Chapter 26: Chapter 26 : Is this compensation?
Crocodile remained silent, his eyes filled with anger as he stared at Kahn and Pochi.
Kahn's voice broke the tension. "That look in your eyes is making me a bit uncomfortable. I wonder if I should scoop them out?" he said with a hint of jest.
Crocodile's body trembled slightly, and he closed his eyes. There was nothing left to say. The situation was what it was.
"Speak up, Crocodile," the Royal Army captain demanded sternly. The whole incident had left them feeling deceived and furious. While they didn't have a favourable opinion of pirates, being manipulated like this angered them even more.
The civilians in the area also grew agitated, with some speaking up in Crocodile's defense. They believed that Crocodile wouldn't do such a thing and that he was being framed or coerced.
"What a pitiful sight," Kahn sighed. "Whether it's revenge from the pirates, Pochi's scheming, or your own trickery, it hardly matters now."
Crocodile's angry expression gave way to a calm smile. He had realized that words were futile at this point.
But just as quickly, Kahn's foot was on Crocodile's face again. "Wipe that smile off your face. It's hideous," Kahn declared.
"Damn old man, you'll pay for this," Crocodile seethed.
"Will I? Little crocodile, you seem to be mistaken about yourself," Kahn replied in a disdainful tone.
"Let me clarify something for you. Ever since that guy Roger said it, the seas have been filled with powerful pirates. One more or less doesn't make much difference. There are plenty of pirates out there, and just having the title of Warlord of the Sea doesn't give you the right to challenge me," Kahn continued with a challenging tone.
"Old man, what are you planning?" Crocodile's suspicion grew.
"What am I planning? I don't have any plans. I just want to stomp on your head," Kahn's voice turned icy.
As he spoke, Kahn's right foot began to change. Fiery red dragon scales emerged, and intense flames enveloped it, causing the surrounding temperature to skyrocket. The searing heat was unbearable, even for the desert.
The momentum emanating from Kahn's foot sent shockwaves through the crowd, prompting them to retreat in fear.
With a dangerous aura looming overhead, Crocodile felt an overwhelming sense of dread.
Kahn's foot continued to rise, and Crocodile, constrained by Seastone handcuffs and weakened by his injuries, had no means to escape. All he could do was watch as Kahn's foot loomed like an executioner's blade, despair setting in.
Kahn's foot finally descended, but just before it made contact, an anxious voice shouted, "Wait, I've brought the money!"
Kahn's foot halted, mere centimeters away from Crocodile's ear. The powerful force shattered the solid sandstone beneath, causing cracks to radiate outward and allowing seawater to rush in.
Kahn looked at the stunned onlookers and sighed, "I got a bit carried away."
Mr.1, who had rushed to deliver the money, wiped sweat off his forehead.
"Damn monstrous old Navy guy. Why did he show up here?" he complained in his heart.
Kahn's fiery dragon scales receded as he reverted to his original state. Seeing Mr.1 and the money, he smiled, his demeanor shifting from fierce to friendly.
"Apologies, apologies. I lost my cool. Your boss just managed to rile me up a bit. My temper got the better of me."
Mr.1 sighed with relief. Interacting with Kahn was a stark reminder of the difference between a regular pirate and someone like Kahn.
As Mr.1 approached with the money, Crocodile's eyes closed, feeling deeply ashamed.
"Here's your money!"
Kahn chuckled. "Not quite. I asked for compensation. Do you even understand the concept of compensation? Pirates are all the same."
Mr.1 forced a wry smile at Kahn's words, and even the soldiers and civilians looked on with disbelief.
"Why, you're right!"
"Yes! Indeed!" Mr.1 wanted to be done with this encounter.
"I told you so. I'm not like those pirate scum," Kahn said confidently.
"Can we leave now?"
"Of course. Unless you want to stick around for dinner," Kahn replied with a roll of his eyes.
Mr.1 wasted no time and started to leave. Kahn's unpredictability had unnerved him.
As Mr.1 walked away, Kahn's voice called out, "Wait!"
Mr.1 froze, then turned back. "Is there something else?"
"I almost forgot. Crocodile is still in handcuffs. Those things cost a fortune, you know, and they're in short supply," Kahn said casually.
The atmosphere turned tense again, and everyone watched in disbelief as the interaction between the Navy officer and the pirates continued.
(End of this chapter)
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone