Crocodile stopped his attack.
The other battles also came to an abrupt halt.
"Ahh! What do I do? What do I do?" Luffy panicked, staring at his shriveled, dried-out arms.
"This is the power of a pirate worth 200 million," Zoro and Sanji muttered warily, both now realizing the overwhelming strength of Crocodile.
He had defeated Luffy in an instant.
And his subordinates were just as formidable.
Truly, the Grand Line was a sea full of monsters.
But then—
They saw Crocodile acting submissively before Shakky.
Their eyes widened in disbelief.
They had heard of the Four Emperors before.
They knew the Sun and Moon Pirates were one of the Four Emperors' crews—
But until now, they hadn't truly understood what that meant.
Now, it was clear.
Even a 200-million bounty pirate like Crocodile had to humble himself before them.
And they understood something else—
Crocodile was using them as a bargaining chip to curry favor with the Sun and Moon Pirates.
Zoro and Sanji, both proud warriors, clenched their fists.
Being treated as mere pawns in someone else's scheme was infuriating.
"You're talking about simple ancient text, but what you actually want is the Poneglyph related to the ancient weapon, Pluton," Nico Robin calmly exposed Crocodile's real objective.
Crocodile's expression shifted instantly.
He was shocked.
She knows?!
Did they get this information from the Alabasta royal family? Damn it!
Crocodile's posture stiffened.
Since he was exposed—
There was no need to keep up the act.
His expression turned dark as he glared at Shakky and the others.
"It seems you refuse to cooperate. Fine, I'm leaving."
Kuke's name—
That was the wall Crocodile never dared to cross.
Turning swiftly, he prepared to leave.
"Who said you could go?"
Crocodile froze in place.
His jaw clenched.
So they really are targeting Pluton.
He turned back, his expression twisted with aggression as he locked eyes with Shakky.
Don't think that just because you're from the Sun and Moon Pirates, you can make me back down!
Kuke isn't here. The other monsters from your crew aren't here either. Only you—Shakky—stand before me.
Aside from her, Nico Robin and Kuina were of no concern to him.
"Pluton? I'm not interested."
Shakky smirked playfully.
"But Vivi is now one of our crewmates. You harmed her homeland—that debt needs to be settled. Little Crocodile, you're not leaving today."
Crocodile's face remained emotionless.
But the murderous glint in his eyes intensified.
"Witch Shakky, my concern is Kuke, not you," Crocodile warned. "If a fight breaks out, and someone dies, don't blame me when Kuke comes looking for revenge."
"Sigh."
Aokiji suddenly let out a tired sigh.
Shakky immediately shifted her attention to him—
Among everyone present, Aokiji was the only one she truly considered a serious opponent.
"I need to speak with Kuke. Crocodile, don't ruin the mood of the Sun and Moon Pirates with your nonsense," Aokiji said lazily, turning his gaze toward Crocodile.
A chill ran down Crocodile's spine.
Aokiji lightly tapped his foot on the ground.
A frigid blast surged outward.
A wave of ice spread across the harbor.
Crocodile had barely started moving when—
Crack!
He was frozen solid.
His entire crew was frozen along with him.
Yet—
The icy air only affected Crocodile's group.
Everyone else remained completely unaffected.
"Wha—what?"
Not just Usopp—
Even Zoro and Luffy were dumbfounded.
They stared blankly at the lifelike ice sculptures before them.
The monsters who had utterly dominated them moments ago—
Had been instantly defeated.
"So this is the power of an admiral…"
Zoro felt his scalp tingle.
With just a simple step, Aokiji had wiped out over a dozen enemies—
Including a 200-million bounty pirate.
"A monster like this… and yet, the Marines forced him out?"
Sanji was shaken.
How strong must the Marines be?
And how powerful must the ones who forced Aokiji out be?
Can we really conquer the Grand Line?
"Sun and Moon Pirates, I wasn't doubting your ability to deal with Crocodile," Aokiji said, raising his hands to show he meant no harm. "I just didn't want to ruin your mood. My only goal is to meet Kuke."
"The Ice-Ice Fruit… quite a useful ability."
Shakky glanced at Aokiji.
Aokiji suddenly felt a deep chill—
And it wasn't from his own powers.
"The captain isn't here right now. If you want to meet him, wait here."
That was all Shakky said.
In an instant, she was before the frozen Crocodile.
Despite his icy prison, Crocodile was desperately trying to break free.
Shakky nonchalantly stomped down on him—
Her foot, coated in Armament Haki, shattered the ice.
Then, she stepped on Crocodile's chest.
Then, she slammed his head into the ground.
Boom!
The earth cracked.
The harbor split apart, forming a massive web of fractures.
Crocodile lost consciousness.
Just like that—
A pirate worth 200 million was captured with ease.
Without a second thought, Shakky kicked his limp body aside.
Boa Sandersonia and the others promptly restrained him with Seastone cuffs.
Zoro and the others could only watch—
Their eyes twitching uncontrollably.
The man who had made them feel utterly helpless just moments ago—
Had been effortlessly subdued.
"So this is the strength of the true powerhouses of the sea…"
But what shocked them even more—
Was Aokiji's display of power.
Crocodile was captured—
But they all knew it was Aokiji who had truly made it happen.
After handling Crocodile's group, Shakky turned toward the Straw Hats.
"I, uh… I don't need to eat anymore."
Even Luffy wasn't dumb enough to push his luck now.
"This is all a misunderstanding!"
Sanji plastered on a flattering smile.
But then—
"Nami!"
Shakky's expression softened as she looked at her.
"I-It's me!"
Nami ran up to her excitedly.
Sanji instinctively reached out, as if trying to stop her—
But in the end, he simply let his hand fall, mouth clamping shut.
"Damn it… I really envy their captain."
Sanji's eyes glowed green with jealousy.
His gaze lingered on Nami…
On Nico Robin…
On Kuina…
On Makino.
Four incredible women.
He comforted himself, thinking,
"I'll meet more. One day, I'll meet five—no, six—women like this!"
"Nami?"
Shakky smiled at her.
"So you finally set out to sea. The captain actually came looking for you five years ago."
Shakky patted Nami's shoulder.
"I wanted to find you all myself. That was my promise with Kuke."
"You're lucky. When the captain sees you, he'll be very happy."
Then, Shakky turned toward the Straw Hats.
"You must've had a rough journey. Since Nami borrowed your strength to get here… we'll let you go this time."
Nami turned to the Straw Hats one last time.
"Thank you, Shakky," she said sincerely.
Then, she looked back at her former crew.
Waved.
"I'm leaving."
There was no hesitation.
Luffy pouted.
Sanji was so devastated, he literally pounded his head against the ground.
Only Zoro kept his eyes locked on Kuina.
"Kuina… I challenge you!"
Zoro drew his swords, taking his Three-Sword Style stance.
"You are…?"
Kuina tilted her head in confusion.
"I'm Zoro!"
Zoro's face darkened.
She didn't recognize him?!
"Oh. That name sounds familiar. So you went to sea too?"
Her tone was completely indifferent.
Zoro felt a pang of frustration.
"Years ago, I vowed that I would defeat you! Now, I'm challenging you!"
"Alright."
Kuina, ever the swordsman, never refused a duel.
She drew her blade.
"Three-Sword Style Secret Art—"
Zoro charged forward, unleashing his strongest attack.
But—
"You're still too early, Zoro."
Kuina vanished.
A shadow flickered past him.
A moment later—
She sheathed her sword.
Zoro froze.
His blades—
Cracked.
Shattered.
The battle was over.
"Wha—?"
Luffy and Sanji were stunned speechless.
Even Sanji, who usually clashed with Zoro, felt a twinge of sympathy.
------
DONT FORGET POWER STONE
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