Crimson Meteor

On the deserted island.

The windblown sand finally began to settle.

The sandstorm covering hundreds of meters slowly receded like an ebbing tide.

The world took shape once more, the setting sun hanging on the horizon.

Orange-red light spilled down, staining the ravaged island blood-red.

At the center of the sand pit—

Bullet lay motionless.

His body was shriveled, his skin cracked, like a dried corpse drained by the years.

His dark blue Armament Haki had long since dissipated, and his breathing was so faint it was almost imperceptible.

Not far away, Crocodile slowly straightened.

Yellow sand flowed back from around his feet, returning to his control.

Sand churned at the stump of his left arm, solidifying once more.

He bent down and picked up the Golden Hook from the ground.

"Click."

The Golden Hook slotted back onto his severed arm as he panted heavily.

"Hah... hah..."

His chest heaved.

Wet blood still lingered at the corner of his mouth, but his eyes grew brighter.

"What a troublesome bastard..."

"Just what I'd expect from the Marines' monstrous rising star."

"You actually managed to last an entire day—in my Sand Tempest."

He looked down at Bullet, a calculating gleam crossing his eyes.

—Kill him?

The thought flashed through his mind, only to be dismissed a moment later.

Killing him.

Would accomplish nothing.

Taking him captive—that had value.

A rising Marine star, one of the monsters serving under Azure Dragon.

A bargaining chip like this was worth far more than a corpse.

He could trade him for supplies, territory, or even demand certain political concessions.

All good options.

Why wouldn't he?

It certainly wasn't because he feared some "Azure Dragon."

—Absolutely not!!!

At that thought, Crocodile's gaze sharpened slightly.

Vice Admiral Azure Dragon, Rock—the man who had stirred up a storm in