Meanwhile, Crocodile, emerging from the underground, also caught their attention.
At this moment, Tashigi led a group of navy through the center of the chaotic battle and solemnly said to Crocodile, who was lying on the ground:
"The president of the clandestine criminal organization 'Baroque Workshop', Crocodile of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, for plotting to use dancing powder to overthrow the nation, I hereby strip you of the power granted by the World Government under the name of the Navy Headquarters, and arrest you!"
Overthrow the nation?!
Everyone around was all taken aback.
A rebel army member trembled as he said, "Is it Crocodile using the dancing powder? Then this war..."
"Yes, as we've confirmed, Crocodile has been using the dancing powder all along and framing the King of Alabasta. The purpose was to stir up your war, thereby taking control of the country. Now, there is no longer any need for war."
Tashigi gripped 'Shigure', pointed the blade towards the sky, and loudly declared, "The war... is over!"
Boom!
Perhaps due to the impact of a high-altitude explosion, or perhaps for some other reason, a massive cloud gathered in the sunlit sky filled with yellow sand. Following her shout, a thunderbolt descended.
After the thunderbolt, a strong wind arose, and rain fell. An extremely exaggerated storm began to pour down.
As the thunderbolt descended, a figure suddenly fell from the air and stood beside Crocodile.
That person's white hair danced with the storm that arose around, and the black fur cape he wore fluttered as well. That extremely somber face was currently looking down at Crocodile.
"Calamity!"
Tashigi's pupils shrank, and she shouted, "This country has ceased warfare and will no longer continue to fight. Your conspiracy is finished!"
With these words, the King's Army and Rebel Army nearby instinctively raised their weapons, all aimed at the white-haired man.
"War? Who the hell cares about that kind of thing!"
Sage's eyes glared ahead, a crimson hue flickering in his pupils, causing the descending storm and heavy rain to momentarily stagnate. The whole space seemed layered with a black and red tint.
Whether it was the surrounding troops or the navy behind Tashigi, everyone's eyes rolled white and mouths unconsciously opened as they collapsed to the ground.
Thump!
Tashigi knelt on the ground, the sword in her hand rolling to the side. She gasped heavily, trying to retrieve the sword, but her outstretched hand trembled so much she couldn't grasp it.
What is that?!
Why does it feel terrifying!
Like being crushed by mountains, like being engulfed by the sea, even the air she breathed seemed to have stopped, giving her a suffocating illusion.
"Supreme King, huh..."
Suddenly, a voice came from the ground.
Crocodile, with slightly dim eyes, lifted his gaze to Sage, "Turns out you're a man with potential."
"Good that you're awake."
Sage said, "Hey, hurry up and come with me. Don't get caught here. That Seven Warlords of the Sea title, you don't care much about it, right?"
Crocodile defeated?
That kind of thing didn't matter anyway!
Right now, he was about to initiate his plan B!
Plan A was to remind Crocodile and let his plan be implemented smoothly, thus also allowing Sage's plan to succeed. After all, if the person succeeded, then the investment plan would be more stable.
And plan B was the contingency for Crocodile being defeated.
Sage had no interest in capturing this country; the first half of the Grand Line was not suitable for such things. He himself wasn't a Seven Warlords of the Sea, and Crocodile's plan wasn't his plan.
If it failed, then just leave the sea together; as long as he wasn't imprisoned, everything could be discussed.
After all, with the people here, business could still be conducted, and investments could continue. What he wanted was Crocodile's business channels and that money-making brain!
Once out at sea, he'd still be a pirate!
"Ah..."
Crocodile looked up at the clouds in the sky, letting the rain soak his body, murmuring a response, yet his eyes emitted a strange brilliance.
Failed.
Failed again...
After failing to challenge Whitebeard in the New World, he retreated to the first half of the Grand Line because he felt he wasn't strong enough. Instead, he set his sights on 'Pluton.' With that kind of power, he should be able to establish a military power and continue advancing into the New World.
After wasting so many years, he still ended up failing...
The powerful remained powerful, but Crocodile was defeated by a rookie...
Had his heart and will weakened to this extent?
From extreme anger and unwillingness to now being defeated, his heart was already undisturbed.
Retreat further?
To where?
East Sea?
Such a boring thing...
"It doesn't matter anymore."
Crocodile closed his eyes, "I'm no longer interested in anything. Let's leave it at that."
Sage glared at him and gritted his teeth, "You're not interested anymore, what about our cooperation?!"
Crocodile no longer responded, just lying spread out on the ground, his expression gradually calming.
Sage's eyes filled with bloodshot veins in frustration, "Damn you!"
This guy was pretty much waiting to die. If he was previously just rotten, now he was completely decayed!
Such a person, even if forcibly taken away, wouldn't be of any use!
"Sage!"
Lily, Marika, and Renedia appeared in the small square, shocked to see Crocodile lying on the ground.