, Warrant Officer Kuro has returned."

At the port, a group of Marines saluted towards the sea, with a pink-haired shorty among them, one of the Marines observing the warship said.

On a small boat, two people arranged the food and prepared for the journey.

One with a straw hat, the other with three swords at his waist.

The warship passed by the small boat.

Kuro on the deck stared at the one with the foolish smile and the straw hat, squinting his eyes.

The first time in his life seeing the Main Character of this world.

"What's wrong? Do you know them?" Florida, eating an apple, noticed Kuro's strange expression and looked across.

Seems quite ordinary.

"Ah... I don't know them."

Kuro withdrew his gaze, smiled, and said, "But I feel like one day those two will become famous."

It doesn't concern him, and since the troublemaker is setting off from here, Branch 153 won't be in chaos.

"Captain Lipa."

After disembarking, Kuro saw Lipa and greeted him.

Captain of Branch 153, who took over after Morgan fell.

"Officer Kuro, you returned just in time. There's something I need to discuss with you," Lipa said solemnly.

What could it be? Probably just about Morgan's downfall.

As Lipa was about to speak, they heard a loud 'bang,' and a distant explosion echoed from the branch base.

Soon after, a breathless Marine ran over.

"Captain Lipa, Morgan... Morgan has started a riot!"

"What?!"

Lipa's face turned pale. "How could he start a riot? Didn't I tell you to keep an eye on him?!"

"Sorry, Captain!"

"Damn it!"

Lipa roared, "Quickly gather the men and suppress Morgan. For the residents of the town, we cannot let him leave the branch!"

"Yes!"

"Kuro, that's the situation. Morgan has been defeated, those two guys who just came on the ship defeated him. But... why did he start a riot?" Lipa gritted his teeth, "Kuro, your people, come with me to suppress Morgan's riot. We can't let him out."

Is Morgan in a riot?

There doesn't seem to be such a scene in his memory.

"I got it."

Kuro nodded, "Kass."

"Yes!"

Kass assembled the Marines, armed with guns, and headed towards the branch.

Whether there was such an incident or not, Morgan would eventually be arrested. As a non-Devil Fruit user without Haki, he couldn't resist blades and guns.

In the branch square, a group of people surrounded a tall and muscular man.

It must be said that people in this world are quite tall. Earlier it was Kormo, and now it's Morgan. Morgan's height is at least three meters.

But long ago, his height was normal. Through intense physical training, his height increased. Perhaps it's due to the abundant oxygen in this world.

Morgan held a Marine hostage, a large axe attached to his arm, pressing it under the Marine's neck, making the Marine break into a cold sweat.

"Everyone back off! Let me out, or I'll kill him!" Morgan roared.

"Is that Morgan?"

Lida, who arrived, looked at Morgan in surprise. "He's tall."

However, she didn't pay much attention. A Captain of the branch like Morgan seemed weak in her eyes.

People from East Blue haven't seen strong individuals, except for this monster next to them.

A group of Marines dared not open fire, so they were deadlocked.

"Captain Lipa, what should we do now?"

As soon as Lipa arrived, the Marines seemed to have found a backbone, and one of them asked.

Lipa looked at Morgan with a gloomy face.

He took a hostage. This was too troublesome.

"Morgan, you've already lost. Surrender gracefully. Can't a man accept defeat?" Lipa scolded.

"Enough nonsense, Lipa! I am the leader of this branch!"

Morgan roared, "Let me out quickly, or I'll take action!"

Saying this, he brought his axe closer to the Marine's neck. The sharp blade cut through his neck, drawing blood.

"No... please!" The Marine almost cried.

"Damn it!"

Lipa gritted his teeth, looking down without speaking.

Kuro watched the scene from the side. Whether Morgan ran or not didn't matter. Although the report wasn't sent out, the awareness of this place had awakened, and Morgan couldn't restore it to what it was before.

"Morgan! You've already lost!"

Unexpectedly, at this moment, Kass suddenly stepped forward.

"You're not worthy to be the leader of this base. In my opinion, only Captain Kuro is qualified. Compared to you, Officer Kuro is the true hero of the Marines in this place!"

What?

Kuro tilted his head, looking at Kass inexplicably.

Why are you bringing me into this?

"That's right, Officer Kuro is the one who truly cares about us!"

"Morgan, drop your weapon and surrender quickly!"

Kuro's subordinates shouted one after another.

"Kuro?"

Morgan, with bloodshot eyes, looked at Kuro. "It's you, Ruxiru Kuro. This trash Marine has no qualifications to compare with the great me."

Kuro and Morgan knew each other. When they entered the Navy, they were part of the same group.

However, Morgan captured 'Kuro of a Hundred Plans a few years ago, promoted him to Ensign, and then rapidly climbed the ranks to his current position as Colonel.

As for whether he captured him, Klahadore/Clow is currently somewhere working as a butler, likely about to be exposed.

"Hey, when you're being taunted like this, aren't you going to fight back?" Lida nudged Kuro's waist and whispered.

Kuro glared at Lida. "Shut up. What's it to me? Do I look like someone who seeks attention?"

"Kuro, do you think you can compare to me?!"

Morgan stared at Kuro. "In that case, come over and be my hostage. Do you have the courage?"

Kuro raised an eyebrow.

This was a provocation.

He didn't want to draw attention, but if you come looking for trouble, there's nothing he can do.

He can only play along!

He decided that if Morgan took him hostage, he would create a little 'accident' to make Morgan surrender willingly.

Kuro put on a brave sacrifice act and approached Morgan.

"Officer Kuro, don't do it!"

"let me replace you!"

Morgan watched helplessly as Kuro approached. He still had a hostage with him. 

In that critical moment when they were close, he suddenly tossed the Marine towards Kuro and sprinted away.

"Morgan, you!"

Lipa, seeing Morgan running away, shouted, "Fire, fire!"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Bullets flew, hitting the ground beneath Morgan's feet. Some bullets struck his body, and Morgan grunted but managed to run out of the branch gate.

"Chase him, everyone!"

Under Lipa's command, the Marines rushed after Morgan.

Kuro was a bit stunned; he thought Morgan would take him as a hostage. Unexpectedly, Morgan just ran away.

It was good that he ran; at least Kuro didn't have to continue the act.

In the direction Morgan fled, civilians scattered in fear. Only one girl with twin ponytails couldn't escape in time, sitting on the ground in shock as she stared at the giant-like Morgan.

"Reika!"

A woman ran to the little girl and held her tightly.

"Get away!"

Morgan raised his axe, ready to strike down.

"Stop, Morgan!" Lipa's eyes widened, and he shouted, reaching out his hand.

But it was too late!

Clang!

The sound of a blade being unsheathed.

"One Sword Style - Single Line Heaven!"

A sudden streak of dust cut through the branch square, heading straight toward Morgan and reaching the little girl.

Kuro held the scabbard in his left hand and the hilt in his right, slowly sheathing the sword.

Slash.

Thud!!

A bloodstain unfolded on Morgan's back, flesh bursting open, and blood spurting out, causing his eyes to roll back as he collapsed.

"You went too far."

Kuro cast a cold glance at him, saying nonchalantly.

Morgan running away was one thing, but hurting someone under his nose was another matter. After all, he was a Marine, and his past values still held.

It was one thing not to see, but if he witnessed it, he had to do something about it.

He couldn't just let someone die in front of him.

"K-Kuro?"

Lipa looked at Kuro in astonishment. That sword strike just now was too astonishing.

Could Kuro do that?

Lipa's impression of Kuro was of a diligent Marine, though he enlisted early, he always kept a low profile. He never expected Kuro to have such a skill up his sleeve.

Before Lipa could ask anything, Kuro suddenly rolled his eyes and also fainted.

"Officer Kuro!"

The Marines rushed over in panic, frantically shaking Kuro.

"Doctor, doctor! Someone fainted here, quickly call a doctor!"

Amidst the commotion, several shouts were mixed in.

Lida smirked, "Terrible acting."

For inexplicable phenomena, fainting was enough, it would surely pass as an acceptable excuse.

Trying to expose my strength? Impossible. This is my hidden strategy!

Morgan was imprisoned again, and this time, there was no chance of getting out. 

The Marines tied him up with iron cables, ensuring he wouldn't move, before tossing him into the cell.

Inside the branch, Kuro was carried into the infirmary by the Marines, with Lida following closely behind.

While the Marines went to call the doctor, Kuro squinted his eyes almost closed and discreetly waved at Lida.

Lida walked over, looking at Kuro oddly.

Kuro opened his mouth and shaped his lips to convey, "Touch, me."

"?"

"Suck, my, power."

Shaping his mouth like that.

Lida understood and her eyes lit up.

You asked for it!

She had been wanting to take advantage of this man for a while!

She reached out and touched Kuro, and instantly, Kuro felt his energy draining away.

It wasn't the feeling of haki blocking he experienced before; it was a genuine sensation of energy disappearing.

"Just hurry up."

While the Marines were looking away, Kuro glared at Lida.

Lida also looked puzzled.

She had faced strong opponents before, and the so-called strong ones on the Grand Line were as common as carp in a river. 

However, with her ability, she could only hold a few. Even the strongest sea pirates, numbering in the billion berries, would lose strength in at most five seconds if their haki proficiency wasn't deep enough.

But what was going on with this man?

"Damn it, how did you train!" Lida angrily whispered, "Your freaking monster!"

Kuro thought for a moment. "I started casual training at the age of six."

He said it casually, but Lida felt waves of shock in her heart.

Listening to this tone, just casual training?

But why can't I absorb it?!

It seemed like there was an entire ocean hidden inside Kuro's body. No matter how much Lida tried to absorb, it was boundless.

This energy... was too immense!

Kuro's training was quite simple; he didn't have any secret techniques or unique physics. His method of training was just to level a mountain with a regular knife. We usually call people who can do this "swordsmen."

Flattened ten mountains with his fists. Kuro, training for eighteen years, should be able to level mountain peaks without any problems.

In the eighteen years of training, Kuro didn't know how many mountain peaks he had leveled, but he didn't think it made him strong. It was just about leveling mountain peaks, something any swordsman could do, right?

Lida placed both hands on Kuro's body, and her palms seemed to be able to move the air. She took a deep breath and pressed down with force.

"Vital Energy Recollection!"

Vital energy dissipated even faster.

Lida's forehead was already sweating. Honestly, she had never encountered this situation before. Even when going all out, Kuro still felt like the deep sea, utterly unaffected.

Bang!

Lida's fist slammed hard into Kuro's chest, catching him off guard and causing him to cough a few times.

"What happened?"

The Marines turned around instantly upon hearing the sound.

"Big Marine brothers, it seems like there's something wrong with Big Brother Kuro. Can you please get the doctor quickly? Can you go call the doctor again?"

Lida's twinkling big eyes were full of worry, almost on the verge of tears.

"We'll go right away!"

Officer Kuro's body is experiencing issues, and it's not looking good.

As soon as the Marines left, Lida immediately turned around, her white hair flowing without any breeze.

"Lida, what are you going to do?"

Kuro rubbed his chest; that hit hurt.

"Shut up, I'm going all out. Busoshoku - Full Power!"

Lida had completely abandoned any hidden intentions. She had to see for herself how much energy this man had.

Her body grew, transforming Lida from a small white-haired girl into a stunning eighteen-year-old beauty. The clothes that used to fit perfectly now barely covered her chest and hips, highlighting her fantastic figure.

In the world of pirates, it seems there are no women with bad figures.

Bang!

Lida's hands struck Kuro heavily, and her pupils began to emit a white light.

This time, Kuro noticed it. His energy was rapidly draining as if a giant whale was sucking it away.

"If that's the case, let's see how long you can hold on," Lida gritted her teeth.

"Faster, a bit faster, almost there," Kuro urgently urged.

With only half of his energy remaining, a bit faster could completely drain him before the doctor arrived, leaving no trace of any ailment.

Footsteps approached rapidly from outside.

"Lida, can you hold on?"

Thud.

Before he could finish speaking, Lida reverted to the size of a little girl and collapsed on the ground.

"I'm... I'm so hungry."

Ironically, she seemed to lose strength instead.

<End Chapter>

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