Chapter 65

Swept up in a storm of applause and Nota's prodding, Kuro found himself walking onto the stage in a daze. He stared out at the sea of faces below, all of them cheering for him.

'What is happening? How did I end up here?'

His mind raced. 'Is Captain Dante trying to buy my loyalty? What a joke. What do I even have that's worth buying? I'd be working here honestly anyway.'

As Kuro stood there, utterly bewildered, Captain Dante strode over and clapped a hand on his shoulder, his face a mask of sincerity. "I've been hearing things," he began, his voice booming with emotion. "About your dedication. It's only been a few days, but your efforts haven't gone unnoticed. Trainees keep coming to me, telling me how hard their new instructor is working. Thank you, Instructor Kuro. Thank you for everything."

'I have?' Kuro blinked. 'All I do is teach them a few things in the morning, then find a quiet spot to sit and think about lunch. That's 'hard work'?'

Before he could voice his confusion, Dante cut him off, turning to the crowd with a grand smile. "You don't believe me? Ask the trainees yourselves! Tell me, everyone! Who has guided your training, pouring his sweat and effort into your future, without a single word of complaint?"

As soon as he finished speaking, another round of applause erupted, as if on cue.

"Instructor Kuro!" they roared in unison. The name echoed off the walls, sending a strange jolt through Kuro's chest.

But that wasn't the end of it.

"Who selflessly dedicates himself to teaching you everything he knows?"

"Instructor Kuro!"

"Who nurtures you, like a diligent gardener tending his crop?"

"Instructor Kuro!"

"Who teaches you to look toward a brighter future with optimism and strength?"

With every line from Dante, the cheers grew louder. The raw enthusiasm of the crowd stunned the normally composed Kuro. He felt something unfamiliar welling up inside him. A warmth. A fire. Looking at the trainees below, a thought surfaced against his will. 'Is this... how they really see me?' 

At that very moment, many of the cheering trainees were just as confused.

'Why is it Instructor Kuro? Hasn't Instructor Kuro only been here for a few days? And didn't he only teach us Stealth Walk? Are there other things? Why haven't I learned them?'

"I remember Instructor Kuro just casually taught us something every morning, oh, and occasionally he'd suddenly appear behind everyone and bluntly point out someone's mistake! I even suspect Instructor Kuro spends the rest of the time thinking about what to eat for lunch, right?"

"What's wrong? Did Captain Dante say something wrong? Didn't Instructor Kuro teach us? If so, why are you all shouting along?"

"I don't know, I just shouted along with everyone, and Instructor Kuro really did teach us! Everyone's just happy that Instructor Kuro is being honored."

The crowd, who didn't quite know why they were shouting along, kept chanting "Instructor Kuro," and Kuro, who hadn't expected such widespread recognition...

At this moment, an unexpected harmony emerged.

On stage, Kuro adjusted his glasses, staring at the 'Excellent Instructor' certificate and the bonus cash in his hand. He looked down at the crowd chanting his name, and a faint, almost imperceptible smile touched his lips. 'Maybe... maybe I should start taking this teaching thing more seriously.'

But a part of him remained defiant. 'He won't buy my loyalty this easily. I'm the former captain of the Black Cat Pirates, damn it. If Jango can stick to his principles, so can I.'

He steadied himself, his expression returning to its usual calm. He would say a few polite words and get this over with.

Just as he was about to consider this moment a testament to his desire for a stable life...

"Although Instructor Kuro only arrived recently, our Branch will never forget his contributions. If not for his arrival, we would probably still be agonizing over how to structure everyone's training. He solved a huge problem for us! Therefore..." After winking at Nota, who was hiding behind him, Dante smiled with satisfaction.

He then extended a hand towards Robin, who stood smiling beside him. "I also have a special gift here for him, to express our deep gratitude for his contributions to the Marine 16th Branch!"

Dante took the small chest Robin had already prepared and handed over from the side, then offered it to the stunned Kuro with a smile. Only after a bewildered Kuro had taken the chest did Dante continue, still smiling, "Go on, open it!"

'...'

Kuro, who still hadn't figured out what was going on, stared blankly down at the chest in his hands.

'A special gift?'

At Dante's urging, he opened the chest, still confused. The moment he saw what was inside, he instantly froze.

'Devil Fruit!'

Under everyone's gaze and Dante's smile, he looked at the item in the chest in disbelief. That unique feeling he'd just experienced welled up inside him again, even clearer than before.

'Was this... what they called recognition?' An answer seemed to form in his mind. Kuro stiffly turned his head, looking at Captain Dante, who was smiling at him from the side. Just as he was about to open his mouth to say something...

Suddenly, *Snap!* A hand closed the box.

Dante closed the box lid and smoothly placed a Broadcast Den Den Mushi in front of Kuro's face. "Come now, Instructor Kuro! Is there anything you'd like to say to everyone?"

'Say something to everyone?'

Caught off guard yet again, Kuro just stared for a moment. Then, looking out at the smiling faces, something clicked. Holding the box tightly in his hand, he finally knew what he had to say.

He, a captured pirate, had been given this. He had been recognized.

'Jango... what is that idiot even thinking? When a man like Dante offers his trust, isn't that worth following? Dreams? Dante will lead us closer to our dreams than we could ever get on our own.'

Kuro took a deep breath. His voice was steady, but the corner of his mouth was still turned up in that slight, uncharacteristic smile. "Thank you. To the 16th Branch... to all of you... and to you, Captain Dante."

--**--**

Soon, the lively event concluded. Of course, the commendation ceremony had ended, but the banquet had only just begun.

Dante didn't disturb their enthusiasm. With a slight smile on his face, he walked towards the back of the venue with Robin.

Their objective for the day had been achieved!

Sensing his good mood, Robin asked elegantly, "You seem to have high hopes for him, Boss."

Dante shook his head without hesitation. "Not at all."

Before a confused Robin could figure out what was going on, she saw Dante beside her, expressionless, leisurely say, "I'm simply not very familiar with him. Even if an 'accident' happens later, I won't hesitate to act!"

Robin's smile returned, this time with a knowing, dangerous edge. "You really are a terrible person, Boss." She gently twirled a strand of hair around her finger. "Then again... so am I."

"Hahaha..." they both chuckled, a shared, sinister understanding passing between them.

Dante glanced back at Kuro, who was now surrounded by celebrating Marines. "Still," he said calmly, "that Devil Fruit really is perfect for him, isn't it?"

Just as Robin smiled in agreement, a sound cut through the air.

*Purupurpuru... Purupurpuru...*

Dante answered his personal Den Den Mushi, already guessing who was on the line. Before he could even ask Mock what was wrong, an urgent voice burst from the receiver.

"The World Government just invited me to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea! Boss... what do I do?"

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