Since Garp was on leave, Kuro had no choice but to follow Kirby back.
In addition to the days when he had just been stationed on Pegasus Island, he had not returned to the headquarters for almost a year. He only went back when he was promoted to Major, but it had been a while.
If they were to go back this time, they would have to go all out.
Leda, Crowe, and Cass, the three majors are going back, and once they move, their own direct subordinates will also move.
Leda's direct subordinate is a stork and Kaz's direct subordinate is Donald. Kuro assigned Donald to him in order for Donald to keep an eye on him. Look, hasn't it been very peaceful during this period of time? Nothing has happened.
Crowe's direct subordinate is Basil, who has the highest rank among his subordinates. He is now a Second Lieutenant, but he has to go back.
In addition, there was also Fanny who had to go back to headquarters for training.
Two Battleships evacuated from Pegasus Island and headed for the Grand Line.
Across the Calm Belt, into the Red Line, from Mariejois to the first half of the Grand Line, to Marin Vando.
"Headquarters…"
After getting off the ship, Kuro looked at the building that had been built and restored to its original state. "It's been a long time."
"Koro, you guys go and report your work and let the recruits fill in the procedures for Headquarters training. I'll go find Sengoku."
With that, he went straight to the office of the Headquarters Marshal.
After arriving at the office, he saw Sengoku on the desk, reading a batch of documents. Sengoku seemed to have sensed the arrival of someone. Sengoku looked up and saw Kuro at the door.
"Yo, Mr. Sengoku, long time no see." Kuro raised his hand to greet him.
"Kuro ah…"
Sengoku put down the pen and glanced at him. "I thought you died in the West Blue."
"Hahaha, Mr. Sengoku, you must be joking. I am a man who wants to live a safe life."
Kuro walked over and sat opposite Sengoku. He looked at Sengoku's white hair with a strange expression.
This old guy is 78 years old this year. Last year, he had black hair. This year, he is completely white. It makes Kuro wonder if he used to take advantage of others.
"You still have the face to come back?!"
Sengoku glared at Kuro. "How many times have I called you? You either have something on or you don't answer. Why, do you not want to be a Marine anymore?!"
"Don't say that, I am an old Marine, Mr. Sengoku." Kuro said: "I have joined Marine for eleven years, Marine is my home."
"Old Marine?!"
These words made Sengoku angry. He roared at Kuro:
"You still have the face to say that you are an old Marine?! Look at what you look like now. Smoker is already a Rear Admiral, and you are only a Brigadier General now, and you are still delaying your report. What do you want!"
I don't want to go to the New World. I don't even want to come to the Grand Line. I just want to be comfortable in my own base.
Kuro secretly curled his lips and smiled perfunctorily. "I'm not trying hard, but the promotion depends on the course of history. It can't be forced."
"Stop joking, you cunning brat."
Sengoku snorted. "However, your affairs are no longer under my control. In the future, you can do whatever you want to the new Marshal."
"Retired?" Kuro asked.
"Yeah."
Sengoku let out a rare smile, "This old man has retired, but there is still some handover. After a while, when the new Marshal takes office, this old man will completely retire. It has been so many years, it is time for a good rest. Garp is on vacation on your island, right? After a while, this old man will also go and play."
His face was a little relaxed at the moment, but in Kuro's opinion, this was obviously a sign that he was lacking in spirit.
"Okay, if you come back, go and report your work. Don't bother me, I will deal with the documents." Sengoku waved his hand and sent Kuro away.
"Can I not be promoted?" Kuro asked tentatively.
"Go away!"
"Okay."
Kuro obediently walked out.
"Wait, Kuro."
"Huh?"
"Zefa… If you encounter him, pretend that you don't see him," Sengoku said slowly.
Kuro shrugged and walked out.
There was no need for him to say this. If they really met, he would naturally pretend not to see it.
That old man is so old and has asthma. How long can he live?
In the end, if he wants to do something, let him do it.
Outside the office, he looked up at the sky and sighed.
In this world, there are only a few main points that affect people becoming weak.
Wounds, will, and years.
When Garp came, he lost a lot of his morale. Sengoku is the same now, plus Zephyr, who already doesn't trust Marines…
"The older generation has already withdrawn."
Kuro muttered and turned towards another building.
That was Kizaru's office.
When Kuro arrived at Kizaru's office, he was sitting cross-legged, leisurely cutting his nails.
"Oh, Kuro, you're finally back. I miss you."
Seeing Kuro, Kizaru opened his mouth. "Did you grow a little taller?"
"Long time no see, Old Master."
Kuro pulled out the chair opposite Kizaru and said, "The cigars you gave me are not enough. Send more to my island later."
"Oh, that kind of thing can," Kizaru said as he put the nail clipper on the table.
He smiled and made a cup of tea for Kuro and said, "You came at the right time. I have something to ask you for help."
These words shocked Kuro.
He stretched out his palm and said, "I'm just here to report and to see you. Other things have nothing to do with me. Goodbye."
"No, Kuro, other than you, I can't think of anyone else. Sentomaru went to carry out a mission. Now the situation…"
Kizaru pointed ahead and said, "It's more complicated."
The place he pointed to was the largest building in the Headquarters, which also represented the position of the Marshal.
"Sakaski is going to be a Marshal, but Kuzan strongly opposes it. Now they have to decide the winner and loser with a battle. Now the Marines are all out to ensure the safety of the duel. There is really no manpower. Even Sentomaru is out on a mission."
"There is nothing I can do. Since you have come back to report, you can make a trip. It is not on the Grand Line, but in the North Blue. After this trip, you can go back," Kizaru said.
"I knew that nothing good would happen when I came back!"
Kuro cursed.
Kizaru smiled. "I have to accept it. I am your superior. No matter what, you have to give me face. This is my request."
"Okay, okay, what happened to Beihai?" Kuro held his forehead with a headache.
"Have you heard of the Vinsmoke family?" Kizaru asked.
"Huh? You want me to deal with the Vinsmoke family? I remember that although their 'Germa Kingdom' doesn't have any territory, they are still a member of the World Government." Kuro was stunned.
"Not really."
Kizaru took out the map and pointed at a piece of land in the North Blue.
"The Germa Kingdom has recently been fighting with four countries. Of course, this has nothing to do with us. It's just that our World Government intelligence personnel responsible for investigating intelligence disappeared here, and so did the Marines."
"No matter how many people are sent out, there is no news here, and now Marine can't spare any time, only you are free, then run and see what happened. It should be a very easy task for you."
"Old man, aren't you also quite free?" Kuro asked, "You are so fast, it's not difficult for you to make a trip."
"This old man is going to the New World to keep an eye on them. Recently, Blackbeard Titch and Marco came to a big war, with Marco's defeat on the whole line as the result. This makes some people uneasy. Or do you want to go with this old man to keep an eye on some people?" Kizaru chuckled.
"Goodbye, I'm going to North Blue."
Kuro's expression turned serious. He cupped his hands and left immediately.
Go to the New World with him?
There were only a few people staring at him. Was it Kaido or Big Mom?
He did not want to get involved in any of them.