Mr. 1's expression shifted drastically. Under normal circumstances, when the World Government demanded something, the Navy might be unhappy, but they would comply. This was the leverage of being a Warlord of the Sea. Often, it was also because the Warlords of the Sea were incredibly powerful pirates.
However, the Navy officer before him was a different breed entirely. He wielded monstrous strength and didn't adhere to common standards.
"Indeed, someone who tied with Hawkeye can't be underestimated," Mr. 1 muttered.
Mr. 1 was grappling with a dilemma. He knew he couldn't personally intervene in this situation; he was aware of his own limitations. Moreover, their boss was still in the enemy's clutches.
Kahn's voice broke the silence, his tone mocking. "Well, it's quite simple. Your friend Crocodile injured my men pretty badly. I'm thinking it's a significant injury. A bill of 1.8 billion Berries should cover the medical expenses."
He paused briefly before stepping on Crocodile's back, tapping it with his right hand. "And, of course, I've been quite busy since earlier. So, I'll need a shooting fee. Let's round it up to an even 2 billion Berries. After all, your Baroque Works seems to have quite the profitable business. I'm sure you can handle this minor expense."
Kahn's words left Mr. 1 dumbfounded. The medical expenses of a Navy soldier were exorbitant. And a shooting fee? This was beyond piracy; it was a whole new level of demands.
Even the Marines in the vicinity were stunned. They couldn't believe their ears. Their respect for Kahn had grown immensely. He was fighting for them, after all.
"Lieutenant General Kahn!"
The Marines were moved to tears. The one who had been injured by Crocodile was particularly emotional. He would willingly give his life if Kahn demanded it now.
"Why are you all crying like that? Is this how you uphold justice? What about those pirates?" Kahn teased, looking at the tearful sailor with a bemused expression.
The marines saluted respectfully, their voices filled with gratitude. "Yes, Lieutenant General Kahn! Captain Pochi is already gathering information."
Kahn nodded in acknowledgment.
Turning his attention to Mr. 1, who was visibly uneasy, Kahn's impatience became evident. "What's the matter? Your Baroque Works has been exploiting this territory for so long, robbing pirates left and right. Are you really struggling to scrape together this measly sum?"
"Are you mocking me? You damn old Navy man! Why would I give in? I'll kill you! Ah!"
Kahn's foot pressed on Crocodile's face, forcing him back into the sand with a thud. Crocodile struggled, but Kahn's foot remained firmly in place.
"Enough of your nonsense," Kahn stated before addressing Mr. 1 again. "Hurry up. I'm a busy man, and my time is valuable. If you don't pay up, I might just cripple him and sell him as a slave on the black market. I'm sure there are plenty who would be interested."
Mr. 1 was left speechless and hurriedly departed. Raising 2 billion Berries was a significant task even for Baroque Works.
Kahn released his hold on Crocodile, finding it tiresome to keep his foot on him. "Get a pair of Seastone handcuffs and secure this guy."
"Yes, Lieutenant General Kahn."
Crocodile was subdued and restrained in Seastone handcuffs. He glared murderously at Kahn, but his anger was ignored.
For Kahn, Crocodile, a former Warlord of the Sea, was now nothing more than a fallen ruler.
At that moment, a commotion arose in the town. The Royal Army was arriving, engaging in discussions with Pochi and others to understand the situation.
The captain of the Royal Army eventually approached. Crocodile, battered and defeated, was shocked. Even he recognized that this Navy officer was a monster in terms of strength.
But weren't the Navy and the Warlords of the Sea on the same side? Since Crocodile had established himself in Alabasta, Navy involvement was rare, typically limited to supply purchases.
"May I help you, sir?" the Royal Army captain inquired.
"It's like this," Kahn began, "the residents of this town feel that Crocodile's actions were unintentional and that his punishment has been sufficient. They're requesting his release."
"Release Crocodile?" The captain seemed taken aback.
Kahn was about to agree, but he was interrupted by a clear voice.
"Are you kidding? Crocodile nearly killed me just now! Besides, he attacked Navy personnel and violated the Warlords of the Sea's rules. I have every right to arrest him."
Crocodile's eyes flared with fury, but he restrained himself from saying anything further. The Navy officer before him was unlike any he had encountered before. He could torment him, but it wasn't necessary for Crocodile to further provoke him.
Mr. 1 returned with the money they needed. Despite the dire situation, Crocodile found solace in the fact that he would be released soon.
And yet, the humiliation of this day was something he vowed to repay tenfold.
With the arrival of the funds, Kahn's demand had been met. "See that? Crocodile has acknowledged his mistakes and cooperated willingly. He has also made a generous compensation. When the money arrives, he will be free to go."
(End of this chapter)
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)
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