#129 - Chapter 129 Crocodile's Arrival
The next day.
The first rays of dawn pierced the sky.
Mist rose from the sea, making everything seem exceptionally tranquil.
As usual, the marines passing by the harbor would close their eyes and enjoy the sunlight for a moment.
Just as the marines raised their heads,
preparing to savor this rare tranquility with their eyes closed,
they felt a sudden darkening before them.
Shattering the peace was a massive pirate ship.
Its form slowly emerged into the view of Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
The hull cut through the waves, splashing up layers of white foam that shimmered silver in the morning sun.
At the bow, a man in a black coat stood tall and imposing.
A cigar was clenched in his mouth, its embers flickering in the morning breeze as he took a deep drag and slowly exhaled smoke.
His eyes revealed a formidable sharpness and depth.
As if he had an accurate premonition of the future, it was the unique confidence and composure of a strong man.
After clearly seeing the pirate ship before them, the marines couldn't help but become vigilant.
Even though the other party had been invited by the World Government,
they still had to be cautious.
"Hey!"
"Pirates."
"You need to stay in the harbor for a while."
"We need to ask the higher-ups for instructions."
"You can only enter Marine Headquarters after they approve our request."
In front of the harbor, a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral informed the pirate ship of the precautions.
"So troublesome!"
"We were invited by the World Government!"
"Why should we follow your marines' rules!"
A pirate behind Crocodile revealed a mouthful of yellow teeth, saliva flying.
They were pirates,
and pirates who had obtained privileges.
These marines couldn't do anything to them.
The pirates were as smug as they could be, completely disregarding the marines.
The surrounding marines clenched their fists secretly,
glaring angrily at the pirates before them.
But they also knew that
they really couldn't do anything about these pirates.
......
At the same time, in the Marine Headquarters Marshal's office.
In a busy atmosphere,
a communications officer hurried in, stood at attention, and reported to the Marine Marshal behind the desk:
"Report!"
The urgent voice abruptly cut off all other sounds in the room,
and all eyes instantly focused on the communications officer.
After receiving permission, the marine continued to report:
"Crocodile, who is here to accept the position of Shichibukai, has arrived at the port!"
This news was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, creating huge waves.
Marshal Kong, who had been immersed in the piles of documents, paused slightly and put down the official document he was processing.
He slowly raised his head, his deep eyes looking directly out the window,
a trace of complexity flashing in his eyes.
Outside the window,
the scene of the harbor was fully visible,
but his sight seemed to cut through the distance,
reaching the man at the bow—Crocodile.
In the office air, the quiet atmosphere was suddenly broken.
"Tap, tap..."
Only a burst of rapid sounds of leather shoes rubbing against the floor could be heard, each step seeming to indicate the owner's urgency and anxiety.
The figure at the door grew closer and closer until the figure of Marine Admiral Sengoku was clearly presented before everyone.
His face was grave, a subtle worry hidden between his eyebrows, and his voice was deep and powerful as he cut to the chase,
"Didn't we tell Crocodile to come a week later to accept the appointment?"
His words contained surprise and incomprehension,
"Why did he suddenly come to Marineford?"
Sengoku's gaze was as sharp as an eagle's, sweeping across every corner of the room as if searching for an answer.
At this moment, his mind quickly filtered through various possibilities, knowing in his heart that "no one gets up early without a profit."
Obviously, Crocodile's sudden arrival was not without purpose, but had another meaning.
Sengoku knew that he had to be wary of ambitious pirates.
He deduced that the other party must have an important purpose, so he needed to arrive at Marine Headquarters in advance to obtain the title of Shichibukai.
"Pirates are always like this."
Kong sighed faintly,
In this world, pirates' actions are always full of variables and unknowns.
"Let's leave them at the port for a while."
Kong's gaze shifted to the window.
There, Crocodile's ship was parked, the pirate flag fluttering in the wind, seeming to tell of unknown intentions and possible storms.
"They will swallow this breath," Kong said lightly.
"Let Jin An go there."
His voice echoed in the room, calm and reassuring.
If they let the other party enter Marine Headquarters directly, it would be unknown which side would have the dominance.
The marines must have absolute control.
Crocodile must know that they are pirates.
Even if they become Shichibukai, they are just pirates who listen to the World Government.
......
In a quiet residence within Marine Headquarters.
The curtains swayed gently, and sunlight streamed through the thin cloth, scattering dappled shadows on the ground.
The atmosphere in the room was in stark contrast to the clamor outside, and everything seemed exceptionally tranquil.
"It feels much more lively today than yesterday," Shanks' voice broke the silence in the room.
He stood by the window, his hands propped on the windowsill, curiously observing the outside world.
His eyes reflected the bustling figures of marines, and these people coming and going seemed to harbor different purposes and impatient moods.
"Strange, it's usually not like this..."
Toki's voice was tinged with doubt as she walked to Shanks' side and looked out at the street as well.
Since she came to Marine Headquarters, except for holidays.
this was the first time she had encountered such unusual busyness, and even the air seemed to be filled with an unusual sense of urgency.
Jin An and Kuma sat quietly to the side.
His expression remained calm, as if everything that happened outside had nothing to do with him.
Suddenly, he gently closed his eyes, his lips slightly raised, and his Observation Haki spread out like ripples in the air.
He quietly sensed the running crowd in his heart, trying to capture their purpose and emotions.
After a moment, the protagonist opened his eyes, without a trace of surprise, as if he had expected this scene.
He calmly said, "Pirates have come to Marine Headquarters."
The sound of footsteps outside became more hurried, and a tense atmosphere was faintly conveyed behind the excitement.
In an instant, the air in the room became heavy, and several pairs of eyes met, with different lights looking at each other, and an atmosphere of surprise spread in everyone's heart.
"Pirates! ?"
The word echoed quickly in the room like static electricity.
Everyone's face involuntarily showed the same expression: astonishment, worry, curiosity.
Marineford, this fortress of the Navy, exudes an aura of authority and solemnity, such a solemn place, was so boldly broken the peace by a pirate.
Then, Jin An explained the newcomer to several people,
"Crocodile."
"Should be here to accept the title of Shichibukai..."
During the narration, his brow furrowed slightly, adding a bit of uncertain speculation to this sudden incident.
As a mid-to-high-level marine, he was not surprised by the arrival of the pirates.
His expression was as calm as usual, and he had already grasped the situation.
Kuma nodded knowingly, his voice without a ripple, expressing his understanding:
"Yes, only at the time of the Shichibukai's appointment will pirates come here."
As he spoke, his fingers tapped lightly on the table, each tap clear and rhythmic.
The World Government actually allowed new pirates to join the Navy's camp again.
I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing.
However, the decisions made by the World Government are not up to them marines to criticize.
...
