Two days later, a piece of news spread across the entire sea.
One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Crocodile, was removed from the title of Warlord.
His bounty was reinstated and raised to 500 million Berries.
Countless people were shocked as they stared at the newspapers in their hands.
This paper clearly outlined the crimes Crocodile committed in the Kingdom of Alabasta.
Of course, the Navy had erased anything relating to the Ancient Weapon Pluton. But all of his other misdeeds were revealed.
He intended to incite civil war, seize control of Alabasta, and turn the kingdom into a living hell.
Every crime was listed out in detail.
…
In Alabasta, the citizens were in disbelief.
The man they had revered as a national hero who protected them from pirates—Crocodile—was actually such a vile monster.
It was beyond conscience, utterly unforgivable.
King Cobra, though he had already heard about this from the Navy, broke into a cold sweat when he saw it confirmed.
He hadn't imagined Crocodile's schemes would be so cruel.
Crocodile first raised his prestige until he was seen as a hero of the nation, worshipped by the people.
Then he planned to use Dance Powder to frame the king, plunging the country into endless drought and chaos.
Cobra knew the truth of Dance Powder—it was a forbidden substance. Almost impossible to obtain without extreme means.
But in a desert kingdom like his, if used repeatedly, it would mean eternal drought.
Then Crocodile would spread the word that the king was responsible.
The entire nation would rise against him.
The kingdom would collapse, corpses would line the sands, and Crocodile would claim it for himself.
And it wasn't just power he wanted. He was after the Ancient Weapon—Pluton.
Somehow, he had discovered that Alabasta's lands hid a Poneglyph, inscribed with Pluton's location.
If his plan had succeeded, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
Cobra's mind flashed back to that boy who had fallen from the sky—Creed.
It was pure fortune. Without Creed's intervention, they would have been powerless to stop Crocodile's conspiracy.
Cobra knew he owed him a debt greater than words could express.
…
And that wasn't the only news.
The Marine brigadier who exposed Crocodile's schemes and defeated him—Monkey D. Creed—had been promoted to rear admiral.
The youngest rear admiral in Marine history.
The moment the news broke, Creed became the idol of every Marine.
…
Meanwhile, at Alabasta's border port.
"Rear Admiral, you've been promoted."
Ain smiled at Creed. Falkor, perched on his shoulder, sensed Ain's excitement but didn't understand why—still, it chirped and cried out happily.
"Snap!"
Creed flicked his finger, giving Falkor a small knock on the head.
He glanced at the newspaper. He hadn't expected the Navy to promote him. It had been less than two months since he became a brigadier.
"Congratulations. You've broken the Navy's fastest promotion record," Momousagi said with a smile. Her every gesture carried elegance, and even she was impressed.
For the higher-ups to acknowledge him so quickly, his strength was truly undeniable.
If not for his young age, he could have been made a vice admiral immediately.
"Thanks. We'll be leaving now," Creed said.
Momousagi had to remain in Alabasta to handle the aftermath, so she wouldn't depart for a while.
"Safe travels," she replied.
Creed and Ain boarded a small vessel—one that Momousagi had brought with her.
The two slowly sailed away.
Their goal was Enies Lobby, to pass through the Gates of Justice and return to Marineford.
Time passed quickly. A month went by.
…
The sea voyage was long and dull.
Seven days later, the Crocodile incident had faded into casual conversation.
On a calm sea, their small vessel drifted slowly toward Enies Lobby, still a few days' sail away.
Falkor soared low over the water, eyes scanning for fish. Whenever it spotted one, sparks crackled in its tiny claws, and it zapped the prey before tossing it to Ain, who was busy preparing breakfast in the ship's kitchen.
The creature always found ways to entertain itself.
Suddenly—
"Ying!!?"
Falkor cried out in surprise.
A deafening roar followed, like thunder rolling across the sea.
Waves surged as a massive Sea King burst from the depths, its gigantic body towering above the water, sending waves crashing.
It looked like an enormous whale.
Creed froze. Why had such a huge Sea King appeared here?
Then he saw it—Falkor had its claws buried in the Sea King's nostril, discharging lightning.
Crackle—buzz!
The Sea King exhaled, blowing two massive streams of white vapor from its nose.
Falkor was blasted backward, tumbling through the air.
Then the Sea King's whisker whipped like a giant lash, striking Falkor and slamming it into the ocean.
Creed's eyes widened. Was Falkor alright?
He readied himself to strike down the beast.
But then—
"YINGYINGYING!!"
Falkor roared furiously, bursting from the sea.
It glared at the Sea King, enraged.
Its body swelled rapidly before Creed's stunned eyes.
From the size of a pineapple, it grew to nearly two meters tall.
Its presence radiated power and majesty.
With a roar, lightning runes lit up along its wings, arcs of electricity blazing around its body.
It inhaled deeply—then exhaled.
A storm of thunder erupted.
Creed's eyes widened in shock.
The terrifying power of Falkor had been unleashed.
(End of Chapter)
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