Starting from One Piece, Sweeping Through the Myriad Worlds (TL)

While the World Government was making various preparations for Imu's upcoming journey, their progress in the World of the Kabane never ceased.

This super battleship from another planet, named Seastar, had only dispatched a small landing craft due to the Stargate's entrance being too narrow.

Yet it was more than enough to stir up massive waves in this designated No.0001 Stargate World, affecting countless civilians in every aspect of their lives.

When Amatori Biba returned to Iwahato Station by train and stepped out of the station gates, he was stunned by the scene before him.

Standing on the high platform steps, he looked down at the city below. The streets and alleys were no longer filled with Kabane, and the sounds of gunfire and wailing had vanished from his ears.

Instead, he saw numerous men and women cleaning residual bloodstains, clearing charred ruins, and repairing damaged houses—each face bearing traces of smiles.

Around the station and along the distant city walls stood black-clad soldiers wielding strange firearms, who showed no intention of interfering with civilian activities.

"Amatori Biba, correct?"

A black-clad Army major wearing a Justice Coat approached and addressed him. Amatori Biba withdrew his gaze and replied, "That's me."

"Come with me. Vice Admiral Crocodile wishes to see you." Without waiting for a response, the major turned and briskly descended the steps.

Amatori Biba naturally followed, though a slight frown creased his brow—he had detected clear disdain in the major's eyes.

Leaving the station and entering the streets of the rebuilt district, the vibrancy of daily life immediately surrounded them.

"Mom! Mom! It's lunchtime already!"

A little girl of about seven or eight excitedly tugged at her young mother's kimono sleeve while jumping up and down. The nearby working adults also showed eager expressions.

"Yes, the Army soldiers will soon bring us delicious bread and milk. Aren't you happy?" the mother replied gently.

"And luncheon meat! Luncheon meat is the best!"

"Hahahaha!"

The girl's earnest declaration drew laughter from the crowd, the joyful atmosphere sweeping away the lingering scents of blood and smoke like a fresh breeze.

The civilians here had mostly heard terms like World Government, Army, and Vice Admiral Crocodile. Though no one had explained these concepts in detail, the military force that had wiped out all Kabane in the city within a day and a half—while providing three daily meals of soft bread, rich milk, and savory luncheon meat—along with their strictly disciplined non-interference, made their presence quickly accepted.

Truthfully, under such circumstances, these common folk cared little whether their rulers were the Shogunate or someone else.

What they didn't know was that the Army's overall discipline wasn't as impeccable as they observed—only these five thousand soldiers personally trained by Bullet were exceptional.

If they didn't want to receive a kick from Bullet upon returning, they had to follow his rules to the letter.

Back when he was at the Army headquarters, Bullet had publicly kicked disobedient troublemakers to death on multiple occasions.

At the time, some thought he would surely face punishment and sanctions for such actions. Yet to everyone's surprise, no one ever came to hold Bullet accountable.

The higher-ups seemed completely unaware of these incidents.

From then on, all five thousand Army soldiers fell completely in line.

"Look, lunch is here!!!"

Following an excited shout in the distance, Amatori Biba, who was passing by with an Army major ahead of him, turned to see four Army soldiers riding strange motorcycles slowly pulling a large metal box on four wheels.

As they moved along, civilians on both sides took turns retrieving a meal tray from the container, each holding a fist-sized loaf of bread, a carton of milk, and a metal can.

No one took an extra portion, nor did anyone cause trouble. Every person who received food bowed gratefully toward the four soldiers.

Even the major walking ahead of him was met with appreciative gazes from the civilians along the way.

After all, safety and sustenance were invaluable in the wake of disaster.

Yet the Army soldiers showed no reaction whatsoever, their expressions cold and indifferent as they ignored the gratitude. This only deepened Amatori Biba's unease.

It wasn't that he cared about these civilians—he was worried that if he were to join the Army headquarters later, he too might face such indifference. The mere thought of that situation was unbearable.

"We're here. Go on in. You should be more familiar with this place than we are."

"Understood."

Amatori Biba nodded at the city gate before him, thinking to himself, So they've turned the gate into a temporary base. Of course—with the administrative building destroyed, staying here is the only way to avoid sleeping on the streets.

The walls flanking the 'Station' gate were tall and thick enough to house various rooms inside, serving as barracks for the defending soldiers while also making it easier to manage the gate and walls.

Glancing at the major's retreating back—clearly uninterested in further interaction—Amatori Biba stepped through the inner gate under the watchful eyes of the guards on either side.

He had never actually been inside the walls of Iwahato Station before, but since the layout of every 'Station' was roughly the same, he only needed to find the office of the defending Warrior.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Enter."

Amatori Biba pushed the door open upon hearing the voice.

The next moment, he was greeted by a thick cloud of smoke that "washed" over his face. As a non-smoker, he found it extremely unpleasant and irritating—yet his expression remained perfectly composed as he calmly observed the giant seated behind the desk.

A man with slicked-back hair who, even while sitting, was nearly as tall as him!

"I hear you're the most militarily gifted and talented person in this world?"

Crocodile asked casually around the cigar in his mouth, making no move to offer a seat. Unfazed, Amatori Biba stood where he was and replied softly,

"Yes, you could say that."

"At least before you all appeared in this world, I never encountered anyone more capable than myself. Everyone within my sight was merely mediocre."

Crocodile felt an inexplicable pressure emanating from those words. He truly hadn't expected Amatori Biba to answer like that.

"Ha—ha—ha—"

But almost at the same time, he was amused by him. The classic gasping-for-breath laughter mixed with the smoke in the air and echoed through the room.

This left Amatori Biba speechless. What kind of person was this? Not only was his height outrageous, his abilities extraordinary, but even his laughter was so uniquely distinctive.

Was this the Seastar style?

"Interesting, kid. I'm starting to appreciate you a bit. Take a seat."

"Thank you."

Amatori Biba calmly sat down on the chair, only to immediately realize he had to crane his neck to look up at Crocodile. He thought to himself, "Might as well have stayed standing!"

"I've received the orders from the base. They want you to observe our process of capturing Diamond Citadel, right?"

"And incidentally deliver that so-called General to you, so you can personally kill your own father, yes? Not bad, not bad. Sounds quite amusing~~"

Crocodile took the cigar out of his mouth, revealing an obviously sinister smile. "But I'm not really fond of brute-force attacks. How about you cooperate and play along with a little scheme?"

Amatori Biba didn't respond immediately upon hearing this. Instead, he pondered for a moment before looking up again.

"With absolute combat superiority yet unwilling to launch a frontal assault, combined with my identity... Are you planning an unnecessary inside-out pincer move?"

"Hmm?!" Crocodile looked at him in surprise, thinking to himself, "This kid..."

Well... Because the little author spent too much time in the reader group and couldn't finish the midnight chapter in time, there won't be any more after this one. However, I can still guarantee three chapters tomorrow, though the timing is uncertain. I need some time to adjust and get back to the rhythm of three midnight updates as soon as possible.