The death of Colmo caused the remaining pirates to surrender without resistance.
In the office, after receiving a simple bandage, Cass's excitement was so intense that even his mustache seemed to ripple.
"Captain Kuro! A 6 million Belly bounty—this is a major achievement! You're sure to get a promotion for this!"
"Sergeant Cass, remember this wasn't just my accomplishment. This was the result of the Navy's collective effort. You saw it yourself. You injured Colmo. You killed him. I merely played a small, insignificant role."
Kuro's tone was stern.
"Chief Petty Officer Kuro…"
Cass's eyes were brimming with tears.
He was a seasoned Marine, and he had seen his fair share of superiors who loved to take all the credit after eliminating pirates—claiming to be unmatched in combat or exceptional in command.
But Kuro? He actually acknowledged this as a group effort. That was rare—so rare it felt glorious.
Such a Marine shouldn't remain in obscurity!
"I understand, Chief Kuro!"
Kuro nodded in satisfaction. "Then go check the spoils."
"Yes, sir!"
After Cass left, the sailors were busy transporting loot from the pirate ship, all wearing smiles of joy.
Though Colmo was dead, meaning the bounty would be reduced by thirty percent, there was still a share for everyone.
Bounties weren't created solely for bounty hunters—they were originally meant to motivate the Navy.
The bounty hunting profession only emerged later on.
"Sergeant Cass, there's so much loot! With Colmo's bounty on top of it, we really struck gold this time!"
A sailor beamed.
"Yeah, Sergeant Cass. If we bring this back, I might even get promoted. That guy was a big-time pirate!"
The sailor grinned excitedly. He was only a second-class sailor.
"Don't get ahead of yourselves, idiots!"
Cass barked. "You think this was your doing? Was it you? No, it was Chief Kuro! Without him, would you have had the courage to face that monster? You let a superior officer risk his life alone, and you have the nerve to think you're proper Marines?!"
The sailors looked ashamed.
"But even so… even so…"
Cass's tears burst forth as he shouted, "Chief Kuro still thought of us. He said the credit belongs to everyone! Chief Kuro remembered each and every one of you! Even though he was injured the most, sacrificed the most—he still remembered us. A superior like that… a Marine like that… and you're still thinking about yourselves? Where is your honor as Marines?!"
"Chief Kuro!"
"Waaah! Chief Kuro is such a good man—I'll follow him for the rest of my life!"
"Yeah! As long as Chief Kuro is here, I'll happily stay a seaman first class forever!"
"Waaah! Chief Kuro, I'll work hard—I won't let you down!"
The Marines were crying like waterfalls.
"A man as great as Chief Kuro shouldn't stay a Chief Petty Officer," Cass declared. "We need to let the East Blue know his name!"
"Let the East Blue know Chief Kuro's name!!!"
The deck exploded in cheers.
…
"What are those idiots yelling about now?"
Kuro struck a match, lit a cigarette, and frowned at the noise outside.
Everyone in this world is crazy. They cry when they want to cry, yell when they want to yell—so over-the-top.
"Phew…"
He exhaled a smoke ring and leaned back in his chair.
"I think I did great. In the end, everyone gets credit for capturing Colmo, my presence stays low, and I don't attract any attention. Pirates dealt with, peace restored, I'm safe... Perfect."
Shin—one of the techniques of the Mumyo Jinpuu Ryu.
It manipulates the blood inside a target's body to create illusions or tear them apart from within.
With Colmo's thick hide—impervious even to bullets—how could normal weapons have hurt him?
It was me. I made his blood explode from the inside.
You thought your attacks injured Colmo?
No. It was me, Kuro!
A while later, Sergeant Cass knocked on the door again.
"Come in."
"Chief, we've finished counting the spoils. There's 200,000 belly and a few treasures."
Kuro nodded. "Follow the usual procedure."
"Yes, sir!"
As per Navy protocol, all spoils were to be handed over. But since the World Government had deep pockets, after deducting thirty percent, the rest would be distributed among the Marines who took part in the operation.
This system had always worked well.
And it spared them the trouble of selling the loot themselves.
That's why being a Marine was a cushy job—especially when you didn't have to fight too hard.
"There's also this—a treasure map."
Cass hesitated before placing the map on Kuro's desk.
"A treasure map?"
Kuro showed mild interest, but once he looked at it, he immediately lost all enthusiasm.
"Florida's treasure? People still fall for this?"
The map was crude, with only a few basic lines showing a route to an island within their jurisdiction.
Florida's treasure was a rumor that had spread in recent times.
Supposedly, a pirate named Florida had plundered an entire kingdom's fortune and hidden it on an island.
Maps like this popped up now and then, each pointing to a different location.
Eventually, people stopped believing them.
But there were always those who clung to a sliver of hope, collecting maps in pursuit of that mythical treasure.
"I don't believe it either," Cass said. "So, Captain, should we return?"
Kuro nodded. "Then let's—"
"Report!"
A sailor suddenly stood at the door, saluting. "Chief Kuro, Sergeant Cass! The branch just sent a fax—they've captured Roronoa Zoro."
"Hm? That famous pirate hunter? Why arrest him?" Cass asked, frowning.
"They say it's because of Helmeppo."
"Again with that Helmeppo!" Cass growled.
"Chief, if only you were a Captain…"
He glanced at Kuro, but Kuro replied dryly, "Then let's head to the island on the treasure map and check it out."
"?"
"Chief?" Cass was confused.
Kuro spoke with conviction, "Sergeant Cass, never underestimate a treasure map. Every year, these treasures circulate. If they were fake, why would people keep collecting them?
As Marines, we must be thorough in everything we do. If it's fake, fine—we waste a bit of time. But if it's real? That's a kingdom's fortune. Think of the people who lost everything—they're living in hardship. Struggling to survive. Pirates cause suffering, and it's our duty as Marines to stop that. To protect the civilians. That's our responsibility!"
"Yes! Chief Kuro, I'll change course immediately!"
Cass stood tall and saluted, his expression resolute.
Navigators were rare and valuable, and on this ship, no one knew navigation better than Cass.
After successfully fooling Cass, Kuro finally sighed in relief.
He was a naval officer stationed at the 153rd branch.
Yes, that branch—ruled by the Axe-Hand Morgan.
It was also the first stop for Luffy.
With Zoro captured, it meant the plot had officially begun. In just a few days, Luffy would arrive, defeat Morgan, and liberate the 153rd branch from its iron grip.
Kuro wanted absolutely nothing to do with Luffy.
People who stirred up chaos were blacklisted in his book—he didn't even want to meet them.
Why else would he take the patrol ship out to sea so often instead of staying safely at the branch for the rest of his life?
If he returned now and interfered with the story, what if Zoro didn't join Luffy? Would Luffy be stuck wandering East Blue, looking for a crewmate?
What if he couldn't find anyone suitable? What if he lingered in East Blue too long?
Luffy's nature and strength meant he was a walking disaster waiting to happen. If something did happen, who could stop him? Certainly not most people in East Blue.
And if Kuro got caught up in trying to capture him? That would be the start of a never-ending nightmare.
What if Garp came after him? What if his real strength was exposed, and he got summoned to Marine Headquarters—sent to hunt down pirates in the Grand Line, or worse, the New World?
A massive headache.
It wasn't that he was afraid. He just didn't want to disrupt the plot.
Yes, that was it.
.
..
...
One day later, the warship reached the coordinates marked on the treasure map.
"Captain, we've arrived. That's Galmoro Island," Cass reported, peering through a telescope at the volcanic island ahead.
Upon hearing that, Kuro finally relaxed.
He had been to Galmoro Island two years ago while buying supplies. It only had a small town, and no treasure worth mentioning.
Which meant—no danger.
"Captain, there's a pirate ship!" Cass suddenly shouted.
"What flag is it flying?" Kuro asked sharply.
"It's an unfamiliar one. Probably a new crew."
That was good. Cass had an eye for pirate flags—his knowledge of bounty posters rivaled that of professional bounty hunters. If he didn't recognize it, it was likely insignificant.
Which meant—it was safe.
"Fire. Sink it," Kuro ordered.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The cannons roared to life. Several shells exploded near the pirate ship, one landing a direct hit and causing a fiery blast.
There was no response.
The ship didn't even try to escape.
Another volley followed. Still no movement. No retaliation. No escape attempt.
If pirates were aboard, they should have reacted by now.
But Kuro wasn't planning to stop. If they could sink it, better to do it now.
Eventually, a lucky hit struck the ship's ammunition depot. A massive explosion tore through the hull, and the pirate vessel slowly began to sink.
Kuro watched through his telescope. No signs of life.
The warship docked nearby, and sailors boarded small boats to investigate. After a thorough inspection, they returned with a report.
"Captain, the ship was empty. No people, no cargo—just an abandoned husk."
"I see. Then we won't worry about it. Dock the ship and prep for a trip into town," Kuro said, nodding calmly.
The town on Galmoro Island was located at the foot of the volcano. Kuro and his men had just disembarked when he suddenly stopped in his tracks.
"Captain, something wrong?" Cass asked, noticing the sudden shift in Kuro's demeanor.
"Send a team to scout ahead. Be alert for danger," Kuro ordered.
Something felt off.
It was too quiet.
Kuro never forgot a place he'd been. The island now looked completely different from how it had two years ago. The vegetation had grown thick and wild, but there were no signs of animals anywhere.
East Blue's climate was stable—unlike the Grand Line, it didn't change much over time. For an island to transform this much in just a couple years didn't make sense.
The overgrowth was clearly due to ecological imbalance. The absence of animals had allowed the plants to run wild. And not even the edible ones—there was no sign of fruit-bearing trees.
No birds. No wild beasts. Just eerie silence.
Soon, Kuro reached the town.
It had once been lively and well-maintained. Now, the buildings were overgrown, and the once-cultivated fields nearby were mostly abandoned.
At one intersection, several pale, thin children were huddled, playing quietly. One of them spotted the newcomers and ran off.
"The Navy! The Navy's here!" the child shouted.
Doors creaked open. Townspeople emerged slowly, gathering in front of Kuro and his crew.
They looked malnourished and exhausted, as if they'd been starving for months.
An old man stepped forward, frail and trembling. He dropped to his knees in front of Kuro.
"Please save our town!" he pleaded.
One by one, the townspeople followed, kneeling, weeping.
Kuro stared at the old man, stunned. "Mendel?"
.
..
...
Inside the town chief's house, Kuro sat in a worn chair, quietly observing the surroundings.
It was barren.
A few years ago, this house had been tidy and even a little luxurious.
Now, it was falling apart.
"Take your time, no need to rush. We've brought enough supplies," Kuro said gently, watching the town chief eat with desperate hunger.
"Mhm, mhm..." Mendel nodded repeatedly, barely looking up as he devoured his food.
They were starving. The moment the Navy arrived, they had dropped to their knees—not to complain, not to report a crime, but to beg for food.
Fortunately, Kuro had come prepared.
As a patrol officer, he never slacked on preparations. His warship was small but fully staffed—eighty crew members strong.
Every inch of space was stocked with ammunition, medical kits, and food.
Enough to last eighty men for three months.
"Burp..."
Mendel let out a satisfied burp, tears running down his cheeks as he rubbed his stomach. "We haven't been full for a whole year... Thank you, thank you, Navy."
"There's no need to thank us, Chief Mendel," Kuro said. "It's our duty to help civilians. Besides, last time I visited, you gave me a generous discount on supplies."
Kuro paused, then asked, "So, you've been starving for a whole year? Why?"
At that, Mendel's face changed.
He began shaking his head violently, panic overtaking his expression. "No… please don't ask. We're already grateful for the food. If there's anything of value left in town, take it. Although… we're already poor…"
If he could, Kuro would've turned and left right there.
But when he looked at the villagers—thin, hollow-eyed, desperate—his heart wavered.
They ate like beasts. Their eyes were filled with hopelessness.
Kuro sighed.
"We're the Navy. We won't be afraid. Please… tell me what happened."
Mendel stared at him, trembling. Then, as if making a choice, he said in a low voice:
"It's Florida. That demon… Florida."
"Florida?" Kuro echoed.
"Florida isn't just a pirate," Mendel whispered. "It's something else. It's covered in white fur, like a ghost. I couldn't even see its face clearly..."
He shuddered. "It came a year ago. Since then, all the food on the island has been devoured. It doesn't let us leave. Every ship that comes here—pirates, bounty hunters—it doesn't matter. They lose all their strength.
That thing... it forces us to scavenge wrecks, trading any treasure we find for food. Just enough to survive.
We're only alive because we're useful. One day, when we aren't...
Florida will eat us.
This island… is cursed."
(*****)
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