Tap-
The crisp click of leather shoes rang out as Bullet leaped straight through the gaping hole in the wall.
He handed Sakazuki a few things:
"These belonged to that guy. He's been swallowed by the magma."
Sakazuki took them and looked them over: an exquisite pistol in a leather holster, a pocket watch, and a short blade.
Buru Buru~ Buru Buru~
A Den Den Mushi rang, and he casually tossed the items onto the floor.
"Nothing useful."
He took a small Den Den Mushi from inside his coat. This was his private line, known only to a few higher-ups:
"This is Sakazuki. Go ahead."
Fleet Admiral Kong's voice came from the other end:
"It's Kong. Sakazuki, where are you right now?"
Sakazuki replied:
"I'm in Alabasta."
"Discussing the pirate problem with Crocodile."
Kong fell silent for a few seconds:
"..."
"The Alabasta branch's complaint lines were just flooded with calls."
"They say a Marine Admiral is abusing their national 'hero.'"
"It was escalated to me as an emergency."
"What's going on?"
Sakazuki glanced at Crocodile. Crocodile sucked in a sharp breath and hurried forward:
"A misunderstanding, a misunderstanding, Fleet Admiral Kong."
"It was all a misunderstanding. I'll send someone to calm the citizens down right away."
Fleet Admiral Kong fell silent for another few seconds:
"..."
"All right. Just make sure it's handled."
"There's one more thing, Sakazuki."
"Following the government's deliberations, a new Shichibukai appointment has been approved."
"I need you to contact her."
Sakazuki frowned but said nothing more about it, instead asking:
"No problem. Who is it?"
Fleet Admiral Kong's voice came through:
"The new empress of Amazon Lily, Boa Hancock."
"Before you go, stop by the G8 Branch and pick up the statues from two warships."
"She's temperamental. According to our intelligence, this was her