Chapter 99: The Seven Warlords of the Sea Appear [13]

"Crocodile?"

Confusion clearly showed in Mr. 5's eyes as he struggled to speak, "Why should I listen to that guy?"

So he didn't even know who his boss was.

"Then you mean you wanted to attack us on your own?"

Siano rubbed his temples, momentarily at a loss for words, "Since you recognize me, yet still dare to make a move, exactly who gave you the guts?"

"Misunderstanding, it's a misunderstanding!"

Mr. 5 wanted to cry but had no tears, his intestines nearly turning green with regret; he wished he could reverse time, return to ten minutes ago, and slap that overconfident version of himself across the face.

Was this really a rookie pirate crew that had just entered the Grand Line!

The captain didn't even need to act; just two people jumping out were Logia-type Devil Fruit users?

Those were Logia-type Devil Fruits.

Since when had they become as common as Chinese cabbage?

Having mixed in the Grand Line for so many years, he had only ever seen Crocodile, just that one Logia user, from afar.

That was even just a fleeting glimpse from the back of the welcome crowd when the man returned in triumph.

But today, just as he wanted to show off in front of those subordinates, he immediately bumped into two...

Seeing him in this state, Siano let out a soft sigh.

Really...

There were just too many inexplicable people on this sea.

Those fools whose ambition and brains were mutually exclusive always seemed to pop up.

Even someone as strong as Admiral Kizaru was performing a one-foot-one-Supernova show right there on the spot, yet there were still rash youths wanting to test if they could blow someone's head off with a single shot and make a name for themselves.

Siano shook his head and was about to say something when Mr. 5 before him suddenly widened his eyes, looking behind Siano with an expression of disbelief.

Someone else coming?

Frowning, Siano stood up and turned around; upon seeing the scene before him, his eyes immediately narrowed slightly.

Pitter-patter...

Unknown to all, a vast cloud of sand and dust had risen in the port; a dark silhouette gradually solidified within the sky-filling yellow sand, slowly walking out from within it.

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, a cigar dangling from his mouth, his gaze casual and languid.

If not for the golden hook replacing his left hand and the scar on his face adding a touch of ruffian flair, one could easily mistake him for a court noble stepped out of an oil painting.

"Your boss has arrived."

Siano glanced at Mr. 5, curling his lips, "Was it that you were still lying and playing dumb while facing death just now, or is this... merely a coincidence?"

"Coincidence?"

Biting his cigar, Crocodile spoke indifferently, "Of course this is no coincidence; I have been waiting for you here since this morning, Great Swordsman... Siano."

"As for these two..."

He snapped his fingers with a crisp sound, and Mr. 5, still in a state of shock, was instantly lifted by swirling sand and delivered to Crocodile's feet.

"Boss! Crocodile, you are the boss, Mr. 0, right!"

Finally realizing something, Mr. 5 shouted excitedly, "Save me, I'm one of your own, a high-ranking agent newly signed to Baroque Works, codename..."

Crocodile didn't even glance at him; his golden hook suddenly turned into quicksand, instantly piercing through Mr. 5's chest.

"—Merely a fool who insisted on butting in and seeking death!"

Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, the high-ranking agent's body rapidly shriveled; before he could even twitch a few times, he had turned into a mummy-like corpse.

"Hey, hey..." Nami stared dumbfounded, "What is this bastard doing, killing his own people?"

"You're next, Siano."

Crocodile spoke softly, his gaze sweeping one by one across the faces of the Sunset Adventurers' crew.

"Attacking towns, killing Marines, and you, former Marine Headquarters Colonel, White Hunter Smoker, murdering a member nation's king; the two of you have committed heinous crimes unforgivable by any measure!"

"Today, with my personal involvement, you pirates..."

He exhaled a large cloud of smoke, his coat behind him fluttering loudly amidst the yellow sand, "... not a single one of you will escape this place!"

"... I say."

Unable to hold back, Nami poked Smoker's arm, the closest to her, "Am I seeing things, or is that bastard's coat black, and doesn't it lack the two big characters 'Justice' on the back?"

Isn't this guy also a pirate?

Why does he speak in such a set pattern, acting exactly like those Marine officers who nearly tattoo the word 'Justice' on their faces?

"No."

Smoker sighed, "But he is also correct; the Seven Warlords of the Sea do indeed have the obligation to cooperate with the government and arrest pirates."

"Especially this one."

Smoker stared at Crocodile, "One of the first great pirates to join the Seven Warlords twenty years ago; over the years, he has helped the Marines capture countless pirates, even becoming the living billboard for the Seven Warlords system; even those old men and women at Headquarters who most oppose and detest the Seven Warlords system have nothing but praise when mentioning the name Crocodile."

"But, judging by now."

Smoker glanced at the dried mummy corpse on the ground, his tone not without sarcasm, "Beneath the surface of this model Seven Warlord hides quite a few unspeakable secrets."

"It seems you know quite a lot about me."

Crocodile lightly flicked off some ash, "Since that is the case, you should also understand that you rookies who have just entered the Grand Line are not on the same level as me; why not honestly put down your weapons and surrender, saving me some effort, how about that?"

"We know a lot about you."

Sister Sister Guyina suddenly spoke calmly, "But conversely, it seems you don't know much about us; have you become so arrogant as to think that you alone can defeat all of us?"

Swish.

Wado Ichimonji was drawn halfway; a snow-white cold light flowed between the scabbard and the guard.

It also illuminated the young swordswoman's resolute and clear, cold eyes.

A Logia-type Devil Fruit user?

Had this been back in Loguetown, she might have been unable to cope, but after more than ten days of arduous cultivation, she had already mastered Armament Haki and could apply it in actual combat.

She wanted to see whether a Warlord of the Sea could withstand her slash!

Siano remained silent beside her.

Unlike the crew members who had flown into a rage, the look in his eyes as he gazed at Crocodile held only regret and dissatisfaction.

As a Warlord of the Sea active in these waters, Crocodile's grasp of information regarding the nearby islands even surpassed that of the Marines.

That he had lain in wait and found him first came as no surprise.

But despite having a whole host of subordinates, he had chosen to come alone...

Where was Candle Bobby? Where was Okama Bobby? Where was Baldy Bobby?

And most importantly, where was Arm Bobby?

It should have been a Manchu-Han Imperial Feast, allowing him to shear all the wool at once to his heart's content, yet only a single dish had arrived?

This feeling of being underestimated...

"It really makes one unhappy."

The corners of Siano's mouth curled up; he twisted his neck, immediately producing a series of crackling sounds like exploding beans. Staring at Crocodile, long-unseen excitement flickered in his eyes:

"Hey, all of you get back on the ship! This guy is mine; no one is allowed to interfere!"

——

【PS: I took Ketotifen Fumarate tablets last night; the side effects were quite severe, causing today's update to be slightly delayed. My apologies. There will be two more chapters before midnight tonight.】

(End of Chapter)