One second, two seconds, three seconds.
Only after three full seconds did Foxy open his eyes in terror and shock, then stare wide-eyed at the man before him in disbelief.
How was this possible?!
There was no mistaking it. The time around him had stopped just now!
"What... what was that?!"
Foxy cried out in shock, waving his arms wildly.
This Time Stop ability far surpassed his Slow-Slow Beam. Anyone struck by it would have the space and time around them frozen.
It was simply an unbelievable ability!
"Well?"
River asked with a smile.
"That's incredible! Boss, you actually have an ability like that!"
Foxy shouted.
Along with his shock, awe and fear welled up in his heart.
Not long ago, the man had effortlessly crushed his crew. His domineering, ferocious display had already been shocking enough, and now he had revealed an ability like this.
This guy wasn't just strong. He was terrifying!
He was someone you absolutely couldn't afford to provoke!
But when had such a bizarre, powerful, incomprehensible... uh, Marine Intern suddenly appeared in the world?!!
Only now did Foxy realize that the man was actually a Marine Intern.
Standing nearby, Crocodile watched Foxy bounce around, a glint passing through the two eyes visible behind his mask.
Time Stop?
What a terrifying, nearly invincible power!
He felt a surge of emotion and gained an even clearer understanding of how terrifying River was.
Clearly, the world's understanding of this man was still far too limited.
They kept the same warship, now accompanied by a vessel with a fox figurehead. Naturally, Foxy's crew set off with them.
With more men under them, River and Crocodile would clearly have more time to rest.
They could leave chores such as replenishing supplies and purchasing goods to these fellows.
"Heh heh, I haven't had the pleasure of asking. Who might you be, sir?"
After witnessing River's power, Foxy turned and cautiously addressed the man in the demon mask before him.
Crocodile remained silent and gave no response.
"Ahem!"
Foxy felt awkward.
This guy was even harder to get along with than his new boss.
The two ships soon set off, one following the other.
After Long Ring Long Land, their next stop was Water 7.
There were few complications along the way. Even pirate ships seemed scarce on the vast sea; instead, they more often encountered patrolling warships.
When the warship reached Long Ring Long Land, River and the others did not disembark. They stayed there for only a morning.
The pirates aboard Foxy's ship were responsible for buying supplies.
"Hey, just who is this new boss of ours? Do any of you recognize him?"
"That guy is terrifying!"
"If he hadn't been wearing a marine uniform, I almost would've thought he was some vicious big-name pirate!"
"Who knows? But even the captain submitted, and he was forced to work for him for our sake."
"Yeah, that guy is terrifying."
Once they were far enough from the warship, the group finally found the courage to discuss him in hushed voices.
Their fear of River ran deep, yet they did not dare run away.
"But after spending these past few days with him, he doesn't seem like such a fierce person. He actually seems pretty easy to get along with!"
Gina, one of the female crew members, said, blinking.
"Now that you mention it, he's always very gentle when he talks to us."
"He's like a completely different person from when he fought that day!"
As they talked, they remembered Hamburg, who was still lying aboard the ship with his entire head wrapped in white bandages.
A fighter of the Foxy Pirates had been taken down in a single blow. It was simply unbelievable.
Meanwhile, River stood on deck, narrowing his eyes as he gazed at the city of water in the distance.
Water 7 had a strong artistic flair. Its terraced layout was beautifully expressed throughout the city, with streets and canals running side by side from bottom to top, blending together perfectly.
It was bustling and full of vibrant local charm.
"What are you thinking about?"
A raspy voice came from behind him. Crocodile, wearing his demon mask, stepped up beside him and looked at the city as well.
"I suddenly remembered that there are a few people in this city I admire."
A glint flashed in River's eyes as he spoke with a smile.
"Aren't you going to bring them in?"
Crocodile asked.
Not far away, Foxy pricked up his ears and listened closely. He had only just joined them and did not even know what these two men did.
This seemed like the perfect chance to gather information.
"Heh, the time isn't right yet."
River shook his head with a smile.
He was naturally referring to the CP9 squad currently hiding in Tom's Shipbuilding Yard. Without a doubt, both their leader, Pigeon Guy Rob Lucci, and his teammates were outstanding, elite fighters.
If he could recruit them into his own squad, the strength of his forces would undoubtedly increase again.
But as he had said, this was not yet the best time.
Recruiting members and expanding an organization required care. With exceptional talent, he could not simply rely on his own strength to suppress and intimidate them. He also had to judge the situation and find common ground with them.
Crocodile, for instance, had agreed to join only after River satisfied his needs.
That afternoon, the warship set off again.
After River and the others left, inside an office at Tom's Shipbuilding Yard...
A cold-looking Bare-Armed Man with a white pigeon perched on his shoulder gently picked up the papers on the desk. After scanning them, a chill appeared in his eyes.
"Daytime Tiger, River."
As he murmured the name and epithet, confusion and solemnity showed in his eyes.
Then he lowered his head and continued reading the relevant documents, his expression growing increasingly grave.
A short while later, he arrived at a dimly lit tavern in Water 7 with few customers.
After exchanging a glance with the man at the counter, he pulled aside a curtain and entered the back courtyard.
"Lucci!"
The long-nosed man in the courtyard called out when he saw him arrive. It was Kaku, an operative of CP9.
"Have you all received the orders?"
Rob Lucci swept his gaze over them and asked in a low voice.
"What kind of joke are the higher-ups playing?"
"We've been undercover here for years, and we're finally just one step away from success!"
"And now, at a time like this, they want us to carry out such a strange assassination mission?"
"Chapapa! If this mission exposes us, our undercover operation will be over too!"
At his question, the other members in the courtyard immediately began voicing their complaints.
"This mission comes from an even higher authority, and there is only one target."
Rob Lucci spoke without expression.
"Regardless of success or failure, all we have to do is follow orders and attack this man named River!"
Those words made everyone present look even more troubled.
"Regardless of success or failure? What kind of strange mission requirement is that?"
"And River—who is this man, anyway?"
Lucci raised his head and met their eyes, his tone earnest and grave.
"We must carry out the mission!"
"But I hope that every one of you here..."
He paused, his gaze turning complicated.
"Will still be alive when it's over."
Before you continue