Location: Rainbase, Rain Dinners Casino
Crocodile, shrouded in a thin layer of sand, returned to his "Crocodile's Lair."
But the moment he stepped inside, he cursed.
"That bastard White Dragon!"
The interior of the Rain Dinners Pyramid had become a Clay Hell.
Endless white clay filled the atrium. The staff, the dealers, the VIP customers—everyone was encased in white shells, transformed into silent statues. The usually noisy, frenzied casino was deathly quiet.
Crocodile's expression darkened.
'This scale of assimilation... turning the entire environment into his element...'
Devil Fruit Awakening.
'The White Dragon's Clay Fruit has already Awakened?'
Crocodile felt a spike of frustration. In their fight, Storm hadn't even used this power. He had just used speed and Haki to beat the Warlord into submission.
'He held back. He crushed me without even using his full power.'
"White Dragon... bastard..."
Crocodile muttered, sinking into the floor and traveling down to the secret basement.
Even his underground lair was eroded by the white clay.
In the center of the room, he found a woman encased in a clay shell.
"Miss All Sunday. You too?"
Crocodile waved his hand. A sandstorm stripped away the hardened clay, freeing his Vice President.
"Cough..."
Nico Robin fell to her knees, gasping for air. She looked up at her boss, hoping for good news.
"Mr. 0... I'm sorry. I was no match for him. Did you deal with the intruder?"
"Deal with?"
Crocodile's lips twitched. He dispelled his sand armor, revealing his bruised face and torn coat.
Robin was smart. She realized the truth instantly.
'Even a Warlord lost to him...'
She watched Crocodile turn away to change his clothes. Her mind raced.
'He knows who I am. He defeated Crocodile. Will I have to run again? This life of betrayal is exhausting...'
Minutes later, a fresh-suited Crocodile returned.
"Miss All Sunday. Come with me. We're going to greet our 'guest'."
Location: Rain Dinners, Main Hall
The clay had receded, and the statues (civilians) had vanished. The hall was empty, save for one man sitting on a custom-made clay sofa in the center of the room.
"Finally here?"
Storm waved leisurely. "Sit wherever you like. Don't be shy."
Robin glanced at Crocodile. The Warlord ignored the clay sofa and sat on a regular wooden chair. Robin followed suit, sitting as far away from Storm as polite society allowed.
"Where are the customers?" Crocodile asked, lighting a cigar.
"I released the technique, and they ran away," Storm shrugged. "Not a single one stayed. Bad for business, I guess."
Veins bulged on Crocodile's forehead. His money pit was ruined.
"You damn dragon..."
"How's the plan coming along?" Storm ignored the insult.
"Naive!" Crocodile scoffed. "Challenging the Yonko? With just us? We need an army. We need weapons. We need—"
"Here we go again." Storm interrupted. "Are you scared out of your wits by Whitebeard, Crocodile? What kind of pirate is afraid of an old man on life support?"
"Whitebeard—!"
Crocodile gritted his teeth. The name was taboo. "I'm not saying we won't challenge him! But we are unprepared! We need military might!"
"Military might? Weapons?"
Storm pointed a finger at Robin.
"Is that why you hired her? To read the Poneglyphs? To find the Ancient Weapon Pluton hidden in Alabasta?"
Freeze.
The room went cold. Crocodile turned slowly to look at Robin, his eyes filled with murderous suspicion.
"I didn't tell him anything, Mr. 0!" Robin raised her hands immediately.
"Tsk tsk. A relationship of mutual distrust," Storm shook his head. "Nico Robin, how about working for me? I treat my subordinates better than this sandbag."
"Enough!" Crocodile slammed his fist on the table. "She works for me!"
"Careers change," Storm waved him off. "Well, Nico Robin? Want to jump ship?"
Robin forced an awkward smile. Crocodile was staring daggers at her. Answering incorrectly would mean death.
"White Dragon! Do you want to fight again?!" Crocodile roared, standing up.
"No," Storm said flatly. "You're too weak. I'm not interested."
"You...!!"
Crocodile sat back down, seething. He couldn't deny it. He couldn't win.
"Fine," Crocodile growled. "Just the two of us? Against the New World?"
"Not just us," Storm corrected. "I have another subordinate. 'Tyrant' Bartholomew Kuma."
" The Tyrant..." Crocodile's eyes narrowed. "A Revolutionary Army Commander? Fine. That's some muscle. But it's still not enough!"
"You really are obsessed with weapons, aren't you?"
Storm sighed, then grinned.
"Welcome to the team, Crocodile. Since we are partners, I'll give you a joining gift."
"The Pluton you're looking for isn't in Alabasta. The Poneglyph here only lists its location."
"However," Storm leaned forward. "There is a set of Blueprints for the battleship Pluton. And I know exactly who has them."
"Blueprints?!" Crocodile jumped up, his cigar falling from his mouth. "Real blueprints?! Where?!"
"That's for later," Storm teased.
He turned his gaze to the silent woman in the corner.
"And for you, Nico Robin. I have some information too."
Storm's voice dropped to a whisper, but it echoed like thunder in Robin's ears.
"Do you remember the name... Jaguar D. Saul?"
Clatter.
Robin's coffee cup hit the floor. Her hands trembled uncontrollably.
Saul. The giant who saved her. The man who taught her to laugh. The friend Aokiji froze to death.
She looked at Storm, her mask of composure shattering completely.
"You..."
The next moment, Robin turned to Crocodile. Her voice was steady, decisive, and cold.
"Boss. I quit."
....
.....
.....
Support my patreon
patreon.com/ImmortalDaoWriter