Curses and shouts of all kinds reverberated through the corridors, pounding against eardrums.
Nami and the others were momentarily stunned by the sudden chaos, frozen in place for a few seconds before snapping out of their shock.
Bullett, quick as lightning, grabbed a prisoner who was fleeing past them in a blind panic.
He demanded sharply, "What's going on? Why are so many people escaping?"
The prisoner, gripped tightly by Bullett like a hawk seizing a chick, turned deathly pale and trembled uncontrollably, stammering.
"R-run! The killing game of Shiryu has started! He released all the prisoners and is now slaughtering them from behind! If we don't escape, we're dead!"
Ron frowned, his eyes flashing with gravity.
He pressed further, "Were all the prisoners inside released? With so many strong fighters, is no one able to stop Shiryu?"
The prisoner shook his head desperately, his voice trembling almost beyond comprehension.
"I-I don't know! It's too chaotic! Many of the strong ones are wearing Seastone Cuffs, and after years in prison, they've lost most of their strength. They're no match for Shiryu! He's already killed so many!"
After speaking, the prisoner struggled with all his might, his eyes pleading as he cried.
"Please, let me go! I really don't want to die!"
Seeing this, Ron gave a slight nod.
Bullett snorted coldly and released his grip.
The prisoner, as if granted a pardon, scrambled away on all fours toward the exit without looking back, clearly terrified that Bullett might change his mind and grab him again.
Bullett stood to the side, radiating intense fighting spirit, his eyes blazing like fire.
A ferocious smile curled his lips as he said coldly, "Shiryu of the Rain? Hmph, I've had enough of that guy! This is the perfect chance to take down that madman!"
But Ron shook his head, his gaze calm and resolute.
"Now isn't the time to linger. The situation is critical—our priority is to escape. This prison could collapse at any moment. If it does, none of us will make it out."
Though filled with reluctance and a flicker of regret in his eyes, Bullett knew Ron was right.
He snorted again but didn't insist, merely clenching his fists as if suppressing his battle lust.
Suddenly, a low, eerie laugh drifted from the cells behind them, emerging from the depths of the darkness with a sinister, mocking tone.
"Hehhehhehhahaha!"
Nami glanced back casually, her eyes instantly widening as a look of terror and astonishment flashed across her face.
She couldn't help but exclaim.
"It's... it's Crocodile!"
Everyone followed her gaze and saw a tall man lazily leaning against the wall inside a prison cell.
His posture was upright, carrying a unique aura, with a signature cigar in his mouth—its ember flickering in the darkness—and a meaningful smile on his face.
It was the former Seven Warlords member, Sir Crocodile!
Crocodile slowly blew out a smoke ring that drifted upward in the air.
His eyes swept over Ron and the others as he spoke in a negotiating tone.
"Hello Ron, how about we make a deal?"
"If you release me, I can also become your bodyguard. three years—I fully agree."
Then he added, "I saw everything you just did. Like him, I'm willing to sign a contract and lose three years of freedom to become your bodyguard."
Ron was momentarily stunned as a hint of surprise appearing on his face.
He then patted his forehead and muttered to himself, "Almost forgot about old Croc. Another poor soul who appeared too early and missed the version update."
His voice wasn't loud, but it was clearly audible in the quiet environment.
Crocodile slightly furrowed his brows with a flash of displeasure crossing his face, but he quickly returned to calmness, remaining silent with a trace of dissatisfaction in his eyes.
Ron looked up at Crocodile as a smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
Strength delivered to his doorstep—he'd take it all.
"Alright, since you're so sincere, let's sign the contract."
After speaking, Ron took out a verdant green Contract Tree leaf from his chest.
The leaf was crystal clear, emitting a faint glow and containing strange contract power.
The patterns on the leaf resembled ancient runes, extraordinarily mysterious.
When Crocodile saw the leaf, surprise flashed in his eyes, his pupils slightly contracting before returning to calm.
"So this is a Contract leaf? Interesting," Crocodile said quietly, a hint of amusement in his tone.
Ron didn't say much and directly handed over the contract.
Crocodile took the contract, hesitation flickering in his eyes, but he soon became resolute.
He picked up a pen and signed his name on the contract—the strokes bold and powerful, as decisive as his personality.
Instantly, The leaf's glow intensified, shining like golden flames, dazzling and brilliant.
The light transformed into two golden streams that flowed into Ron and Crocodile's bodies respectively.
Both their bodies trembled slightly, as if feeling the power of the contract.
Contract complete!
"Alright, from now on, we're all on the same side. Internal fighting is prohibited, but normal sparring is allowed—just be mindful of the occasion," Ron said with a laugh, his tone carrying a note of relief as if a weight had been lifted from his heart.
Crocodile shrugged, showing an indifferent expression as he said calmly:
"Understood. Just three years—means nothing to me. But I am looking forward to seeing how far you can go."
His eyes revealed a trace of anticipation and curiosity, seeming quite interested in Ron's future.
Ron nodded without saying anything more.
Crocodile's addition had further strengthened his personal forces.
"Let's go, time is running short," Ron turned and said, his tone carrying a hint of urgency.
Everyone nodded and quickly followed his footsteps.
However, Just as they were about to leave, a deafening explosion suddenly erupted from behind!
The sound roared like thunder, shaking the entire prison violently.
Stones fell from the walls, dust filled the air, as if the massive prison was on the verge of complete collapse in the next second.
Ron's gaze sharpened instantly, a flicker of tension and alertness in his eyes.
He said in a low voice, "Quick! It'll be too late if we don't leave now!"
After that, The group didn't dare to delay for even a moment, their hearts filled with urgency as they hastily retreated toward the exit.
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