"Crocodile, you wouldn't want me telling Marine HQ about the 'Devil Child,' would you?"
*Beep beep beep*
"..."
Crocodile watched the Den Den Mushi hang up on him again, his face dark. The cigar in his left hand smoked steadily until he squeezed it tight.
With a soft crunch, the cigar turned to ash, scattering away. "Boss, do you need me to go capture that guy?" Daz Bonez, also known as Mr. 1 of Baroque Works, stood nearby. Seeing his boss's anger, Daz Bonez spoke, his hands clasped behind his back, his tone chilling. "Since he's found her, he's expendable. I'll bring the person to you myself."
Crocodile, still furious, didn't reply immediately. He lit another cigar, taking a deep drag, the tension in his expression easing slightly. He exhaled. "There's no need," he replied coolly. "As long as he can bring the 'Devil Child' before me, that's all that matters!"
'To think that guy could find the 'Devil Child' so fast, in just a few days!' he mused. 'He really is a useful pawn!' A cold smile played on his lips. "As for the rest, we'll talk once he's here!"
"What about the money...?"
"...Transfer it to him," Crocodile said, flicking ash from his hand. "What's more important now is making sure the World Government doesn't catch wind of our plan."
A cold smile played on his face as he stood, walking to the window. He looked out over the bustling city of Rainbase, a predatory glint in his eyes. "And I can't wait to see that greedy Marine show his face."
He wanted to see...
If the guy had the nerve to try and pocket 600 million Berries from him.
--**--**
On the other side.
Everyone watched silently as Dante, a smile on his face, hung up the Den Den Mushi.
"That's the big business you mentioned?" Crocus was the first to break the quiet, looking at Dante with a confused expression. After a slight pause, he added, "Isn't the Devil Child sitting right next to you?"
"But he doesn't know that~"
"..." Hearing Dante's reply, Crocus paused, then frowned. "You plan to double-cross your own companion?"
At that, Bonney, who was still being treated, and Kuma, standing nearby, both looked at Dante and frowned.
Bonney, especially, immediately jutted out her lower lip, glaring at him as if he were the lowest sort of scoundrel.
And Kuma... he only now realized the woman was Nico Robin. Of course, he was aware of the World Government's hunt for the 'Devil Child' and the secret she held. Anyone seeking the historical truth sought her out, and the Revolutionary Army was no exception, they too had been secretly searching for her.
He never expected that the 'Devil Child' the Revolutionary Army had searched for so many years was hiding in the East Blue. And not just anywhere, but in an East Blue Marine Branch? He wondered what Marine HQ would do when they found out.
"Hey, hey, old man, don't go around slandering me!" Noticing Kuma's gaze, Dante quickly waved his hands. Turning back to Crocus, he adopted a serious expression. "I just hired a new employee. Don't ruin this for me. Anyone who doesn't know better might think I'm some kind of heartless boss!"
He spread his hands, speaking matter-of-fact tone. "I just said I'd bring the person to him. I didn't say I'd hand her over."
"You bastard..." Crocus seemed to finally grasp his meaning, his gaze shifting back to him looking curious. "Did Crocodile offend you?"
"Of course, he offended me~" Hearing Crocus's words, a knowing smile appeared on Dante's face. "A grave offense, in fact. He's trying to poach my employee. Wouldn't you say that's a major offense?"
"Poaching employees? Forget it, it's none of my business anyway." A flicker of surprise crossed Crocus's face, but looking at Nico Robin, who sat with an elegant smile, showing no sign of panic, he simply shook his head.
He'd recognized Nico Robin immediately.
After all, she was a famous figure, and unlike others, he read newspapers every day and wasn't afflicted with face blindness. How could he not recognize her? Such matters held little interest for him now.
"But..." Crocus's gaze returned to Dante. "Let me remind you, he's no ordinary opponent. He's recognized by the World Government, granted the title of Shichibukai."
"I know."
Dante waved a dismissive hand at Crocus's reminder.
'A later version of Crocodile, maybe I'd need to be careful. But this Crocodile... his old ambition and belief were shattered long ago.'
The pirate world was strangely idealistic that way. Once a person's conviction broke, their strength didn't just stagnate, it could actually weaken. Take another Shichibukai, Gekko Moriah, after being defeated by Kaido and losing his crew, he'd become a complete bum.
It was precisely because of this...
Since his own 'demotion,' his strength hadn't particularly grown, he hadn't made any big waves in the East Blue, and he hadn't drawn too much attention. Marine HQ would likely just see him as a 'fallen genius' Marine Captain and pay him no mind.
"It seems you've thought this through," Crocus said, frowning slightly in thought. "Then when are you planning to leave?"
"Right now, of course!" Dante's lips curved, a perfect businessman's smile on his face. "I said I'd bring her before him immediately, and 'immediately' it will be. Once the money's transferred, I guarantee I'll be there. You know me, I'm a man of my word when it comes to business!"
He'd originally planned to sail leisurely to Alabasta, but with Kuma right here... Why bother with the trouble? They could fly that distance in an instant. It would make traveling between different seas much easier in the future too.
'Recruiting Kuma on this trip... truly a pleasant surprise!'
He ignored Crocus's look of pure contempt, turning his head to Kuma. "I'll be counting on you in a moment!"
"Yes!"
Receiving his new boss's first order, Kuma didn't hesitate, nodding in agreement.
Since his boss had kept his word, he would keep his too. Bonney wasn't completely cured yet, but her illness had been eased considerably! For him, standing on the edge of despair, that spark of hope was everything.
He'd made up his mind long ago that he would do anything, anything at all, if Bonney could be cured. So even if the next enemy was a Shichibukai, he had no hesitation.
--**--**
Meanwhile, in the East Blue.
The Foosha Village Tavern in Goa Kingdom.
*Creak*
The tavern door swayed open, and a gentle female voice called out, "Welcome."
Following closely, a bold, booming voice sounded. "Hahaha, Makino, do we have a customer again? Looks like business is booming today! Hope it's a generous one who'll buy an old man a drink!"
"Garp-san," Makino offered a helpless smile at the slow-moving guest carrying an old backpack. Then she looked down at Garp, who was still drinking heavily, completely unconcerned with his appearance, and said with a chuckle, "Also, this customer seems to be looking for you!"
"Looking for me?" Hearing Makino's words, Garp, who had just drained a large gulp of beer, paused, lowering his glass. "Who is it? Could it be those two brats, Luffy and Coby, are back?"
No sooner had he spoken than, just as he began to turn his head, a slap landed on his shoulder. A familiar figure slid onto the stool beside him, a lazy smile on his face. "Garp-san!" he said.
===============
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