"So the urgent matter you mentioned this morning was just going to slash someone?"
Bellemere couldn't hold back her sarcastic remark as she looked at the two half-dead men now lying in Michael's estate.
"Hey, as Marines, we've got to be ready to deal with potential crimes anytime, anywhere!"
Michael said this while extending his right hand towards Hawkeye, who was in a deep coma from severe injuries.
"Rejuvenation."
Under Michael's incantation, Holy Light flowed into Hawkeye's body.
Michael might be a bit underhanded, but one thing about him is true—he generally keeps his word.
Though Hawkeye was severely injured and near death, near death wasn't dead.
And so, he wouldn't let Hawkeye die.
After all, stumbling upon two SSR characters during routine patrols—how could he not make good use of them?
"They're both badly hurt," Hancock tilted her head, looking at the unconscious figures of Hawkeye and Crocodile lying side by side.
"But this guy with the weird-looking eyes is worse off."
"Aren't you scared at all?" Michael pointed to Sandersonia and Marigold hiding behind him.
"Look at your sisters—being afraid of blood-covered people is normal for little girls."
"But I'm already twelve," Hancock pouted. "And I'm destined to become the Empress of Amazon Lily, so no matter what, I can't show fear."
Michael nodded.
Compared to her relatively ordinary sisters, Hancock possessed Conqueror's Haki and exceptional talent in martial arts, placing her potential among the highest in the world.
A future powerhouse like her was bound to be different.
Listening to their conversation, Bellemere's lips twitched.
There's not a single normal person here!
Earlier, while she was training new recruits, the three sisters had volunteered to join.
Assuming they were just curious, Bellemere was surprised to find that even the shyest and most timid-looking Marigold displayed astonishing physical prowess.
Strange things were common on the Grand Line.
Even now, she was only just beginning to get used to it.
"Alright, you're only twelve, stop acting so grown-up," Michael stepped forward and ruffled Hancock's hair.
"It's past bedtime for kids."
"Fine, then you and Bellemere can enjoy your 'grown-up time' by yourselves."
Hancock pouted and led her two younger sisters toward their room.
Grown-up time...
Though she knew Hancock was just retorting Michael's "kids" remark, a faint blush still crept onto Bellemere's cheeks.
However, seeing the two sleeping children beside her, Bellemere smiled gently.
"If you're tired, you can let Nojiko and Nami sleep here directly. The guest room next door is always clean and ready."
"Aren't you sleepy at all?"
"Of course I am, but I really can't sleep tonight." Michael pointed at Hawkeye and Crocodile.
"Went through a lot of trouble capturing these two. Can't just let them die now, can I?"
He was counting on them to contribute to his Warlord project.
"But who exactly are these two?" Bellemere glanced at the massive black sword casually propped in the corner, then at the huge golden hook on Crocodile's hand.
"They don't look like the friendly type."
"The one on the left has only been at sea a few years but already has a 400 million berry bounty."
"The one on the right just started making waves and got an 81 million berry bounty right off the bat."
"Pirates?" Bellemere frowned, her voice trembling slightly. "I've never even seen an 80 million berry pirate, let alone 400 million."
"That's typical of the East Blue. It really doesn't have the conditions for big-name pirates." Michael shrugged.
"It is the hometown of the Marine Hero, after all. Why do you think there are no major pirates in East Blue? That old geezer cleans them up whenever he visits home."
"You mean Marine Hero Garp? You know him?" Bellemere suddenly grew excited. "He's my idol!"
"Of course I know him. I even arranged the midwife for his grandson's birth." Michael rolled his eyes.
"Besides, why idolize that old fool?"
"He's the Marine Hero!"
"I know, but it's not like he has three heads and six arms! If he did, maybe I'd consider idolizing him too."
Hearing Michael's casual nonsense, Bellemere realized he really was familiar with the legendary Marine Hero.
Familiar enough to casually mock him behind his back without hesitation.
Cough!
Just then, one of the unconscious duo let out a weak cough.
Michael looked up...
It was Crocodile waking from his coma.
After all, compared to his old injuries, Hawkeye was indeed more severely wounded.
Michael hadn't specifically treated their wounds, instead continuously stimulating their vitality with rejuvenation techniques.
As his fruit abilities developed, Michael had grown increasingly proficient with his Seraphim powers.
Lately, he'd even been feeling occasional itching around his wings...
As if something else was about to grow there.
But it was always just a little short.
"Where... am I?" Crocodile barely managed to open his eyes, gazing at the dimly lit ceiling with its flickering shadows. His hoarse voice sounded like sandpaper scraping.
"This can't be the afterlife, can it?"
"The good news is, you're not dead," Michael's voice came from beside Crocodile. "The bad news is, you've been captured by the Marines."
Following the direction of the voice, Crocodile saw the man who had nearly kill Hawkeye looking at him with an amused expression.
Beside him sat a woman with long peach-colored hair, comforting two little girls who were frowning in their sleep.
"But this doesn't look like a Marine prison."
"Whether you end up in prison or not depends on the choice you make."
As he spoke, Michael approached Crocodile and pressed his hand against the three sword wounds on his body.
Crocodile's already pale face turned deathly white in an instant and cold sweat instantly covered his forehead.
But his tone remained defiant.
"Just kill me."
"The more you want me to do something, the more I won't do it. That's just how rebellious I am," Michael said with a grin.
"And as for you, I happen to know a rather... interesting secret..."
Then, Michael leaned down and whispered something into Crocodile's ear.
Bellemere didn't catch much of it, only a few indistinct words like "gender" and "Ivankov"...
But what happened next completely stunned Bellemere.
The previously defiant Crocodile suddenly put on a smile.
"Well, I'll tell you everything I know and leave nothing out."
"Just please, let me go."
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