One Piece: Ulquiorra Template

Chapter 56: The Decision

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"Hmm... hmm?"

Aokiji nearly dropped the Transponder Snail in his hand, his eyes widening in disbelief. "What did you say? You killed Crocodile?"

Ian nodded calmly, his voice unwavering. "That's right. I took him down."

"......" Aokiji's usual laid-back expression vanished, replaced by a somber gravity.

He wanted to dismiss it as a joke, but Ian's tone was devoid of any hint of humor. Although he hadn't personally interacted with Ian yet, he knew of the reports from Momousagi, Chaton, Kizaru, and even Sengoku and Garp. A demon who had escaped from the clutches of pirates and now claimed to have killed Crocodile... it had to be true.

A part of him wanted to question if Ian was even capable of such a feat. While he possessed a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit and formidable swordsmanship, Crocodile was a seasoned Warlord, a veteran of countless battles.

He was nothing like Moria, who had retreated to the shadows of Thriller Bark after his defeat, his strength stagnating over two decades. Crocodile, on the other hand, harbored ambitions of world domination. Could they even be compared?

How could a rookie who had emerged only a few months ago possess such power? But then again, hatred was a powerful motivator, capable of pushing individuals to unimaginable heights. It wasn't entirely impossible.

The thought sent a shiver down Aokiji's spine. Two Warlords had fallen at Ian's hands within a few short months.

He had initially opposed the Warlord system, so he wasn't entirely against Ian's actions. But the loss of two Warlords would undoubtedly send shockwaves through the world, potentially triggering a tsunami of chaos.

Ian's voice continued, "He was plotting to seize control of Alabasta, inciting rebellion and chaos, all for the ancient weapon, Pluton."

"You, as an Admiral, should be aware of this, right? Sengoku must have informed you. I witnessed Crocodile meeting with Diamante, one of Doflamingo's executives, trading weapons and dance powder. They openly discussed their plans."

"I couldn't wait for him to act before apprehending him. He tried to kill me, so I eliminated him. I didn't expect him to be so weak, though. He's just like Moria."

Ian's voice grew heated, his words laced with righteous fury. "And he slaughtered everyone on Whiskey Peak! I couldn't forgive that."

"The Warlords, the Marines, and the Four Emperors are the three pillars that maintain balance in this world. They are crucial... You defeating Moria already caused a significant disruption. We can't afford to lose another Warlord so soon."

"Using pirates to control pirates is a policy established by the World Government. It's not something we can easily change."

Aokiji massaged his temples, sighing wearily. "You're still so young... You're disrupting the balance of power."

"We had already received orders to monitor Crocodile's activities. We would have intervened if he made a move. There was no need for you to act alone."

Aokiji's voice was a mixture of astonishment and exasperation. "We still haven't found a suitable replacement for Moria, and now you've killed Crocodile. The consequences will be severe. Without a Warlord in Paradise, piracy will surge, putting even greater pressure on the Marines."