The Flower Capital under the cover of night was anything but quiet.
Numerous so-called noble elites living in the capital had been "invited" to the temporary goverment building—and none had emerged since.
In the makeshift government hall, Crocodile sat at the highest seat, draped in a fur coat, puffing on a cigar, his hair slicked back like a mob boss.
Yet, despite his roguish appearance, an air of righteousness emanated from him.
These two starkly contrasting auras coexisted seamlessly on his person.
Flanking the hall, the "invited" nobles and wealthy elites of Wano trembled in silence, not daring to breathe too loudly.
From the moment they had been brought here, the newly appointed first mayor of Wano had remained silent, quietly smoking his cigar.
As a result, the hall was thick with the heavy scent of tobacco.
Just then, angry shouts erupted from outside.
Moments later, several nobles and merchants—who had tried to hide but were eventually tracked down by the interim government—were shoved into the hall.
Those already present merely glanced at the newcomers before immediately lowering their eyes, feigning indifference.
"Report, Mayor! All individuals on the list have been brought in!"
A goverment worker strode in behind them, quickly approaching Crocodile before announcing loudly.
"A few tried to escape. They were executed on the spot!"
At this, the gathered crowd tensed.
"Good work~"
Crocodile mimicked Orion's tone as he glanced at the worker.
Then, picking up a document, he leisurely scanned the room before speaking.
"I didn't summon you here for a meeting. I brought you here to pay for your lives."
"This isn't a negotiation—it's an order."
"The records in my hand detail the countless crimes you've committed under Kurozumi Orochi rule. Oppressing the people, abducting women, forcing innocents into prostitution—just these three alone warrant your execution."
"However, I am not a bloodthirsty man."
"Your families will be spared. But having lived in luxury under your protection, squandering wealth built on the suffering of the people, they must still pay a price. Death may be avoided, but punishment cannot."
"Now, I'm giving you one last chance to protect them."
"Didn't Wano once uphold the way of the samurai? If you commit seppuku, your families will live."
"Of course, you can refuse. But in that case, you and your loved ones will share the executioner's block."
As Crocodile's words faded, several goverment staff—selected from the Marine ranks—marched in, placing sharp daggers before the assembled nobles and elites.
"Embrace your deaths with dignity, gentlemen!"
"Guhahaha—"
***
Outside the hall, in the courtyard, Jinbei and Mihawk sat facing each other.
Seated with a clear view of the entrance, Jinbei witnessed the entire spectacle—a classic display of a new official asserting authority.
He watched as despair twisted the faces of the nobles inside.
One man suddenly broke down, wailing as he rushed forward to kneel before Crocodile, begging for mercy.
At that moment, his face twitched slightly before he averted his gaze to the great swordsman leisurely sipping red wine across from him.
"Mihawk, have you noticed how Crocodile has changed?"
"Especially in his speech and mannerisms—they've gradually started resembling Fleet Admiral Orion's. Is he deliberately imitating him?"
Hearing this, Mihawk set down his wine glass and replied calmly.
"One thing we both must admit is that, Orion influences everyone around him at all times. From the highest-ranking admirals down to branch officers and soldiers like Morgan from Shells Town in the East Blue—all have been united into an unprecedentedly powerful force because of him."
"True" Jinbei nodded.
"Even an admiral like Sakazuki has been influenced by Orion, let alone Crocodile. As they say, 'one takes on the color of one's company.'"
Mihawk took another sip of wine, his eyes narrowing slightly as he spoke in his usual composed tone.
"Prepare yourself, Jinbei. If I'm not mistaken, you'll be next. I can even guess where Orion will assign you to uphold justice and order."
"Care to elaborate?" Jinbe'is eyes gleamed with unexpected anticipation.
"Fish-Man Island."
Mihawk didn't beat around the bush.
"Once the Marine bases in Wano and Totto Land are established, the next step will undoubtedly be Fish-Man Island. And you—you'll become the commanding officer of its base."
After a brief pause, Mihawk suddenly shifted his tone.
"If my prediction proves correct, I hope you won't disappoint Fleet Admiral Orion."
"Fish-Man Island Marine Base?" Jinbei pupils contracted slightly, a hint of concern in his voice.
"Fish-Man Island is currently under Whitebeard Pirates' protection. If Fleet Admiral Orion plans to establish a base there, wouldn't that mean—"
Mihawk shook his head, a rare smile appearing on his face.
"Do you think there's anyone in this world Orion wouldn't dare to kill? With two of the Four Emperors already gone, the remaining Whitebeard Pirates and Red-Hair Pirates... if they don't voluntarily seek leniency from him, they'll face another full-scale assault."
His tone noticeably hesitated when mentioning the Red-Hair Pirates.
The reason was simple—as the world's greatest swordsman, Mihawk had a personal friendship with their captain, Shanks.
If possible, he hoped to see Shanks and his crew surrender willingly.
Not because he believed the Red-Hair Pirates were weak, but because the current Marine was terrifyingly strong—no force at sea could stand against them.
Jinbei, of course, knew of Mihawk's ties to Shanks, but he didn't voice it.
His thoughts instead flew to Fish-Man Island, recalling the words Orion had spoken to him in Loguetown—words that had stirred even his heart with excitement.
Suddenly, a scream erupted from the conference hall, snapping Jinbei out of his thoughts.
Then came a second scream, followed by a third, a fourth— As the cries continued one after another, the nobles and merchants inside the hall reacted differently—some chose to commit seppuku, while others, too hesitant to plunge the dagger themselves, received assistance from the staff.
Soon, as the final scream abruptly ceased, the conference hall fell silent once more.
One after another, bodies were dragged out by the staff.
Mihawk glanced sideways at the first mayor of Wano Country, seated at the head of the hall with his slicked-back hair.
It was no exaggeration to say that Crocodile at this moment was practically a carbon copy of Orion.
Whether it was his demeanor, expression, or ruthless methods, they were identical to those of the young Fleet Admiral.
As the world's greatest swordsman, Mihawk didn't believe Crocodile was merely influenced by Orion's charisma—there had to be another reason.
For instance, a rare form of Observation Haki capable of transmitting one's consciousness to others, influencing their minds and thoughts and creating intense resonance.
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