Chapter 17: Kurono

Naval Base Headquarters

"Honestly... I told them to lay low for a while..."

"At a time like this, they're still causing trouble for me!"

Kurono sat in a soft leather chair, a cigar in hand, facing the window as he looked down at his domain.

"I'm terribly sorry, Colonel Kurono!" A naval soldier stood at attention in front of the desk. "We're currently investigating those spreading rumors."

Controlling the narrative was their usual tactic. As long as everyone claimed the island was peaceful and safe, the inspectors wouldn't dig too deep. When those people left, a little bribe would smooth things over, benefiting both sides without offending anyone.

In the end, it was the civilians who suffered.

"But... don't you think the townsfolk's attitude has changed recently?"

He crossed his legs, smoking casually, and glanced at the soldier standing before him.

"Yes, sir!" The soldier broke out in a cold sweat. "The townsfolk have been communicating more frequently lately."

"They're trying to raise funds."

"No, no, no! That's not the main reason..." Kurono shook his head lightly. "They're not respecting me enough!"

The soldier's forehead dripped with sweat as he stood there, not daring to move or even breathe too loudly.

"You really know how to cause trouble for me," Kurono said with dissatisfaction.

"By the way, has a rat snuck into my territory?"

Recently, he had tightened surveillance at the port, but someone still managed to slip in.

"You've already killed that person, right?"

The soldier looked shocked. "T-that's... that's not appropriate, Colonel! That person probably doesn't deserve death."

"You can't do it? Are you new here?!" Kurono stood up. "Let me tell you, I'm the boss here."

"Who gave you the courage to talk back to me? When I say kill, you kill! No more nonsense!"

He grabbed a large sword from the desk and swung it down, cutting the soldier to the ground.

"Someone, drag him out. He's in my way!"

"..."

Kurono pulled out a tissue, wiped the blood off the blade, and casually tossed the tissue on the floor.

Power was the most wonderful thing in the world. It was intoxicating, addictive, and allowed one to do as they pleased.

"Excuse me, sorry to interrupt."

Seeing how absorbed Kurono was, Renji felt a little bad for disturbing him. After all, this might be the last time the man would exercise his tyranny.

"Do you know what it means to interrupt me?" Kurono raised his sword.

Renji thought for a moment and replied, "It means I'm interrupting you?"

"Has anyone ever told you... you're really good at pissing people off?"

Kurono's face twitched with anger, the flames of rage threatening to consume everything.

"I'd advise you not to make a move," Renji said calmly, even feeling a little amused.

This man's anger was oddly quiet, like a gorilla. If it were anyone else, they'd be jumping around, swearing vengeance.

"I'm a naval colonel. I don't act on impulse, no matter the situation," Kurono said proudly.

"Then let's talk about your dealings with the pirates," Renji said, suddenly interested. This was the first time he'd encountered such a cooperative suspect.

"Me? Pirates?" Kurono was momentarily confused.

"Yes, the pirates on the east side of this island," Renji confirmed with a nod.

"A mutually beneficial relationship," Kurono admitted without hesitation.

He wasn't worried. He had already recognized Renji as the "rat" he'd observed earlier. This was his territory, and no one could leave without his permission.

"I think you might be overconfident," Renji said, spinning a key in his hand.

"I'm guessing this is the key to your safe."

"I wonder what you've stored in there..."

"The navy is supposed to uphold peace. As a colonel, it must be filled with medals and awards, right?"

Renji laughed and walked toward the safe with the key.

Kurono frowned. While he was confident he could control the situation in the room, he didn't want anyone seeing what was inside the safe.

"Wait, my friend, let me show you something good first!"

Bang!

Before he could finish speaking, Kurono pulled the trigger of the gun in his hand.

Watching Renji fall, Kurono smirked.

"You think you're some kind of spy? Pathetic."

"Strange, why hasn't anyone come to remove the body? These guys are getting more and more disrespectful!"

He opened the office door and stepped out.

Oddly, the hallway was eerily quiet, as if the entire building was empty.

"Wow! You're really rich!"

Suddenly, the sound of rummaging came from the office.

Kurono rushed back in and froze at the sight before him.

"How are you still alive?"

Renji held up a deformed bullet. "Oh, this thing's quality is terrible. It didn't even hurt when it hit me."

He wiped it off and casually tossed it back. "Be careful, I didn't control my strength."

Whoosh!

The bullet whizzed past Kurono's ear.

Kurono reached up and touched his cheek, his fingers coming away with blood.

It was clear he was no match for this young man. If Renji wanted to kill him, it would take no effort at all.

Panicking, Kurono shouted, "Who are you?!"

"Someone with your strength... just to mess with me?"

Renji smiled. "You're giving yourself too much credit..."

"Someone as narcissistic as you is rare..."

"You'll probably bring a lot of laughter to your cellmates in prison."

Kurono's face turned pale with rage. He took a deep breath, his teeth grinding.

He had never been humiliated like this before. The man in front of him didn't take him seriously at all.

"Everything I have was obtained legally."

To prepare for inspections, he had already legalized most of his assets. If anyone tried to accuse him of wrongdoing, he had nothing to fear.

"I just said you're rich. I didn't say your money was ill-gotten. Why are you so defensive?"

"Besides, I already have proof of your crimes."

Kurono was confused. "Then why are you here? If you have evidence, just report me and be done with it."

"Because I'm using your base to wait for someone. When that person arrives on this island, the first place they'll come is here. It's convenient to wait here."

"Since you don't have anything else to do, why not wait with me?"

"When the time comes, I'll send you off."

Those in the navy who uphold justice deserve respect.

But there are many like Kurono. Desire makes people abandon many things until they're blinded by it.