Crocodile's Threat! Let Me Show You Despair

"Crocodile, Gecko Moria, Bandy World —although Redfield and Shiryu aren't here, they are indeed the top executives of the Cross Guild."

Zephyr also put down his binoculars, his face grave. "But how did they get here?"

That doesn't make sense; the Cross Guild should have only recently learned about Shuigu Town.

The Navy acted ahead of schedule to capture Ian, so what's going on here?

"Unless,"

Hero Garp said gravely, "They knew about our operation a long time ago. The Thriller Bark appeared then only to lull us into a false sense of security! In reality, they had already secretly arrived!"

That was truly a twist of fate.

Former Admiral Zephyr slowly raised the corners of his mouth. "Ian's sudden appearance has actually helped us."

"Hahahaha!"

The naval hero laughed heartily, "But with Ian on the team, victory won't be so easy!"

"Anyway, you can deal with that guy."

Zephyr answered without hesitation.

Of them, only this old bastard can fight Ian.

"Then leave it to me!"

The legendary naval Vice Admiral clashed his jet-black fists together and let out a hearty laugh.

So, I'm finally going to have to fight that bastard again?

Vice Admiral Gion gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, his palms glistening with sweat.

Ian!

She still vividly remembers the two crushing defeats in North Blue.

Naval warships surrounded the island.

This is troublesome!

Crocodile had some sweat on his forehead.

The navy fleet was led by Iron Fist Garp, and even accompanied by former Admiral Zephyr, while current Admiral Aokiji was also providing support from the side.

This is simply not a force they can handle.

"Hey, World,"

Crocodile turned and asked, "Is it possible to enlarge the coating now and cover the entire ship?"

Bandi World did not answer; he simply stared madly at the naval warships charging towards him.

"Fine! Fine! Fine! I'll take you all down!"

He shouted wildly.

Crocodile's brow twitched.

This guy is completely in a state of stress.

However, even after the coating is completed, it cannot leave by diving into the deep sea.

That Aokiji is nearby.

And even if he's not around, those two damn guys, Garp and Zephyr, can swim.

Crocodile was in a state of utter confusion. What should he do now?

In that case, there's nowhere to escape.

We need to change our approach.

Crocodile turned back and looked towards the shore, or rather, towards the small village.

Since the opponent is the Navy...

"Oh, what a coincidence, running into someone I know here."

A familiar voice came from the sky.

Crocodile was startled, then suddenly looked up in astonishment, and saw a figure standing on the ship's mast.

His pupils contracted to their limit instantly, and he almost instinctively called out his name, filled with utter disbelief and incomprehension.

"Ian?"

What's this guy doing here?

Could it be that he was the one fighting Ryde just now?

Crocodile is completely baffled; he has no idea what's going on.

However, some people quickly understood the current situation.

"Ian!!"

Moria had completely lost interest in the Navy. He looked up at Ian and roared sharply, "You bastard, die!"

I will never forget that in the Ringo region of Wano Country eleven years ago, the fiery bird that fell from the sky. We tried our best but couldn't stop it in the slightest. We could only watch helplessly as it fell from the sky, instantly causing heavy casualties among our companions.

Only this brat and Kaido, only them I will never forgive!

"Horn Knife·Shadow"

The dark shadow transformed into a long spear that shot skyward, and in a despicable manner, it stabbed towards Ian's lower body.

"I really miss those days."

Ian spoke with a touch of wistfulness.

Moria used the same move to start his attack back then. Thinking about it, that was eleven years ago, when I was only five years old.

Time flies.

As he reminisced, Ian unleashed a surge of Haki from beneath his feet, shattering the shadow spear the instant it was about to reach him.

"Damn it! Die!!"

Moria, having failed in his attack, looked down at Ian's shadow cast on the deck and grabbed at it.

No matter how strong this brat is, once his shadow is cut off, he's doomed!

Suddenly, a dark shadow descended from the sky, and with a loud bang, Moria cried out in pain and collapsed to the ground.

"Moria!!"

Crocodile couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

Is the difference in strength really that exaggerated?

That bastard Moria couldn't even withstand a single move from Ian.

"Really, Moria, you should pay a little more attention to the current situation,"

Standing on Moria's back, Ian spoke slowly, "Do you still have the luxury of waging war against me now?"

"Asshole!!"

Moria's pale face flushed crimson, veins bulged on his forehead, and muscles trembled all over his body, yet he still couldn't budge the man standing behind him; he was pinned down by Ian and unable to move.

Even Bundy Waldo, couldn't help but cast a surprised glance at Ian.

How can he be so strong?

"Alright, Moria!"

Crocodile quickly spoke up, "Now is not the time to start a war with this man!"

The approaching navy is already terrifying enough; if they were to engage Ian at this moment, wouldn't that be suicide?

"Ian!"

Crocodile looked at Ian with extreme wariness. "Why are you here?"

Who knows?

Ian kept tossing the small box containing the Vampire Fruit back and forth, while gazing at the approaching naval warships on the sea.

Crocodile's brow furrowed instantly.

What's inside that box?

Did he bring it?

No, that's not right.

This guy didn't bring anything; there's no reason for him to bring a small box.

This is what he found on this island!

Could it be that...?

Did he take away the fruit that Ryde wanted?

Was the battle that just took place in the center of the island because of this?

Is this bastard after this Devil Fruit too?

Crocodile made this deduction instantly.

But how could he know about the existence of the Vampire Fruit? Even the World Government should be unaware of it.

But that bastard Ian knew, he even knew that the fruit was on this island!

"Now you can beg me, Crocodile."

Ian chuckled.

"What?"

Crocodile, who was brainstorming, frowned upon hearing Ian's words. "You mean I'm asking you for something?"

"Shouldn't you beg me?"

Ian simply said, "You don't mean to think that you can defeat the combined forces of the Navy this time with just Ryde, do you?"

"Guhahahaha!"

Crocodile grinned, his laughter sounding mocking. "Don't talk nonsense. Do you think the Navy would let you go? In fact, you're probably their primary target, more so than us."

Ian just smiled.

Perhaps it is true, as he said, that he is seen as a greater threat by the Navy than by the Cross Guild.

But I can run.

Can you?

"Damn it! Why are the Marines here?!"

An annoyed voice came from behind.

Shiryu and a somewhat distraught Redfield rushed back together.

Crocodile immediately noticed Redfield's injuries, especially his face, which had been mangled and bloodied by Ian.

Was he really defeated by Ian?

The legends of the seas of the past can't compare to the emperors of this era.

but.

The injuries don't seem to be the main issue.

Crocodile noticed the dimness in Redfield's eyes.

Did Ian break your mentality?

What's the situation now?

Shiryu jumped onto the deck of the ship, glanced at Ian, and then asked casually.

Just like you see.

Crocodile said, "For some reason, the Navy surrounded us ahead of time."

Although he said he didn't know why, Crocodile looked at Ian.

It can only be because of that bastard.

Damn it!

There weren't enough people deployed in this village; they didn't anticipate this bastard's arrival!

"So what should we do now?"

Shiryu.

"Hahahaha!"

Loud laughter echoed from the sky.

Everyone looked up, and the naval hero was already galloping towards them, seemingly stepping on the air.

"Ian!!"

Garp roared, "Surrender to me!"

"Then, give my grandson back!!"

The old man charged straight at the ship without any regard for safety.

"You're here."

Ian's lips curled into a smile. He neither attacked nor fled, but simply looked at Crocodile with a light laugh. "What should we do?"

What is Kuro planning to do? He seems quite confident.

Crocodile has turned into yellow sand and flown to the dock.

Then, to Ian's astonishment, he placed his right hand on the ground.

"Corrosion Samsara!!"

The terrifying power of the Sand-Sand Fruit spread out instantly, plundering all the moisture. The earth turned into yellow sand in the blink of an eye, and even the houses in this small village collapsed into sand and gravel.

Screams echoed from all directions.

The villagers were engulfed by the yellow sand, and were about to be completely swallowed up at any moment.

"Oh!"

Ian raised an eyebrow.

genius.

This guy is a genius at being a villain.

They had already figured out how to deal with the naval attack.

"Crocodile!"

Vice Admiral Garp was about to pounce on Ian, instantly turned on him with a bloodthirsty glare, yelling, "What the hell are you trying to do, you bastard?!"

"Don't move, sailors."

Crocodile's lower body had already turned into yellow sand, merging into the sand below. He even leisurely lit a cigar for himself and calmly began to speak.

"Otherwise, these guys would be in serious trouble."

"Oh! There's that trick too!"

Shiryu really wanted to applaud Crocodile.

This bastard is truly top-notch when it comes to having no bottom line.

This tactic would be meaningless against Ian, but the Navy is a different story.

"You bastard!!"

Hero Garp gritted his teeth in anger.

"Ah la la."

On a distant warship, Aokiji, who had recently been appointed Admiral, scratched his head helplessly. "Although they aren't civilians from Affiliated Nation of the government, it doesn't seem right to just watch them die like this, does it?"

"That damn scumbag!!"

On the Dog-Head Warship, Zephyr slammed his hand heavily on the gunwales, leaving a deep handprint on the sturdy hull.

Ian couldn't help but laugh.

All I can say is that Crocodile was pretty lucky.

The Marines dispatched this time —Garp, Zephyr, Aokiji, and Momousagi —are all moderates.

Even Chaton, who has a lewd look on his face, is an upright navy officer who is well-loved by the citizens.

So now the navy is completely at a standstill.

If Kizaru or Akainu had been on this trip, the situation would have been completely different.

Crocodile actually found a way to break the deadlock.

Looks like we won't be able to see the show today.

"Crocodile, what do you want to do?"

Hero Garp landed on the edge of the sand, gritting his teeth as he asked.

"Make way."

Crocodile silently exhaled a smoke ring. "You can do whatever you want with Ian, but let us leave."

Hero Garp fell silent.

As they drew closer, the warships, which could now clearly see who was on the opposite deck, stopped.

What should we do now?

Crocodile merely sneered.

These naval personnel truly deserve praise for their unwavering commitment to justice.

Otherwise, this matter could have been quite troublesome.

Whoosh!!

A dark figure suddenly shot out from the deck of the ship.

"What?"

Crocodile was taken aback, and then saw Ryde charge straight at Hero Garp.

"Hey! Ryde! What are you doing?!"

Crocodile is going crazy.

The navy is too afraid to act, so what are you doing, you bastard?!

Crocodile could conclude that, compared to them, Ian was definitely the Navy's number one target!

By using these civilians as hostages, they might be able to escape this time.

But that bastard Ryde ruined everything!

"Garp!!"

Redfield completely ignored Crocodile's words and roared as he lunged at the Hero Garp.

"Hey! Ryde! Stop messing around!"

Even naval heroes have their troubles.

What if that bastard Crocodile kills someone?

But he couldn't just stand by and fight back.

As Ryde swung his umbrella at him, he retaliated with a punch that sent Ryde flying.

So strong!!

Flying through the air, Ryde's expression didn't seem to indicate any pain.

Garp, that old bastard, is still as strong as he was back then.

They're all about the same age.

Ian is right.

It's not just the body that ages, but also the heart.

Fear only invites disaster.

There was no hesitation in Garp's fist.

However, I am not like that.

Ryde flipped in the air and landed steadily.

He turned and looked at Ian on the deck.

"Oh?"

Ian raised an eyebrow.

Something seems different now.

But is there still a show to watch?

"Garp!! Let's fight after all this time!"

Ryde smirked and lunged at the Hero Garp once more.

"You bastard!"

Crocodile was disappointed in his son's lack of ambition.

He's clearly an old man, but he's more reckless than a kid!

"Never mind!"

Ryde's actions seemed to be a signal; on the opposing warship, Black Arm Zeff ripped open the button around his neck.

"Forget about the Cross Guild for now, take down that Ian guy!"

As he spoke, he sprang into the air and pounced directly towards Ian, shouting, "Gion Kake, come with me!"

"Yes!"

With two loud shouts, Momousagi and Chabuto followed closely behind him.

"No way?"

Ian sighed.

They really don't learn their lesson! Have they forgotten who cut off their hand?

"Alright, alright, let's leave it at that for now!"

On another warship, Admiral Aokiji also launched himself.

Shiryu glanced cautiously at Ian. "They're here for you."

"Hehehehehe!"

Moria, who was still being trampled under Ian's feet, laughed gleefully.

They were originally coming for them, but now the Navy has their sights set on Ian.

only.

"Navy! Die! Multiplier - 100x Slash!!"

A man leaped into the air, the blade in his hand growing enormous, and slashed directly at Zephyr was lunging at him.

"Bandi World?"

Zephyr called out the attacker's name.

"World!!"

Crocodile was grinding his teeth to powder.

Are they all brainless?

"Well, you can't blame us for that."

Accompanied by a lazy sound, the sea was instantly frozen.

Then.

Get out of my way!

A deafening roar.

Zephyr punched World's giant blade in half, then without pausing, he pounced on Ian in an instant.

"Surrender, Ian!"

Behind him stood Momousagi, who had already drawn her sword, and Chaton, whose face was grave.

But Aokiji was even faster! He raced across the ice, leaping up and about to pounce onto the deck.

"Tsk, they're all coming for me."

Ian clicked his tongue. "In that case..."

Just because you installed a robotic arm doesn't mean you know your own skill level?

Do you think you can defeat me just because you have more people?

"Let me show you what despair is all about."