One Piece: Transmigrated as Crocodile

Chapter 387 CHAPTER 388 - Give Me Face, The Target of All

"What's going on?! It's the Red-Haired Pirates." Fleet Admiral Sengoku's mood sank like lead. The sudden appearance of a fully operational Emperor's crew at the Summit War was enough to give any force pause, even making them hesitant to act.

Especially the Red-Haired Pirates, the youngest among the Emperors. Though their numbers weren't great, they were incredibly formidable. No one dared to ignore them. Even Fleet Admiral Kong halted his steps.

Blackbeard and his crew, who had also been fleeing for their lives, broke into smiles upon seeing Red-Haired. It seemed the Marines and the World Government wouldn't find it so easy to wipe them all out in one go.

"The Red-Haired Pirates!"

"An Emperor!"

Shock filled the battlefield.

With that status revealed, everyone—whether Shichibukai, Marco, even the Marine Admirals and Garp—ceased their attacks.

Many of them were severely depleted, especially Marine Headquarters. Their enemies in this war were already numerous. Adding the Red-Haired Pirates into the mix could completely alter the outcome.

Just how powerful were the forces currently gathered at Marine Headquarters?

On the pirate side, there were the Dawn Pirates, the Blackbeard Pirates, and the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates. Among them, there were at least four or five fighters of Admiral caliber. Blackbeard counted as one. Among his subordinates were many notorious villains from the old era, whose full strength was yet to be fully revealed, some approaching that level. Marco and the other division commanders included individuals who themselves possessed Admiral-level combat power. Those who didn't could still form a significant force when several combined.

Though the World Government and Marine Headquarters had lost Admiral Akainu, they still had Aokiji, Kizaru, Ramirez, Garp, Sengoku, Rufus, Kong, and the CP0 Commander-in-Chief. A preliminary count put them at around eight Admiral-level combatants, some even exceeding that standard.

Adding in the Shichibukai Hawkeye and other Warlords not far from Admiral strength, this force was one that even a typical Emperor's crew might not dare to confront head-on.

It was precisely because Marine Headquarters had deployed such an unprecedented, massive force that they had dared to claim confidence in capturing all the pirates moments before.

But with the arrival of the Red-Haired Pirates, once they intervened for Marine Headquarters, the balance of power would no longer be so lopsided. The full strength of the Red-Haired Pirates was temporarily unknown, but Whitebeard had been able to confront Marine Headquarters' three Admirals, the Shichibukai, and numerous other elites all at once.

Therefore, the Red-Haired Pirates, who shared equal fame with Whitebeard, absolutely had a conservative minimum combat power equivalent to at least three Admirals.

With so many top-tier fighters, if a true decisive battle erupted at Marine Headquarters, it would be nearly impossible to determine a victor. If such a war truly broke out, the already devastated headquarters would likely collapse and sink within minutes.

The power concentrated here now was too terrifying. A significant proportion of the world's famous strong individuals were present. If a fight broke out, regardless of winner or loser, it was destined that countless powerful figures would fall, likely including those of Admiral level.

"I've come to end this war." Red-Haired, leading his entire crew, disembarked from his ship. He spotted Luffy still bouncing around energetically in the distance, his eyes filled with pride. Though Luffy was still far from being a true top-tier fighter, he was already a qualified pirate. Excellence, Red-Haired believed, was not far off.

Red-Haired surveyed the entire battlefield, finding the situation more complicated and the war more brutal than he had imagined. Had he been any later, and an even more horrific war commenced, even he might not have been able to stop it.

He then saw Whitebeard's body, still standing, which didn't surprise him much. Finally, his gaze turned towards Sengoku and Blackbeard's direction. "If this battle continues," he said coldly, "it will only add to the meaningless casualties on both sides. If there's anyone who hasn't had enough... come. We'll keep you company!"

Red-Haired drew his sword, releasing his Haki. His eyes filled with a murderous intent potent enough to make the elite fighters present tremble with fear. The immense pressure made them all feel dread.

The ringing sound of the drawn sword reverberated through the air. Wherever his gaze fell, except for the very few strongest who could meet his eyes, everyone else was terrified.

They had just experienced the power of an Emperor's crew of equal standing. Now, facing this fully operational Red-Haired Pirates... should they fight?

Red-Haired's entrance instantly cooled the rapidly escalating war.

"Soon, the classic famous scene will appear," Rosen watched Red-Haired, feeling some anticipation. Though the situation wasn't very optimistic, he could only view it positively.

It wasn't that they didn't want to run. It was that while Garp and the others' attention was drawn, their Haki remained focused on them. Any rash movement would immediately draw pursuit.

"What?" Hathaway looked at Rosen, puzzled. Why did he seem so expectant? This captain brimming with anticipation seemed somewhat charming, more filled with human-like, substantial emotions.

"Red-Haired, you've grown even more imposing," Blackbeard looked at Red-Haired. This guy had conquered the New World in such a short time, his strength absurdly powerful. Without having obtained the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, if a real fight broke out now, he likely wouldn't be his match.

"Teach!" Red-Haired Shanks stared at Blackbeard. He had suffered at his hands once when he wasn't strong enough.

"Zehahaha! I don't want to fight you all right now. Men, let's go!" Though Blackbeard also wanted to act tougher, without the Tremor-Tremor Fruit in hand, it was better to bend when necessary. Crocodile, damn him!

Red-Haired silently watched Blackbeard leave. Ramirez wanted to intercept, but Fleet Admiral Kong gestured for him to stop. Even Kong was very wary of the Red-Haired Pirates, and the relationships involved were complex.

Red-Haired's appearance here demanded careful consideration. Moreover, upon reflection, they realized the casualty situation at Marine Headquarters was extremely severe and not looking good.

"Hawkeye, where are you going?" a Marine suddenly asked, seeing Hawkeye sheathe his sword and turn to leave.

Hawkeye looked back at him and said calmly, "I only promised to engage Whitebeard. Fighting Red-Haired is not within the agreement."

Having said that, he walked away on his own. And no one dared to stop him. Firstly, because Hawkeye was immensely powerful. Secondly, because the agreement's contents were indeed as stated.

Hawkeye's departure wasn't just his own intention. It also signified that the Shichibukai agreement's terms had been fulfilled. This reminder made the other Warlords, no fools, unwilling to work for Marine Headquarters for free any longer.

It also meant this powerful fighting force, the Shichibukai, had withdrawn from the battle.

"Everyone, I hope you can give me face here." If an ordinary person—no, even an Admiral—dared to say such a thing before so many powerful figures...

But when a reigning Emperor, the youngest one at his peak, a legendary pirate with a bounty over four billion Berries, said these words, their weight was such that even Fleet Admiral Sengoku, even Fleet Admiral Kong, had to seriously consider them.

Because Red-Haired's identity wasn't simply that of a pirate. His words warranted careful handling.

And if the answer was no, then they would have to face a fully operational Emperor's crew. Moreover, this war, though costly, had largely achieved Marine Headquarters's objectives. It could be called a pyrrhic victory.

But victory was still victory.

Perhaps stopping now was indeed the best outcome. Because if the Red-Haired Pirates stood opposed, this even more terrifying battle than before would erupt in full, with both sides committing forces far exceeding the previous scale.

Ceasing hostilities now was a result Marine Headquarters could barely accept.

The entire battlefield gradually quieted down.

"On what grounds? Admiral Akainu's death cannot go unavenged!" Vice Admiral Doberman suddenly spoke up, his face cold. Admiral Akainu had done him favors. He couldn't accept his death.

"Akainu fell in battle?" Red-Haired was momentarily stunned. They had rushed here directly and weren't very familiar with what had just happened on the battlefield. Not seeing Akainu earlier hadn't surprised him.

After all, Admiral Akainu was so powerful that even Red-Haired wouldn't claim he could take his life in a one-on-one fight. How could he have lost his life here? Was it Whitebeard's doing?

Aside from Whitebeard, few others had the possibility of killing Akainu, not even Blackbeard.

"That's right, we cannot let him go." As Vice Admiral Doberman's words fell, another Vice Admiral immediately responded with a grim expression. They were officers under the hardline faction led by Akainu and naturally refused to let things rest.

Following the two Vice Admirals' statements, every Marine tightened their grip on their weapons. Some were utterly exhausted in body and spirit, wanting no more fighting. But if war erupted again, no one would be spared.

Simultaneously, the gazes of everyone present turned towards Rosen and Hathaway.

"This situation doesn't seem good," Rosen quickly lit a cigar to steady his nerves. Wasn't death in war a common thing?

But now it was being singled out specifically. This was not an ideal outcome. Rosen didn't think the Red-Haired Pirates had any reason to help him.

"Neither side in this war wishes to continue fighting," Fleet Admiral Kong spoke. "But the killer of Admiral Akainu cannot be let go. The rest of you may leave, but Crocodile must stay."

This symbolized the Marines' final decision for this war.

Upon hearing this decision, Blackbeard, halfway to leaving, suddenly stopped. He was in no hurry to go now. The guy who had screwed him over so badly seemed about to face trouble. Zehahaha…

If Vice Admiral Doberman hadn't brought it up, this war might have drawn to a close. But there were no ifs.

(End of Chapter)

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