Chapter 656
Port city of the Alabasta Kingdom: Rapeseed flowers
Chen Fan's ship was still docked here. The weather was clear and the breeze was gentle. The place, which had recently been rained on, seemed even more vibrant. All the people had smiles on their faces, and it was a peaceful scene. But there was something wrong with it. Everyone felt it, but they just couldn't figure out what it was.
In a restaurant in this town, Tina was drinking alone, her expression suggesting she wasn't very happy. A few days earlier, after reporting everything that had happened in the Alabasta Kingdom to the Marine Headquarters, her promotion order came down. She was promoted from Marine Captain to Commodore. Everyone knew what that order meant—it was simply giving her credit for capturing Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. She had done almost nothing, yet she received credit and a promotion. It was truly a windfall! Who could be so smug in life?
"Snap!" Hina downed a large glass of beer in one gulp, her face slightly flushed, looking very cute. Just as she was about to order another one;
Suddenly, a voice rang out, "Boss, give me the same drink as the beautiful lady next to me, and another one for this lady too, all on my tab." He then sat down next to Hina, leaning closer until he was practically pressed against Hina.
There's usually only one way to deal with such a rude person: grab them and beat them up. Unfortunately, Hina wasn't in a good mood, so this guy was just unlucky.
Hina turned her head and saw the person sitting next to her. Her expression was one of shock, followed by anger. It was all that bastard's fault! If it weren't for him, she wouldn't be here. If it weren't for him, she wouldn't have inexplicably gained this achievement and been promoted, leaving her feeling resentful. In the end, if it weren't for him, the Alabasta Kingdom would probably have been destroyed. This person was none other than Chen Fan, whom she hadn't seen in a long time.
Chen Fan was currently wearing a Hawaiian vacation-style floral shirt and shorts, making him almost unrecognizable to anyone who didn't know him well. The Navy Headquarters' wanted poster still Chen Fan in his black suit. Most importantly, it seemed like everyone in the Pirate World had terrible eyesight.
Chen Fan smiled slightly at Hina and said, "Long time no see! Hina, you've become even more beautiful!"
"Is this all you can say? I've heard it all enough. Even coming from you, it's nothing new," Hina said, pursing her lips and taking a sip of her drink. Her relationship with Chen Fan was unusual. Initially, they were enemies who had never met, then they became close friends, and finally, she discovered that he was the enemy she had been chasing all along. Then she uncovered what this enemy had been doing.
Although she knew Chen Fan wasn't a bad person at heart, she wanted to catch Chen Fan more than anyone else, wanted to beat him, wanted to trample him. This thought seemed to be a desire to possess Chen Fan entirely. She was shocked by this thought herself, but it was her heart, and she didn't want to deny it.
"Well...! Aren't all stinky men in the world the same? Of course, I'm the most handsome stinky man!" Chen Fan said, taking a sip of his drink.
Hina smiled slightly upon hearing Chen Fan's words and said, "So you admit you're a stinky man! And the most handsome? I think you're the most shameless."
"I've always considered myself a stinky man, but even stinky men have things they should do," Chen Fan said with a smile.
Hina raised an eyebrow and repeated, "The things we should do?"
"Yes! It's what a man should do." Chen Fan said.
Hina's expression changed as she realized what Chen Fan was about to do. She turned to Chen Fan and said, "Don't do anything foolish! This time, to prevent Crocodile from being kidnapped by other pirates along the way, five Marine Vice Admiral responsible for escorting him back to Impel Down."
"Foolish thing 220! A man has to do some foolish things! That's what makes a man!" Chen Fan smiled slightly at Hina and said. He wouldn't allow any other accidents to happen. Crocodile was a dangerous person. Who knew what conditions the Navy Headquarters would agree to Crocodile? Chen Fan didn't trust those high-ranking Marines. Those bastards would do anything for the sake of balance. With Crocodile's resentment, he would definitely take revenge on this country. As Vivi's man, of course he had to do something. Chen Fan understood the principle that wildfire cannot be extinguished, and the spring breeze will bring it back to life.
Seeing that Chen Fan's expression wasn't a joke, Hina stopped insisting and waved her hand, saying, "Whatever, but you're not allowed to attack the Navy this time, or I'll hate you for the rest of my life."
"Well...! Actually, it's a blessing to have a beautiful woman remember you for a lifetime." Chen Fan said to Hina with a smile, then put the money on the table and turned to leave. However, Hina could tell that Chen Fan had already agreed to the condition.
"You damn bastard! One day I'll catch you myself. I'll let you go this time! But next time I'll make you pay!" Hina said angrily to Chen Fan's back. She couldn't help but think of the kiss Chen Fan had given her not long ago; it was the first time she had ever been so intimately touched by a man.
"I look forward to that day!" Chen Fan said, waving his hand with his back to Hina, and left for the port, where Crocodile was being held captive.
Chapter 178 Government Intent
(Chapter 178 Government Plans)
The Navy Headquarters has announced Crocodile's capture to the entire world. Some are eager for Crocodile's head, as Shichibukai must have many enemies. Even among the Four Emperors of the New World, they are nominally enemies, and it would be strange if they didn't kill each other upon meeting. Others want to bring Crocodile under their command, given Crocodile immense strength. No one knows exactly how many pirates will come, but it's certain they won't be any big shots; they'll mostly be small fry.
Although the town appeared peaceful on the surface, everyone—from fruit vendors on the street to tourists feasting in restaurants—was subtly scanning the unfamiliar faces around them. Some were pirates, others were naval personnel, hence the eerie atmosphere. This wasn't just about escorting Crocodile; the Navy Headquarters also wanted to teach these pirates a lesson. Lately, these pirates had become increasingly brazen, and Crocodile had even tarnished the image of the World Government. The government needed something to regain face, and the best way was to crack down on a gang of bandits. The target was obvious: a pirate with a bounty exceeding 100 million on the first half of the Grand Line, and conveniently located nearby—near the place where Crocodile had a grudge.
Chen Fan understood the Navy Headquarters' intentions perfectly well. But even if he did, what could he do? If the pit ahead was big and long enough but not deep enough, he would still jump in to avoid trouble. Besides, Chen Fan didn't care if the Navy increased his bounty again.
Crocodile wore an indifferent expression, looking at the five Vice Admiral around him with a mocking smile. It seemed the five Vice Admiral were already giving Crocodile considerable face, demonstrating the government's respect for Crocodile and deterring potential threats. However, this was all just a facade. It was impossible for them to escort him without sending a Navy Headquarters Admiral. The Navy was quite the actor; their objective was clear: capture or kill Chen Fan alive, send him back to Impel Down, eliminate some pirates, and promote the Navy's prestige—a multi-pronged approach. There was no reason they wouldn't send an Admiral. Of course, only these five Headquarters Vice Admiral knew this information, but they didn't even know which of the three Navy Headquarters Admiral would be sent.
"What's so funny? Pirates are pirates, pirates are all evil, the Navy is the only force of justice. How many innocent people have been affected and died because of your ambition? Don't you have any regrets now?" A Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral was furious when he saw Crocodile's smile.
Crocodile laughed, "I was at least once an ally of the Navy, you know. It's so hurtful to say that. I hand over a lot of treasure every year, all obtained by plundering the people here. You Navy are just colluding with me. I do dirty things, while you're always so righteous and hypocritical, even more so than me. What right do you have to talk about me like that? Hahahaha..."