Straw Hat Pirates

His words were cold, edged with mockery.

"I hear your temper's been getting worse. You've driven off quite a few young people."

"From the sound of it, you really are hotheaded!"

Crocodile teased.

"Those little brats. Once I have time, I'll drag every last one of them back!"

"How dare they desert the West Blue!"

"Do they think I'm a pushover?"

Bullet's angry voice made Buggy, Rosinante, and the other young men shudder.

Clearly, in their minds, Bullet's terrifying authority was second only to Superior Officer Xia Le's.

As the man in charge of military affairs and deputy commander-in-chief of the West Blue, he was no gentle soul.

"Enough nonsense. Why did you contact me out of the blue?"

"And let's get one thing straight. I have no time to help a pirate!"

Bullet's voice was cold.

"Now that's something I never expected to hear from you!"

Crocodile laughed.

"Hmph!"

Bullet snorted.

He knew what Crocodile meant, but after so many years in the Marines, he had grown entirely accustomed to his identity. He even enjoyed it.

"Then I'll get straight to the point!"

"I contacted you for one reason."

Crocodile's voice suddenly grew low and serious. He glanced up at Xia Le, who sat across from him.

"Go on!"

Bullet said.

"That man is back!"

Crocodile spoke slowly.

"That man? Who?"

Bullet stiffened and asked in a low voice.

"Who else could it be?"

Crocodile laughed.

"Crocodile!!"

"I don't have time for jokes about this!"

Bullet roared.

Just then, another voice came through the Den Den Mushi.

"Bullet!"

"It really has been a long time since we last met!"

There was a trace of emotion in his words, but the voice was unmistakably familiar.

In an instant, Bullet's powerful frame went rigid, as though struck by lightning.

Only after