Leave the Choice to Yourself

Doflamingo remembered the Celestial Dragons' true colors very clearly.

This is one of the reasons why Oboro sought to collaborate with him.

Judging from this... the World Government doesn't want to cause him trouble for the time being. Is it planning to hand him over to the Yonko after he arrives in the New World? While pondering this, the Hell Pirates traversed the clouds and mist, closely following the warship escorting Crocodile.

Several hours later, the naval vessels were far away from the Alabasta Kingdom.

Seeing that the time was right, Long immediately ordered the operation to begin.

There are three warships in total.

Without a word, Enel struck first, unleashing a terrifying bolt of lightning that pierced down from the sea of clouds, instantly destroying a warship.

The navy didn't even have time to react.

Despite the dark period Enel endured in Alabasta, his strength cannot be denied... At least, he remains an absolute powerhouse on this sea, just far from being at the top.

As for the other ship, with Oboro's palm pressing down, the massive vessel was blasted into the sea by the surging airflow and sank directly.

Only the flagship that was escorting Crocodile remained.

Then, a group of people descended from the sky and landed on the deck.

"Enemy attack!"

"Enemy attack!"

"Prepare for battle!"

On the ship, soldiers were screaming in terror.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it took only a moment of distraction.

The two auxiliary ships that were originally sailing side by side just... disappeared.

More and more soldiers began attacking the few black dots in the sky, but... it was all in vain.

The naval rear admiral who was in charge of the escort mission ran out of the cabin and saw the man in a suit slowly descending. He turned pale instantly and collapsed to the ground.

Hell Pirates.

I'm being watched.

Are they after the Crocodile?...

In the dark passageway of the lowest cell on the warship.

A commodore from the Marine Headquarters sat at the cell door with a colonel-level officer.

At this moment, Crocodile was lying on the cold, wet ground wearing a black and white prison uniform, with his limbs shackled with Seastone chains.

Including the neck.

Given his condition, it would be extremely difficult for him to even move, let alone eat.

The sergeant looked nervous; clearly, this was his first time accompanying his superior to escort a powerful figure like a Shichibukai.

Even though Crocodile had lost his ability to move, he still felt a chill run down his spine looking at the dark cell, constantly in a state of 'danger'.

In contrast, the brigadier general sitting in the chair was much better off, at least he could cross his legs and smoke a cigar.

You can speak to Crocodile in a stern tone, mainly asking Crocodile to confess his crimes.

However, no matter how the Brigadier General threatened or tempted him, Crocodile remained silent.

Boom! Suddenly, the ship's cabin began to shake violently.

Immediately following was a deafening explosion outside.

The brigadier was startled and immediately stood up from his chair.

Looking at Crocodile in the cell, "Your people?"

The chaotic sounds of soldiers fighting overhead, mixed with the noise of bullets and screams, could be heard.

As the warden, he could not leave the prison no matter what happened on the ship.

"His Baroque Works is already..."

The sergeant was pale.

Regarding Crocodile, the Navy has already made the 'handover' with the Nefertari Family quite clear.

Those who weren't caught or escaped were just remnants and didn't amount to much.

The government will continue to issue arrest warrants and offer rewards.

It would be enough if Crocodile, the key figure, were captured.

"Hello."

Compared to the two panicked marines, Crocodile was much calmer and more composed.

His cold gaze swept over the brigadier general outside the cell, and he shouted something.

"..."

The brigadier was stunned.

"If you want to live, loosen these chains right now... This is your only chance."

"Are you kidding me? Let you go?"

The brigadier general was so angry that he laughed instead.

Crocodile, seeing this, let out a cold snort, full of mockery.

The naval officer at the colonel level temporarily left to investigate the situation outside.

But several minutes passed, and the person still hadn't returned.

Even the Den Den Mushi in the Brigadier General's hand never rang.

The brigadier general's heart sank, a bad premonition rising within him.

"You're about to die... Take some time before you die and reflect on your pathetic life."

Inside the cell, the voice of the Crocodile rang out again.

"Shut up!"

The brigadier gave a loud shout.

"You think escorting me is a great achievement... but the fact that the Navy sent someone as insignificant as you this time means... you've been abandoned. Not just you, but everyone involved in this incident... you must all be having a hard time at Marine Headquarters, right?"

But Crocodile's mockery did not stop.

"At such an advanced age, he's still just a brigadier general... What a waste."

"Sengoku and He are indeed old men... When it comes to ruthlessness... I can't compare."

"Hehehe..."

"What nonsense are you talking about?!"

"You bastard... do you know who the attacker is?"

Crocodile's words caused the brigadier general to lose his composure on the spot, and he began to curse.

"It's okay... you'll find out soon enough."

After Crocodile finished speaking, he seemed to fall asleep.

No matter what the brigadier general said, he remained silent.

After a while, suddenly, the swaying boat became stable, and the 'noise' from above gradually disappeared.

An extremely oppressive atmosphere permeated the entire cell.

Da da da.

The sound of leather shoes clicking on the steps could be heard as someone descended to the lower deck of the ship.

They are walking along the passage.

Crocodile opened his eyes, which had been feigning sleep.

With a creak, the hatch was pushed open, and a figure appeared in the dim light.

The brigadier looked over, and his pupils contracted.

Although he couldn't see the other person's face clearly, he had already determined that this person was not a naval officer.

"You..."

Before he could finish speaking, the brigadier general's head was instantly severed by a sharp gust of air, splattering blood all over the wall.

The body slumped down.

"Waste."

Seeing that his target was about to be easily defeated, Crocodile said coldly.

Meanwhile, the murderer was also standing outside the cell door.

The two exchanged a glance.

"I told you, we'll meet again, and you'll thank me."

Long took off his round hat and smiled slightly.

"If you came here to see me make a fool of myself, you've already seen it... I'm not in the mood to talk to you right now. If you're hoping to rescue me and then expect me to thank you or agree to some condition, give up on that idea now. I've already said, don't compare me to that guy Doflamingo."

"So cold... This is not the attitude you should have towards your savior."

"Long teased."

"..."

Crocodile.

Oboro merely flicked his finger.

The bars of the cage in front of them suddenly twisted, forming an 'entrance' that people could pass through.

He stepped inside and stood in front of the Crocodile, which was lying sprawled out on the floor, bound to the floor.

Looking down at Crocodile with a condescending gaze, staring at his disheveled appearance and somewhat forlorn expression, "You know... we're not exactly good people, and I don't have the kindness to come and save someone I have no connection with."

"We are... One Piece."

"If we can't be partners... then we can only be enemies..."

"If I can't be your savior... how about I kill your enemy?"

"..."

Hearing Oboro's joking tone and seeing the cold glint in his eyes...

"..."

Crocodile was speechless.