The sudden voice caused both Cobra and Crocodile within the hall to start in shock.
Immediately after—
"Crack—!"
A crisp sound of space shattering echoed.
The space above them suddenly fractured…
Amidst shimmering golden radiance, a towering figure appeared, as if walking along a path of gold—majestic and divine.
Crocodile's pupils contracted sharply, his heart jolting.
His Observation Haki had failed to detect this person?
The one who appeared so suddenly was likely far from weak…
Moreover, the manner of his arrival made even Crocodile, a Warlord of the Sea, feel a surge of unease.
But compared to all that—
What concerned him most… was whether this person had overheard his conversation with Cobra…
Even if this man ultimately couldn't contend with him, what if he escaped?
If news of the King of Heroes' treasure spread, it would instantly draw countless eyes across the seas…
Besides…
Crocodile had at least some familiarity with the strong figures of the sea.
This figure—though appearing strangely—
Had not left any impression on him. Most likely just some unknown weakling.
"Th-this…"
"This…!"
In contrast to Crocodile—
After his initial shock, Cobra fell into a state of complete mental blankness, his mind in chaos.
His aged, weathered hand trembled as he pointed toward the figure bathed in golden radiance, exuding sacred majesty…
If he remembered correctly…
In the family records of Nefertari D. Bik…
That unparalleled king, godlike in bearing, had been described as wearing golden armor, with short golden hair, and crimson eyes that radiated an irresistible will of kingship…
Along with an innate sense of supreme authority!
That… was a king born to rule!
His clouded eyes locked onto Kazama Haruto, his entire body trembling more violently…
Because—
This suddenly appearing figure… matched far too closely the description of the King of Heroes recorded by Nefertari D. Bik!
Especially the meaning behind that cold, arrogant voice from earlier…
It further confirmed his identity.
But!
How could this be possible?!
The King of Heroes, Gilgamesh!
The ruler of the Uruk Empire from four thousand years ago!
Gone for a full four millennia!
How could he possibly appear here?!
How could anyone in this world live for four thousand years?!
Stepping out from the gateway of the Golden Capital, fully emerging above the Alabasta palace hall—
Kazama Haruto stood upon the air, towering in the sky, gazing down upon everything below. His crimson eyes took in the entire scene.
He hadn't expected…
That someone he had casually elevated back then would turn out to be the ancestor of the royal family of Alabasta in the One Piece world…
And even more surprising—
After four thousand years, Crocodile, a Warlord of the Sea, had somehow learned of his existence.
And had even come directly to the Alabasta royal family to seize the treasure he had once entrusted to them…
However—
This… was perfect!
Having just awakened from the Golden Capital, Kazama Haruto did not yet have a clear grasp of the current era's power levels—or even his own.
He could only make rough estimations.
Crocodile's appearance, however, provided him with the perfect opportunity to gauge exactly where his strength stood in the present-day seas.
A Warlord of the Sea…
Truly an excellent whetstone.
With that thought—
Kazama Haruto's eyes gleamed as his gaze fell upon Crocodile. His crimson pupils were as sharp and cold as blades.
A king's voice, filled with arrogance, echoed from his lips:
"So… the mongrels of later generations have become this insolent?"
"With strength no greater than that of an ant… you dare covet this king's treasure?"
If Kazama Haruto's earlier words had gone somewhat unnoticed by Crocodile due to the situation—
Then now—
That voice, brimming with disdain and arrogance, caused Crocodile's fury to surge uncontrollably.
Mongrel?
An ant?
He was one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea—a pirate who had dominated the seas!
He had always been the one others feared!
When had he ever been looked down upon like this?
"Desert Storm!"
The sands erupted.
Crocodile turned, gathering the power of sand in his right hand.
A raging sandstorm formed, tearing apart everything in its surroundings as it surged toward Kazama Haruto in the sky.
"Mongrel… how dare you raise your weapon against a king?"
With a cold snort, just as the sandstorm was about to strike—
Kazama Haruto raised his right hand.
Golden light surged violently. A radiant barrier of shimmering gold formed before him, standing firm in his defense…
"Boom—!"
In the next instant—
The massive sandstorm, over fifty meters in diameter, crashed violently into the newly formed golden barrier.
The raging storm roared, howled, and surged against the golden shield—
Yet it could not advance even a single step!
A stark contrast to the overwhelming destruction Crocodile had displayed moments before!