Chapter 258: Control
"Crocodile!"
Rear Admiral Enjie's face darkened as Crocodile appeared among them. His body tensed, eyes fixed on the infamous pirate.
"Marines, call Fleet Admiral Kong immediately."
Crocodile gave him a sidelong glance, his tone calm and detached.
"What are you planning?"
Enjie asked sharply.
"Don't call… or die."
As Crocodile's final word fell, a terrifying aura erupted from him.
All the Marines' faces changed instantly, their bodies trembling slightly as they involuntarily took a step back.
Feeling the overwhelming presence, Enjie's heart sank. From just this aura, it was clear: he was no match for Crocodile.
To protect his subordinates, Enjie reluctantly pulled out a Den Den Mushi.
"I can only call Admiral Sengoku," he muttered. He didn't have a direct line to Fleet Admiral Kong.
"Fine," Crocodile nodded, indifferent.
Gurgle gurgle…
The call connected, and Sengoku's face appeared.
"This is Sengoku!"
"I'm Crocodile," he replied coolly.
A brief pause came from the other side.
"Crocodile, are you provoking the Marines?" Sengoku asked coldly.
This was the Marine-exclusive line; no one else knew the number.
"I want a bounty as high as the Dragon Flame Pirates."
Heh… Sengoku laughed coldly at this.
Were the pirates of the world now treating the Marines like soft targets, daring to make demands?
"Crocodile, this isn't up to me to decide," Sengoku said.
"Then I'll wait for someone who can decide to talk to me."
Behind Crocodile, a throne of sand began to form. He sat upon it, exuding the regal presence of a monarch as he surveyed the Marines before him.
"Admiral Sengoku, don't worry about us. Crocodile and his crew are in the Yaro Sea!" Enjie shouted.
"You all okay?" Sengoku asked, his voice low and concerned.
"For now, yes." Crocodile replied.
"I'll relay your message to Fleet Admiral Kong!" Sengoku said, then ended the call.
Since the Marines on this ship were still alive, the situation had changed. Knowing Sengoku's character, he would ensure no deaths occurred here.
Hearing this, Crocodile's lips curled into a faint smile.
He glanced at the group of Marines and said calmly, "Behave yourselves… you might even keep a few of your lives."
"Crocodile, you can't provoke the Marines," Enjie said coldly, eyes sharp.
Pfft!
A sand spike shot through his shoulder in an instant.
"Hmmph…"
Enjie grunted, staring at the wound, teeth clenched as blood soaked his uniform.
"Rear Admiral Enjie…" a Marine behind him shouted urgently.
"I'm fine!" he said through gritted teeth, raising a hand.
But he dared not speak to Crocodile again, fearing the pirate would slaughter the entire ship in an instant.
…
Marine Headquarters
Fleet Admiral's Office
Kong sat, headache growing as he stared at the pile of bounty requests on his desk.
Click!
Sengoku entered the room.
"Kong, something's happened," he said, expression cold.
"What is it?" Kong asked, curious.
"Rear Admiral Enjie has been intercepted by Crocodile in the Yaro Sea. He's demanding his bounty be raised to match the Dragon Flame Pirates."
Sengoku's face was stern.
"The sand-sand Devil Fruit user?" Kong asked gravely.
"Yes."
"During the last hunt for the Dragon Flame Pirates, Crocodile also appeared… seems they have some kind of relationship," Kong said, eyes glinting as he contemplated the implications.