"You actually dared to provoke these two?" Even Hawkeye couldn't help but mock Crocodile's ignorance.
"They're the right and left hands of the Pirate King, the founders of the Cross Guild!"
"Damn it, of course I know that!"
Crocodile glared at Hawkeye through gritted teeth.
All of this was because recently, he... had gotten carried away.
Whether it was his mastery of the Sand-Sand Fruit or his confidence in his physical combat skills, they all gave Crocodile the audacity to challenge powerful opponents everywhere.
However, there was still a gap between him and the world's top-tier fighters.
The three lingering wounds on his body that hadn't fully healed served as a harsh lesson.
The only reason he came to Alabasta was to evade potential pursuit from the Cross Guild.
A single grain of sand might be glaringly obvious when seen up close.
But when hidden in the endless desert, it becomes untraceable.
"You still haven't said why you're here." Crocodile shot Hawkeye a cold glance. "Don't tell me you're here to finish me off while I'm down."
"I have no interest in killing you." Hawkeye tilted his head, studying the injured but still ferocious Crocodile.
"I was just wandering aimlessly across the sea... but now I do have a small goal in mind."
"What goal?" Crocodile snorted. "Never mind, I'm not interested. If you're not here for my head, then get lost."
"Can't say it's completely unrelated to you." Hawkeye remained unfazed by Crocodile's attitude.
"As the famous King of the Desert, have you heard of a mysterious and powerful marine force operating on the seas?"
Crocodile paused.
Marines?
What did the Marines have to do with them?
"Hawkeye, though you're not a pirate, you're not exactly on good terms with the Marines either. Strictly speaking, you're a criminal who's attacked Marines before."
"That's none of your concern."
"...Tch, fine. Of course I've heard of that infamous mysterious marine force." Crocodile stopped bickering and calmly explained, "Rumored to be a secret unit trained by Marine HQ, with no clear division of duties. They meddle in almost everything—from internal corruption within the Marines to hunting pirates and slave traders across the seas..."
"But aside from high-ranking Marines, no faction, not even the World Government, knows the true nature of this unit." Crocodile paused before continuing, "Don't tell me you've found clues about this mysterious marine force?"
"I've been tracking them for two full years." Hawkeye smiled. "All because I once witnessed those pure white flames. It was something that made me feel something from the depths of my heart..."
Hawkeye suddenly hesitated.
Under Crocodile's puzzled gaze, his lips moved several times before he finally uttered two words with resignation.
"...Fear."
"Fear?" Crocodile burst out laughing as if he'd heard the joke of the century.
"Someone actually made a freak like you, who wields a Supreme Grade Sword, feel fear!?"
"Sometimes, only by acknowledging your fear can you face it head-on."
****
Next morning
Bellemere managed to drag herself out of her hangover and guided by Stella, arrived at the estate where Michael resided.
At the dining table in the small garden sat five little girls of varying ages...
And Michael, who looked utterly defeated.
"Oh, you're finally here," Michael nearly burst into tears when he saw Stella and Bellemere.
"These five young ladies are impossible to handle!"
Hearing this, Bellemere couldn't help but smile in relief.
Finally, someone else was experiencing the torment of childcare!
"We're not impossible to handle at all!"
"You're the worst of them all!" Michael looked at Hancock, on the verge of tears.
In his entire life!
He'd never made so many different types of breakfast!
Even picky eaters should have some limits, you damn brats!
"Alright, Michael, today is Bellemere's first official day on the job. Stop fooling around," Stella stepped forward, picking up a piece of bread from the table that looked perfectly fine from the front but was completely charred black on the back.
She remarked sarcastically, "And judging by the quality of this breakfast... you really can't blame Hancock. Would you eat this?"
"Of course not!"
Michael wiped his mouth and stood up.
"Bellemere, starting today, you are officially appointed as the acting commander of the Alabasta Marine Branch, holding the rank of Marine Headquarters Captain."
"From now on, you will lead daily training and mission execution."
"Only report to me if there's something you absolutely can't handle."
Bellemere was completely stunned.
Although she knew she could jump from a branch captain to a headquarters captain, she never expected Michael to directly appoint her as the acting commander of the Alabasta Branch.
And from the sound of it, Michael was planning to delegate full authority to her?
"Uh, I just rejoined the Marines, you know."
"I know. Since you've just returned, there's no need to rush back to the front lines immediately," Michael nodded solemnly.
"The Alabasta Branch is a newly established unit, so the focus right now is on training and adjustment."
"Most importantly, Alabasta doesn't really need the Marines at the moment," Stella chimed in, continuing the explanation.
"You should know the size of Alabasta's standing army. Most pirates wouldn't dare to attack Alabasta."
Bellemere nodded in agreement.
A standing army of 600,000!
Most countries in the world don't even have a population that large.
This alone speaks volumes about Alabasta's national strength.
"But in the future, if Alabasta doesn't have top-tier Marine forces stationed here, it will eventually be carved up by those world-ending monsters."
"And the Alabasta Marine Branch was established precisely to prevent that scenario."
Michael placed both hands on Bellemere's shoulders and spoke earnestly.
"So, I'm entrusting the Alabasta Branch to you now. I have some business to attend to today..."
"...Too close."
"Huh?"
"I said you're too close!" Bellemere launched a high kick, which Michael effortlessly dodged.
"Huh? Why are you blushing?"
"I'm just full of energy!"
With that, Bellemere picked up the still-groggy Nojiko and Nami and bolted out the door.
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