"Phew—"
Mike took a deep, satisfying drag from the premium cigar Smoker had handed him, exhaling a relaxed ring of smoke.
The lazy afternoon sun of Alabasta warmed his skin, and the chaotic energy of the converging pirates and Marines seemed a world away.
He watched as Kuzan stepped forward to deal with the newly arrived Whitebeard commanders, a sense of deep contentment washing over him.
'If an Admiral is going to make a move', he thought.
'I can just sit back and enjoy the show'.
"Smoker, pass me one of those," Crocodile said, settling back into the steaming water of the hot spring.
"Heh, Crocodile, you had quite the presence just now," Smoker teased, a rare smirk playing on his lips as he tossed a cigar over.
"Full of confidence, aren't you?"
"Hmph, of course," Crocodile snorted, though a hint of pride was evident in his tone.
He had, after all, successfully managed an impossible task and placated a monster.
He then turned his gaze to Mike, his tone shifting to one of respect.
"Captain Mike, about Fish-Man Island... it's not really getting away, is it?"
Mike smiled faintly, a meaningful glint in his eyes.
"It's not going anywhere," he said cryptically. "Consider it a future gift from the Whitebeard Pirates to Admiral Kuzan."
Crocodile's eyes widened slightly. "So... that salvage operation... you were serious? It's really happening?"
"Absolutely," Mike chuckled. "Did you think I was just talking nonsense?" He studied the Warlord carefully.
"Crocodile... you seem quite interested in this yourself."
"Captain," Crocodile began, his voice earnest, "you know Alabasta is a superpower on the Grand Line. Building it up, making it truly prosperous... it costs a fortune. Baroque Works' income mostly comes from bounty hunting rookies at the entrance to the Grand Line. But how much are they even worth? It's a drop in the bucket. Besides..." He left the rest unsaid—
'Besides, you took a billion Belly from me! That was our entire operating fund!'
"True, development always comes with a price," Mike nodded sagely, completely ignoring the unspoken accusation.
'Crocodile dedication is commendable! With a man like him developing Alabasta, it could become a prime vacation spot.'
'Desert tourism, luxury inns... a nice change of scenery. And his subordinates... Bon Clay is a real man, I quite like him. He's worth investing in'.
He decided then and there.
"I'll have a word with Kuzan about it later. After all, it's his Fish-Man Island project, not mine."
His gaze then shifted back to the center of the hot spring area, where Kuzan was calmly observing the three division commanders of the Whitebeard Pirates.
"Ice Block: Pheasant Beak!"
With Kuzan's low murmur, a frigid mist erupted from his right arm, rapidly condensing into a massive, elegant bird of pure ice.
The pheasant spread its crystalline wings and charged forward like a bolt of white lightning, the very air in the hot spring area turn cold instantly.
"Rose Rondo!"
Seeing the charging ice bird, Vista leaped into the air, his twin swords flashing as they danced around him, scattering a blizzard of razor-sharp sword shadows that looked like blooming rose petals.
The petals met the ice bird, splitting it in two.
But immediately, the divided pheasant reformed into two even colder ice spears, hurtling toward Jozu.
"Brilliant Punk!"
Without hesitation, Jozu charged, his entire right arm transforming into flawless, glittering diamond.
He met the ice spears head-on in a cataclysmic collision.
"BOOM—!"
The ice spears shattered, but an intense frost immediately crept up Jozu's arm, covering the diamond surface.
The cold spread swiftly, and he could feel his arm becoming nearly immobile.
'Damn it... is this the power of a Marine Admiral?' Jozu thought, shaken.
Just then, Ace's figure flashed into view.
"Fire Fist!" he roared, his arm engulfed in scorching flames as he punched Jozu's frozen limb.
"Sizzle—!"
The intense heat vaporized the ice in an instant.
Jozu shook his right arm, still feeling the lingering chill.
It had taken the combined efforts of three of Whitebeard's top commanders to barely withstand a single, casual attack from the Admiral.
This was not the lazy man from the rumors.
'There's no other choice,' Jozu thought, reaching into his pocket for an emergency Den Den Mushi.
'We have to call Pops.'
"If you continue to resist," Kuzan's voice was calm, but carried the finality of a glacier, "next time, your hand will be severed."
This was his Justice.
All who stood in its way would be removed!
Just as Jozu pressed the call button, a deep, oppressive voice rumbled from the Den Den Mushi, a voice that carried the weight of an Emperor.
"Kuzan... you dare to lay hands on my sons. Are you seeking all-out war with the Whitebeard Pirates?"
"Whitebeard—Edward Newgate," Kuzan's voice was icy and sharp.
"Do you wish to see your sons again? Then prepare to rescue them from Impel Down."
"..."
A brief, tense silence fell over the Den Den Mushi.
Finally, Whitebeard's voice returned, heavy with restrained fury.
"Speak. Your terms."
Kuzan exhaled a chilling breath, slowly voicing the decision he had formulated in his mind, a plan inspired by the words of the slacker Captain relaxing behind him.
"Transfer the territory of Fish-Man Island under Captain Mike's name."
"?!!!"
The Den Den Mushi fell silent.
"?!!!"
The entire hot spring fell silent.
Crocodile and Smoker stared wide-eyed at Mike, their jaws hanging open.
"???"
Mike himself wore a look of utter bewilderment, pointing a finger at his own nose.
"Admiral Kuzan, ... me? You're transferring Fish-Man Island to my name?"
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