"..."
The air in the hot spring seemed to freeze thick with tension.
Even the faint ripples on the water's surface appeared to halt as all eyes locked onto the violently pushed-open door.
"Splash—"
Crocodile was the first to rise slowly from the hot spring.
He scanned the room, his gaze landing on the hotspring owner and the panicked hostesses who had followed the Straw Hats inside.
Their eyes were filled with terror, unsure how to handle this sudden intrusion.
Uninvited guests had barged in, disrupting their boss and his esteemed guests' leisurely soak.
This was a disaster.
With a casual wave, Crocodile motioned for them to leave.
"No need to panic. You may withdraw."
They were just ordinary people—no way they could stop the individuals now standing before them.
As someone who had once challenged Whitebeard himself, Crocodile was all too familiar with the intruders.
Straw Hat—the rising star from the East Blue.
Ace—the 2nd Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Jozu—the 3rd Division Commander.
Vista—the 5th Division Commander.
Aside from the Straw Hat crew, these were all renowned figures in the New World—Whitebeard's trusted sons.
But was Straw Hat here to defeat him?
Were Ace and the others just backup for the kid?
Had the Straw Hat Pirates merged with the Whitebeard Pirates?
Did any of that even matter to him now?
Crocodile scoffed inwardly.
"None of it matters."
He took a deep breath before slowly turning to Luffy.
"Straw Hat, who exactly are you here to defeat?"
'You think I'm still the same old Crocodile?'
'Have you even seen who's backing me now?'
A smirk curled on Crocodile's lips, he was brimming with confidence!
Smoker—a Marine Headquarters Captain—sat right behind him.
Kuzan—one of the Marine's Admiral—was also present.
And most importantly—Captain Mike.
A man who could sway Admiral Aokiji with mere words, who had grievously wounded Dragon with a single slash, who could summon Admiral Kizaru of Marine Headquarters at will.
He—was Crocodile's new boss!!!
With him here, Crocodile had never felt more assured in his life.
Straightening his posture, Crocodile exuded an intimidating aura.
"Ace, Vista, Jozu… do you even know whose territory you're trespassing in?"
"How dare you act so recklessly?!"
Disturbing Mike's peaceful soak? None of you are leaving here alive!
...
Meanwhile, Mike observed the intruders with keen interest.
'Was this the original storyline playing out?'
The Straw Hat crew had actually chased them into the hot spring…
But why were Ace and the others tagging along?
And wow—why were Nami and Vivi frantically covering their faces with their hands?
Seriously, with gaps that wide between their fingers, who couldn't see everything?
'Moreover, between the fingers, two scorching gazes were fixed intently on my eight-pack abs!'
'Those eyes looked ready to devour someone whole…'
'And their heads were even steaming…'
'Are you guys seriously trying to deceive yourselves here?!'
However, at that moment, Mike sensed an even more intense gaze locking onto him.
He turned to see Kuzan staring at him with profound depth in his eyes.
"…Uh, Admiral, what's…"
That look was downright terrifying!
"Mike, kid…"
Kuzan curled his lips slightly, his tone calm yet laden with meaning.
"Is this the 'opportunity' you were talking about?"
Just moments ago, this kid had been discussing Fish-Man Island with him, saying he needed to wait for the right moment…
And then, mere minutes later…
Look who barged in?
Aside from Marco, the commander of Whitebeard's First Division, the commanders of the Second, Third, and Fifth Divisions were all here.
If he were to capture these commanders now…
Whitebeard's most cherished possessions were his family.
In exchange, wouldn't Whitebeard have no choice but to hand over Fish-Man Island?
'Mike, you're a freaking genius!!!'
'For the grand plan of the New Navy, today, I will go all out!'
"Opportunity…?"
"Uh…"
Mike watched as Kuzan stood up and instantly understood his intention.
'No, no—the opportunity I meant was after the Summit War…'
'This…'
'Well, this does seem like an opportunity too…'
'Ace and the others came knocking on their own…'
'If Kuzan captures them all…'
'Whitebeard, the man who would give his life to save Ace…'
'Three commanders in exchange for Fish-Man Island—Whitebeard would definitely take that deal!'
"Stay back. I'll handle this." Kuzan said coolly, his voice resolute.
As his words fell....
"Whoosh—"
Kuzan rose to his feet and strode toward the intruding Straw Hat crew and Ace's group, his gaze unwavering, an icy aura radiating from his entire body.
Gone was his usual laziness and indifference—replacing it was an overwhelming determination, chilling the atmosphere of the entire hot springs area.
"Crocodile, you damn villa—"
Luffy, still oblivious to the gravity of the situation, was shouting loudly.
But before he could finish, Ace suddenly clamped a hand over his mouth.
"Shut up!" Ace's voice was low and stern.
He gripped Luffy's shoulders tightly and forcefully shoved him back toward the Straw Hat crew, his eyes shifting to Kuzan, who had now stood up.
His expression turned deadly serious.
'My foolish little brother… standing before you isn't just one of the Shichibukai.'
'There's also one of the Marine Headquarters' top combatants—Admiral Aokiji, Kuzan.'
'And…'
'That man sitting comfortably between Smoker and Kuzan—he must be Captain Mike, Vista's target!'
'The fact that he could sit so casually between two high-ranking Marines—what did that imply?'
Ace suddenly realized the situation had escalated far beyond his expectations.
Things had taken a dire turn.
There was no room for hesitation now!
"Vista, Jozu, take Luffy and the others and retreat first."
Ace steeled his resolve.
"I'll hold them off."
"Ace, you—"
Luffy tried to break free, but Vista had already pinned him down, whispering to him.
"Fall back. None of us expected to run into Admiral Aokiji here."
"We'll cover you, go first!"
"Go, hurry!"
Ace urged again, the urgency in his tone growing stronger.
"We won't... we leave together!"
"Just go!"
Ace shouted one last time, but by then, a chill had already begun to spread through the air.
As Kuzan approached, the temperature plummeted, the biting cold growing more intense.
Kuzan's gaze was icy, like a wind sweeping through snow, filled with oppressive force.
"Straw Hat Luffy..."
He spoke, his voice low yet clear, "Fire Fist Ace..."
He paused, sweeping his eyes over the two of them, a flicker of complex emotion passing through his gaze.
They were the grandsons of his mentor—Vice Admiral Garp.
Garp had mentioned them many times, hoping they would grow up to join the Marines...
But now, it seemed fate had other plans...
Today, for Garp's sake, he could let them go.
But only this once.
His voice was as cold as winter.
"You may leave."
"But Vista, Jozu..."
"You two aren't going anywhere today."