"Damn it! Why the hell are the Marines here?!"
An irritated voice called out from behind.
Shiryu returned, accompanied by a rather disheartened Redfield.
Crocodile's eyes immediately caught sight of Redfield's injuries—especially that bloodied, swollen face, completely mangled from Ian's blows.
So, he really was defeated by Ian?
The legendary figure of the old era still couldn't compare to the emperor of this era.
But—
The injuries didn't seem to be the real issue.
Crocodile noticed the dullness in Redfield's eyes.
Had Ian completely shattered his spirit?
"What's the situation now?"
Shiryu jumped onto the ship's deck, glanced at Ian, and casually asked.
"Just as you see it," Crocodile said, "For some unknown reason, the Navy has surrounded us ahead of schedule."
Though he said he didn't know why, Crocodile's gaze was fixed on Ian.
It could only be because of that bastard.
Damn it!
There still weren't enough men stationed in this village, and no one was prepared for that bastard's arrival!
"What do we do now?"
Shiryu rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.
"Wahahahaha!"
A hearty laugh echoed from the sky.
Everyone looked up to see the Navy hero storming down, trampling the air as he ran.
"Ian!!"
Garp shouted, "Surrender to me!"
"And return my grandson!!"
The old man charged at the ship without hesitation.
"He's coming."
Ian's lips curled into a smile. Without defending or retreating, he glanced at Crocodile with a light laugh.
"So, what's the plan?"
What was Crocodile going to do? He seemed confident.
In an instant, Crocodile transformed into swirling sand and flew to the dock.
Then, much to Ian's surprise, Crocodile pressed his right hand onto the ground.
"Erosion Reincarnation!!"
The terrifying power of the Sand-Sand Fruit instantly expanded.
All moisture was drained away, and the earth transformed into sand in the blink of an eye.
Even the houses in this small village crumbled into grains of sand.
Screams echoed from all directions.
The villagers were swallowed by the swirling sand, almost completely consumed in the next moment.
"Oh!"
Ian raised an eyebrow.
A genius.
This guy is definitely a genius at being a villain.
He already had a plan on how to deal with the Navy's attack.
"Crocodile!"
Vice Admiral Garp, who was about to pounce on Ian, instantly bared his teeth in rage, "You bastard, what do you think you're doing!!"
"Don't move, Navy."
Crocodile's lower body had already transformed into yellow sand, blending seamlessly into the sandy ground beneath him. He leisurely lit a cigar and spoke calmly, "Or else these guys won't make it out alive."
"Oh! So that's your move!"
Ian really wanted to applaud Crocodile.
This bastard truly had no limits.
This move would be useless against Ian, of course, but the Navy was a completely different matter.
"Damn scum!!"
Hero Garp ground his teeth fiercely.
"Ara ara."
From a nearby warship, Admiral Aokiji, recently promoted, scratched his head helplessly, "They're not civilians from government allied nations, but it still doesn't look right to just watch them die like this, does it?"
"Damn scum!!"
On the Dog Head ship, Zephyr slammed his palm hard on the ship's railing, leaving a deep handprint on the sturdy wood.
Ian watched, wanting to laugh.
Crocodile's luck was really something.
This time, the Navy dispatched Garp, Zephyr, Aokiji, and Gion—all of them gentle-minded Navy officers.
Even the sly-looking Tokikake was a righteous Navy man beloved by the citizens.
So now, the Navy was completely frozen.
If Kizaru or Akainu had been here, the situation would be totally different.
Crocodile had really found a way to break the deadlock.
Looks like today's show was not going to happen.
"Crocodile, what are you trying to do?"
Hero Garp stood at the edge of the sand, gritting his teeth as he asked.
"Clear the way."
Crocodile silently exhaled a ring of smoke, "Do whatever you want to Ian, but let us leave."
Hero Garp fell silent.
The ships drew closer, now able to clearly see who was on the opposite deck, and stopped.
What should they do now?
Crocodile just sneered.
Now was really the time to praise these Navy men for their stubbornness toward justice.
Otherwise, today's matter would be troublesome—
Whoosh!!
A black shadow suddenly leapt from the deck of the ship.
"What?"
Crocodile was stunned, just as Redfield charged straight at the Navy hero, Garp.
"Hey! Redfield! What are you doing!!"
Crocodile was about to lose his mind.
The Navy was already reluctant to act, and now this bastard was stirring things up again?!
Crocodile was certain of one thing: compared to them, Ian was definitely the Navy's number one target!
Using these civilians as hostages, this time they might actually escape unscathed.
But Redfield ruined everything!
"Garp!!"
Redfieldfield ignored Crocodile's words completely, roaring as he lunged at the hero Garp.
"Hey! Redfield! Don't cause trouble!"
Even the Navy hero was a bit annoyed.
What if Crocodile went and killed someone? What would they do then?
But he couldn't just stand by and do nothing.
When Redfield swung his umbrella, Garp countered with a punch, sending Redfield flying.
So strong!!
Despite flying through the air, Redfield's expression showed little pain.
That old bastard Garp was still as strong as ever.
Even though they were roughly the same age.
Ian was right.
It wasn't just the body that aged—it was the heart too.
Fear only invites disaster.
Garp's punch showed not a trace of hesitation.
But Redfield's wasn't like that.
Redfield flipped in midair and landed steadily.
He looked back, glancing at Ian on the deck.
"Oh?"
Ian raised an eyebrow.
It seemed… something was different.
But was there still a show to watch?
"Garp!! It's been a while — let's fight!"
Redfield's mouth curled into a smirk as he lunged once more toward the hero Garp.
"You damn fool!"
Crocodile scolded him, frustrated beyond words.
Even though he was already an old man, he was more reckless than a kid!
"No matter!"
Redfield's action seemed to be a signal.
On the opposing warship, Black Arm Zephyr yanked open the collar of his neck.
"Forget the Cross Guild for now, take down Ian!"
As he spoke, he launched himself forward and pounced toward Ian.
"Gion, Tokikake, come with me!"
"Yes, sir!"
With two sharp shouts, Gion and Tokikake followed closely behind.
"Seriously?"
Ian sighed with some disbelief.
Didn't they remember who chopped off his hand?
"Oh dear, well, then let's do it this way!"
On another warship, Admiral Aokiji also launched himself into the fray.
Shiryu glanced cautiously at Ian.
"He's coming for you."
"Hehehehe!"
Moria, still crushed under Ian's foot, laughed maliciously.
Originally, the Marines had been after them, but now they were targeting Ian instead.
However...
"Marines! Go to hell! Multiply Slash—One Hundredfold!!"
A man leapt up, his blade swelling to an enormous size as he swung at the rushing Zephyr.
"Byrnndi World?"
Zephyr called out the attacker's name.
"World!!"
Crocodile gritted his teeth, nearly grinding them to dust.
Were they all brainless?
"Well then, we can't be blamed for this."
With a lazy voice, the sea instantly froze over.
Then—
"Get lost!!"
A tremendous roar echoed.
Zephyr's fist smashed the massive blade World swung, shattering it.
Without pausing, he immediately lunged at Ian.
"Surrender now! Ian!"
Behind him were Gion, blade drawn, and a serious-looking Tokikake.
And Aokiji was even faster!
He raced over the ice, leapt, and was about to land on the deck.
"Tch, they're all coming for me."
Ian smirked.
Just because you have a mechanical arm now, you think you don't have limits?
Think numbers can beat me?
"Let me show you what true despair feels like."
**********
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