It wasn't over yet.
Crocodile extended his left arm, forming a yellow sand blade. With a flick, the blade swept across several pirates nearby.
They weren't cut in half, but the yellow sand seemed to just brush past their bodies.
However, the sand also sucked the moisture from their bodies, turning them into sand instantly.
"Ah!"
The surrounding pirates flinched in shock.
Crocodile snorted lightly, "So? Anyone else want to betray me?"
How can we betray you?
We haven't even joined your crew yet!
But the pirates quickly realized the situation.
"Lord Crocodile! We're willing to follow you!"
One after another, the pirates bowed their heads toward Crocodile.
Crocodile nodded lightly with satisfaction.
These guys were indeed strong, but they still weren't on his level.
Not to mention, after being locked up for so many years, their bodies were completely worn out. How strong could they really be?
"Hehehe! Crocodile, I really love your ability!"
Moria's eyes gleamed as he looked at the corpses at Crocodile's feet — all dried-up bodies, perfectly preserved and easy to turn into zombies on the spot.
Crocodile snorted lightly. "You can start collecting the shadows you want now."
Some pirates still preferred to stay locked in prison rather than surrender.
For people like them, Crocodile had no patience left.
"Hehehehe! Not just shadows — if they're strong, leaving the body to make zombies is pretty good too."
Moria smiled as he strode toward the prisoners.
Only now did the pirates realize something was wrong.
"Moria! What do you want to do?"
"Don't come near! No! I regret it! Let me join your ranks!"
Screams echoed.
But by now, no one cared.
Crocodile walked steadily forward, finally stopping outside a special cell deep within the prison.
This cell was unique, equipped with a freezing device, storing a huge block of ice inside.
Inside the ice block, there was a figure.
"Who is this guy?"
Crocodile was a little surprised.
Just what kind of person deserved such treatment?
"World Destroyer, Byrnndi World," A somewhat aged but still spirited voice came from the adjacent cell.
"Have you heard that name, kid?"
"Oh!"
Crocodile nodded slightly.
"The madman who once tried to attack the Celestial Dragons?"
A smirk appeared on his lips.
"More More Fruit, a devil fruit that can destroy the world. It's such a waste for it to just lie dormant here. Let's take him along too."
"As for you," Crocodile turned his gaze to the neighboring cell.
"Patrick Redfield, don't you want to get out?"
Inside the cell was an old man with white hair and beard. Perhaps from being imprisoned too long, his figure was somewhat thin and withered. Yet even so, an imposing aura radiated from him.
"Heh."
The old man, once known as the Red the Aloof, Patrick Redfield, gave a mocking smile.
"Do you really expect me to become your subordinate, kid?"
Crocodile showed no anger, only calmly said, "Different people require different methods."
"Patrick, I can let you out. Consider it a favor you owe me."
Patrick Redfield paused slightly.
Then a corner of his mouth curled into a smile.
"Seems like I can't find a reason to refuse."
"Then it's settled."
Crocodile turned his head.
"Moria, come over and release this guy too."
"Don't boss me around!" Moria grumbled as he came over.
Crocodile smirked again and turned back, walking toward another cell opposite.
Inside that cage, a man with an overly muscular build was silently doing push-ups. His movements were mechanical and precise. Despite being drenched in sweat, not a single motion faltered.
"Hey, Bullet, want to get out?"
Crocodile looked down at this former rival.
The man showed no reaction, quietly continuing his push-ups like a robot.
"The terms are the same as with Patrick Redfield. Just consider yourself owing me a favor."
Crocodile said calmly, "The sea today is not what it was over a decade ago. Now there's an unprecedented monster on the seas. If you don't come out now, you might only hear about him surpassing Roger and becoming the new Pirate King."
"You say that—"
The man suddenly lifted his head. His fierce eyes locked onto Crocodile instantly, a terrifying aura beginning to surge. "Surpass Roger?"
"I'm interested too," Behind them, Patrick Redfield rubbed his wrists as he stepped out of the cage, looking intrigued. "Is there really such a young man on the sea?"
"That kid is Kaido's disciple. Reluctantly, I admit he truly is a monster among monsters!"
Moria nearly gritted his teeth. "He's only sixteen years old this year, but he's already on par with Kaido. Not long ago, he even defeated Charlotte Linlin."
"Now the seas call him, Kaido, Charlotte Linlin, and Whitebeard the Four Emperors!"
"Sixteen years old?"
Patrick Redfield was genuinely surprised. "Are you saying a sixteen-year-old brat can stand alongside Whitebeard?"
He knew Whitebeard and Roger's strength better than anyone.
It was somewhat shameful to admit, but the power of those two made him feel inadequate.
Yet this kid now claims that a sixteen-year-old could stand shoulder to shoulder with Whitebeard?
"That's why I say," Crocodile snorted coldly, "That guy is an unprecedented monster."
"The Four Emperors?"
Known as the Demon Heir, Douglas Bullet finally stood up from the ground, a smirk on his lips. "What's that?"
"They're like emperors reigning over the New World—four pirate crews."
Crocodile said, "Although Ian is still officially a member of the Beast Pirates, he and Kaido have each taken control of their own territories, with Ian occupying Hive Island."
"Ian?"
Bullet asked, "Is that the kid's name?"
"Ian who wields flames that can burn everything, Ian the Skyfire!"
Crocodile continued, "By the way, the Golden Lion Shiki has already been killed by him."
"That Shiki?"
Patrick Redfield's pupils shrank.
The man who once stood shoulder to shoulder with Whitebeard and Roger!
"Let me out!"
Bullet's smile grew even more unrestrained.
Crocodile also smiled brightly.
This guy can never be used by him.
But as long as he's out at sea, that's enough.
**********
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