Because Kane's warship moved extremely fast—
And his current sea route wasn't far from Alabasta—
It only took two days for them to arrive early at the desert kingdom's port.
"Report, Vice Admiral!"
"We've spotted pirate ships at the harbor!"
"They're looting civilians on shore!"
Bogey's voice carried anger.
Even though he loved money now—
He hadn't forgotten his duty.
Kane's eyes turned cold.
"Then what are you waiting for?"
"Capture them."
"Yes, Vice Admiral!"
Bogey immediately rushed out.
Kane followed behind.
The Town
The town was in ruins—
Burned buildings, scattered goods—
And the cries of civilians echoed everywhere.
Kane had seen this too many times.
"No matter how you look at it…"
"Pirates…"
"Deserve to die."
"Marines! The Marines are here!"
The next moment—
Shouts of battle erupted.
Marines clashed with pirates.
The enemy?
Just a nameless, trash pirate crew.
Against elite Marine soldiers—
They stood no chance.
The battlefield quickly became one-sided.
Crocodile Appears
"Crocodile-sama! It's Crocodile-sama!"
A woman shouted excitedly.
Everyone turned—
Faces filled with joy.
Even happier—
Than seeing the Marines.
Kane paused.
Then remembered something.
"…So this is that 'hero act' scene…"
He looked at the cheering civilians—
At the woman with worship in her eyes—
And couldn't help but feel—
Irony.
On a high tower—
Crocodile watched the battlefield.
He frowned.
Why were Marines here?
This was supposed to be Warlord territory—
Normally, Marines wouldn't interfere.
And worse—
They were ruining his "performance."
But when he heard the cheers—
His expression improved.
Then—
He jumped down—
And joined the battle.
The cheers grew louder.
But Kane's face darkened.
Because Crocodile's attack—
Had hit a Marine soldier.
A second-class soldier—
Severely injured.
Kane remembered him.
That kid—
Always charged at the front against pirates.
Even just now—
He had been leading.
"…You're really acting recklessly, Crocodile."
Whoosh—
Kane disappeared.
The next second—
He appeared in front of Crocodile.
A punch—
Wrapped in Haki—
BOOM.
Crocodile reacted instantly—
Turning into sand—
But it didn't matter.
Haki-connected—
And hit solidly.
The punch smashed into his jaw.
Crocodile was sent flying—
Crashing into a distant wall—
Dust exploding everywhere.
The entire battlefield froze.
"Crocodile-sama!!"
"Marine! What are you doing?!"
"Why attack Crocodile-sama?!"
Kane remained calm.
Then—
A terrifying killing intent erupted from him.
Like a storm—
Sweeping across everyone.
The kind built from a lifetime of slaughtering pirates.
Not even fully released—
Yet enough to crush civilians.
"Shut up."
His roar—
Silenced the entire field.
Pirates.
Civilians.
Even Marines.
All froze in fear.
Kane's eyes turned cold.
"Ridiculous."
"Didn't you see?"
"He injured a Marine who was protecting you."
Everyone froze.
Then slowly—
They looked toward the wounded soldier.
His arm—
Torn open—
Sand still embedded in the wound.
Guilt spread.
But then—
Someone spoke.
"Crocodile-sama didn't mean it!"
"He's our hero!"
"Collateral damage is unavoidable!"
That sentence—
Shifted the crowd.
Even in fear—
Their eyes showed agreement.
Kane's gaze turned icy.
Whoosh—
He vanished again—
Appearing in front of the speaker.
Before the man could react—
Kane grabbed his throat—
And lifted him into the air.
The man struggled—
Unable to breathe.
Fear flooded the crowd again.
Kane spoke coldly:
"So you're saying—"
"My soldier deserved to be injured?"
"That Marine who fought for you—"
"Deserved it?"
"Say it."
His grip tightened.
The man's face turned purple.
"N-no… not that…"
"Good answer."
Kane smiled faintly.
"But I'm still not satisfied."
"Let him go."
A voice came from the ruins.
Crocodile stepped out—
Blood at the corner of his mouth—
Eyes filled with rage.
Kane looked at him—
With pure disdain.
After being defeated by Whitebeard—
Crocodile had stagnated.
Stopped improving.
Chased shortcuts—
Like the Ancient Weapon.
In this world—
Strength is like rowing upstream—
Stop moving—
And you fall behind.
To think—
He once fought evenly with strong figures—
And later—
Lost to Monkey D. Luffy.
Pathetic.
"You say let him go…"
Kane smirked.
"If I do that so easily—"
"Wouldn't I lose face?"
Crocodile's eyes narrowed.
"As a Marine—bullying civilians?"
"Don't you feel ashamed?"
That line—
Resonated with the crowd again.
Their gazes toward Kane—
Shifted.
Kane laughed.
"Civilians?"
Then said lightly—
"Why do I feel like…"
"He's a senior agent of Baroque Works?"
Crocodile's expression changed instantly.
Kane smiled.
A true civilian—
Wouldn't stay that calm—
Under killing intent like that.
But honestly—
It didn't matter anymore.
Because now—
If he wasn't—he would be.
"Speak."
Kane said coldly.
"What's your identity?"
The man's face changed.
Before he could respond—
Kane added:
"I remember…"
"Mission failure means death."
"But if I catch you—"
"You might live."
"Though right now…"
"I'm not in a good mood."
"I might just kill you anyway."
Fear flooded the man's eyes.
Crocodile stepped forward—
Voice cold:
"You're quite arrogant, old Marine."
"I'm one of the Seven Warlords."
"And this is Baroque Works' territory."
"Since when do Marines interfere here?"
Kane looked at him—
Unimpressed.
Then said calmly:
"Baroque Works?"
"What the hell is that?"
"And the Seven Warlords?"
"What the hell are those?"
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