[V3] - Chapter 4. A Legitimate Company
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This guy—
His strength is no joke!
One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea—Crocodile stood before Yuto, his furious eyes fixed on Uchiha Yuto.
As expected.
This guy might be just like him—eyeing the ancient weapon hidden in Alabasta: Pluton!
Otherwise...
Why would he go out of his way to recruit the Devil Child—Nico Robin?
Why deliberately provoke him and even attack?
At this moment, Crocodile's thoughts were the same as Robin's deep down—
He was beginning to suspect that this guy… had come to Alabasta with a plan.
No wonder a foreigner would randomly show up in Alabasta, open factories, and start selling milk tea for no reason!
This punk was clearly planning to ride on the "great ship" that Crocodile had built, to seize the hearts of Alabasta's people.
They had the same goal—only, Crocodile gained the people's support by attacking pirates and playing the hero, while this guy… helped the people in times of hardship, buying their favor.
Thinking of this—
Crocodile didn't hesitate. Sand began to swirl violently around him as he charged once more, saying coldly, "I'll kill you! And take control of your wealth, you ignorant fool!"
Just now, he had only been caught off guard.
As for why this guy could hit him… it wasn't all that unusual in the New World.
So, Crocodile also suspected this man had come from the New World.
"Is this your trump card? Ridiculous!" Crocodile sneered. "I came from the New World too!"
As he spoke—
His golden hook shot toward Yuto. Seeing Yuto lift his foot again to kick, Crocodile sneered in disdain and instantly transformed into sand.
In the blink of an eye, he reappeared behind Yuto!
The golden hook swung again, aiming straight at Uchiha Yuto's neck. "You're—"
Suddenly—
A playful face appeared before him.
Before he could even react—
"Boom!!!"
He was stomped straight into the ground.
"Damn it!!!"
However—
This time, Yuto didn't even spare him another glance.
You dare wreck his store?
There was never going to be room for negotiation.
Cutting off a man's money is like killing his parents!
Doesn't he need to do business too?
Yuto simply turned his head and smiled at the stunned Miss Robin. "So, have you considered it? Your boss clearly isn't a good boss! See? Even if he's gone legit, that pirate temper still hasn't changed. One word out of line and he wants to kill someone! I suggest you resign him directly."
"…"
Isn't this… normal?
You came to poach someone else's subordinate and don't expect to get killed?
Besides, Crocodile wasn't a good person…
But does that make you—a schemer—any better?
If he were really a good person…
He wouldn't have come to recruit her in the first place!
Robin's face stiffened slightly, but seeing her—no, now former—boss stomped beneath someone's foot, she smiled and said: "Of course, Boss Yuto! After hearing your pitch, I'm really looking forward to joining your company!"
"Salary—"
"Fifty million Berries, just like you said!"
"That's not what I meant," Yuto shook his head, looking serious. "You were the secretary of a functioning company just now. But now that company's bankrupt, which makes you an unemployed person from a failed enterprise—so the salary can't be that high anymore."
He sighed. "See, you missed the opportunity! That's what happens when you hesitate!"
"…"
I don't know if I should say this or not.
She wasn't the type to care about money, but for some reason…
It just really annoyed her.
No—
It really annoyed her!
Robin's mouth twitched. She took a deep breath and said, "You don't need to pay me at all!"
"That won't do! We're a legitimate company. Not paying employees can get us wrecked!"
"…Do whatever you want!"
Robin rolled her eyes.
But deep down, she understood… this new boss was a bit weird. It seems he enjoyed throwing money around. Maybe he liked role-playing as a boss or something.
As for his strength…
It wasn't bad!
However—
Just then—
Crocodile, still pinned and unable to move, watched his secretary switch sides right in front of him. His face turned completely ashen. "You're betraying me already?! Truly worthy of the Witch of Betrayal!"
"Uh…" Being called out by her ex-boss like that made Robin a bit embarrassed. But seeing her new boss remain silent, she breathed a small sigh of relief.
At least it looked like… she wouldn't have to betray two bosses in one day.
She pouted, shrugged, and casually said: "Maybe you were just too black-hearted, paid too little… and forced me to change jobs!"
"Damn you, Devil Child!" Crocodile roared in fury, watching Robin betray him without hesitation and even mock him. He then turned his eyes toward Uchiha Yuto, who looked like he was laughing, and said coldly: "Do you know who she is? The Devil Child! She betrayed me today, and she'll betray you one day too! Let me go—I can work with you! I've been in this business for years and have tons of information!"
"No thanks! I don't want to work with a black-hearted boss who doesn't even pay his employee's wages!"
"Damn it! Are you mocking me?!"
"Shut up! Yuto Group is already preparing to acquire your company!" Yuto kicked him again, knocking him out cold. He turned back to Robin with a smile. "Now then, you…"
"Don't worry!" Robin raised an eyebrow, glanced at the unconscious Crocodile, and said decisively, "I'll help you take over all of Crocodile's business operations. As for Baroque Works… aside from a few key members, most of them don't even know the boss's real identity. I believe you'll be able to gain full control quickly."
She sighed inwardly: What a ruthless schemer…
But outwardly, she still smiled and said: "As a company built up by Crocodile, there are a lot of strong people in Baroque Works. Right now, they're out carrying out assassination missions. I'm sure they'll be useful to you!"
The words fell—
Robin looked in surprise at her new boss, who had suddenly become serious and was staring at her intently. Her heart skipped a beat. "Do you have any further instructions?"
"First of all! Let me tell you something! Our Yuto Group is a legitimate corporation! Absolutely not a shelter for criminals or scum!"
"???"
You went and recruited me, the Devil Child, and now you're claiming this is a proper company?
Are you trying to fool a ghost?
"Don't worry, no one else will know about the connection between Baroque Works and this side. I'll control Baroque Works from behind the scenes just like before!"
"That's not what I meant," Yuto shook his head. "Remember, Yuto Group runs legitimate business! All wanted criminals and evildoers are to be handed over for bounty money!"
"…" Robin was momentarily stunned, seemingly unable to grasp her new boss's logic. After a pause, she hesitated. "You're planning to abandon Baroque Works? But honestly, they're still pretty capable…"
"Yuto Group is a legitimate enterprise!"
"I get it~" Robin sighed helplessly. It looks like the new boss wants to play the redemption game too, huh?
He is very ambitious indeed!
After thinking for a moment, she said, "I'll quietly take care of Baroque Works. But if that's the case… the operations in the East Blue—"
"You've got business in East Blue too?"
"Yes! Baroque Works' weapons are in high demand over there. Of course… since you don't like it, I'll clean it up."
"Wait! Those are employees who were forced by that black-hearted boss Crocodile. They probably didn't act willingly. For some of those who made mistakes, we can give them another chance. I believe deep down they're hoping for a stable job!"
"Then what you mean is…"
"All the bad stuff was Crocodile's doing! It has nothing to do with us now!"
"…Got it!"
…
Meanwhile.
It was already late evening.
In other words, it was time to hand out wages.
When Koza came to find him, Ace was already preparing to bolt. After all, he really didn't have any money on him, and his crew was still waiting on the ship!
How could he possibly stay behind to work?
However—
He ultimately chose to stay and work.
Not because the daily pay was good, but because… that guy said once he finished the afternoon shift, he'd be free to go. If he ran off, all the employees at the store would be punished instead!
Even though he'd been dining and dashing this whole time, he couldn't bear to let ordinary people take the blame for him. So after thinking it over, he decided to stay.
It was only half a day anyway.
Just treat it as helping that guy out!
Watching the employees who were already clocking out, Ace's lips curled into a small smile. He pulled down the brim of his hat and muttered to himself, "It's not bad at all."
If only the Goa Kingdom had been like this back then!
But—
That had nothing to do with him anymore.
Just as he turned to leave—
"You're on daily pay!" A middle-aged man came over and directly handed him an envelope. "And since you only worked half a day, it's half a day's wage. Take it! You did good work, kid. Do you want to stay on?"
"Huh? There really is some pay left over?" Ace froze for a moment after accepting the envelope. It looked like a decent sum~ He immediately smiled, took off his hat, and bowed. "Thanks a lot! But I'm sorry, I have to leave! My partners are waiting for me!"
"Leaving already? But it's dinner time now, hahaha!" The man, seeing what a polite young man he was, laughed heartily and threw an arm around his shoulders. "Come on! Eat dinner first, then I'll take you out to have some fun. It's the traditional after-work activity! Super fun!"
"I…"
"Eat first, eat first! You need energy from food!"
"Will there be meat?"
"Of course! Eat as much as you want, until you're full! And it's delicious too!"
"That sounds amazing! Let's go, let's go! I'm going to eat meat in huge bites!"
"By the way! What about your partners? Want to invite them too?"
"What partners?"
"…"