Fleet Admiral Kong sat at the head of the table, his voice steady and commanding.
"The candidate for the Seven Warlords of the Sea is the so-called Desert King, Crocodile."
"As for why we've chosen him—first, Crocodile possesses a Logia-type ability, the Sand-Sand Fruit."
"Second, he holds a deep grudge against the New World's major powers."
"Not long ago, Crocodile fought a fierce battle against Hale Nock in the New World."
"In the end, his entire crew was wiped out. He barely escaped with his life."
"The government has already tracked him down."
"We're preparing to make contact—back him up, see how it plays out."
"If anyone has questions, now's the time."
The room buzzed with low murmurs.
Vice Admiral Tsuru folded her hands atop the table. "What about the Warlords' authority? How far does it extend?"
Kong crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair. "That was discussed in the Holy Land last time. They have legal rights to plunder—except against the Marines. If they attack a Marine vessel, their title is revoked on the spot and they're sent straight to Impel Down."
"And they're forbidden from large-scale plundering of government member nations, or using any means to control those countries. Everything else stays the same."
"For this trial, we'll give them whatever support is needed. Let them grow as quickly as possible. We'll see how it works, then consider adding more candidates."
Tsuru nodded, saying nothing more. Like most in the room, she had her reservations—but this was a direct order from the government. There was nothing to be done.
Kong glanced around. "Sengoku, your thoughts?"
Sengoku nodded. "No objections."
Kong turned to Sakazuki. "And you, Sakazuki?"
Sakazuki nodded. "No objections. Where is he? Let me be the one to notify him."
Kong eyed him suspiciously. "You're not just planning to kill him, are you?"
Sakazuki gave a low chuckle. "No, but I do intend to teach him a lesson. Show him how to be a good dog."
Kong grinned knowingly. "Fine by me."
He turned to the rest of the room. "Anyone else?"
With the top brass silent, the rest only shook their heads.
Kong nodded. "Then it's settled. Meeting adjourned."
———
Grand Line — Aboard Sakazuki's warship.
Barrett was in the thick of training, leading his squad in a brutal spar—fifteen on one, all using Haki.
Meanwhile, Enel sat atop the rail, golden fishing rod in hand. He wasn't so much fishing as electrocuting—using Observation Haki to sense the fish, then sliding the rod over.
"100,000 Volts: Discharge."
A brilliant white flash arced from the rod.
CRACK—!
The surface of the sea exploded, sending water spraying dozens of meters into the air. The crew was showered in a cool, refreshing mist.
Up on the second deck, Sakazuki beckoned a News Coo and snagged the latest paper.
"Hmph. A new year already, huh?"
The date on the front read: Sea Circle Calendar Year 1496, January 3rd.
He flipped through the pages. Nothing worth his attention.
He handed the paper to Karol. "All the soldiers bound for the Four Blues branches are in place?"
"Let them train for two years. I want them sharp when the time comes."
Karol smiled. "Understood."
Sakazuki asked, "Where's Crocodile now?"
Karol replied, "Latest intel says he's withdrawn from the New World. Right now, he's at the Sabaody Archipelago. CP agents are keeping tabs on him."
Sakazuki nodded. From the deck, the massive red trees of Sabaody were already visible on the horizon.
He narrowed his eyes, as if he could already see the chaos brewing on the island.
"Looks like our new Warlord is feeling lively. Full speed ahead."
———
Sabaody Archipelago — Grove 27, Lawless Zone.
As Crocodile crossed paths with two passersby, he struck without warning.
"Crescent Sand Dune!"
His arm morphed into a massive crescent-shaped sand blade, slashing through the two disguised CP agents.
Instead of cutting, the blade instantly drained all moisture from their bodies, leaving them shriveled like mummies, gasping on the ground.
The crowd scattered in terror, though a few bold onlookers watched from afar.
Having dispatched the two, Crocodile glared coldly around.
"Come out. I know you're there—your cover's blown."
Silence. No one emerged.
With a snort, Crocodile gathered his power.
"Desert Spada!"
Whoosh—!
Four razor-sharp sand blades tore through the air—one from the trees, one from the ground, one from behind a building, one from the crowd.
The four targets vanished in an instant, reappearing at a distance to surround Crocodile.
He eyed two of them—their signature black suits gave them away.
"Heh—government dogs, huh?"
But the CP agents, brainwashed since childhood, simply stared, silent and unblinking.
No one replied. The utter disregard stung, making Crocodile feel like a clown ranting to himself.
The setbacks he'd suffered lately, combined with the CP's contempt, finally snapped his restraint. A tornado of sand spun into existence in his hand.
"Sables: Pesado!"
A sandstorm tornado erupted, swelling with the wind, obliterating everything in its path.
Crocodile's face was dark as he hurled sand tornadoes in every direction. In moments, Grove 27 was transformed into a desert.
He became a living sandstorm, sweeping the area.
"Desert la Spada!"
Both arms transformed into four massive sand blades, which he swung at the gathered CP agents.
Clang!
Clang!
The clash of blades and swords rang out again and again.
Crocodile fought like a beast unleashed, rampaging through everything nearby. Even the giant trees seemed to shrink, sucked dry of their moisture.
At some point, four figures appeared at the edge of the battlefield. In the distance, a wave of Marine soldiers was rushing in.
Sakazuki surveyed the sand-choked chaos.
"Can't let him keep rampaging."
"Barrett."
Barrett grunted, eyes locked on the whirling sandstorm. A cruel smile split his face.
VMMM—
His body surged with power, slipping into Oni Aura mode, fused with dual-colored Haki. Azure skin, blood-red eyes, and a wicked grin made him look downright monstrous.
Beside him, Enel's eyes sparkled with awe.
"So cool!"
Barrett swept the area with Observation Haki, then slammed his foot down. The ground split in jagged cracks as he launched himself toward the heart of the sandstorm, clearing a path through the swirling grit with sheer force.
BOOM!
A thunderous crash. Crocodile barely had time to react before Barrett was on him, fist slamming into his chest.
The sandstorm paused, and Crocodile was sent hurtling to the ground like a meteor.
He barely managed to reform, wiping blood from his mouth as he stared at Barrett, grim-faced.
"Haki, huh? And what the hell is that form…? Damn. Where did this monster come from?"
Midair, Barrett kicked off, white shockwaves bursting beneath his feet as he dove at Crocodile again.
Crocodile quickly summoned his power.
"Sables: Grande Espada!"
A colossal sand blade, dozens of meters long and wide, swept toward Barrett.
But Barrett's savage grin never faded. He drew back his arm, shoulder forward, and crashed down like a living battering ram.
CRACK—
Shattering the giant sand blade, he barreled straight through—slamming into Crocodile with unstoppable force.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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