Tap——
The crisp sound of leather shoes striking the floor echoed. Following the gaping hole in the wall, Bullet leapt straight inside.
He handed a few things over to Sakazuki:
"This belonged to that guy. Already swallowed by magma."
Sakazuki took them and glanced down—a finely crafted pistol with a leather holster, a pocket watch, and a short blade.
Buru buru~ buru buru~
The sound of a Den Den Mushi rang out. He casually tossed the items onto the ground.
"Useless."
From his coat, he pulled out a small Den Den Mushi. This was a private line, known only to a handful of high-ranking officials:
"This is Sakazuki. Speak."
The voice of Fleet Admiral Kong came from the other end:
"This is Kong. Sakazuki, where are you right now?"
Sakazuki replied:
"I'm in Alabasta."
"Discussing pirate issues with Crocodile."
Kong fell silent for a few seconds.
"...."
"Just now, the Alabasta branch lines nearly blew up from complaints."
"They're saying a Marine Admiral is abusing their national 'hero.'"
"All of it's been escalated straight to me."
"What's going on?"
Sakazuki cast a glance at Crocodile. Crocodile drew a sharp breath and hurriedly stepped forward:
"A misunderstanding, a misunderstanding, Fleet Admiral Kong."
"It was all a misunderstanding just now. I'll immediately send people to calm the populace."
Kong fell silent again for a few seconds.
"...."
"Fine. Just handle it properly."
"And one more thing, Sakazuki."
"After discussions within the government, a new Warlord of the Sea has been appointed."
"You'll need to make contact."
Sakazuki frowned, but said nothing more. Instead, he asked:
"Fine. Who is it?"
The voice of Fleet Admiral Kong came through:
"The new Empress of Amazon Lily—Boa Hancock."
"Before you head there, stop by G8 Branch and pick up the petrified soldiers from two Marine battleships."
"She's moody and unpredictable. According to intelligence, this is her first expedition."
"But her record is astonishing. Whether against pirates, Marines, or merchant vessels—"
"Anyone unable to resist her beauty was turned into stone, and their supplies plundered."
"Because of this troublesome ability, coupled with Amazon Lily's location, the government has decided to include her as a Warlord."
"Preliminary talks are done. You're to read the appointment aloud."
"Then make her release the petrified soldiers from those two warships."
Sakazuki's eyes narrowed.
"I see....."
"I understand."
They exchanged a few more words before he hung up the Den Den Mushi.
Bullet asked from the side:
"Change of plans, huh? Who do we hit first?"
Sakazuki sneered:
"Both."
"You go after that 'Marine Hunter.' Been watching him for years, finally got the time. Don't let him escape."
"I'll head to G8 Branch."
"Amazon Lily... tch."
"Fools who never learn. A few years ago, they dared to attack a Marine battleship. I let it slide then."
"And now they think hiding in the Calm Belt makes them untouchable."
"We'll see if they know their place. If not....."
"They'll die."
Bullet bared his teeth in a savage grin:
"Understood."
Crocodile's heart tightened.
At the same time, he felt a bit of relief. Though he'd been beaten half to death earlier... in the end, he'd submitted.
Otherwise, Sakazuki—who had just answered the Fleet Admiral and agreed to announce the Warlord appointment—would have hung up, only to immediately slaughter them.
His earlier attempt to rally public opinion? Crocodile now realized this was no bluff. If those pirates refused to cooperate...
Sakazuki truly wouldn't care about anything... he really would kill them all.
For now, Crocodile resolved to behave... until he found that thing. It wasn't the right time to flip the board yet.
While Crocodile was busy consoling himself, Sakazuki turned to him:
"Prepare a large ship."
Crocodile came back to his senses.
"Yes."
"You there..."
A few of his underlings rushed inside. Crocodile began issuing orders.
Sakazuki paid no further attention. He said to Bullet:
"Let's go."
And strode out.
Bullet nodded and followed Sakazuki outside:
"What about Enel?"
Sakazuki's voice came from a distance:
"Go find Rosin..."
The voice and figures gradually faded away.
Watching the two vanish, Crocodile exhaled heavily. He waved his men to get moving.
The battered office filled with swirling yellow sand.
Crocodile steadied his emotions and swept his gaze around. Suddenly, the edge of a photograph peeking out of the fallen pocket watch caught his eye.
Seeing half of Robin's young face in the photo, Crocodile's breath quickened.
Trembling with excitement, he yanked out the picture. It was a photo of young Robin together with Lorka.
No mistake... no mistake...
It's her!!!!
Unable to contain himself, Crocodile clutched the pocket watch and turned into a storm of sand, soaring into the sky.
The Devil Child who could read the Poneglyphs—the one he had sought for years—had appeared in Alabasta as if granted by fate.
This was destiny!
Even destiny was helping him!!
Find her! Find her!!!!
The Crocodile who moments ago vowed to lie low could no longer control himself.
As long as he found that 'weapon'—
What was Sakazuki? The entire world would kneel before him!!!!!!
Even the howling desert winds...
Seemed to echo with Crocodile's laughter...
Leaving Rainbase, Sakazuki sensed the jubilant winds and sand swirling through the city behind him.
The corner of his mouth curved upward. Leading his men, he walked further, toward the harbor.
At the Alabasta harbor, aboard a Marine battleship.
For once, Bullet wore a gentle smile as he gazed ahead.
Sakazuki looked at the man dressed once more in Marine uniform. He chuckled lightly and extended his right hand:
"Welcome home."
"Karol."
Evening, far from Rainbase, at the magma basin.
After frantically searching the city all day, Crocodile had found no trace of Robin.
Suddenly, a thought struck him. That man... he must have been helping Robin draw away the enemy.
Could she be there... Without hesitation, he flew toward the magma basin.
The endless desert was his scout. The moment he drew near, he sensed a faint, fragile presence.
Joy lit Crocodile's face. No mistake! He sped up further.
Swoosh——
Collapsed on the ground, Robin sat dazed before the magma basin. A vast shadow fell across her.
Her dulled mind stirred faintly. She lifted her head.
There, Crocodile's battered figure condensed into being.
He stretched his arm out before Robin, slowly opening his palm.
Robin's pupils shrank violently.
That was... Lorka's!!!!
Tears welled uncontrollably as her trembling hand reached for the pocket watch.
Watching the grief-stricken Robin, Crocodile smiled.
In a voice like the devil's whisper, he murmured:
"Do you... want revenge?"
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