Location: Mary Geoise, Pangaea Castle, Room of Authority
The air in the room was thick with power.
Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro (Warrior God of Finance) polished his sword, ignoring the frantic voice on the snail.
"Crocodile," Nusjuro said coldly. "As a Government-sanctioned Warlord, you lost to a rookie. What do you take our reputation for?"
He tossed a fax onto the table. It was a draft from Morgans of the World Economic Journal.
Photos:
A White Dragon soaring over Rainbase.
Crocodile lying facedown in the dirt.
The Dragon replacing the Crocodile statue atop the casino.
Even an illiterate peasant could understand the story: The Warlord Crocodile has been crushed.
"When has the World Government ever cared about face?" Crocodile's voice crackled back, defiant. "My business is my own!"
"Watch your tone!" Nusjuro snapped. "We gave you that title. We can take it away."
Crocodile scoffed. He knew they wouldn't. The balance of power was too delicate.
"Is Vongola Storm still in Alabasta?" Nusjuro asked suddenly.
Crocodile froze. 'They know his full name?'
"Who is that?" Crocodile feigned ignorance.
"That 'White Dragon' brat!" Nusjuro spat. "A former Marine. A disgrace. The biggest stain on the Navy's history!"
Crocodile's eyes widened. 'A Marine?!'
"He slaughtered prisoners in Level 6. He escaped Impel Down. He stole warships. He is lawless."
"Is he still there?"
"No comment," Crocodile said flatly. "If your intelligence is so good, find him yourself."
Clatch.
He hung up.
Location: The Baroque Gustave, Captain's Cabin
Crocodile stared at Storm, his golden hook resting on the table.
"White Dragon? A Marine? Explain."
"Who doesn't have a painful past?" Storm shrugged, eating a grape. "For example, I met a friend once. Emporio Ivankov. He told me a secret about a certain rookie pirate..."
"ENOUGH!"
Crocodile slammed the table, his face pale. 'He knows! He knows about the secret!'
"Fine. You're not a Marine. You're a stain. Just like the Elders said."
Location: Mary Geoise, Room of Authority
The Five Elders gathered.
"Pity," Nusjuro sheathed his sword. "It seems Crocodile survived."
"Strange," Saint Topman Warcury (Warrior God of Justice) grunted. "Storm slaughtered Level 6 prisoners without mercy. Why spare Crocodile?"
"Pirates are unpredictable," Saint Shepherd Ju Peter (Warrior God of Agriculture) said. "Perhaps he is building a crew?"
"Recruiting Warlords?" Saint Marcus Mars (Warrior God of Environment) stroked his beard. "Bold."
"More importantly," Saint Jaygarcia Saturn (Warrior God of Science) tapped his cane. "How did he get to Alabasta? He was in Impel Down days ago. That's half the world away."
"He can fly," Mars noted. "His Fruit mastery is impressive. Awakening a Paramecia like the Clay-Clay Fruit... he has talent."
"Talent or not, he is a threat," Warcury snorted.
"Or an opportunity," Nusjuro countered. "He is strong enough to be a Warlord. If he hunts the others... it saves us the trouble of purging the weak ones."
"Agreed," Saturn nodded. "Let the Navy issue a bounty. Let him cause chaos. If he survives, we can use him."
"A Marine 'stain' becoming a Warlord... it sends a message to the Navy too. Keeps them humble."
Location: Alabasta Coast
The next morning.
News coos dropped papers all over the world.
[headline: HERO'S CRUSHING DEFEAT! THE STRONGEST ROOKIE IN HISTORY!]
"Tsk tsk," Storm read the paper. "Great headline. But people might think I beat up Garp."
"Hmph," Crocodile scoffed. "Garp's strength is beyond your imagination."
"Old Fish," Storm looked at him with concern. "Do you have a disease? It's called 'Unimaginable Disease.' You seem to think everyone is stronger than you."
Crocodile's face darkened. "Shut up."
"Anyway," Storm tossed the paper aside. "Vacation's over. Time to find our next collaborator."
He waved his hand.
ROAR!
The white clay dragon materialized on the deck. Storm hopped on, pulling Robin up behind him.
"Where are we going, Boss?" Robin asked.
"Banaro Island," Storm grinned. "We're going to visit the Lizard King."
WHOOSH!
The dragon launched into the sky, leaving a fuming Crocodile behind.
Next Stop: Banaro Island.
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