One Piece: Transmigrated as Crocodile

Chapter 385 CHAPTER 386 - Deterioration, Blackbeard's End?

"So this is Blackbeard? Never really heard much about him before." Ramirez and Fleet Admiral Kong strolled through the battlefield, invincible as they moved. They were like two prehistoric behemoths.

Pirates were often sent flying through the air before they could even get close.

How strong was Ramirez? The fact that he could briefly hold off the entire Dawn Pirates on Sabaody Archipelago gave some indication. And how strong was Fleet Admiral Kong?!

Almost no one knew. At least, few in the recent generation knew. Even many young pirates only knew him as the overall Commander-in-Chief who often represented the World Government. But his true strength was impossible to gauge.

Only Whitebeard and those from the generation before him knew of Fleet Admiral Kong's power. Garp, Sengoku—these were figures Kong had essentially nurtured.

As for his specific combat power, Rosen could only judge from snippets of supplemental information. Though it was an indirect judgment, Rosen felt Fleet Admiral Kong was likely Yonko-level in strength.

It sounded exaggerated, but it wasn't completely baseless.

There was once a man who single-handedly challenged an entire Yonko crew, able to stand equal with Roger and Whitebeard by himself: Red-Count Patrick Redfield.

And Fleet Admiral Kong had once fought Patrick Redfield. Even someone as powerful as Patrick Redfield was eventually exhausted by Kong and subsequently arrested by Garp and sent to Impel Down.

Furthermore, if Marine Headquarters had to deploy its full force to face a single Yonko, then the World Government's power would be too weak. Would their total combat power be equivalent to only one or two Yonko?

How could they rule the world then? Their enemies were the Four Emperors of the Sea, countless other powerful pirates, and the huge threat of the Revolutionary Army.

Therefore, it was normal for the World Government to have Admiral-level combatants. Having world-top-tier fighters—Yonko-level combatants—was also perfectly reasonable.

When Rosen saw those two figures walking amidst the pirates, he felt unprecedented danger. Moreover, the entire island was sealed off by a bubble barrier.

How many forces had the World Government deployed? Was this their full might? Even the Commander-in-Chief of the Three Forces was personally taking action. This power might be enough to wipe everyone out here.

They had to escape, quickly.

"So you're Blackbeard?" Ramirez didn't see Rosen and the others, otherwise he probably wouldn't let it go so easily. He looked at Blackbeard, killing intent evident.

"That's right. And who are you?" Blackbeard had been about to pursue Rosen but didn't expect this brawny fellow to appear halfway. His physique was excessively muscular, and he felt dangerous.

The key was, there didn't seem to be such a character among the Marines, at least not openly. Someone this strong couldn't possibly be unknown.

"I'm the one who will take your life." Ramirez grinned, about to attack.

"Looks like your plan failed. In that case, we should each go our own way, no problem?" Vasco Shot spoke up from behind Blackbeard, his eyes slightly narrowed.

Hearing this, Blackbeard felt terrible. Without obtaining the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, without overwhelming power far surpassing these scoundrels, they were indeed not so easily subdued.

They had agreed to join forces to take down Whitebeard; until then, they were allies.

But Whitebeard was dead now, and Blackbeard's attempt to seize the Tremor-Tremor Fruit had failed. Following Blackbeard no longer seemed to offer the qualifications to rule the New World.

After all, Yonko like Kaido and Big Mom weren't to be trifled with.

"Oh, infighting? That's good." Ramirez suddenly stopped his attack, watching with interest.

"It's just a temporary setback. The Tremor-Tremor Fruit will reappear. We just need to seize it then. If not, we can find substitutes. Don't forget, for some ability users, just finding the person is enough, much more convenient... There will always be abilities that interest you." Blackbeard chuckled. Though reluctant to lose such useful fighters, if they really wanted to leave, he couldn't stop them.

He could only try to persuade them.

"I don't care where I go, as long as there are people to kill." Shiryu of the Rain said indifferently. He wasn't particularly concerned about whom he followed. Since Blackbeard got him out, he'd stick with him for now. If the situation turned bad, he could decide then.

"Let's follow and see how things develop first. We've been cut off from the outside world for too long. After we cooperate to escape Marine Headquarters, we can discuss this. Otherwise, I think we might all die here..." Catarina Devon, a Mythical Zoan user, looked at Fleet Admiral Kong approaching from not far away, breaking out in a cold sweat.

"No way!!" Seeing this, Blackbeard was speechless. Fleet Admiral Kong, the former Navy Fleet Admiral from decades ago? What a joke. Why was this old monster, who should be enjoying retirement, appearing on the battlefield?

Though this war was massive, it shouldn't be enough to overturn the World Government's rule. Why was such an old monster here?

Damn! The situation was bad.

"What are you staring for? We don't have much time. Seems even these old bones can't rest easy. You pirates, growing so arrogant one after another, must have forgotten who truly rules this world." Fleet Admiral Kong snorted coldly.

"Run." Blackbeard couldn't forget the losses he'd suffered under this Commander-in-Chief's leadership.

Decades ago, Whitebeard caused a major uproar. This Commander-in-Chief personally led forces into the New World to suppress him. As a result, countless powerful pirates of that era were swept away, including crews roughly equivalent to today's Yonko.

The entire Whitebeard Pirates were also hunted for a long time.

If he had obtained the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, Blackbeard might have dared to test his new power. But there was no 'if.' Besides running, there was no other choice.

"Trying to run?" Fleet Admiral Kong and Ramirez attacked simultaneously. A fierce battle erupted.

Boom! Hearing the tremendous noise, Rosen realized things might have gotten really out of hand. And Garp and Kizaru were catching up again.

Rosen and the others were nearly out of the main battlefield, heading towards the Marine Headquarters' family town. But Garp and Kizaru were in pursuit. With their speed and strength, if they clung on relentlessly, it would be difficult to deal with.

But there were no regrets. This was a gamble from the start, and one could even say it succeeded. They just hadn't anticipated so many powerful forces appearing. Even if not all were targeting them, it was still not easy.

As long as they weren't all focused on him, Rosen was confident they could escape safely.

"Robin, take everyone and go ahead. Hathaway, I'll need your help for a bit." Rosen alone, facing Kizaru and Garp, would likely be defeated or killed.

But if Hathaway could hold off Kizaru, Rosen could barely withstand Garp's attacks for a while.

It was true Garp was stronger than Rosen, even considerably so. But Admiral-level combat power was already among the world's top tier. Being slightly weaker didn't mean he had no ability to resist.

Perhaps no force in the entire world could make an Admiral-level fighter completely helpless.

"Alright." Robin didn't hesitate. Though they hadn't anticipated this situation.

They had contingency plans for emergencies. If things went beyond expectations, the two strongest would cover the retreat, allowing the crew to withdraw safely. Afterwards, the two strongest would find it much easier to disengage from the battlefield than the others.

"Something feels off. Since earlier, Marine morale seems even higher." Law, carrying the severely wounded Urouge, ran over from the nearby crowd. Using his ability and focused on escape, few could stop him.

Actually, Law and Urouge had seen Rosen and the others much earlier, but they were dealing with troublesome enemies at the time, hence their delayed arrival.

(End of Chapter)

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