Pa-dump—
The bundle hanging from Crocodile's hook dropped to the ground. His heart sank.
The reckoning had arrived.
Behind him, Daz Bones had already transformed his arm into a gleaming blade, ready to throw his life on the line if needed.
Kaito glanced sidelong at Daz, then said calmly,
"Crocodile, your subordinate seems a bit out of line. Need me to take care of him for you?"
Crocodile flinched.
He whipped around to look at Daz, and the moment he saw that bladed arm, he barked in fury,
"You idiot! Put your powers away! You trying to die!?"
Daz gave Crocodile a silent glance before obediently dispelling his ability. Among the Baroque Works officers, he was easily the most loyal to Crocodile.
And Crocodile, in turn, had always favored him. During the Paramount War, when Daz got knocked out by Mihawk, Crocodile didn't make a fuss on the surface—but he still went straight to fight Mihawk over it.
Of course, none of that would help against Kaito.
Crocodile knew full well—if Daz dared make a move, all of them would be buried in the desert instantly.
Having stopped Daz, Crocodile turned back to Kaito, sweat beading across his brow.
Kaito stood there with arms crossed, fingers twitching slightly.
Crocodile's nerves instantly went taut—like a predator had him in its sights.
But Kaito was just doing one of his thinking tics.
After a pause, he spoke.
"Crocodile, I was originally going to wipe you out. But since you've shown a decent attitude in admitting your mistakes, I'll give you a choice."
At the first half of the sentence, terror surged in Crocodile's chest. But hearing the second half, he immediately said,
"Thank you, Admiral Shikiryū! Please, go on!"
Kaito paused for a beat, then continued.
"Death penalty avoided, but you're not getting off scot-free. I want you and your men to serve as the king's guards for five years. Do you accept?"
As he spoke, Kaito's Rinnegan glinted with dangerous light, making Crocodile gulp hard.
He didn't dare utter a single protest. He had no doubt that the moment he said "no," Kaito would turn him to dust on the spot.
So he submitted.
Crocodile nodded stiffly—his way of saying he agreed.
Kaito withdrew his gaze, and Crocodile immediately felt the weight lift from his shoulders, letting out a quiet sigh of relief.
But the thought of spending five years as a glorified royal bodyguard drained all the color from his face. He looked like a wilted eggplant.
Not that Kaito cared.
Letting Crocodile live was already merciful. If he still didn't know what was good for him—well, then that would be his own fault.
Besides, Kaito had been meaning to test what kind of chemical reaction lightning would cause when striking sand.
...
Robin had watched Crocodile's surrender from beginning to end.
Her understanding of Kaito deepened.
This man was absolutely merciless when dealing with enemies. Anyone who crossed him was doomed.
But at the same time, based on his battle and exchange with Aokiji just now, he showed immense kindness and patience toward his own people.
To be one of "his people"... that must be an incredibly reassuring thing.
Robin was now incredibly grateful she'd gathered the courage to approach Kaito back then. It was, without a doubt, the best decision she'd made in years.
Aokiji had been quietly observing Robin and noticed that since a while ago, her eyes hadn't left Kaito.
He couldn't help but curl his lip and yank down the eye mask on his forehead again—out of sight, out of mind!
...
With the Crocodile situation handled, Kaito lazily stretched and glanced over the endless stretch of desert surrounding them.
All thanks to Crocodile's Dance Powder.
Who knew where he'd gotten the stuff, but he'd ruined this entire area with it.
Kaito shot a glance at Crocodile again. The man knew this was his doing and guiltily puffed away at his cigar.
Watching him practically inhale half the cigar in one drag, Kaito found it amusing and decided not to scold him further.
Still, a Shichibukai was technically affiliated with the Navy. Crocodile's crime couldn't just be brushed aside.
Kaito decided he'd clean up this mess before leaving—if only for that princess he admired, Vivi.
He took a step forward.
Under everyone's stunned gaze, he suddenly pressed his hands together and shouted lowly,
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"
RUMBLE—
The ground shook violently, shocking everyone present.
Aokiji hurriedly pulled his eye mask back up to see what the hell was going on.
What came next redefined their entire view of Kaito.
One massive tree after another erupted from beneath the sands, thick trunks shooting skyward, turning the barren desert into a verdant sea of green.
Fueled by Kaito's chakra, the trees' branches and leaves grew rapidly, soon forming a lush canopy overhead.
When it was done, Kaito released his hands and looked up at the greenery, nodding in satisfaction.
"As expected, when it comes to reforestation—Wood Release really is unbeatable."
While Kaito admired his work, the people behind him were utterly dumbfounded.
To them, this move was no different than conjuring something out of thin air.
They couldn't begin to understand how trees could suddenly sprout in the middle of a desert—it was completely unscientific!
Aokiji handled it better than most. He knew Kaito possessed multiple Devil Fruit powers, and figured this must be another one.
Judging by what he'd just witnessed, he guessed this one was a Logia-type, maybe called the Woods-Woods Fruit?
Of course, he was wrong.
What Kaito had just used was a genuine Kekkei Genkai—Wood Release. It had nothing to do with Devil Fruits.
Funny enough, the Woods-Woods Fruit was real. It would later show up in the hands of Admiral Green Bull.
...
Kaito took a deep breath of the fresh air, then turned to the still-stunned Robin and Aokiji.
"Alright, everything here's wrapped up. Time to head back."
As he spoke, Kaito opened a portal with the Door-Door Fruit and gestured for Robin to enter.
Robin had been through the Door-Door Space before, so she wasn't fazed by the sudden appearance of a door. Without hesitation, she stepped inside.
Once she was through, Kaito looked at Aokiji and asked,
"Kuzan, want to come in?"
Aokiji shook his head.
He knew Kaito was way faster than him, but right now he just wanted to be alone for a while.
Riding his bike across the sea was still his favorite way to unwind.
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
+100 chapters and support me on Patreon(.)com/Jixo