Chapter 6: Pirate Join Marine

"Join Marine?"

A black line appeared on Clow's forehead as he said coldly, "Don't joke around. If you want to kill me, do as you please."

"I'm not joking; I'm very serious."

Kuro said, "Being a pirate has no future. It's better to join the Marines with me. You'll have a salary and benefits, and it's safe."

Forcing pirates to join the Marines, isn't this a classic case of coercion?

Surprisingly, Clow became calm. He couldn't defeat the person in front of him in a fight, as the previous slash had already proven.

He wasn't a mindless fool. Knowing he couldn't win, if the opponent wanted to kill him, there was no need for any other tricks.

"What is your purpose?"

"Hundred Plans Clow, I've heard of your reputation. I need your intelligence."

So he knows me.

Does he need my intelligence?

Clow scrutinized Kuro from top to bottom. Although he stood there casually, the powerful aura emanating from him was palpable, like the trembling of a lower creature encountering a superior one.

Does someone like him need my intelligence? The intelligence of a pirate? What does he want, and what is his goal?

"I'm a wanted pirate," Clow resisted as a last struggle.

"A bounty of 16 million Berries, what does it matter? Essentially, you are already 'dead.' The wanted poster has long been revoked. Besides, there have been precedents of pirates joining the Marine," Kuro smiled.

Indeed, there were precedents. At least, Clow knew of his subordinate, Jango, who was directly pardoned and then joined the Marines.

That guy's bounty was nine million.

Not to mention, Clow had already been 'captured,' and given the World Government's nature, they couldn't admit their mistakes.

Even if they recognized him later, if Clow joined the Marines by then, this matter would probably be considered resolved.

Seeing that Kuro had made up his mind, Clow felt he had little room for resistance and could only nod.

Regardless, he could survive.

Clow wanted a peaceful life, not a peaceful death.

The patrol ship approached the pirate ship, and Kass and the others were ready for a boarding battle.

However, upon closer inspection, it seemed like everyone on board had passed out.

"Ensign, what's happening?" Kass curiously asked.

"If I had to guess, they were probably knocked out by cannon fire. When I arrived, they were already unconscious," nonchalantly Kuro explained.

Then he casually pulled Clow over, saying, "This guy seems decent; I'm taking him back to headquarters to serve the Marine."

"Pirates? Ensign, how can a pirate join the Marine?" Kass exclaimed in surprise.

"Kass, I didn't want it initially, but he's just too pitiful."

Prepared in advance, Kuro pointed at Clow, saying, "Look at him, doesn't he look like a man you know?"

Hearing this, Kass earnestly looked at Clow and widened his eyes, "Hundred Plans Clow! That's impossible; Clow has already been captured by Morgan."

Kuro solemnly said, "In mourning their captain, members of the Black Cat Pirates found someone extremely similar to him to act as their captain. Look at him, this meticulous hair, and round glasses, all identical to Clow, even the name changed to 'Clow.' But in reality, he's just an ordinary person."

"Ask him what he wants to do."

"I... I want a peaceful life. I'm tired of the violence of pirates," Clow, stared at by Kuro, said somewhat absentmindedly.

This was indeed his goal, his heartfelt words, sounding completely genuine.

Moved by this, Kass wiped away tears, "So tragic! Forcing an ordinary person to do such things is truly tragic!"

With Kuro's explanation, Kass' internal resistance disappeared. After all, their Branch 153 also had a pink-haired short guy who spent two years in a pirate crew before joining the Marines.

Click!

The crack created by the earlier cannon fire on the pirate ship gradually widened.

"The ship is sinking; get on board first. Let these pirates deal with their fate," Kuro said, leading the way onto the military ship.

They couldn't capture them; if they did, Clow would be exposed.

The Black Cat Pirates had been low-profile in recent years and hadn't committed any major crimes. Kuro could let them go, as long as they could survive on the open sea.

Clow found himself inexplicably on the ship.

"Clow, I happened to have a question I'd like to discuss with you."

In the captain's cabin, Kuro lit a cigarette and offered the cigarette box to Clow, saying, "Sit, make yourself at home."

"Hundred Plans Clow? Where did you find such a character? In the East Blue, he's a notorious pirate," Lida, munching on potato chips, curiously looked at Clow.

Even kids know about me?!

Clow felt like everything he had done in recent years was in vain.

Kuro said, "He's on our side now. Perfect timing, I have a question to consult you on."

Is this guy starting to reveal his ambitions?

So powerful, yet he's only an Ensign. What's his purpose in staying in the East Blue?

Treasure? Power? The throne?

Or does he want to expand his territory, utilizing his experience and cunning as a pirate?

"I have a friend," Kuro began slowly.

"He's a marine, was living peacefully in the East Blue, dealing with bandits and practicing. But due to some unexpected events, I mean, my friend got summoned to the Marine Headquarters."

"Going to the headquarters is inevitable, but is there any way to ensure his safe return to the Four Seas Branch, preferably back to the East Blue?"

Is his ambition centered in the East Blue?

After thinking for a moment, Clow said, "If you want to stay in the East Blue—"

"It's for my friend," Kuro corrected.

"If your friend wants to stay in the East Blue, it entirely depends on the Marine Headquarters' decision."

"Honestly, I'm not very familiar with the workings of the Marines, but regardless, I suggest that your friend... find a faction to join. Through the faction, manipulate things to return to the East Blue," Clow suggested.

Of course, the Marines have factions. The three admirals each have their factions, and admirals like Sengoku, Tsuru, and Garp also have their trusted subordinates. Renowned Marines always find a faction that suits them.

"But if he joins a faction, won't it attract attention from higher-ups? My... friend doesn't want to be noticed; he doesn't want the headquarters' attention because he's not very strong. If he gets noticed, he might become cannon fodder." Kuro humbly said.

Lida, expressionless while munching on potato chips, said, "You're too modest. If you're cannon fodder, then what does that make us? Trash?"

Kuro criticized, "Lida! You've changed in just a few days. What about your safety? What about your caution? In life and actions, you must seek stability, you must ensure one hundred percent safety."

Lida rolled her eyes, not bothering to reason with this old killjoy.

"I think your idea is not bad; I'll consider it."

Kuro nodded approvingly at Clow. This person was much more reliable than Lida, at least offering constructive opinions.

He stood up and extended his hand to Clow, "Welcome to the Mairne. Trust me, following my lead, you'll be able to live a peaceful life!"

The ship continued its journey, and for the past few days, Clow had been observing this patrol vessel.

He learned that it belonged to the Marine Branch 153 and understood the complicated relationship with Morgan.

But this only made him more puzzled. In the past few days of collecting information, he realized that Kuro was just an Ensign, nothing particularly outstanding.

Although the naval officers on the ship respected him, the image of Kuro they portrayed was that of a diligent and duty-bound marine.

The Kuro he saw was just an ordinary marine, or even a somewhat lazy one.

He didn't engage in regular training, nor did he go out on patrols; everything was left to the ship's Petty Officer, Kass.

He spent his days fooling around with that little girl, one smoking and drinking, the other always with snacks in hand.

If Clow hadn't etched that slash into his memory, he might have been deceived by the facade Kuro presented.

If even he could be deceived, then this man who had been lurking in the East Blue for more than a decade must have a grand conspiracy.

This man was too terrifying!

Clow looked at the sky from the deck. Although there wasn't a cloud in sight, he always felt that storm clouds were about to gather, as if a giant hand was about to cover the entire East Blue.

"Oh! Baratie, Baratie!"

Lida's cheers echoed from the cabin as she ran over, hands raised, joyfully hopping.

Up ahead, there was a faint silhouette of a ship.

The most famous restaurant in East Blue is the floating restaurant Baratie.

"Mr. Clow, are you interested in Baratie as well?"

Kass, seeing Clow lost in thought, couldn't help but ask.

The Marines had been trying to get Clow's 'real name' these past few days, but Clow, using the excuse of "Since I'm called Clow, I'll live with that name. Remember this disgrace," openly stated his real name.

Hearing this, Clow felt a bit dazed.

He had heard of this restaurant, though he had never been there as a pirate. Unexpectedly, he also had a day where he would go there to eat.

A peaceful life... this could be considered as such.

In this regard, Kuro had not lied.

Just as he was thinking, a powerful light rose from the sea, a vertically rising crescent-shaped light, heading straight towards them.

"What is... that?"

Clow was instantly stunned. He hadn't seen anything like it, but he did not doubt that if hit, he would be crushed to pieces.

"Flying Slash?! Swordsman?! Kuro, come out quickly!"

The white-haired girl on the other side exclaimed in shock.

"It's too late!"

Seeing the slash approaching faster and faster, Lida gritted her teeth, jumped to the bow of the ship, transformed from a child into a young girl, crossed her hands to block, and coated her forearms with Armament Haki.

"Busoshoku - Impact!"

She forcefully pushed her hands forward.

Boom!

The air seemed to distort as Lida pushed the slash forward. The front of the ship couldn't withstand the pressure and cracked open.

A massive shockwave swept over the deck, sending the Marines tumbling in all directions.

Clow was struck by the impact, pushed backward, feeling pain all over, as if being stabbed by a knife.

"What is this? Does the East Blue have something like this?" Clow felt inexplicable horror.

And that girl, why did she change like this? What was that black color on her hands? He felt that if she punched him, one punch would be enough.

"Go away!"

Lida roared, forcefully pushing the approaching slash upwards.

The slash changed direction, soaring into the sky.

"Huff... huff... What kind of joke is this? How can there be such a powerful slash!"

Lida's figure instantly changed back into a child, panting heavily as she stared ahead.

Just one slash and she was almost exhausted.

"Hmm? Blocked?"

Near Baratie, on a shattered large ship, a straw-hatted individual and someone clad in golden armor was in combat. Beside them, a man who had just sheathed his black sword looked over in astonishment.

The eyes as sharp as an eagle revealed a hint of surprise, "That little girl?"

The black sword swung once again.

"It's...coming again!"

Clow widened his eyes, watching a larger slash than before reappear.

This time, it was too late.

A golden crescent-shaped slash suddenly rose from the deck, heading straight for the emerald-colored one, colliding and entwining in the middle.

Boom!

The two slashes didn't give way to each other, pushing against each other like a struggle, ultimately transforming into shockwaves, exploding amid the vast sea, creating towering waves.

The waves swept into the sky, turning into torrential rain, pounding down on the warship.

"Flying Slash? Interesting."

The man in the distance smirked, jumped onto his small boat, and advanced towards them.

Kuro, with a grim expression, stood at the bow of the ship, staring fixedly at the gradually emerging small boat.

"Kuro, you...big fool, I'm hungry." Lida weakly complained.

Kuro glanced at her, "Sorry for my mistake; I was napping just now. Clow, go get some food for Lida."

He had been sleeping peacefully, and suddenly this happened. If it weren't for Lida, this ship would probably be in jeopardy. Moreover, the bloodstains on Lida's hands made him feel a bit uneasy.

Soon, Clow brought a heap of food, and Lida devoured it eagerly. Only after patting her stomach did she exhale, "Feeling better now. Too scary, what was that slash? When did the East Blue have swords... swords..."

No need to say more because Lida saw the approaching small boat and the man sitting on it.

Those sharp eagle eyes and the enormous black sword on his back.

"That black sword, there's no mistaking it— the world's strongest black sword... it's Hawkeye!"

Lida widened her eyes, full of horror.

Kuro nodded solemnly, "One of the Seven Warlords, the world's greatest swordsman, Dracule Mihawk."

"The world's greatest swordsman?!"

Clow looked over in terror. Even in the information-limited East Blue, he had heard that name.

How could such a man be in the East Blue?

Swoosh!

As the ship approached, Mihawk's figure flashed, appearing on the warship's deck.

"It's you, the one who unleashed the Flying Slash."

Mihawk stared at Kuro with interest. He thought it might be a swordsman he knew, but he had never seen this young face before.

Since when did the Marines have a new rising swordsman?

"Not me."

Kuro immediately denied, pointing to Clow, "He's the one who unleashed the Flying Slash."

???

Question marks filled Clow's glasses.

Mihawk looked at Clow, who instantly donned a serious expression, unsheathing his ten blades, ready for battle.

"Oh?"

Mihawk slowly drew his black sword, and the faint pressure made Clow break out in a cold sweat.

Was he just sold out like this?

What about the promised peaceful life?

"Iai!"

Facing the pressure, Clow took the initiative, disappearing, and the ship's railing was instantly torn apart.

This is Clow's ultimate move, a speed comparable to the Shave in Rokushiki, even if he can't control the direction himself.

With this technique, he should be able to hold on for a while!

Snap.

Mihawk lightly pushed the back of his sword forward, and Clow, who had disappeared, instantly reappeared, was hit by the back of the sword, and fell to the ground.

"I can still distinguish that."

Mihawk looked at the military sword in Kuro's hand and smiled slightly, "A rare strong opponent. Let's have a battle."

Why the hell!

Veins popped on Kuro's forehead. "Do I think you're challenging the Marines, giving up your position as one of the Seven Warlords, Mihawk?"

"Can a small Marine represent the headquarters? I'm not seeking this position."

Mihawk had an indifferent expression. He slowly unsheathed the black sword from his back, glanced at the distant battle, and said, "Over there is a fight. It would be troublesome for the Marines to go there. Stay here and accompany me for a while."

Swish!

He slashed towards Lida.

The slash came too quickly, and Lida couldn't react in time, only watching the black blade approach.

Clang!

A military sword covered with Armament Haki blocked the black blade.

Kuro's expression turned cold, and he said with emphasis, "Stop joking, pirate!"

<End Chapter>

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