"Next."
Crocodile's hoarse, icy voice echoed over the magma and sea of sand.
It was like the final bell tolling for the Paramount War that had lasted nearly two days.
Eight challengers.
Capone Bege, Doberman, Charlotte Daifuku, Loki, Onigumo, Charlotte Cracker, Jozu, Charlotte Oven.
All had met defeat.
Now, only the last one remained.
The miraculous phenomenon of time reversal appeared once again.
The continent, turned into a Rengoku by the fierce battle between the two men, visibly returned to its original state.
An hour later.
Teach was transported before Crocodile.
Under the tranquil Nightfall.
His face bore none of his usual seemingly simple-minded or cunning smile.
In its place was seriousness, focus, and even a hint of longing.
His blazing gaze remained fixed on Crocodile across from him.
His eyes held the ultimate greed for power that he had suppressed for decades.
"Zehahahahaha!"
Teach suddenly spread his arms and threw back his head in a brazen laugh.
"It's finally my turn!"
"Crocodile, you've really worked hard, but I'm taking this chance to become an Admiral!"
He no longer hid his ambition.
With every step he took amid his laughter, the ground beneath his feet trembled violently.
As though it bore the weight of his incomparably heavy desires.
Teach knew very well that if he wanted to reach the top of the Pyramid in this era.
He had to rely on the military's vast resources, and Admiral was the highest-priority position.
Just look at the current Admirals of Army Headquarters.
Other than Crocodile, all of them had reached the Martial God realm. That was the best proof.
Yet Crocodile merely watched Teach in silence.
He could sense that this final challenger was different from all the previous ones.
The difference was not in the strength of his power.
It was