One Piece: Transmigrated as Crocodile

Chapter 352 - CHAPTER 352 - Manhunt at Sabaody, Tensions Rise

On the day after the Celestial Dragon shooting incident, a former World Government inspector was deemed a traitor for deliberately luring pirates during an arrest operation and shooting a Celestial Dragon with intent to kill.

He was later captured while fleeing and publicly executed at the Sabaody Archipelago.

"So it was that tobacco man's father." Rosen looked at the latest news report. In all the coverage, there was almost no mention of him or his group.

Rosen had originally thought he might be implicated as an accomplice, but that did not happen, because there was no relationship whatsoever between him and Alberton. This was something both the Marines and the World Government were well aware of.

Moreover, the World Government also knew that at a time like this, since the Celestial Dragons had not deliberately brought Rosen up, there was no need to provoke further conflict with him.

What Rosen did not expect was how efficient Marine Headquarters would be, and that they would directly hand down a death sentence.

In fact, the World Government had proposed holding a trial first to determine whether it was intentional, but in the face of the overwhelming fury of Saint Shalria, there was no proper trial at all, and he was directly sentenced to death.

Even those who had previously had dealings with Alberton did not stand up to speak for him. Everyone chose silence; protecting oneself is the way of politics.

Since it involved a Celestial Dragon, and he had indeed shot and injured Saint Shalria, there was nothing to argue about.

Celestial Dragons were never the type to reason with anyone outside their own kind. Coupled with the fact that Alberton had originally been a subordinate of Saint Shalria's faction, carrying out the execution posed no difficulty at all.

However, as Alberton was executed at Grove 61, the atmosphere across the Sabaody Archipelago grew increasingly heavy. Marine patrols increased, and it was said that two vice admirals had been urgently dispatched to temporarily take over and stabilize the situation.

Pirate activity also decreased. With the Marines intensifying their searches, many unlucky pirates were captured.

"Wherever you are, things are never peaceful." Law, the last of the Supernovas to arrive at Sabaody, hugged his sword and leaned in a corner. This time, he did not come alone, bringing along a bear, Bepo.

He also brought two important companions, Shachi and Penguin.

Rosen did not know what trouble Law had encountered along the way, but the sea was never calm, and running into problems was normal.

"Trouble comes looking for me. That's not something I can control." Rosen was also helpless. Who would have thought the pirate world followed the rule of bullying the weak and provoking the strong? Yet human hatred itself drove such patterns.

As for Alberton's death, Rosen did not even feel interested enough to watch. He only knew that he had been publicly executed at Sabaody. Celestial Dragons were even more cold-blooded than he had imagined.

He had thought there would at least be a period of trial, but instead it was swift and final. Rosen felt no guilt at all. Those who scheme being schemed against was only natural.

"What should we do next? Go straight to the New World?" Law asked, somewhat surprised as he looked at Urouge dining at the same table as Rosen.

Among pirates of the same generation, aside from someone like Luffy who ignored worldly affairs, everyone was generally aware of each other's exploits. He had not expected Urouge to also join Crocodile's pirate crew.

"A war that will decide the world's balance is about to erupt. Before that, we need to make a trip to Marine Headquarters." Rosen cut his steak, drank the fine wine personally poured by Valentine, and spoke calmly.

"What?! Are you insane? Marine Headquarters?" Even Law, usually calm, lost his composure. Urouge was also pale with shock, wondering if the captain he followed was a madman.

"Boss?!" Valentine was stunned as well, since Rosen had not yet explained the details to them. He estimated there was still some time before the Summit War began.

Moreover, it seemed the World Government and Marine Headquarters had not begun large-scale publicity yet, meaning they were not fully prepared.

Law and the others thought they must have misheard. No matter how strong Crocodile was, with just one pirate crew—or even several—going to Marine Headquarters was suicide.

Not to mention that Marine Headquarters itself was a fortress, the powerhouses stationed there alone were more terrifying than a Yonko crew, without exaggeration.

Going there would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. Was he tired of living?

"Oh right, I forgot to tell you. It may not be fully public yet, but they've captured Fire Fist Ace and will soon hold a public execution at Marineford. That means a public declaration of war against Whitebeard. For certain things, going there is risky, but worth it. It may be too early for you to step onto such a battlefield, but if you want to stay ahead of others, taking risks is unavoidable. Don't worry, at critical moments, I'll do my best to make sure you don't die…" Rosen said lightly.

But the listeners were utterly stunned. Whitebeard was going to war with Marine Headquarters? This was a world-shaking event, yet they had known nothing about it. Could it be true?

If so, the world was truly about to be turned upside down.

"Is the information reliable?" Law wiped cold sweat from his brow. This kind of news was far too intense. This was real war, not a clash between one or two countries.

It was a battle between the elite forces of a Pirate Emperor and the elite of Marine Headquarters that ruled the world. Whoever won or lost would completely reshape the world's balance.

Just knowing this was one thing, but more importantly, they would be participating in it. It sounded terrifying, yet also stirred excitement.

If it were just their own pirate crew getting involved, one misstep and they might not even know how they died. They had some strength, but any one of Whitebeard's ships was probably no weaker than them.

Those ranked near the top were even more beyond reach. This was not false modesty. Whitebeard was truly powerful, having dominated the New World for decades. In those decades, he had fought the Marines countless times, yet still reigned supreme.

However, if they acted together with Crocodile's pirate crew, their chances of survival would greatly increase. And if they managed to live through it, it would be excellent tempering for themselves.

There were risks, but it was not certain death.

"Of course, if you don't want to go, I won't force you. This kind of war is indeed pushing it for you. Even I can't guarantee survival." If not specifically targeted, Rosen believed that with his own strength, along with Enel, Daz Bones, and the others, self-preservation would not be an issue.

But if targeted, not to mention Enel and the rest, even he himself would be in danger.

"Extra, extra! Major announcement from Marine Headquarters: Fire Fist Ace, second division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, will soon be publicly executed!"

Inside the tavern, a newspaper boy suddenly shouted.

"What?!" One sentence sent shockwaves through the crowd.

"Sabaody Archipelago local breaking news! The Revolutionary Army's second-in-command, the chief of staff, has joined forces with the pirate Straw Hat Luffy to destroy the Employment Office and injure the Celestial Dragon Saint Charlos!"

"Damn it, what's going on? One after another targeting Celestial Dragons. Do they all have a death wish? The entire Sabaody Archipelago is going to be in turmoil. Damn it, an admiral is definitely going to move. I'm out of here." A pirate cursed as he left.

"Is it historical inertia, or coincidence? Either way, have Robin and the others come back. Better they don't run into an admiral alone." Rosen was not particularly surprised, but why was Sabo here too? And together with Luffy—had he remembered?

Then would they join forces to invade Impel Down?