At this time Kuro no longer cared about Smoker, he immediately used his silent step to flee into the distance.
Aokiji's body shot down quickly, he caught Smoker's thrown body. Seeing his friend's pierced chest, anger and shock mixed within him. With a wound this severe, Smoker wouldn't be able to survive.
"Smoker, wake up, damn it!"
Aokiji used his cold air to freeze the wound; instantly the blood stopped flowing. However, he couldn't freeze away the loss of life.
"You shouldn't... have needed... to take action..." Smoker tried to open his eyes looking at Aokiji, he forced a smile. "The World Government... can collapse... Celestial Dragons can... all die... but the Marines must not..."
Before finishing his sentence, Smoker's head drooped, he no longer breathed.
Aokiji's pupils enlarged, his breathing became increasingly rapid. He embraced Smoker's body while trembling violently, then slowly turned to stare at Kuro in the distance.
"You... must die!"
The killing intent of an Admiral exploded tremendously; cold air spread crazily to the surroundings. Pirates too slow to flee instantly froze into ice statues. An Admiral's rage could make corpses pile up for thousands of meters.
◆━⊰✿✧✿⊱━◆
"What's the meaning of this? Aokiji took action?"
On the Moby Dick, Whitebeard was stunned. Seeing Aokiji on the verge of great rage, he felt slightly puzzled.
Marco looked at Smoker in Aokiji's embrace, then muttered: "Aokiji and that Marine named Smoker have a fairly good personal relationship. It seems he was forced to take action because of that person!"
Kaido didn't care about that; he was already impatient: "Wororo! Since the Marine side already sent an Admiral first, let's not wait anymore. Let's end this battle as quickly as possible. I can't wait to charge into Mary Geoise and behead those five old men!"
The others also nodded slowly. Regarding Smoker's death, for them it meant nothing. Just an ordinary Marine member, didn't know him, just a small figure.
◆━⊰✿✧✿⊱━◆
Kuro himself didn't expect that because of him, the great war between both sides would start earlier.
Right at that moment, in the sky above, the Gold List that always stretched suddenly emitted bright light. Its golden eye opened and shone toward the earth.
[Gold List Rank 93: Smoker]
[Status: Dead]
[Killer: Kuro]
[His rank is now removed from the Gold List, replaced by Kuro]
...
[Kuro]
[World of Origin: One Piece World]
[Description: Captain of the Black Cat Pirates, code name The Man of a Thousand Plans. Possesses extraordinary intelligence, expert in strategy. Several years ago shook the East Blue, then faked his death with strategy. His strength suddenly increased drastically, suspected to be related to the Gold List's First Rank.]
[Abilities: Paramecia Copy-Copy Fruit user, Busoshoku Haki, Kenbunshoku Haki, Haoshoku Haki.]
[Current Gold List Rank: 93]
[Power Value: 256,745]
[Gold List Reward: Freddy's Gloves (Possesses indestructible characteristics, radiates fear aura, cruelty value +200, has ability to pull opponents into dream world, and wearer has ability to manipulate those dreams.)]
*WHOOSH!*
Simultaneously, a beam of light fell from the Gold List, shooting straight toward Kuro.
Kuro raised his hand to catch it.
The golden light faded, revealing a pair of worn-looking gloves. On each finger were sharp claws with brownish blood stains that couldn't be removed.
Just seeing these gloves already caused very uncomfortable feelings.
"Hahahahahaha—!"
Kuro couldn't hold back his laughter, his entire body trembled while holding those Freddy gloves. Smoker died, he successfully replaced Smoker's position in the rankings, and obtained Gold List rewards.
Meanwhile, pirates and Marine soldiers around them were all shocked. Even those who were fighting stopped and turned toward here. Most of them didn't realize what happened until the Gold List lowered its reward.
Smoker died?
Kuro replaced Smoker's position?
And who exactly is this Kuro?
Several pirates who were also targeting rankings and Gold List rewards appeared spirited and began moving wildly. They also wanted to take this opportunity to eliminate strong experts on the Gold List to obtain rewards.
However, big figures like Whitebeard, Roger, and Sengoku narrowed their eyes sharply. They noticed unusual information.
[Kuro's strength suddenly increased mysteriously, suspected to be related to the Gold List's First Rank.]
First Rank?
Sengoku took a deep breath; he instantly became wary and looked around full of concern.
Again this First Rank. Didn't he say he wouldn't interfere in this war?
Did he come?
Last time he met the mysterious black-robed man in Sabaody, the distance wasn't far from Mary Geoise. If that person joined the battle, then this war no longer needed to continue.
Moreover, this Kuro was on the pirate side; with his strength drastically increased because of First Rank, Sengoku couldn't help but suspect First Rank stood on the pirate side. This speculation made his hair stand on end.
Whitebeard and the others also thought hard. Shanks asked: "Where did this kid named Kuro come from? How could he have a connection with First Rank?"
Yasopp glanced briefly: "Seems like a small kid from the East Blue, his bounty is only tens of millions of belly if I remember correctly."
"East Blue again!" Whitebeard glanced at Roger. "East Blue really produces many talents. Replacing Smoker at rank 93, but his power value equals those in the top 50 rankings. That mysterious First Rank can even help people increase their strength? Could he also be from the East Blue?"
Roger narrowed his eyes and shook his head: "I don't know. Later call that kid and ask. Priority now is to hold back that ice kid; he's about to go berserk."
His words were true. At this time, Aokiji's killing intent had reached its peak.
Smoker's death had already made him nearly lose control, and the Gold List's recent changes were like pouring gasoline on fire. Smoker was already dead, but this person actually replaced his position and obtained rewards!
Aokiji couldn't tolerate this!
To hell with First Rank, to hell with rewards, to hell with waiting for the right time!
He no longer cared. Now, in his eyes there was only Kuro who had killed his friend.
He wanted life paid with life!
"Ice Saber—"
He opened his mouth, exhaling cold breath that slowly formed a very sharp ice sword in his hand. His gaze stabbed straight at Kuro in the distance.
Feeling that gaze, Kuro slowly looked up staring at Aokiji. At this time his heart didn't feel afraid; instead his eyes shone with excited enthusiasm. He slowly removed his ten-blade cat claws and put on Freddy's Gloves.
"Let's try with you, whether this Gold List reward is truly useful or not..."
The corner of Kuro's mouth curved into a thin smile. Suddenly, his body began releasing white smoke that spread very quickly to the surroundings, intending to pull Aokiji into it.
"WHAT?!" Everyone was extraordinarily shocked.
That was clearly Smoker's ability! How could Kuro have it?!