One Piece: The True Codex

While William was busy inspecting the work of his various subordinate units, the political atmosphere in Kalmar City grew increasingly turbulent.

Arcadio and his two most trusted "generals" had been poisoned simultaneously. Such a blatant attempt to eliminate them all at once enraged Arcadio beyond measure.

The very next evening, Arcadio entered the royal palace and tearfully pleaded his case to Norton I.

Leaning on a cane and walking with a feeble, unsteady gait, Arcadio deliberately emphasized his frailty, presenting himself as a decrepit old man on the verge of collapse.

Norton I, seeing the elderly Arcadio shedding tears like a helpless child, was filled with sympathy. At least on the surface, it seemed that Arcadio's poisoning—and the fact that his only son still lay bedridden—was all due to his efforts to uphold royal authority.

When Arcadio requested justice from Norton I, the king found himself unable to refuse. He agreed to expand the authority of the investigative bureau led by Kuro. In addition to investigative powers, the bureau was now granted judicial authority.

...

That night, a mansion in the noble district of Kalmar City was brightly lit.

Kuro, dressed in a sharp suit, his hair slicked back and round glasses perched on his nose, stood with his hands behind his back. His cold gaze watched as his team of agents rummaged through the mansion with crude efficiency.

The investigative bureau under Kuro's leadership was a mixed group. A small number were former members of the Morgan Pirates under William's command. Others were soldiers discharged from the kingdom's army or fallen noble scions.

What these people had in common was their laziness, greed, and utter lack of discipline. Though they claimed to be searching for contraband, their actions more closely resembled looting. The mansion echoed with the sound of shattering vases and glassware, accompanied by the frightened cries of the women inside.

Kuro observed the scene with satisfaction, his gaze falling on the baron, whose face alternated between pale and flushed with anger.

"So what if I'm not a noble?" Kuro thought to himself. "With power in my hands, even the so-called highborn families with centuries of heritage must grovel before me, trembling and unable to resist."

"Sir," Kuro said slowly, his tone dripping with mockery, "you'd best confess. We've received reports that your estate is filled with contraband. It's only a matter of time before we find it. If you confess now, your punishment may be lighter."

The tall and thin baron's face turned livid with rage. "You lowly commoner! Lapdog! Who do you think you are to speak to me like this?"

"I am speaking to you as the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol Smuggling Investigations, addressing a suspect," Kuro replied, tilting his head slightly as he looked at the baron. "Do you have a problem with that?"

The baron gritted his teeth, glaring at Kuro. Suddenly, he turned to his tall and robust bodyguard and commanded, "Kill him for me!"

The bodyguard hesitated for a moment, but the baron screamed hysterically, "He's just a commoner! I'm a noble! If you kill him, I'll take full responsibility!"

Hearing this, the bodyguard no longer hesitated. He charged toward the seemingly frail Kuro like a raging bull.

Several agents from the investigative bureau tried to intervene, but the bodyguard swatted them away like flies, sending them flying with ease.

Seeing this, the remaining agents slowed their steps, reluctant to get involved.

Kuro narrowed his eyes as the bodyguard approached. Just as the man was about to reach him, Kuro lightly pushed off the ground with his feet. His body moved like a swallow, leaping gracefully over the bodyguard's head.

The bodyguard, having missed his target, looked bewildered. His massive frame stumbled forward a few more steps due to inertia before collapsing to the ground with a heavy thud. Blood gushed from his throat, quickly soaking the carpet beneath him.

Behind him, Kuro extended a hand. An observant agent immediately ran over, bowing and scraping as he handed Kuro a clean handkerchief. Kuro used it to wipe the blood from a short dagger that had appeared in his hand at some point.

"Add another charge," Kuro said disdainfully, looking at the baron, who was staring at the corpse with trembling legs. "Resisting arrest."

Moments later, several agents hurried over from the direction of the study.

"Director, we found the contraband!" they reported, holding up various bottles of fine liquor for Kuro to see.

Kuro took a bottle of amber-colored mead from one of the agents, a smug smile on his face. He waved it in front of the pale-faced baron. "Anything to say now?"

From the moment Kuro had entered the mansion, he had never doubted they would find alcohol. The prohibition laws were strict for the common folk, but for the nobles, they were nothing more than a joke. In the noble district, there wasn't a single household where alcohol couldn't be found. And even if there were, Kuro could always fabricate evidence.

"You... this... I..." The baron stammered, sweat pouring down his face as he struggled to find words.

Meanwhile, Kuro waved his hand dismissively. "Take him away!"

"Wait! I demand to see His Majesty! I demand to see Arcadio!" the baron shouted in panic.

Kuro ignored him. Two burly agents grabbed the baron, sneering as they cuffed him and dragged him away like a sack of potatoes.

Once the baron was gone, Kuro pulled a small notebook from his pocket. The notebook was filled with the names of nobles. He crossed out one of the names, revealing several others that had already been crossed out.

Kuro then poured some of the mead into several glasses, distributing them among his subordinates. He took a sip from his own glass and said calmly, "This baron hated us. If we let him go, he'll surely seek revenge. You all know what to do."

The agents exchanged glances and chuckled. "Don't worry, sir. We know exactly what to do."

"This mansion, now that it's without an owner, is unclaimed property," Kuro said, swirling his glass with a smile. "Tell the others they can each take two items when they leave. No more, no less."

The agents cheered excitedly. "Thank you, sir!"

...

Several hours later, at the residence of the Finance Minister.

Arcadio paced slowly in the reception room, deep in thought. The cane he had been leaning on earlier was nowhere to be seen, and his steps were steady and vigorous, showing no sign of the frailty he had displayed before Norton I.

After a moment, he turned to Kuro, who stood silently with his hands at his sides.

"The priority now is to find the mastermind behind the poisoning," Arcadio said. "Don't dig too deeply into other matters for now. Remember, don't expand the scope of your actions too much. It'll make it easier for the real culprit to slip away. And at this stage, we can't afford to make too many enemies."

"I understand. No escalation, no unnecessary enemies," Kuro said with a nod, though his tone was insincere. "I'll handle it as you've instructed. Rest assured."

~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~

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