"Crocodile?"
Mr. 5's eyes clearly showed confusion, and he spoke with difficulty, " Why should I listen to that guy?"
He didn't even know who his boss was.
"So, are you attacking us of your own accord?"
Shano rubbed his temples, feeling momentarily speechless, "Since you know me and still have the nerve to strike, just who gave you the courage?"
"It's a misunderstanding, a big misunderstanding!"
Mr. 5 was almost in tears, regretting so deeply he wished he could turn back time and slap the overconfident version of himself from ten minutes ago.
Are these guys really a rookie Pirate Gang who just entered the Grand Line?
No need for the captain to make a move; two random individuals jump out, and they're Logia-type Devil Fruit ability users?
Logia-type Devil Fruits are precious.
When did they become as common as cabbages?
Wandering the Grand Line for so many years, the only Logia-type user he'd ever seen was Crocodile.
That was during his moment of triumph, glimpsed from the far end of the welcoming crowd.
But today, hoping to show off in front of his subordinates, he bumped into not one, but two...
Seeing Mr. 5 like this, Shano sighed deeply.
Seriously...
This sea has far too many confusing individuals.
Always the kind that can only choose between ambition and brains.
Even with Admiral Kizaru performing one kick per Super Rookie on-site, there's still some bold fool trying to see if they can make a name with a single shot to the head.
Shano shook his head, about to speak, when he saw Mr. 5 suddenly open his eyes wide with disbelief, staring behind Shano.
Is there someone else coming?
Shano frowned, stood up, turned around, and upon seeing the scene before him, narrowed his eyes slightly.
Ssshhhaa...
It wasn't known when the port raised a large cloud of dust, and a shadow began to solidify in the wind-blown sand and walked out.
It was a man about two and a half meters tall, sporting a meticulously slicked-back hairstyle, draped in a luxurious dark brown fur coat, with a cigar between his lips, and an indifferent languid look.
If it weren't for the golden hook replacing his left hand and the scar on his face adding a thuggish air, he could be mistaken for an aristocrat stepping out of an oil painting.
"Your boss is here."
Shano glanced at Mr. 5 and smirked, "So were you lying foolishly with death at your doorstep earlier, or is this just a coincidence?"
"Coincidence?"
Crocodile, biting the cigar, spoke indifferently, "This is certainly not a coincidence. I've been waiting here for you since this morning, Great Blade Sword Master... Shano."
"As for these two..."
He snapped his fingers, and the shocked Mr. 5 was lifted by the dust and transported to Crocodile's feet.
"Boss! Crocodile, you are Mr. 0, right!"
Mr. 5 finally realized and exclaimed excitedly, "Save me! I'm one of your own, a newly signed High-level Special Agent of the Baroque Workshop, codename..."
Crocodile didn't even glance at him, as the golden hook suddenly turned into sand and pierced through Mr. 5's chest.
"—Just a fool who had to get involved and decided to meet his death!"
Mr. 5's body quickly shriveled, resembling a mummified corpse even before it had the chance to twitch.
"Hey, hey..."
Nami was dumbfounded, "Is this bastard even killing his own people?"
"You're next, Shano."
Crocodile spoke softly, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the members of the Endgame Adventurer Group.
"Attacking the town, killing Navy, and you, former Navy Headquarters Colonel, White Hunter Smoker, murdering allied kings... both of you have committed heinous crimes beyond forgiveness!"
"Today, with my personal involvement, you pirates..."
He exhaled a large cloud of smoke, his coat fluttering in the sandy winds, "Not one of you will escape this place!"
"... I say."
Nami couldn't help but poke Smoker's arm closest to her, "Am I seeing things? Isn't that guy's coat black? There aren't the characters 'Justice' on the back, right?"
Isn't this guy a pirate too?
How can he talk so articulately, just like those Navy officers who are about ready to tattoo 'Justice' on their faces?
"No."
Smoker sighed, "But he's not wrong. The Seven Warlords of the Sea indeed have the obligation to cooperate with the government and arrest pirates."
"Especially this one."
Smoker glared at Crocodile, "Twenty years ago, he was one of the first Great Pirates to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Over the years, he's helped the Navy capture numerous pirates, even acting as the poster boy for the Seven Warlords system. Even those old heads at the Headquarters who despise the Seven Warlords system can't stop praising Crocodile's name."
"But now it seems."
Smoker glanced at the corpse, his tone dripping with sarcasm, "Beneath the facade of this model Warlord, there's quite a few unspeakable secrets."
"Looks like you know quite a lot about me."
Crocodile flicked his cigarette ash lightly, "Knowing that, you should also understand, new entrants to the Grand Line like you are nowhere near my league. Why not simply lay down your weapons and surrender, save me some effort, huh?"
"We know you well."
Kuina suddenly spoke calmly, "But you, on the other hand, don't seem to know much about us. How could you arrogantly believe you alone can defeat all of us?"
Swish.
The Wado Ichimonji was half-drawn, a gleam of pale light shone between the sheath and the sword guard.
Lighting up the determined cold eyes of the Young Swordswoman.
Logia-type Devil Fruit ability users?
If it were back in Log Town, she might have been unable to handle them, but after these past ten days of rigorous training, she's mastered her Armament well, applying it in combat.
She wanted to see just how the Seven Warlords withstand her slashes!
Shano hadn't spoken a word.
Unlike his crew with ignited spirits, his gaze at Crocodile held only disappointment and dissatisfaction.
As a Warlord active in this sea, Crocodile's control over information exceeded even the Navy.
He wasn't surprised that Crocodile was lying in wait for them.
But despite having a large group of subordinates, Crocodile chose to come alone...
Where are my candle Bobbies, shemale Bobbies, bald Bobbies?
Most importantly, hand Bobbie?
It was supposed to be a full banquet, letting him fleece in one go, but ends up with just one dish?
This feeling of being underestimated...
"It really is annoying."
Shano's lips curled up, twisting his neck, crackling as if popping beans. He locked eyes with Crocodile, where an old familiar light of excitement flickered:
"Hey, everyone, get back on the ship; leave this guy to me, no one interfere!"
——
[PS: I took ketotifen fumarate last night; the side effect was heavy, hence the delay in today's update, sorry, there will be two more updates before midnight.]