"Crocodile?"
Mr. 5's eyes were clearly filled with confusion as he struggled to speak.
"Why should I listen to that guy?"
So he didn't even know who his boss was, huh?
"In that case… you're saying you voluntarily attacked us?"
Shano rubbed his temples, speechless for a moment.
"You know who I am and still dared to attack? Who gave you the guts?"
"M-Misunderstanding! It was all a misunderstanding!!"
Mr. 5 looked like he was about to cry, already regretting his decision so much he could puke.
If only he could rewind time ten minutes and slap his overconfident self right across the face.
Was this really just a newbie pirate crew who'd barely stepped into the Grand Line?
Even the captain didn't need to lift a finger—just a couple of members popped out and bam, both were Logia-type Devil Fruit users?
We're talking about Logia types here.
Since when did they become as common as cabbages?
In all his years on the Grand Line, the only Logia user he'd even seen from afar was Crocodile—and that was just a glimpse from the back of a cheering crowd when the man returned in triumph.
And now? He'd just tried to act cool in front of his subordinates and ran straight into two of them...
Seeing his pathetic expression, Shano let out a long sigh.
Honestly…
This sea really is full of clueless idiots.
There's always some fool who thinks ambition and brains are mutually exclusive.
Even when an Admiral like Kizaru literally stomped the worst rookies into the ground, some dumbass would still pop up thinking he could score a headshot and make a name for himself.
Shano shook his head and was about to speak—
When Mr. 5's eyes suddenly widened in disbelief, staring at something behind Shano.
Another arrival?
Shano frowned and stood up. When he turned around and saw what it was, his eyes narrowed slightly.
Shhhhhh…
Dust began to stir across the port. A shadow slowly took form within the swirling yellow sand and stepped forward.
It was a man around 2.5 meters tall with slicked-back hair, draped in an extravagant dark brown fur coat, a cigar between his lips, and a lazy, indifferent gaze.
If it weren't for the golden hook in place of his left hand and the scar on his face giving him a rogue-like air, he might have looked like an aristocrat straight out of an oil painting.
"Your boss is here."
Shano glanced at Mr. 5 and grinned.
"So, were you just lying through your teeth a minute ago, or is this really just a coincidence?"
"Coincidence?"
Crocodile bit down on his cigar and spoke coldly.
"This is no coincidence. I've been waiting here since this morning, Tachi Swordsman… Shano."
"As for these two…"
He snapped his fingers, and the still-dazed Mr. 5 was instantly lifted by swirling sand and dropped at Crocodile's feet.
"Boss! Crocodile! You're Mr. 0, right?!"
Mr. 5 finally realized what was going on and shouted in desperation,
"Please save me! I'm one of you! A newly signed senior agent of Baroque Works, code name—"
Crocodile didn't even look at him. His golden hook turned into flowing sand and instantly pierced through Mr. 5's chest.
"—Just another idiot who chose to rush in and die."
To everyone's shock, Mr. 5's body shriveled in moments, becoming a dry, mummy-like corpse without even a final twitch.
"Wh-What the hell..." Nami stared, dumbfounded.
"He just killed his own guy?!"
"You're next, Shano."
Crocodile spoke softly, his gaze sweeping across the members of the Fallen Adventurer Crew.
"Attacking towns. Killing marines. And you—former Marine HQ Captain, White Hunter Smoker—murdering a kingdom's king under the World Government's protection. You two are unforgivable criminals!"
"Today, with me here in person, none of you pirates…"
He exhaled a thick cloud of smoke as his coat flapped wildly in the sandstorm.
"Not a single one of you is leaving alive!"
"…Hey,"
Nami couldn't help herself and nudged Smoker with her elbow.
"Are my eyes playing tricks on me, or is that coat of his black… and doesn't say 'Justice' on the back?"
Isn't this guy a pirate too?
Why's he talking like one of those Navy officers who practically tattoo the word "Justice" on their faces?
"You're not mistaken."
Smoker sighed.
"But what he said isn't wrong. As one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, he does have an obligation to assist the government in capturing pirates."
"Especially this guy…"
Smoker stared at Crocodile.
"One of the original Warlords from twenty years ago. He's helped the Navy catch countless pirates and is practically the poster boy of the entire system. Even the old fogeys in HQ who hate the Warlord system can't help but praise Crocodile."
"But looking at that shriveled corpse…"
His voice turned cold and mocking.
"Seems like our model Warlord has quite a few skeletons in his closet."
"You seem to know a lot about me."
Crocodile casually flicked some ash off his cigar.
"In that case, you should realize that rookies like you just entering the Grand Line aren't even in the same league as me. Why don't you all surrender now and save me the trouble?"
"We do know a lot about you."
Suddenly, Kuina spoke in a cold, steady voice.
"But clearly, you don't know much about us. You really think just you alone can take us all down?"
Shing.
Her Wado Ichimonji slid halfway out of its sheath, the blade's white glow reflecting in her steely, determined eyes.
A Logia user, huh?
Back in Loguetown, she wouldn't have stood a chance. But after ten grueling days of training, she'd mastered Armament Haki enough to use it in real combat.
Now she wanted to see if a Warlord of the Sea… could withstand her blade!
Shano, who had been silent until now, looked at Crocodile—not with anger like his crewmates, but with disappointment.
As a Warlord who operated in this region, Crocodile had more intel on the surrounding islands than even the Navy. So it wasn't surprising that he got here first.
But to show up alone, without bringing any of his subordinates…
Where was Candle Bobby?
What about Drag Bobby? Monk Bobby?
And most importantly—Arm Bobby?!
This was supposed to be an all-you-can-eat buffet. He was ready to fleece the whole gang for a massive haul. And now all he got… was one measly dish?
This feeling of being underestimated…
"It really pisses me off."
Shano cracked his neck with a loud series of cracks, his grin widening as excitement lit up in his eyes:
"Oi. Everyone, get back to the ship."
"This guy's mine. Nobody's allowed to interfere!"