Hearing the system's voice ring in his mind, Creed finally exhaled in relief, his face pale.
That had been exhausting—the most drawn-out battle he'd ever fought. If not for his many hidden techniques, he might have fallen.
He dropped onto the ground, drained of stamina and Haki.
Defeating Crocodile had completed the tally of three SS-level opponents with treasure chests.
The condition for extracting an SSS-level ability had been unlocked.
And, unexpectedly, in addition to Crocodile's own [Purple Mystery Chest], the system had also rewarded him a [Tri-Color Chest].
This one had to be extraordinary—far beyond the purple tier.
After resting and recovering some strength, Creed glanced at the unconscious Crocodile. He hesitated, then shook his head.
Hauling a full-grown man across the desert in this heat? Just imagining the sweat mixing was nauseating.
Besides, Crocodile was a Warlord of the Sea. Unless the World Government issued a direct order, Creed had no right to capture him.
And though he knew of Crocodile's true objective—the ancient weapon Pluton—he had no evidence.
His own goal was complete: the SSS-level condition was unlocked.
He rose and walked back toward Rainbase.
Soon…
He returned to Rainbase to find the city ravaged by battle. The streets were littered with unconscious men.
Arcs of blue lightning still flickered in the air.
At the great crocodile statue plaza, Ain saw him return and let out a huge sigh of relief, her face blossoming into a sweet smile.
"You're back?"
She had never once considered the possibility of Creed losing. Even against a Warlord—he was the strongest in her heart.
Creed glanced at the men sprawled on the ground. They were all from Crocodile's Baroque Works.
It looked like they'd tried to capture Ain.
Instead, she had crushed them all.
Ever since eating the Goro Goro no Mi (Rumble-Rumble Fruit), her power had skyrocketed. And here, in the first half of the Grand Line where Haki users were rare, she was practically unstoppable.
"Let's go." Creed said.
"Mm."
"Hm? Where's Falkor?" Creed asked.
"There." Ain pointed.
Creed followed her finger—and his face darkened.
Not far away, several men lay lined up face-down.
Falkor, the little dragon, was crackling with lightning as it hopped onto one man's back.
Zzzt!! The unconscious body jolted like a patient shocked by a defibrillator, limbs jerking upward as a pained groan escaped his lips.
Then Falkor bounced to the next back, then the next, each victim producing a different pitch of wail—"Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So…"
The creature chirped happily, playing its own little symphony.
Creed's mouth twitched. Playful indeed.
"Let's go."
Falkor saw him and flew over with a cheerful cry, landing on his shoulder.
Together, the two and the dragon left Rainbase.
Only after they disappeared did the hiding citizens slowly emerge.
They stared at the devastated city in shock.
With Crocodile nowhere in sight, the outcome was clear.
A collective chill swept through them. Could this truly be real?
…
The next day, newspapers scattered across the world like falling snow.
In the New World…
On a nameless island, a pirate crew bought a paper from the news birds, then opened it—only for their pupils to contract.
"Oi, oi, this can't be… a huge event!!"
"What's with the noise?"
"A Warlord… a Warlord's been defeated!!" The man's voice shook with disbelief, cold sweat trickling down his face.
The others crowded close. At the sight, their eyes all widened, their breath caught.
A Warlord—defeated.
And not just any—Crocodile, the Sand Crocodile, who had once risen like a comet.
"Who beat him?"
They read further. The picture showed a handsome youth with a sword at his hip, his identity written beneath.
One pirate muttered aloud: "Half a month ago, at Sabaody Archipelago, killed several Supernovas… defeated the 500-million bounty pirate Iron Arm Savage… and yesterday—defeated Warlord Crocodile."
"Rank: Rear Admiral of Marine Headquarters. His… his identity is…"
The pirate's face drained of color, voice stammering.
"Well? Spit it out!" the others pressed.
He swallowed hard, trembling. "His name… is Monkey D. Creed… the grandson of Marine Hero Monkey D. Garp."
…
…
(End of Chapter)
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