Shanks: No Time? You're Dying?

He was not like these two young people.

Crocodile sized up the two before him, then nodded.

"Later, I'll arrange for you to join a squad clearing out monsters. You won't receive any special treatment. You should understand the dangers of fighting those things."

"We understand."

Zoro and Kuina nodded in unison, with Kuina speaking up.

After all, they had fought such monsters before.

It seemed they truly knew nothing.

Crocodile watched their expressions, then called someone in to take them away.

"What's going on?"

Reiju stood up and suddenly spoke.

"You noticed it too, didn't you?"

Hearing Reiju's words, Crocodile asked in return.

"The two of them are the Guild Master's junior brother and sister. They had been following the Guild Master all this time, yet they were suddenly sent here. Something must have happened."

"The Guild Master previously wanted the situation to remain deadlocked. Is something about to change?"

Crocodile guessed.

"There has indeed been a change, but it has little to do with you."

As soon as Crocodile finished speaking, Dunn's voice rang out.

Flames gathered, forming Dunn's body.

"Guild Master!"

Both of them tensed.

"The passage between worlds is about to appear."

Dunn's words jolted them both.

"Im's side probably hasn't noticed yet. There's still some time. During this period, bring the situation under control as quickly as possible. Once the passage opens, I'll force her to leave. But before then, a batch of transformed monsters may suddenly appear.

You need to keep that situation under control."

"Yes!"

Crocodile's heart tightened, and he immediately answered.

"But, Guild Master..." Crocodile's gaze flickered, as if he were hesitating. "Guild Master, there may be an even worse possibility, right?"

Dunn raised an eyebrow at this and turned to look at Crocodile.

That look startled Crocodile.

"You guessed right. An