First, there was a strange mechanical whirring sound.
It was just like a Transformer shifting into a new form.
Immediately after, Vir and Robin's figures began to rise.
Robin was watching all of this in shock.
A massive, imposing machine appeared before everyone.
It was none other than a brand new...
But a mechanical version of a tractor.
It looked much more intimidating.
"Don't just stand there—get in!"
Sitting in the driver's seat, Vir impatiently called out to the dumbfounded crew.
"Hoh hoh hoh yo! What is this?! Vir, this is way too cool! You can even transform!"
Luffy, being Luffy, immediately jumped onto the hood of the tractor.
Only then did the others snap out of their daze.
They quickly climbed into the cargo bed at the back.
As soon as they got in, they were surprised to find that the vehicle actually had seatbelts!
A beat-up tractor… with seatbelts? What's the point of that?
Though puzzled, they still chose to buckle up, prioritizing safety.
At that moment, Nami suddenly thought of something.
She voiced her concern.
Everyone turned to look at the woman who had fought so hard for her country.
With just that one glance, they all had their answer.
She wasn't cut out to be a pirate.
"She has her own path to follow. It's obvious that her road and ours… do not intersect. Buckle up! Hold on tight! We're taking off!"
Vir finished speaking and started the vehicle.
The massive engine roared to life.
The sound was so loud that it was a little terrifying!
It made their hearts clench involuntarily.
A sense of impending doom instantly washed over them.
And sure enough, after a few swift operations, Vir stomped on the gas pedal.
The tractor shot forward in an instant!
Everyone in the back was thrown backward uncontrollably.
If not for the seatbelts, they would have all been flung out of the vehicle.
Nami and the others let out ear-piercing screams.
At the front, Luffy held onto the hood tightly with his one remaining hand.
But his face was filled with nothing but excitement.
His wild howls echoed across the desert.
The others, however, had a completely different experience.
Wasn't this speed a bit too much?
Was this even still a tractor?!
Might as well call it a flying tractor!
Did it have to be this terrifying?!
Were they about to take off into the sky?!
"Zero to a hundred in 0.3 seconds. Not bad, not bad."
Vir muttered to himself.
With an average speed of 450 km/h, the tractor quickly brought them to their destination.
Without minding the others, Vir first carried Luffy into his room.
Looking at Luffy, who had vomited all over the place, Vir was speechless.
The rest of the crew wasn't faring any better; all of them were retching.
Vir's driving skills were decent, but at this speed, no amount of skill could help.
Despite their condition, they still forced themselves to walk to Vir's door.
Just as they reached it, they suddenly heard a chilling, bloodcurdling scream from inside.
The scream made everyone shudder.
Even Luffy couldn't handle it?!
Crap, they were all doomed…
Meanwhile, the news of Crocodile's defeat and his crimes quickly reached the World Government.
Saint Saturn slowly put down the receiver.
"What a nuisance. Now we have to find someone else to fill his position."
Saint Saturn spoke with a hint of frustration.
"Hmph! Useless. Losing to a rookie pirate—what an embarrassment. Now we have to go through the trouble of finding a replacement."
The bald elder beside him snorted in annoyance.
"Things have already progressed this far. Complaining won't change anything. That rookie does seem somewhat capable—he awakened Armament Haki at such a young age."
Saint Saturn found Vir somewhat intriguing.
"It's nothing special. Armament Haki is fairly common. He's just a greenhorn. Let the Marines take care of it. A Shichibukai was taken down—we can't just let this slide."
The elder who resembled a wild boar spoke up.
Saint Saturn didn't object.
The decision to have the Marines hunt down these pirates was unanimously approved.
The Marines soon received the message.
Upon learning that Crocodile had been defeated by a rookie pirate, the Marine Headquarters conference room fell into brief silence.
When Garp heard that it was his grandson's crew that caused this mess, his old face broke into a wide grin.
He munched on his senbei with even greater enthusiasm.
"The government wants us to send someone to eliminate them."
Sengoku finally spoke, his expression stern.
The officers exchanged glances.
There was some surprise on their faces.
A pirate crew with a captain worth only 30 million berries… had made it to their top-level meetings?
That crew should feel honored.
"Kowai ne~ Are rookies these days really this scary? Even a Shichibukai isn't their match~"
Kizaru drawled lazily, clipping his nails with a pervy expression.
"Defeating Crocodile in his first real battle… what a terrifying little guy."
Aokiji, usually laid-back, looked mildly surprised.
He had met Crocodile before. The guy had some strength.
A rookie, huh? Scary indeed…
"Do we really need to discuss this? Just send a Captain. If that doesn't work, a Rear Admiral will do. There are countless pirate crews like them on the seas."
Akainu, looking as serious as ever, spoke impatiently.
Sengoku's expression darkened slightly, but before things could escalate, Tsuru stepped in to smooth things over.
"Defeating Crocodile is already proof of their strength. I suggest sending a Vice Admiral. We should be cautious!"
Her words were met with nods of agreement.
"Indeed. A rookie with such terrifying potential must be snuffed out early! I'll go! I guarantee absolute success!"
Doberman, a hardliner, declared with a fierce expression.
Seeing someone volunteer, Sengoku, who had been considering who to send, immediately approved.
"Since you're free, I'll leave it to you. Be careful—don't let anything go wrong."
Doberman scoffed with disdain.
"Relax. I'll get the job done!"
[Ding! Congratulations, host, for gaining 3000 negative points!]
[Ding! Congratulations, host, for gaining 3500 negative points!]
[Ding! Congratulations, host, for acquiring the ability: Sit-Ups!]
[Ding! Congratulations, host, for acquiring the ability: Swordsman's Heart!]
[Ding! Congratulations, host, for acquiring the ability: Exoskeleton!]
[Ding! Congratulations, host, for acquiring the ability: Sharpshooter's Eye!]
[Ding! Congratulations, host, for acquiring the ability: Child of the Weather!]
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