A Shocking Revelation!

Crocodile had heard of Ace's reputation.

He had set sail from East Blue.

In just one year, he had become a Supernova.

He had fought Fisherman Jinbe, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, for five days and five nights without a clear victor.

Crocodile himself had once been one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

That meant that, in the World Government's eyes, Ace was a pirate worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as him.

That was why they had extended an invitation to Ace.

Only for Ace to reject it.

After that, Ace had headed to the New World and challenged Whitebeard.

In the end, he joined the Whitebeard Pirates and became the Second Division Commander.

Considering Ace's age.

He truly was a pirate with a promising future.

But...

Crocodile did not think Whitebeard would go to war with the Marines at all costs over a relationship like that.

For one thing, Crocodile believed he knew the Whitebeard Pirates well enough.

For another, something similar had happened before.

Kozuki Oden had once been the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates.

Whitebeard had regarded him as a brother.

Yet...

When Kozuki Oden was killed by Kaido, Whitebeard had taken no action at all.

Forget fighting an all-out battle against Kaido's Beasts Pirates.

He had not even fallen out with Kaido for Kozuki Oden's sake.

The two continued ruling their respective territories without interfering with one another.

And Whitebeard, though still the legendary Great Pirate, was now advanced in years and well past his prime.

To say that someone like him would go to war with Marine Headquarters for Ace's sake.

Crocodile naturally did not believe it.

He shook his head slightly, feeling that this was merely Kaze's wishful thinking.

Hearing this, Buggy also fell