A few seconds later.
With a dark expression, Crocodile picked up the Den Den Mushi and spoke in a low voice:
"This is Crocodile."
Sakazuki's indifferent voice came through the Den Den Mushi:
"Enjoying playing the hero?"
Crocodile narrowed his eyes:
"What do you mean?"
Sakazuki's cold voice came from the other end:
"What do I mean?"
"The Shichibukai exist to curb the growth of piracy."
"Not so you can hide away in Alabasta and play the hero."
"Find a way to take the initiative and wipe out pirates."
"You have one year. That's your final deadline."
"If you can't prove you serve a purpose,"
"Then don't expect to keep your head."
"Useless wretch."
Click-
The call ended.
Being cursed out and scolded like a dog like this...
Crocodile nearly ground his teeth to pieces. The Den Den Mushi creaked in his grip, on the verge of being crushed.
Bang-
With a thunderous crash, Crocodile smashed the desk in front of him to pieces.
He casually tossed the half-dead Den Den Mushi onto the floor.
His entire body turned to sand and rushed out of the room.
That day... the sandstorms in Rainbase and several surrounding cities were especially fierce.
That evening.
An expressionless Crocodile returned to the owner's office at Rain Dinners.
By then, the ruined desk had been replaced with a brand-new one.
His subordinates had been waiting outside the door the whole time, trembling.
After all... this was the first time they had seen their boss so furious. No one even dared breathe too loudly.
Ignoring them, Crocodile pushed the door open and entered his office.
"Everyone, come in."
His subordinates filed in.
Crocodile sat in his swivel chair and lit a cigar.
The swirling smoke concealed his face and expression:
"If I wanted to curb the