Thunder Sky

Rock slowly sheathed his sword.

The violet-gold lightning along the blade faded bit by bit, settling into silence like a receding tide.

His gaze shifted slightly.

With just one look, Crocodile, standing nearby, narrowed his eyes.

In that instant, the meaning could not have been clearer: bring him back.

"Tch."

Crocodile clicked his tongue softly, seeming both displeased and resigned.

A cigar hung from his lips as smoke slowly spilled out around them.

"Always ordering people around..."

Before he could finish—

"Whoosh—!"

His body suddenly broke apart!

In an instant, he transformed into a violent torrent of yellow sand!

The grains surged upward, shooting into the sky!

Like a sand dragon soaring through the air, he arced toward the distant mountain wall that had been blasted apart!

Meanwhile, in the center of the plaza, Rock had already withdrawn his gaze.

His eyes slowly swept over the surroundings.

Collapsed houses, shattered streets, ground torn apart by sword energy, smoke and dust that had yet to fully disperse, and—

Face after face still frozen in shock and confusion.

Rock raised a hand slightly.

The movement was small, yet the entire plaza fell silent at once.

"My apologies."

He paused, his gaze passing over the damaged buildings.

"For the losses caused this time—"

"The Navy will take full responsibility."

As his words fell, it was as though a taut string had been gently plucked apart.

The next second—

"Vice Admiral Rock!!!"

"No, no, no!! There's really no need!!!"

"We're fine!!!"

"The houses can be rebuilt!! As long as people are safe, that's all that matters!!!"

The crowd instantly erupted, voices rising one after another, carrying obvious panic and reverence!

Some waved their hands desperately, some backed away again and again, and some nearly dropped to their knees on the spot.

What kind of