One Piece: Transmigrated as Crocodile

Deng!

The moment Robin heard the words "Buster Call," fear and shadows flooded her mind. She instinctively took a few steps back, her mind going blank.

"It's fine. Mr.5, head to the gray port. The explosion shouldn't harm you. Tell the pirates that their way out is toward Lantis Island," Rosen said, supporting Robin's weakened body before turning to MR.5.

"Got it," Mr.5 replied. He was a loyal subordinate who never questioned or thought too much, simply following orders.

"The Marines are truly insane. Do they think this will force me out?" Rosen's expression turned grave. When O'Neill mentioned the Buster Call, he assumed it was primarily targeting Lantis Island.

He had planned to head to Lantis Island immediately because someone he cared about was there. He couldn't just stand by and watch as Natalie, that little kid, was wiped out before his eyes while he did nothing.

The Buster Call was undoubtedly powerful, but relying on sheer firepower to kill him was naive. However, he hadn't expected that even staying on Frans Island would be impossible now. In that case, he had no choice but to take a risky move.

The people of Lantis were wild, but they had one redeeming quality: they repaid kindness. Whether it was the terms of their initial deal, Queen Hathaway's decisiveness and gratitude after her mistake in Ming City, or their thanks after the journey to the Demon Land, Rosen had come to understand this nation.

That's why he planned to save as many of them as possible during the Buster Call and form an alliance. They had a common enemy, and it would be a waste to let those warriors die needlessly under the Buster Call.

So he sent Mr. 5 to make some arrangements. As for the civilians and Marines, Rosen couldn't help them. If he were to appear, the bombardment would only intensify, increasing the death toll. If he fled the area instead, the Marines might ease their assault on the two islands once they received the news.

"After I leave, pass the message to the Buster Call commander. That way, the civilians on the other two islands might have a chance," Rosen continued, speaking into the still-active Den Den Mushi.

This situation had started because of him. Although the Marines' madness exceeded his expectations, he didn't want others to suffer because of him if he could help it.

"Understood," Vice Admiral O'Neill nodded.

"BOSS, we need to leave quickly. This is a Buster Call!" Robin's forehead was drenched in cold sweat, a rare sign of her composure breaking. Her voice trembled slightly.

Rosen knew why. The Buster Call had always been the deepest shadow in her heart. It had destroyed everything she once had and plunged her into two decades of darkness. It was impossible not to fear it.

"Robin, I know what the Buster Call means. I know what happened to Ohara. But please believe me, as long as I'm here, you're absolutely safe. Whether it's the Buster Call or an Admiral, nothing will harm my subordinates before I fall. So, until then, focus on your role and leave the rest to me," Rosen said firmly, placing a hand on Robin's shoulder.

"I... I..." Robin looked into Rosen's eyes. They were unlike anything she had ever seen—fearless and resolute.

Before this, her BOSS hadn't been like this. Although many things had changed after Alabasta, his eyes had never held such an unwavering determination, a color she had never seen before. What had happened during his time on Lantis Island?

Strangely, under his gaze, her fear began to dissipate, like warm sunlight in the cold. Was he serious?

"BOSS, what exactly is the Buster Call?" Valentine asked, not fully understanding. Before this, she had been no different from a nameless underling.

"Disaster. Tell everyone to prepare to set sail toward Lantis Island. We leave as soon as Mr. 5 returns," Rosen said, waiting.

At that moment, the bombardment began. From the other side of Frans Island, several Marine warships turned their cannons toward Frans and Sasu Island.

Boom!

The first shell landed, reducing the massive hotel where Rosen had once stayed to rubble. The explosives ignited, setting everything ablaze.

The firepower in this world was always a bit unpredictable. Some Marine ships used solid cannonballs, while others had incredibly destructive capabilities. However, it was undeniable that powerful artillery existed in this world.

The Buggy Ball used by the clown Buggy was quite potent, and the special bomb Crocodile had planned to detonate during the war was said to be capable of obliterating soldiers within a several-kilometer radius.

Moreover, the Marines had a proper research division, and the firepower on their warships was far more formidable than it appeared.

As the bombardment began, so did the disaster. Panic and despair quickly engulfed the two islands. After just two or three rounds of concentrated shelling, Frans and Sas Island were engulfed in flames.

From a distance, the islands looked like they were glowing red, resembling burning hells. The sight filled the people on other islands with dread.

However, any ships attempting to sail without Marine permission were immediately sunk. The gray port was the best example.

Before the bombardment, many pirates had tried to leave, but they didn't know which direction was safe. As a result, their ships were quickly sunk by the Marines' concentrated fire. Not a single pirate ship had successfully escaped.

"Dammit, even if it's a trap, I'm heading toward Lantis Island," a pirate first mate said through gritted teeth, watching the ships being sunk by Marine warships in the forbidden waters.

"Are you insane? That message came from Crocodile's subordinate. They're probably sending us to our deaths, maybe to divert the Marines' firepower," a pirate captain retorted.

The message had just been delivered by a Shichibukai subordinate. Who would dare to trust it? They were here to kill Crocodile, after all. Why would he be so kind as to point them toward safety?

Besides, wasn't Lantis Island the first target of the Marine bombardment? Heading there was practically suicide.

"Then what do you suggest? Look at the waters ahead. Every ship that's tried to sail has been sunk. The Marine Buster Call warships are watching us."

"Fine, we're dead anyway. Set course for Lantis Island," the pirate captain said helplessly. The only direction no one had tried yet was the one MR.5 had just mentioned.

"BOSS, what was that call about?" Robin asked, her fear slightly under control after Rosen's reassurance, though she was still terrified.

"Vice Admiral O'Neill. Keep this to yourself for now. From now on, you'll handle his intelligence," Rosen said calmly.

"Vice Admiral?!" Robin stared at Rosen in shock. What was going on? Why would a Marine Vice Admiral provide intelligence to Rosen? And from the tone of their conversation, it seemed the Vice Admiral regarded Rosen as his superior.

How was that possible? A Marine Vice Admiral was a high-ranking officer in Marine Headquarters, with considerable authority. And their BOSS was a pirate, not even a Shichibukai anymore.

The reason was unclear, but based on the current situation, it was a fact.

"Let's talk about it later. Mr. 5 is back," Rosen said, spotting MR.5 emerging from the bombardment.

MR.5 jumped onto the Dawn, looking exhilarated. "That was thrilling! The explosion from the Marine shells was amazing. One blast, and I felt so refreshed. I think my explosion powers could use some tweaking..."

...Robin, Rosen, and the others looked at the excited MR.5 and suddenly felt that the Buster Call wasn't so terrifying after all.

"Let's set sail," Rosen said.

(End of Chapter)

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