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Aokiji's warship docked early in the morning, and as soon as it arrived, Qin's Nation had already received the news.
The arrangements by the Parliamentary Institute were meticulous and thorough. In the shortest time, they had already taken full control of the national situation.
"Where is Aokiji now?" As he walked outside, Qin Yi asked calmly.
"He's currently resting at an inn near the Canola Flower Port. Crocodile has already gone to meet him." Qing You responded.
Nodding slightly, a gleam flashed in Qin Yi's eyes.
"Inform Crocodile to be polite and wait for me to arrive. Also, don't let Aokiji leave Qin's Nation."
With that, Qin Yi quickly disappeared from the palace hall.
Marine Admiral Aokiji's immense power could freeze an entire stretch of ocean and keep it frozen for a week. Whether in terms of destructive force or area of effect, it surpassed what any ordinary person could imagine.
Canola Flower Port
Wearing his signature coat, with its sleeves fluttering in the wind and grains of sand swirling around him, Crocodile had already arrived with his subordinates.
"Where is Aokiji?" Blowing out a puff of smoke, Crocodile turned his head and asked the cold-faced man behind him.
"He's resting at an inn not far from here. At the moment, he should be in the bar." Daz Bonez replied in a deep voice.
"The bar, huh?" Crocodile was about to take a step but suddenly paused, then chuckled lightly.
"Looks like we won't need to go looking for him at the bar."
The people behind him were momentarily confused, but before they could ask, Crocodile had already turned around.
"Marine Admiral Aokiji, you're really fast, aren't you?"
Everyone looked back, and their expressions immediately changed.
Not far away, a tall and lanky figure leaned lazily against the railing. The man wore sunglasses, and his entire demeanor exuded idleness. Yet despite the blazing sunshine, a chilling aura seemed to surround him.
"Sand Crocodile, your current state is truly beyond my expectations."
Aokiji straightened up, stretched lazily, and began walking forward.
"Oh?" Crocodile raised an eyebrow.
"Qin's Nation won't tolerate a schemer like you hiding behind the scenes. You're standing here now, could it be because you've surrendered?" Aokiji wore a curious expression, though his heart was filled with suspicion.
Every Shichibukai was a ruthless and dangerous pirate. If they weren't powerful, they were shrewd and cunning. Such people had terrifying ambitions. How could they submit to anyone? Even if they did, it would only be on the surface.
"Admiral Aokiji, I doubt you came all this way just to deal with me, right?" Crocodile sneered coldly.
"My purpose is simple. Since you're here in person, it saves me some trouble." After a few steps, Aokiji came to a halt, already standing before Crocodile's group.
"Seems like you've got questions for me. Then let's find a place to talk slowly." With a fake smile, Crocodile gestured with his hand.
"If someone's buying drinks, then that's even better." Aokiji's eyes flickered, and a faint smile appeared on his face as well.
He had already sensed something unusual here, whether it was Crocodile himself or the soldiers spread around them. There was something strange, subtle but chilling.
The tension made him even more curious about what had just happened in this country.
Five minutes later, Crocodile and Aokiji sat face-to-face inside a private booth.
"So, what exactly do you want to ask me? Normally, the Shichibukai don't interact much with you Marines." Crocodile said indifferently.
"What I want to know is the story of how Alabasta became Qin's Nation. And…" Aokiji paused and fixed his gaze on Crocodile.
"Your current allegiance!" Crocodile paused briefly, then chuckled lightly.
"Regime changes are perfectly normal. The capable rise to power. As long as a report is submitted to the World Government afterward, that's all that matters. Does the Marine really need to stick its nose into everything?"
With a casual, drifting remark, Crocodile smoothly brushed aside the first question.
"As for allegiance, I'm still a Shichibukai. I haven't done anything to violate the original agreement with the Marines. Isn't that obvious?"
Aokiji's gaze sharpened. He stared at Crocodile's expression for a while.
But on Crocodile's face, all he saw was a faint smirk and thinly veiled contempt.
"This guy… something's off about him!"
At this point, there was no need for further discussion. Aokiji understood that he needed to personally meet this newly crowned King. Perhaps there, he would get all the answers he sought.
"Since you're already here, why don't I treat you properly today?" Crocodile casually offered.
The food was served, and the two of them ate in silence.
Afterward, under Crocodile's lead, Aokiji wandered around the port city. He wasn't in a rush, he hoped to pick up on subtle clues from the surroundings that could help him better understand this new nation.
Around midday, the Den Den Mushi (Transponder Snail) in Aokiji's coat suddenly rang.
He answered it quickly, and Sengoku (Warring States)'s voice came through, urgent and grave.
"Aokiji, forget about Alabasta for now, return to Marine Headquarters immediately, as fast as you can!"
The tone was anxious, heavy, even Aokiji's expression subtly changed.
He knew right away: something major had happened. Sengoku wouldn't speak like that otherwise. Since he had rushed through the night and arrived at Qin's Nation early in the morning, Aokiji hadn't heard anything about the Sabaody Archipelago incident.
"Seems I won't be wandering around here with you any longer, Crocodile,"
Aokiji said flatly, stopping in his tracks.
Realizing something urgent had happened, he had no time to linger.
"Oh? Was my hospitality lacking?"
Crocodile smiled faintly.
"Next time, perhaps."
Aokiji didn't feel like wasting words. He turned and prepared to leave.
But the moment he turned, his footsteps halted abruptly, his gaze suddenly turning cold and serious.
In front of him, a large number of people had encircled him.
"What's the meaning of this?"
"Don't misunderstand, Aokiji. We merely wish for you to rest here a little longer."
Crocodile still wore a calm smile.
"Looks like you're involved in something major too, aren't you?"
Thinking back to Sengoku's urgent tone, Aokiji immediately picked up on something. His eyes narrowed.
Suddenly, the crowd parted, and a figure approached with quick strides.
"Admiral Aokiji, wasn't your purpose here to meet me? Why leave in such a hurry?"
Qin Yi spoke with a faint smile, stopping before Aokiji.
"The King of Qin's Nation… Ying Zheng?"
Aokiji's expression showed a trace of surprise.
He hadn't expected the one who replaced Alabasta's king to be this young. And when this man arrived, even Crocodile instinctively stepped aside, almost as if giving him a respectful salute.
"Urgent matters await. I'll visit Your Majesty another time."
Aokiji was already on alert, though his face remained composed.
"But within Qin's Nation…"
"You may only leave when I allow it!"
Suddenly, Qin Yi's expression turned cold, his voice sharp and commanding.
"Today, you'd best stay put!"
(End of Chapter)