Chapter 22: Initial Storm
Crocodile recognized that face.
In truth, how could anyone who'd spent time on these seas not know "him"?
Tall, barrel-chested, powerfully built.
Short gray-white hair and beard. A Justice cloak draped over his shoulders.
The legendary Vice Admiral bearing the title "Naval Hero"—
Monkey D. Garp!
In an instant, cold sweat beaded on Crocodile's brow.
He wasn't one to show weakness. On the contrary, Crocodile was arrogant—else he'd never have challenged Edward Newgate, "Whitebeard," the "Strongest Man in the World."
But his arrogance wasn't blind.
Facing the "legends" of the previous era, even Crocodile didn't dare provoke them unprepared.
After a moment's calculation, Crocodile decided to stabilize the situation first.
As a Warlord, even Garp couldn't attack him without cause.
"Hehehehe…"
A low chuckle. Crocodile feigned puzzlement. "Why would the Naval Hero grace us with his presence?"
"Youngster, you haven't answered my question."
Garp remained unmoved. His blue eyes stayed fixed on Crocodile as he repeated,
"Does the chaos on Sabaody have anything to do with you?"
"Hehehehe…"
Crocodile chuckled again. His body turned slightly elemental as he subtly brushed the sweat from his forehead, his composure gradually returning.
He had enough time to think clearly, to bargain with Garp and extract more information.
"According to the agreement I signed with the World Government, you have no authority to interfere with my actions."
Crocodile avoided a direct answer unless Garp offered something more valuable.
Garp merely scratched his ear, looking put-upon.
"Ah, troublesome. Seems a Celestial Dragon might be dead…"
"Not my concern."
Crocodile cut him off, his tone flat. "What happens on the island has nothing to do with me."
As he spoke, another layer of cold sweat broke out. It wouldn't stop.
What had he just heard?
A Celestial Dragon… dead?!
He'd anticipated the primitive Alvin Vergil might cause a disturbance, but this scale was outrageous.
"I'm merely waiting here for someone."
Crocodile spread his hands, signaling no hostility, a dark smile playing on his lips. "And as one of the Seven Warlords, I have no motive to attack a Celestial Dragon, correct?"
"Maybe?"
Garp scratched his head, frowning. "Thought the source of the trouble was right here. Guess I'll have to go inland to find it."
"Hey, sand-brat. Don't cause me trouble, or you'll taste my fist."
With that, Garp dismissed Crocodile, walking to the ship's bow to search for the local garrison's Den Den Mushi number. He seemed utterly unhurried.
Truthfully, the Navy's attitude toward "Celestial Dragon assault incidents" was often procedural.
For instance, in the future, when Luffy punched Saint Charlos, the Admiral dispatched—"Kizaru" Borsalino—adopted a similar stance. Beyond Kizaru's "Unclear Justice," the main reason was that Celestial Dragons weren't the Navy's direct superiors.
The Navy's duty was to apprehend the perpetrator, not protect Celestial Dragons.
Purururu… Purururu…
Purururu… Purururu…
The Den Den Mushi rang endlessly. No answer.
"Strange?"
Garp scratched his head, glancing back at Crocodile. "Hey, little Croc, any idea what's going on?"
"How should I know?!"
A vein throbbed on Crocodile's temple.
He realized the Naval Hero before him also had a personality he couldn't handle—perhaps even more troublesome than that primitive.
Then, abruptly—
Whoosh—BOOM!
On an island distant from the port, a violent explosion erupted—clearly artillery fire.
More shelling followed from across Sabaody, mingled with civilians' terrified screams.
Civilians, slaves, gladiators, nobles—all fled in panic. Chaos spilled toward the port docks. Everyone scrambled desperately for a ship.
"Run! Quick!"
"I have money! I'll pay! Sell me your boat!"
"Forget the money! Save your life first!"
"…"
"Hm."
Garp's eyes narrowed. His expression grew serious. He spoke gravely to Crocodile, "Croc-brat, you feel it too, right? Situation's looking bad."
"Uh… Wait!"
Crocodile's eye twitched. "Why should I feel it? This has nothing to do with me!"
But before he finished, Garp leaped away, vanishing from sight.
"…"
Veins bulged on Crocodile's forehead.
Who does he think he is?!
Just then, several people tried to seize Crocodile's ship to escape. He stirred up a sandstorm, dealt with the fools, then, after careful thought, decided to wait and observe.
He was curious.
Facing the legendary Naval Hero, could that primitive Alvin Vergil still escape Sabaody?
Or… to what extent would the Naval Hero allow that primitive to "evolve"?
Whoosh—
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM…!
The shelling continued.
"Hey!"
The Marine captain grabbed a CP guard by the collar, snarling, "Why are you CP bastards using Marine artillery? Who gave the order?!"
"I did!"
Nearby, Celestial Dragon Saint Lorvim shrieked. "I gave the order! Got a problem?!"
"…"
The captain glared hard at Saint Lorvim.
Saint Lorvim grinned wildly, roaring, "Useless Marines! My eldest brother is dead, and you're worried about those untouchables?! Do you know what happens if that criminal gets away?!"
"Tch…"
Helpless, the captain released the CP guard. He turned to his Marines. "Pursue! All units!"
"Sir!"
The Marines acknowledged, moving out. The captain walked with them.
Once a distance away, he issued another order.
"Priority: protect civilians from artillery. Secondary: apprehend the fugitives."
"…"
"Sir!"
After a brief silence, the Marines responded again.
Their voices were slightly louder this time.
From that moment—
More and more were drawn into this "chaos."
Slaves, nobles, gladiators, civilians.
Marines, CP agents.
Celestial Dragons, the Naval Hero, Fish-Men, Warlords.
And Alvin Vergil.
In the distant future, the "chaos" that erupted in the heart of the Grand Line would be given another name by the world:
The Initial Storm.
End of Chapter)
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