Settsetse! The Pirate Nemesis

Hearing Smoker's question, Sett replied nonchalantly, "I heard from that old geezer Garp that that bastard redhead was Roger's apprentice crew member, the Pirate King. Apparently, they even went to Laugh Tale together. I reckon those CP9 and CP0 guys from the Five Elders are after him right now."

"Of course, I don't think they have a chance. That bunch of trash probably won't even be able to smell that damn redhead's fart."

Upon hearing such explosive news, Smoker felt his head spinning. To an outsider, it might seem like just a few insignificant sentences, but the amount of information contained within required even Smoker to carefully consider and process.

Putting aside the fact that Sett called the Marine hero Garp "old man," Smoker said with a serious expression, "The Pirate King's crew? Are you sure? Even I didn't know that!"

"It's probably blocked by the World Government," Sett shrugged. "The Five Elders have always liked to hide and handle things quietly, haven't they?"

"..."

Although he knew Sett was speaking ill of the Five Elders, Smoker had no intention of refuting Sett's words... Even as a Marine, Smoker often found some of the World Government's orders incomprehensible.

"By the way, how long have you been in the East Blue?" After thinking for a moment, Smoker decided to change the subject and talk about other things. He felt that if they continued talking, CP0 would be knocking on his office door soon.

“About two months,” Sett said. “He trained with Garp for a while.”

"Train with Garp?"

Smoker's expression was somewhat strange. Sett nodded and said, "My bone strength couldn't keep up with the progress, so I trained with that old man Garp for a while... By the way, do you know Garp's two grandsons?"

"I'm not sure... Lieutenant General Garp rarely talks about his family. After all... you know."

Smoker shrugged, his face clearly saying "You know what I mean"—Garp's son, Dragon, leaving the Navy to form the Revolutionary Army caused a huge stir within the Navy and even the World Government. It was only thanks to the World Government's timely response and swift suppression of related reports that a larger problem was avoided.

It was after that that the topic of Vice Admiral Garp's family became a taboo within the Navy, and few people talked about it.

"I understand, but those kids are really interesting," Sett said with amusement. "One is a grandson, one is an orphan, and the other is a runaway nobleman who became sworn brothers. Even though Grandpa is a naval hero, the first thing he says to me every time he sees me is that he wants to be a pirate someday!"

"..."

Upon hearing this, Smoker rubbed his temples—the son of a naval hero had joined the Revolutionary Army, and his grandson was clamoring to become a pirate. No matter how he thought about it, it felt rather strange… If word got out, it would be odd if the Five Elders didn't react.

"By the way, how did you find out about these things?" Smoker asked, somewhat exasperated.

"The more you travel, the more you see," Sett said casually. "By the way, have any powerful pirates appeared lately?"

After stretching his muscles, Sett asked, "I'm not used to it since Garp left... The pirates in the East Blue are so weak, it doesn't feel real at all when we fight them!"

"...Then you've come to the right person."

Upon hearing this, Smoker raised an eyebrow, then walked to his desk, took out a stack of bounty posters, and after picking through them for a moment, picked one out and said, "This one has a pretty big reputation lately, it should be around Loguetown. But the exact location isn't very clear."

Upon hearing this, he accepted the bounty and saw three large characters: "Crocodile," followed by his name: Crocodile.

156. Pursuit of Crocodile

Sett glanced at Crocodile, then stroked his chin. He certainly looked fierce. But beyond that… picking up the bounty poster, Sett's face was filled with hesitation:

"Only a 50 million bounty? Are you kidding me?"

"Bounties don't mean anything." Smoker shook his head upon hearing Sett's words. He then said, "You know how the Navy operates. Bounties for pirates outside the New World are adjusted based on the severity of their crimes. Crocodile... he's very well hidden. He returned from the New World, is a Logia-type Devil Fruit user with sand powers, and possesses considerable strength. Moreover, his destructive power on land far surpasses his power at sea. If we're really going to calculate it, his bounty should be around 120 million."

Hearing Smoker's words, Sett's eyes lit up—120 million was no small sum in the Four Seas. After all, Moria's bounty was only a little over 100 million. He'd forgotten the exact amount now… Sett had no interest in remembering the bounties of his defeated enemies. They were all gone in the blink of an eye anyway.

As for the Navy's bounty system, Sett didn't want to complain anymore—Logia-type Devil Fruit users, you know, the starting price for a Logia-type Devil Fruit alone is over 100 million. And yet, a pirate who ate a Logia-type Devil Fruit only has a bounty of 50 million… Aside from the fact that the people in the Navy who set the bounties are out of their minds, there's one more thing that's certain.

That means Crocodile is a real coward; his bounty after leaving the New World was only 50 million. He's probably a master of hiding his true nature.

Sett dislikes those who play defensively. Just like those top laners who play Vayne or those who spam E-Q-W-Duo-Duo-Duo-Duo-Duo-Duo!

To perform acrobatics on the road amidst bloody battles and passionate brawls, disregarding all code of honor, is utterly despicable!

"I'll take this job." Nodding, Sett was confident he had the strength for a bounty of 120 million, and even the actual bounty of 50 million was substantial. At least for the next period of his voyage, Sett could continue his extravagant spending spree—with his increasing muscle density and bone strength, the energy Sett consumed daily was an astronomical figure compared to the average person. He already had little concept of money; if he weren't a bounty hunter, and relied solely on plundering, Sett's bounty would be at least 300 million.

He's not very bright, but he can eat a ton.

As he was leaving, Sett stroked his chin and suddenly asked with some curiosity, "Speaking of which, old smoker, how come you're still just a lieutenant? My Tina is already a colonel!"

"Don't you even look where I am?" Smoker pursed his lips helplessly upon hearing Sett's words. Although Smoker appeared stern to outsiders, Sett and Smoker were, strictly speaking, half-classmates, so Smoker didn't put on airs and said:

"This is Loguetown, second only to the Marine Headquarters and the G5 branch in the New World in terms of importance... Do you understand the significance of a town that marks both the beginning and the end of the story? Do you want me to tell you the story of the execution of the Pirate King Roger?"

Smoker is currently a lieutenant in the Navy in Loguetown—it seems low, but naval ranks take into account the island in which they are stationed. Just as a colonel at headquarters is automatically two ranks higher than a colonel at a branch, as a major naval stronghold and the face of the World Government, the rank of ensign in Loguetown is only slightly less prestigious than Tina's captain rank.

Having not seen his old friend for a long time, Smoker became quite talkative. While smoking a cigarette, Smoker said, "If we're really going to be honest, with my qualifications, I'd be a second lieutenant at most in Loguetown, not even a first lieutenant."

"Then why is he a lieutenant? Did he sell his ass?"

"You're the one who sold your ass, you son of a bitch!"

Hearing that Sett couldn't say anything nice, Smoker said with a look of disgust, "Because of Devil Fruits... Don't forget, all three candidates for Admiral are Logia-type Devil Fruit users."

"My Smoke-Smoke Fruit may not be as well-rounded as theirs, but it is still a rare Logia type. So whether it's promotion or anything else, it will be faster for the Marines than those with physical skills, Paramecia-type Devil Fruits, or Zoan-type Devil Fruits... This is the Five Elders' order."

Upon hearing this, Sett nodded: "I can guess... It's nothing more than attracting more Devil Fruit users to join the Navy."

After chatting for a few minutes, Sett waved to Smoker and said, "I'm off now~ Bye-bye."

"Ah."

Upon hearing this, Smoker had no intention of getting up to see the guest out. They were practically classmates, and Smoker knew Sett's temper well—this guy couldn't be bothered with such trivial matters.

Perfect timing, since I'm too lazy to put on any show. In a sense, the two are kindred spirits.

Standing outside the door, Hawkeye saw Ser and raised an eyebrow: "So? Got a target?"

Hawkeye, who had been standing outside the door, showed little interest in Sett meeting his old classmate. Hawkeye's social interactions were mostly passive; he had only initiated contact with Sett because he was also pursuing Shanks. Otherwise, if no one spoke to him, he could stand there motionless all night.

Sett simply waved the bounty poster in his hand with a relaxed expression.

He took it and glanced at it, then Hawkeye frowned slightly: "Only fifty million?"

"Don't complain about the low bounty," Sett said nonchalantly. "This guy is a Logia-type Devil Fruit user from the New World. I reckon he's got some skills. But he's a coward, always hiding when he does bad things, so the bounty is low."

Hearing Sett's words, Hawkeye nodded in understanding—he knew that bounties fluctuated wildly in the Four Seas and the first half of the Grand Line. This was because it took into account the extent of the pirates' misdeeds. If a pirate's bounty was lower because they preferred to operate in the shadows, then it was only natural that their bounty would be lower.

The only problem...

"That's way too low." Hawkeye shook his head with a sigh. "Other bounty hunters would probably think it's some ordinary pirate if they saw this kind of bounty... A pirate with a Logia-type Devil Fruit should have a bounty of at least 100 million just for the fruit itself."

"Go tell that to the Five Elders," Sett said nonchalantly. "Anyway, the Celestial Dragons have been brainless for quite some time now!"

Upon hearing this, Hawkeye glanced at Sett, then shook his head helplessly—Sett was probably the only one in the Navy branch who would say something like that.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, the faces of the surrounding navy personnel were filled with astonishment—it was only because of Sett that these navy personnel had already prepared a prison meal for anyone else.

Even Sett himself, some Marines seemed eager to provoke him—openly insulting the Celestial Dragons, a world noble, would be considered a third-class merit under the World Government's regulations.

On the other hand, Crocodile, at the age of twenty-eight, nearing thirty, was strong and vigorous, and could be said to be full of ambition.

Eight years ago, Crocodile fought a fierce battle against Douglas and Bullet, descendants of demons and members of the former Pirate King Roger's crew. Although the battle ended in a draw, it greatly enhanced Crocodile's reputation, making him a well-known pirate in the New World.

However, after that, Crocodile did not choose to stay in the New World to continue his work. Instead, he unexpectedly obtained information about the Ancient Weapon "Pluton" during another raid, and thus, to everyone's surprise, he chose to come to the first half of the Grand Line and the Four Seas.

Pluto, Bruton. Legend says he possesses the terrifying power to sink an island with a single shot. While many consider Pluto merely a legend, Crocodile knows... Pluto wasn't destroyed; he slumbers somewhere in the ocean...

At the same time, Crocodile also knew that the World Government had been searching for clues about Pluton... or rather, who wouldn't want to possess a weapon of mass destruction like Pluton? Especially the legendary blueprints for Pluton, if such a fleet were built or possessed, the entire Great Pirate Era could be easily pacified, right?

However, the design blueprints for Hades involved far too many complexities, and Crocodile knew how deep the waters ran. So, he shifted his attention to the slumbering, physical warship of Hades…

Alabasta…

Gazing at the kingdom described in the ancient book before him, Crocodile's eyes held a hint of solemnity—Alabasta was no small country. As one of the World Government's member states, Alabasta's royal family originally held the same status as the Celestial Dragons. However, in the beginning, their ancestors chose to stay with their people, thus refusing to set foot on the Holy Land, Mary Geoise.

Although it lost the privileges of the Celestial Dragons, it is undeniable that, thanks to the glory of its ancestors, Alabasta is the country with the largest land area in the first half of the Grand Line, and also the country that receives the most attention from the Navy and the World Government.

Although the environment there was ideal for Crocodile to use his abilities, staying there for too long and taking any risks were things Crocodile wanted to avoid. In particular, the royal family of Alabasta held a superior status, and a rash attack could potentially attract the pursuit of Vice Admirals, or even Admirals or Admiral candidates from the headquarters.

Harboring the idea of ​​making a fortune quietly, Crocodile kept pondering where he should start... but no matter which way he went, he absolutely could not appear in the open. Otherwise, if his plan were exposed and the World Government learned about Pluton, Crocodile was certain that CP0 agents would be knocking on his door the very next day, bringing gifts and demanding answers.

Just as Crocodile was still thinking, Sett and the others arrived at the port with a roar.

Crocodile's whereabouts are elusive, and to prevent this treacherous creature from escaping, Sett and the others had no choice but to reactivate the Impact Shell, which carries heavy loads, and patrol the surrounding islands at high speed.

"The Impact Shell can be used three more times." Hawkeye said with a hint of helplessness in his eyes from the port. "After this, we need to speed up our plan to find the Sky Island. Otherwise, we'll have to rely on sails and steam from now on."

"So miserable?"

Hearing this, Sett raised an eyebrow. Then he said viciously, "That scoundrel only knows how to hide. When we find him, we'll give him a good beating!"

As he spoke, Sett pressed his fist impatiently. Accompanied by the cracking sound of his knuckles, Hawkeye glanced at Sett, then looked away without saying a word.

It's like you're saying they won't beat you up if you don't avoid Sett...

“This is the last island around Loguetown.” Hawkeye said after glancing at the naval chart provided by Smoker. “If it’s not here either, it means that guy has already entered the Grand Line… It will be difficult to find him then, and we might not have enough Impact Shells.”

As he spoke, Hawkeye was actually quite moved—although naval charts might seem insignificant, just ordinary charts, they are actually more than twice as detailed as those sold in stores or by freelance navigators.

Not only the surrounding islands, but even the ocean currents, reef distribution, and seabed depths are detailed in the maps. And unlike those outdated nautical charts that have been used for over a decade, naval charts are updated periodically, meaning only senior officers are authorized to use them; bounty hunters and the like are not even qualified to access them.

This is perhaps the benefit of clinging to someone powerful.

With detailed nautical charts, the previously perilous navigation difficulty was immediately reduced from difficult to moderate. Furthermore, the assault boats, after a series of enhancements and modifications by Judge, further reduced the difficulty from moderate to easy.

More importantly, with a toilet, there's no need to get up early to sneak out and poop, instantly doubling the quality of life.

"Hey, see this guy?"

Holding up an arrest warrant, Sett stopped a port worker and asked him questions with a displeased expression.

Initially, they hadn't held out much hope, but after seeing Crocodile's distinctive large golden hook, the port worker stroked his chin and said somewhat uncertainly, "I've never seen the person before... but I think I've seen that hook before."

Upon hearing this, Sett didn't bother with any more words, took out a stack of banknotes and slapped them onto the staff member's face: "Now what?"

"I remember now!!" Giving a thumbs up, spurred by the promise of money, the staff member quickly said, "He came at ten o'clock this morning! Although he was covered in a black robe, he had an extraordinary air about him, and that big gold hook was in his left hand!"

"Haha~" Upon hearing the port worker's words, Sett let out a malicious laugh, then waved to Hawkeye beside him: "You little rascal, hiding all over the place, but your grandpa Sett has finally found you! Pheasant, get ready to work!!"

"..."

Upon hearing this, Hawkeye, too lazy to speak, placed his palm on the rusty hilt of the knife, indicating that he already knew.

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I've found a great place to write: Tashan Study Room. The owner makes really good coffee—delicious and energizing. My updates will be a bit more consistent from now on.

157 Iron Cutting

Having received Crocodile's message, Sett didn't remain idle. He tied the assault boat's mooring ropes to the harbor and then strode into the town.

Without saying much, Hawkeye placed his hand on the rusty hilt of his sword and walked slowly.

At first, nothing seemed amiss, but once they entered the town, both Sett and Hawkeye could clearly sense hostile gazes.