One Piece: Transmigrated as Crocodile-Chapter 269 - CHAPTER 269 - Defeat, Moris Arrives

"I heard you." Rosen's craving for a cigarette was acting up, but wearing a mask made smoking inconvenient. He paid no mind to Remont's scolding.
"Guards," Remont said in a low voice.
"Stop! President Remont, just because AKS is temporarily without a leader, does that mean we must allow ourselves to be bullied? Is even self-defense against attack now a crime? Everyone here—who among you can guarantee that tomorrow's victim won't be you?"
"Or is it that, as president, you think you can oppress others at will? My father may be gone, but according to the contract, I am the heir. Internal disputes of the AKS Chamber are ours to resolve—not something for the president-general to meddle in by arresting my guest without reason."
Xia's voice was cold and unyielding. She spoke to everyone present, reminding them of the facts they were deliberately overlooking in their eagerness to see her fall.
She pointed out what had just happened before their eyes—Rosen had acted purely in self-defense.
Rosen was slightly surprised at her composure. He hadn't expected her to show such courage, standing firm even when everyone else was against her. Perhaps she had already steeled herself for life or death before coming here.
Remont frowned at her words. Indeed, it had been Kit who struck first, breaking the rules. If he used status as an excuse to punish Xia's bodyguard or guest, it would not sit well within Felomont Chamber. At the very least, it would be unjust on the surface.
He was not blaming Rosen, but when Colson had tried to intervene and Rosen ignored him, Remont had felt his authority was being challenged—a feeling no leader enjoyed. Still, factually speaking, Rosen and Xia were completely within their rights.
Others also began to think deeply. They had fallen into a blind spot, assuming Xia was merely prey on the chopping block. Yet she had a bodyguard—apparently even a "guest."
If that guest was this powerful and close to her, and if she could secure political backing, would Aberdeen's seizure of power really be so easy?
Yes, Aberdeen controlled her friends and relatives. But enormous profit and influence could drive people to abandon such ties. More than half the people here quietly admitted they would do the same if given the chance.
They would rather be president of the AKS Chamber themselves.
Rosen watched quietly, studying each person of note.
The strongest among them was clearly Colson. He had taken a kick from Rosen—without using Haki—and only staggered back a few steps. That alone proved his formidable strength.
"Hahaha! I'll support this little lady. Until the end, no one knows how things will turn out. If you bet too early, and she really becomes president of AKS, then many of you so quick to declare yourselves might face payback later."
The voice came from a towering, iron-built man, his body bleeding and marked with savage cuts. Laughing heartily, he downed several gulps of strong liquor.
"Moris!" gasps rippled through the hall.
"Wasn't he fighting Hawkeye at the harbor? How did he end up here?"
"Who knows? He looks half-dead. Doesn't he feel it? Just looking at him makes me feel like I'm dying."
The nobles whispered uneasily. Moris, the newly appointed president of Yordle Chamber, was not someone to be taken lightly. He had earned not only the Central Chamber's recognition but also the loyalty of Yordle's members. Killing the former president alone would never have secured his position.
He had brought with him money, talent, and intelligence—enough to make other chambers wary of devouring what had once seemed like an easy, masterless prize.
"I thought you wouldn't come tonight. How did it end?" Remont asked, seizing the opportunity to ease tensions. With a wave of his hand, the guards withdrew. He no longer pressed Rosen or Xia.
Hearing Moris' words, the others also kept quiet. He was right—it was wiser to wait until the dust settled before choosing sides. Move too early, and if things failed, retribution was certain.
"Lost again!" Moris declared without a hint of regret, then glanced thoughtfully at Rosen. This aura felt familiar—was it just the alcohol clouding his senses?
"Carry on, don't mind me. As long as there's liquor, I'm content." Moris had come alone, without even his trusted aide Bette.
"Haven't the hostages been brought yet?" Aberdeen asked coldly, displeased. Xia's words and Moris' stance had weakened the momentum he had worked so hard to build.
His face darkened. These fools thought he might actually fail? Idiots. Soon he would present the contract and crush their doubts.
He was certain that once Xia saw her friends in his hands, she would understand they lived only at his mercy. Words alone could never make her submit—proof was needed.
"They'll be here soon," a pirate replied quickly.
"Almost lost control," Rosen muttered to himself.
"Lost control of what?" Xia asked, confused.
"Of wiping out this Felomont Chamber entirely. I just don't know what complications it might cause afterward. If it were only these people here, there'd be no problem." Rosen rested his chin in thought, then answered her seriously.
"What?!" Xia was dumbfounded. So just now, when he seemed absent-minded, he was calculating the strength of the chamber's entire armed forces? And from the sound of it, he believed he could take them down alone?
Impossible. Thousands of trained fighters, not to mention elite combatants. Even the strongest couldn't manage that alone. If it were so easy, the Felomont Chamber would have been destroyed long ago.
"It's nothing."
"How strong is Mihawk?" Remont asked, joining Colson at Moris's side. Colson's eyes, however, stayed fixed on Rosen—rarely had someone forced him back in direct combat. Even Moris might not manage it.
"That monster's swordsmanship just keeps growing sharper. I thought after years of honing my own, I might stand a chance. Instead, I lost even worse. Hahaha! Drink!" Moris admitted freely.
"As expected of the world's greatest swordsman. But what brought him to Paradise? Hopefully it won't cause trouble." Remont's tone carried unease.
"That girl just now—the late AKS president's daughter? You people really are ruthless. But never mind. Do as you please…" Moris said lightly. He wasn't the type to interfere in matters that didn't benefit him.
The banquet continued as servants cleared away corpses and bloodstains.
"We won't interfere in their internal disputes. Tonight, it will be decided who becomes president of AKS. The contract is what matters. But that sudden vacancy… it may be troublesome." Remont mused.
He doubted the Tolom Chamber's hidden backers would willingly relinquish their yearly profits.
If Xia died tonight, the problem would be simple—the Tolom Chamber could appoint a relative who agreed to honor the Central Chamber's accords and their backer's demands.
But if Xia survived, then her chamber's backers would be forced to show their hand. Otherwise, no one would respect an ally who couldn't defend them.
"Miss Xia, here are your friends. As you can see—they're unharmed…"
(End of Chapter)