Chapter 88: Crocodile

Nico Robin's fear score: +215!

Akainu, reclining on the warship, received an unexpected prompt from the system. His brows furrowed in mild surprise. It had been months since the Ohara incident, yet here was Robin, still harboring significant fear towards him.

Robin's sporadic contributions to his fear points had dwindled in the past half a month, so the sudden spike caught him off guard. It was likely a result of Robin's troubled existence, haunted by memories of their past encounters. Or perhaps it stemmed from her awareness of his rise to Marine Admiral and prolonged presence in the West Blue, stirring fresh fears within her.

In the early days, he'd utilized the double fear card on Robin, ensuring substantial fear points with each occurrence. A tally like the current 215 points, when doubled, would amass to an impressive 430.

Individuals like Robin, timid yet resilient in their desire for survival, proved to be his most reliable sources of fear points. Unlike Catarina Devon, whose stoicism rendered her impervious to torture, Robin's vulnerability made her a prime candidate for eliciting fear.

"Sakazuki, I've dispatched scouts to nearby islands," Harrington approached Akainu, breaking the silence. "The Moria Pirates you're after were sighted a few hours ago, likely in close proximity."

Akainu nodded approvingly. Despite their best efforts to intercept Gecko Moria's fleet, the chase had stretched on for over a day without success. Restlessness gnawed at him, prompting inquiries into their whereabouts. In the unpredictable waters of the New World, even with navigational aids, losing track was all too easy.

"Full speed ahead. They've proven quite adept at evading us," Akainu commanded, urgency creeping into his tone. The warship surged forward, driven by a renewed sense of purpose.

After some time, Lucas hurried to Akainu with news. "Admiral, there's a pirate skirmish unfolding ahead."

"Pirates?" Akainu's interest was piqued. Their formidable fleet ought to deter any would-be attackers, so the audacity of these pirates intrigued him. "Are they aware of our presence?"

Lucas shook his head. "No, it appears to be an internal conflict. One of the ships bears the insignia of the Whitebeard Pirates."

Surprise flickered across Akainu's features. The territoriality of Whitebeard's affiliates typically precluded such ventures far from home. "Let's investigate."

Gathering on deck, the crew observed the unfolding spectacle. "What's happening?" Akainu inquired.

"The Molo Pirates, under Whitebeard's banner, are besieging a lone figure," Onigumo replied.

"Ah, it's him," Akainu muttered, adjusting the binoculars to get a clearer view. The figure under attack was unmistakable: Crocodile, with his Sand-Sand Fruit powers.

Crocodile, a rising star in the New World, had made waves with his Logia Devil Fruit abilities. Though yet to attract the ire of the World Government, his potential for chaos loomed large.

As the skirmish unfolded, it became evident that Crocodile's adversaries hailed from the Molo Pirates, led by Karl Anthony Alex, a formidable captain under Whitebeard's command. Their pursuit of Crocodile stemmed from a recent transgression within Whitebeard's territory.

Observing Crocodile's adept evasion tactics, Karl Anthony Alex had a change of heart. Instead of eliminating the fledgling pirate, he saw potential in recruiting him to the Whitebeard Pirates, recognizing the strategic value of a Logia user among their ranks.

Intrigued by the unfolding drama, Akainu contemplated the implications of this encounter. Crocodile's ascent in the New World promised to shake the foundations of the pirate hierarchy, presenting both a challenge and an opportunity for Marine justice.

The Whitebeard Pirates of today don't boast the same scale as depicted in the anime two decades later. Gone are the days of sixteen captains. Now, eligibility for captaincy hinges solely on strength within their ranks.

Carl's proposition is straightforward: bolster the Whitebeard Pirates with fresh power. A newcomer of Crocodile's caliber could undoubtedly alter their fortunes. Joining their ranks practically guarantees a future captaincy, a recommendation from Carl tantamount to a commendation of the highest order.

Yet Crocodile harbors no such aspirations. Fresh-faced super rookies all share a common dream: to uncover the elusive One Piece. Crocodile, proud and unyielding, is no exception. The notion of submitting to another's authority, let alone Whitebeard's, is utterly inconceivable to him.

In response to Carl's overture, Crocodile retorts with characteristic arrogance, "Join the Whitebeard Pirates? Preposterous. If anything, Whitebeard should yield his position to me."

Such brazen audacity leaves Carl unfazed, though his disdain is palpable. Having weathered over a decade in the New World, Carl is well-acquainted with the hubris of fledgling pirates. Their delusions of grandeur often require a sobering reality check.

"Whitebeard's lackey dares covet his position?" Crocodile's disdain is matched only by his arrogance. To challenge the venerable old man for his mantle is a folly beyond comprehension, a testament to Crocodile's monumental self-importance.

But beneath the bravado lies a deeper truth: in the hierarchy of the Whitebeard Pirates, reverence for their captain is absolute. Whitebeard commands unwavering respect, a deity among men whose honor brooks no insult.

The appearance of Marine warships throws the standoff into disarray. Carl's attention shifts, his focus drawn to the approaching fleet. With Crocodile preoccupied, there's scant time for further discourse.

Meanwhile, on Crocodile's vessel, his crew scrambles. Though emboldened by their captain's defiance, the sight of Marine warships dampens their resolve. Confrontation with the Marines is a prospect few pirates dare entertain.

Despite the urgency, Crocodile remains resolute. His arrogance notwithstanding, he knows better than to underestimate Marine might. A strategic retreat is the only sensible course of action.

As the two factions disperse, Akainu issues orders to Onigumo. Pursue Crocodile , he commands, alive if possible. The chase begins anew, a high-stakes game of cat and mouse unfolding across the turbulent seas of the New World.