Eyeing the Rumble-Rumble Fruit

A name began to take center stage: Marine Rear Admiral Wilton. He was the one who had killed the mastermind, Crocodile, and saved Alabasta.

During the previous war, many people had seen Wilton leap through the air carrying Crocodile's corpse.

Furthermore, the criminal organization Baroque Works, Crocodile's faction, had also been uprooted by the Marines.

Without a doubt.

Wilton, Smoker, Sadie, Tashigi, and the other Marines had become heroes, and the news rapidly spread to neighboring nations. Before long, it would surely reach the entire world.

At the same time, the fall of a Shichibukai affected the current balance of the seas.

The scene shifted.

At Marine Headquarters in Marineford, the atmosphere in the Fleet Admiral's office was somewhat grave.

Sengoku and Tsuru were both reading the latest reports.

"This can't be covered up."

Tsuru set down the intelligence report, a trace of surprise still in her eyes. What surprised her was not Alabasta's situation, but the fact that Wilton had actually taken down a Shichibukai.

Wilton had not been away from Headquarters for long.

He was only a rear admiral.

It seemed she had underestimated Wilton's strength.

"It would have been fine if Crocodile's affairs had remained hidden, but once exposed, they were bound to spread. Fortunately, Wilton was the one who dealt with Crocodile. Otherwise, the Marines' reputation would likely have taken quite a hit."

Sengoku tossed the report in his hand to the goat at his feet, feeling slightly relieved.

The Shichibukai were, after all, pirates legally recognized by the World Government. It was one thing for scandals like Crocodile's to remain unexposed; everyone understood what was going on.

But once it was revealed, things were different. Faced with public opinion and the need to preserve the Marines' positive image, they had no choice but to clean up this mess.

Fortunately, the Marines had resolved the matter. In some ways, was that not turning the tide and bringing honor to the Marines?

"Smoker sent word that Fire Fist Ace also appeared in Alabasta and fought Wilton."

"Probably because of the Whitebeard Pirates' traitor!"

"Most likely."

"Little Tsuru, handle the Alabasta matter. Also, promote Wilton, Smoker, and the others by one rank."

"Defeating a Shichibukai and becoming Alabasta's hero after saving it—whether in terms of strength or reputation, Wilton is qualified to serve as a vice admiral."

"I understand."

The next day.

A massive number of newspapers spread across the seas, and the entire world was thrown into turmoil.

"What?"

"A Shichibukai was defeated? What kind of joke is that?"

"He subverted Alabasta's government and left its people in dire straits."

"Extra! Extra! One of the Shichibukai, the Desert King Crocodile, has been killed by the Marine Tough Guy Wilton!"

"Crocodile's evil conspiracy has been exposed, and the Marine Tough Guy has become Alabasta's hero."

New World, Kingdom of Dressrosa.

"Fufufu~"

"Crocodile was actually killed by a rear admiral? Is the Navy planning to move against the Shichibukai?"

At the same time.

The other Shichibukai all looked at the newspapers, each harboring different thoughts.

The Four Emperors were also paying attention.

Even the Revolutionary Army and the various forces of the underworld were astonished. For a time, undercurrents surged across the seas.

Wilton had no way of knowing what was happening outside. After spending a night alone in the palace, he prepared to leave early the next morning.

Before becoming an admiral or Fleet Admiral, he had no interest in concerning himself with anything else.

At the harbor.

The Straw Hat Pirates and Baroque Works agents were all dejectedly shackled in Seastone handcuffs as Marines escorted them onto the warships.

"King Cobra, there's no need to see us off."

Wilton stopped and turned to look at Cobra and his group. His gaze lingered briefly on Vivi. A closer look would reveal a slap mark on her face.

That foolish woman had tried to secretly release the Straw Hat Pirates last night, only to be caught by Sadie. If Cobra had not arrived in time, she would likely have suffered a round of torture and abuse.

Even now, Vivi and Nami were still exchanging glances.

Luckily, he had not been guarding the Straw Hat Pirates. Otherwise, Vivi would not have escaped one of his Equality for All kicks. At best, she would have become a vegetable; at worst, she would have died on the spot.

"Major General Wilton—no, Vice Admiral Wilton. On behalf of all the people of Alabasta, I thank you."

Before the greater good of the nation, Cobra chose to remain silent about certain matters.

Vivi had asked him to plead with Wilton, but she had been refused.

"No thanks are necessary, because I am a Marine."

Wilton did not intend to continue speaking with Cobra. Instead, he turned to Smoker with an especially solemn expression. "Rear Admiral Smoker, the Straw Hat Pirates and these Baroque Works agents will be your responsibility to escort to Impel Down. Be extremely careful on the way."

If he had not been in such a hurry to seize the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, he would definitely have escorted them himself.

As the protagonist, Luffy might have some sort of luck aura. Someone might even rescue him along the way, but Wilton no longer had time to waste.

He had to find a Devil Fruit, eat it, and develop it as soon as possible, or he would not make it in time for the Summit War.

If there really was no other choice, he could always take advantage of Blackbeard again, capture Ace and imprison him for four or five years, then start the Summit War after becoming even stronger.

That actually seemed like a very good idea.

"I guarantee the mission will be completed."

Smoker smoked his cigar. Although his expression was calm, his tone was exceptionally resolute.

Thanks to Wilton this time, he had been promoted from colonel to rear admiral. Tashigi, Sadie, and the four Jailer Beasts had also all risen one rank.

"Set sail."

The two warships soon split apart, disappearing over the horizon in different directions.

Vivi also took advantage of Cobra's inattention to secretly put out to sea, intending to rescue Luffy and the others midway. If not for her, Luffy and his crew would not have come to Alabasta.

Therefore, no matter what, she had to do something.

"Lord Wilton, to celebrate your promotion to vice admiral, please abuse me mercilessly."

Upon the vast, rolling sea.

Sadie had another episode, circling Wilton with a flushed face and eyes full of anticipation. Wilton did not disappoint her. After a thorough beating, Sadie finally quieted down.

"Did you find the Seastone cage?"

After satisfying Sadie, Wilton began asking about it.

He had thought it over last night. The reason the Sand-Sand Fruit and Explode-Explode Fruit had failed might have been because the two Devil Fruits had not chosen him.

It was said that some Devil Fruits chose their own hosts, though he did not know whether that was true.

To increase his chances of successfully taking a Devil Fruit, he remembered that Crocodile had a cage made from Seastone in the original story, the first Seastone cage to appear.

The Straw Hat Pirates had once had the fortune of being locked inside it.

From now on, whenever he took Devil Fruits, he planned to place the ability user and some fruit inside, then throw the Seastone cage into the sea.

The success rate should improve at least a little.

"Found it. It's in the hold."

Sadie was reliable. She hurriedly nodded while reliving the pleasure.

Spiders Cafe Town.

A pirate gathering town where people spent money like water.

Since there were no Marines stationed there, the island was extremely chaotic. Almost everyone who came here was a pirate living by the blade.

Money and strength reigned supreme here.

Despite being a chaotic mix of all sorts, the island was prosperous. Taverns, geisha houses, gambling dens—everything could be found there. As long as one had money, one could enjoy anything.

"Marines?"

"Why are Marines coming to Spiders Cafe Town?"

That day.

The bustling streets were filled with thugs and pirates. Even in broad daylight, people fought and dueled, while children were abducted and sold.

Most of the pirates, however, watched the group of Marines on the street with malicious intent.

Wilton walked at the front, gripping two dumbbells as he kept looking up at the sky. He remembered that Skypiea was above Spiders Cafe Town.

Ships needed to ride a special Upward Sea Current to get there, but the current appeared at unpredictable times. It seemed he would need to go alone this time.

He withdrew his gaze and looked around. Most of those present were pirates, thugs, and hooligans—trash and obstacles standing in the way of unifying the world.

They were also the crops that would build his reputation.