Spandine

A moment later.

The iron door slammed shut again.

Clang!

The heavy metallic crash echoed through the dim passage, making the walls tremble.

Rock turned to leave. Behind him—

"@#￥%#@￥#!!!"

"Lunatic!!!"

"Is there something wrong with every Marine's head?!"

"Vegapunk, you bastard—!!!"

Crocodile's curses rang out one after another, peppered with language too crude to repeat.

The guards' faces stiffened, sweat beading at their temples.

None of them had ever seen a Logia pirate driven into such a rage.

Rock did not even break stride. Only when he reached the corner did he say evenly, "You have half a day to think it over."

"When time's up, I'll choose for you."

His voice was calm, yet colder than any threat.

The iron door shut completely. A heavy bolt dropped into place, cutting off the sound.

Silence returned to the cell.

Crocodile's chest heaved, his anger still burning.

But his thoughts were in turmoil.

What Rock had just said—

It had rattled him more than Sakazuki's magma ever could.

"Turn me into a woman?"

He gritted his teeth, his face livid.

His curses gradually died away as reason returned.

He looked down at his hands.

No Seastone Cuffs. His power still flowed freely.

Yellow sand swirled gently around his fingertips. If he wanted—

A Sand Tempest could fill the entire passage in an instant.

The guards?

Marine Headquarters?

With his power, he might well be able to tear open a path and escape.

Yet that strange feeling still weighed on him.

That faint but unmistakable pressure.

That instinct telling him the moment he tried anything, he would be crushed.

It was no illusion. It was a survival instinct honed through countless battles.

"So this is... what gives you the nerve?"

Crocodile narrowed his eyes. Rock had not been bluffing. His confidence