Fate Was Sealed Long Ago

Crocodile slowly raised his head and straightened up.

He was not wearing a Marine uniform, but his bearing was no different from a Marine's.

"Vivi, apologize!"

Cobra's voice was stern.

Vivi hesitated, then bowed to the man before her. "I'm sorry, Uncle Xia Le!"

Xia Le smiled faintly and nodded.

With the misunderstanding cleared up, he had no intention of lingering.

"I still have a lot to deal with!"

"When I get the chance, I'll come back to Alabasta and see you, big brother."

Xia Le sighed softly.

"Go on."

Cobra nodded.

He knew how much pressure his younger brother faced. He also felt guilty that, as the elder brother, he could do nothing to help.

Worse, when Xia Le's subordinate had asked him to hand over the clue to Pluton to help his brother, he had refused.

Three days later.

The Thunderer sailed out of Nanohana Port.

Smoker and Buggy stared each other down without a word, each glaring fiercely at the other.

"Well, if it isn't an elite Marine officer."

Buggy was the first to sneer.

"Well, well. If it isn't Captain Buggy, the little pirate who made such a name for himself in the East Blue."

Smoker gave as good as he got.

When they had left the West Blue years ago, each had tried to make the other follow his chosen path. In the end, they had gone their separate ways, and neither had let it go.

"Doesn't look like you've done much with yourself!"

Buggy sneered.

"I heard you got caught and sent to Impel Down?"

Smoker chuckled.

Every line struck a nerve. The bloodshot veins in their eyes grew more pronounced until, at last, they lunged at each other and started brawling.

Now dressed in a Marine uniform, Crocodile glanced over with a cigar