The Greatest Disgrace in Marine History

Chapter 433 - 76: You Dare Order Me Around?

Crocodile’s pupils constricted, lightning-struck.His mind blanked, expression vacant with disbelief.

Across from him, Darren’s cold smirk deepened.

This arrogant brat—he’d rampaged his way through Paradise, tearing through the weaker half of the Grand Line without meeting true resistance. The established powers of the New World were too occupied with their own rivalries—many of them had already clashed with Darren in the past—to bother with an upstart like Crocodile.

ic Field Sensing.

With it, nothing escaped his notice.

The CP0 agent spoke, voice hoarse and devoid of emotion. "Crocodile is the World Government’s chosen candidate. I can’t allow you to kill him."

Darren raised an eyebrow—and pressed down harder.

The masked man faltered slightly beneath the pressure.

He’s stronger than intelligence reports indicated...

"The government’s about to begin a new initiative," Darren said coolly. "They’re choosing pirates with enough power to be granted legal authority to plunder. In exchange, they’ll serve the government when needed."

Tokikake and the Marines turned ashen.

Legalized plunder?

Sanctioned pirates?

That was more than a betrayal—it was an insult.

The Marines existed to crush pirates, to uphold justice. This made a mockery of their very mission.

"So that’s how it is..." Darren mused, voice soft but sharp as a blade. "The government doesn’t trust us anymore. They think the Marines aren’t strong enough. So now they’re crawling to criminals and handing them legitimacy like scraps to a dog?"

The CP0 agent didn’t flinch. "This is not your concern. I act on orders from the World Government. As a Marine, you will obey."

"Crocodile is under special evaluation. Until a final decision is made, no one is permitted to harm him."

Darren’s expression shifted.

Gone was the contempt.

In its place: calm.

A smile curled at the corner of his mouth. Gentle. Compliant.

"I see," he said mildly. "So the government’s been watching him all along. Even let him send a distress call. All part of the test."

"You could put it that way," the CP0 agent replied, oblivious to the storm behind Darren’s eyes.

"Fine," Darren said, nodding. "If it’s a direct order from the Gorosei..."

He stepped back, withdrawing his foot.

Crocodile exhaled shakily, relief flooding his exhausted body.

"I’ll obey," Darren said, lips curling into a polite smile.

"But..."

His fingers clenched.

The next instant—

SHIK!

The Three-Fingered Dragon Claw shot out in a blur, piercing straight through the CP0 agent’s chest.

Thud!

Blood gushed out in a crimson spray.

A living mass of flesh pulsed in Darren’s hand—his claw wrapped around the man’s heart.

Time froze.

The Marines stared, stunned.

Crocodile’s eyes trembled.

The CP0 agent didn’t scream.

He stood frozen, the realization only now crashing through his mind.

"You dare give me orders?" Darren asked softly.

And then—

CRUSH.

Blood splattered across his face like war paint.

To be continued...