One Piece: I Maxed Out Conqueror's Haki First Because I Can't Die

Crocodile paused, then understood and handed him a Root.

At that moment, the person with the most complicated feelings was probably his superior. Nearly a year had passed. Even if both sides agreed it had only been a transaction, what about the bond that had formed beneath the surface?

Just as Roger had recognized Xia Le and been willing to teach him swordsmanship, his commanding officer had recognized Roger too.

Several times, Crocodile had sat quietly behind the two of them, listening to their easy conversations and to his commanding officer's unusual ideas about the world and dreams.

He had heard Xia Le describe a world from his dreams: equality between people, strange ways of thinking, no nobles, and technology beyond belief.

He had also heard Roger excitedly recount the hardships and thrilling adventures of his life's journey.

His battle with Rocks at God Valley, how he had met Garp, the child he had found in a wooden chest, Sky Island ten thousand meters above the sea, the enormous Zunesha, the incredibly powerful swordsmen of Wano Country, and more.

Fssst!

The flame caught, slowly lighting the cigar between Xia Le's lips.

"Phew!"

He took a hard drag, then broke into a violent coughing fit.

"Your cigars are no good."

"Too harsh!"

Crocodile chuckled. "The Marines don't pay much."

He watched his young commanding officer silently smoke the cigar and blow white smoke ahead of him. It hid Xia Le's expression, leaving no clue what was on his mind.

Second by second, time passed. Bullet leaned over the ship's rail, watching people come and go at the harbor with mounting irritation.

Evens and the others waited quietly.

"Sir, should we report this to Marine Headquarters?"

T Bone hesitated.

He had always believed capturing Roger was a matter of enormous importance, one