Upon hearing Gawain's words, Kuro closed his eyes.
Defeated and gravely wounded, he no longer had the strength to fight. His subordinates had already turned their backs on him. Deep down, Kuro knew Gawain was right. But more than anything, he was simply... tired—tired of the bloodshed, the chaos, the life of a pirate.
A quiet end almost felt like mercy.
He exhaled slowly and lowered his guard, silently offering himself for execution.
But Gawain wasn't satisfied with that. Whether it was the death of a potential rival or the recruitment of a talented man, Gawain saw value in Kuro—value he wasn't willing to waste.
After a brief silence, Gawain finally spoke.
"Jango told me you wanted to abandon the pirate life—change your name, start over somewhere new."
Kuro's eyes flickered open. Even on the brink of death, he didn't mind sharing a few final words.
"You're still young. You still dream of making a name for yourself, maybe even chasing that fantasy of becoming the Pirate King."
"But once you reach my age, you'll understand. All the killing... it doesn't mean anything. It just wears down your soul."
"A quiet, peaceful life—that's what's real."
His voice softened as he spoke.
A faint longing crossed his face. Once, he had tasted such a life. But that peaceful dream had long since been shattered—by his own hands.
"Heh."
Gawain chuckled coldly.
"You really think you can stop being a pirate just by taking off that coat? Even in the East Blue—the so-called most peaceful sea—how many towns are attacked every day?"
"How much gold do you need to keep the nobles happy and greedy? Do you even remember why your crew took to the sea in the first place?"
Kuro's expression darkened. His face paled.
He was no fool. Of course he understood this bitter truth. But just like how people idealize a "white moonlight"—a pure, untouchable dream—he had clung to that illusion, willfully ignoring reality.
Gawain's words snapped him awake.
A peaceful life?
That meant handing over your blade and praying others wouldn't stab you first. Nobles, pirates, even corrupt Marines—were they the kind to show mercy?
"Heh…"
Kuro sneered.
"This filthy world doesn't let people live at all."
Gawain didn't deny it.
"If you're strong enough to make the world fear you, peace will come on its own."
"I even know someone who did it. He was once a pirate too, but now he's retired—living the kind of life you're dreaming about."
"The Navy knows he exists. The World Government knows too. But neither dares to touch him. Know why?"
"Why?"
"Because he's Silvers Rayleigh—Pluto himself. The right-hand man of Pirate King Roger. Even the Navy has to weigh the cost before moving against him."
Silence fell.
Kuro closed his eyes and lay still on the deck, the claws on his fingertips trembling slightly.
All around, the Black Cat Pirates stood quietly, watching. No one spoke. Gawain waited.
After several long breaths, Kuro opened his eyes and locked his gaze onto Gawain's.
"So what is it you're after?"
Gawain thought for a moment, then replied plainly.
"First, I'm heading to the Grand Line. Then I'll claim the title of Shichibukai."
Kuro blinked, stunned.
He had already expected Gawain to venture into the Grand Line—but the title of Warlord held a different meaning. It meant protection. Immunity. Freedom from Navy pursuit.
It wasn't the perfect solution, but it was something real.
His idealistic plan had been nothing but a delusion—and now, facing reality, Gawain's path looked far more grounded.
A glimmer of new resolve sparked in Kuro's eyes. He adjusted his glasses with his palm, a sharp light flashing in his pupils.
"Though I'm not thrilled about it… please guide me from here on, Captain."
" aboard, Kuro, my vice-captain," Gawain said with a smile, reaching down to pull him up.
Despite his injuries, Kuro stood tall beside him. The weight of defeat had vanished. In its place was the quiet dignity of a man ready to lead again—as second-in-command.
With the captain and his three officers having surrendered, the rest of the Black Cat Pirates had no reason to fight on.
Under orders from Kuro and the others, the crew dropped their weapons and formally surrendered.
The battle had lasted only minutes, yet casualties on both sides had exceeded one-third.
Fortunately, the Black Cat Pirates originally had three ships and nearly 200 members. Even with the losses, Gawain now had close to 200 pirates under his command.
He immediately ordered the ship's doctors to tend to the wounded.
The injured were laid out in neat rows across the warship's deck, as medical crews moved swiftly to treat them.
"Aargh!"
A pirate screamed as the doctor poured high-proof alcohol directly onto a thigh wound. His body spasmed, his face turning red like a boiled shrimp.
Gawain's eye twitched.
"We really need a proper ship doctor."
Out at sea, conditions were primitive. For injuries, all they had was alcohol, thread, and luck. Infection? Survival? All up to fate.
Those too gravely wounded to be saved were given swift mercy.
It was brutal, but it spared them a longer, more painful death. Even Gawain had no regrets. It was the way of pirates.
And so, the Black Cat Pirates officially became part of the Gawain Pirates.
A few days later, Gawain made it official: Kuro was now the crew's vice-captain. The cat brothers and Jango retained their positions as combat officers.
No one objected.
Gawain's original followers practically worshiped him. And those from the Black Cat Pirates—who had seen him defeat Kuro with ease—feared him even more than they had feared their former captain.
The very next day, Gawain ordered everyone to begin training.
Ordinary crew members practiced swordsmanship under Gawain's guidance. Elite fighters like Kuro, the cat brothers, and Jango followed their own unique routines.
Kuro, driven by his new goal, trained with wild dedication. He transformed the warship's training room into his sanctuary, padding the walls to avoid injury during his furious solo sessions.
Gawain was pleased.
After all, with nearly 200 people training—many of them newly recruited—his own growth surged.
That first night alone, Gawain gained over 40 swordsmanship points and 30 physical experience points.
Even he was stunned by the spike.
"My original crew's potential was already near its limit. These points must be from the newcomers."
"Ordinary pirates should only contribute about 20 points total…"
"So the rest—were they from Bronze-ranked Kuro?!"
"Is this what having Bronze-level potential feels like?"
Gawain did a quick estimate.
Kuro alone was providing over 10 experience points per day. With his higher potential, his long-term value easily outpaced dozens of common pirates.
"If that's what bronze can do… just how strong will Sanji and Zoro be when they start from Gold?!"
The thought alone thrilled him.
Then, suddenly, the system chimed in his ear:
[Skill Unlocked – "Death Walk!"]
[Death Walk – LV-0: 6/100]
(End of Chapter)