#131 - Chapter 131: First Meeting with Crocodile
A flicker of imperceptible vigilance flashed in Crocodile's eyes.
He heard the whispers of the surrounding Navy soldiers and understood the identity of the man before him.
A sinister smile crept onto his lips, accompanied by a casual compliment: "Long have I heard of you, Vice Admiral Jin An."
His words seemed like flattery, but his tone carried a hint of inquiry.
Then, he withdrew his hand, his fingers lightly smoothing over his collar, calming the slight disarray of his clothes caused by the struggle, "I heard you sent Barret to Impel Down, congratulations."
He said it lightly, his voice laced with sarcasm, "This must be a great achievement for you."
Jin An merely stared at Crocodile calmly, taking in all of his subtle movements, his expression unwavering despite the other man's insincerity.
After taking everything about the other man into account, he slowly opened his mouth, his tone calm, "Crocodile, I'll wait here with you."
"When the permit comes, I'll take a trip with you."
His tone was as flat as if no conflict had occurred before.
His words revealed a seemingly courteous attitude towards Crocodile, but in reality, they carried a sense of surveillance.
He was also acting under orders.
As long as the other party didn't take any excessive actions, they could coexist peacefully.
Crocodile faced Jin An's icy words.
Temporarily withdrawing his sharpness.
Knowing that every step he took in this Marine Headquarters was being closely monitored.
He didn't like this situation, but he had to accept it.
"Good! I'll wait!"
"I want to see how long you'll make me wait here."
......
Inside the Marshal's office.
At the pinnacle of decision-making, several of the Navy's highest-ranking generals sat in a circle.
Around a large ancient wooden table, everyone's gaze occasionally shifted to the Den Den Mushi to the side.
They used it to stay informed about the situation at the port.
The latest developments that were constantly transmitted made them smile knowingly.
Sengoku brought the teacup in his hand to his lips, gently blowing away the heat floating on the surface of the tea before taking a sip, "You have to admit, this kind of thing requires Jin An to step up."
Hearing this, Zephyr nodded slightly, a look of agreement on his face.
A glimmer flashed in his eyes, "This kid Jin An has strength, and his reputation on the sea is no less than those of long-established vice admirals."
"Most importantly, his attitude towards pirates."
"Having him handle these matters will indeed save us some trouble."
Among them, everyone understood that even if Crocodile acted friendly, he was someone who needed to be dealt with carefully and cautiously.
Jin An's performance undoubtedly met the expectations of the Navy's high command.
Kong, the Steel Commander, sat in the foremost seat in the conference room, listening to Sengoku and the others' discussion.
However, this silence did not last long.
Suddenly, the Den Den Mushi on the table rang, interrupting their thoughts.
"Brrr, brrr......"
The Den Den Mushi's antennae swayed, its yellow body wriggling with the sound.
Kong, the Steel Commander, reached out and gently picked up the Den Den Mushi.
On the other end of the line, the Five Elders' voices came with questioning:
"Crocodile has arrived at the port, why aren't you letting him enter the headquarters?"
Their voices revealed dissatisfaction and reprimand.
Hearing this, Kong, the Steel Commander, frowned, his expression grave, knowing that someone had informed the other party.
Kong, the Steel Commander, still maintained his composure, "We are just carrying out normal procedures."
"Everything is being done according to regulations, Saint Saturn."
His answer did not yield in the slightest.
To the Five Elders' questioning, he merely stated the facts.
The implication was that they didn't need to grant Crocodile any special privileges, even if he was a famous pirate.
Because of his pirate status, Crocodile had to proceed steadily according to the regulations.
Saint Saturn's voice came through the Den Den Mushi, carrying an undeniable authority, and a cold smile crept onto his lips,
"Crocodile is one of the Warlords of the Sea that we have recognized, he still has this privilege."
His tone was calm, but it revealed absolute confidence.
On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Kong, the Steel Commander's expression didn't change much.
He understood that if Crocodile really caused any commotion in Marineford because of such "privileges."
Wouldn't the Navy have to bear the consequences?
His voice was steady and powerful, ignoring the other party's order,
"This rule cannot be broken."
He stood his ground, not wavering because of Saint Saturn's threat.
"Otherwise, what rules and justice can our Marine Headquarters talk about in the future."
In his view, the Navy's dignity and order far outweighed any so-called "privileges". Justice and rules were the soul and foundation supporting the Marine Headquarters. Once they wavered, it would be their own collapse.
Even with the title of Warlord of the Sea, Crocodile was, in the end, just a pirate.
Moreover, he wasn't even a Warlord of the Sea yet.
"Good, good, good!"
Saint Saturn laughed in anger.
The other Five Elders on the other side of the Den Den Mushi also frowned.
"Since that's the case, you decide for yourself."
"Click..."
The Den Den Mushi was hung up directly by the Five Elders.
"Hahaha, Old Man Kong, you also have times when you directly confront the Five Elders," Garp said, chewing on a senbei, not caring about Kong, the Steel Commander's expression.
"This is the Navy's bottom line."
"If there is no bottom line, what need is there for our existence?"
"Since we wear justice on our backs, then we must maintain it well."
Hearing what Kong, the Steel Commander, said, Sengoku and the others sat up straight and nodded repeatedly.
......
Crocodile stood at the end of the pier.
Several extinguished cigar butts were scattered at his feet.
If it weren't for the calm and composed Marine blocking his way in front of him.
He would have turned around and left without a word long ago, perhaps even giving the Marines a little shock.
His face was filled with impatience, mixed with a hint of mockery, "Is the Navy's efficiency always this low?"
Jin An's side was a different scene.
He sat on a small stool, holding a fishing rod in one hand, his eyes following the rise and fall of the fishing float on the surface of the sea, quietly out of tune with the surrounding clamor.
He stroked his chin, revealing a smile, responding sincerely and without any argument or explanation, "It seems so."
Then, he slightly turned his head to look at Crocodile, his eyes reflecting the other man's figure, "You know, there are a lot of people at headquarters, and there are a lot of things to handle."
Then, he waved the fishing rod in his hand, directly extending an invitation, his tone light and frank, "If you're bored, would you like to come and fish with me?"
"Are you teaching me how to do things?"
Crocodile glanced at Jin An, directly dismissing the other man's words.
"Pirates, you don't know how to live..."
Jin An was just teasing the other party, he didn't want to fish with him.
With the other party's luck, he would definitely get skunked.
"......"
After another period of time.
A group of Marines appeared from the end of the road.
"Crocodile, the Marshal requests your presence."
