A few days later.
Ayr sat perched on the edge of a jagged cliff, fishing rod in hand, casting far out into the cold, endless sea. The wind howled, sharp against the face, but Ayr looked completely at ease almost happy, even.
Below him, the waves roared like beasts, but Ayr paid them no mind. The vastness of the ocean was a familiar presence. One that rarely surprised him anymore.
Approaching quietly, careful not to disturb the peace, Nagli stepped closer, his expression troubled.
"If you've come all the way out here," Ayr said calmly, eyes still on the water, "then it must be important. Speak."
Nagli hesitated for only a second. "A ship's arrived. They said they're here to see you. Should I send them away?"
Ayr didn't look up. "Who is it?"
"They called themselves... the Baroque Works?" Nagli scratched his head, clearly unfamiliar with the name. "Doesn't ring a bell for me."
But for Ayr, the name was immediately recognizable.
Baroque Works. That meant only one thing Sir Crocodile. One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. A former pirate turned government dog. A man who ate the Logia-type Suna Suna no Mi, granting him power over sand. The so-called "King of the Desert."
Formidable, certainly. But not without flaws.
Crocodile's weakness to water was well-known. And Ayr? He was someone who had seen too many "great men" fall to very simple truths.
Still, Ayr couldn't recall ever crossing paths with Crocodile directly. So why come now?
"Let them dock," Ayr said after a moment. "I'll meet them at the tavern."
Nagli nodded and hurried off to make arrangements.
Ten minutes later, Crocodile walked through the tavern doors.
Tall and imposing, he wore a thick fur-lined coat over his shoulders like a king, a thick cigar clenched between his teeth. A long horizontal scar ran across his face, and his golden prosthetic hook gleamed ominously under the tavern lights.
He was not alone.
Walking beside him was a statuesque woman, poised and composed, her gaze calm and unreadable. There was a quiet intelligence in her presence, and a confidence that didn't need to be loud.
Ayr didn't need an introduction. He knew her face from the bounties. Nico Robin, the so-called "Devil's Child" and current vice president of Baroque Works. An archaeologist with knowledge the world feared.
As the pair approached, Ayr remained seated, gaze cool and unreadable.
Crocodile greeted him with a forced smile. "Long time no see, Ayr."
It was meant to sound casual. Familiar.
Ayr's expression didn't change. "Long time? I don't recall we ever had any business with each other."
The air in the room cooled. Even the wind outside seemed to pause.
Crocodile stiffened for a second. That greeting had sounded much better in his head. He had boasted to his subordinates about his ties to legends like Ayr now he looked like a fool.
He quickly recovered, chuckling awkwardly. "Ah, you must be the type who forgets the small people, huh? I was there... at Roger's execution. I watched you fight that day."
He wasn't lying. The day Gol D. Roger was executed in Loguetown, chaos erupted. Crocodile, still a young pirate then, had watched in awe and fear as legends clashed. It was the first time he saw Ayr in person, wielding power unlike anything he'd imagined.
The memory had stayed with him, etched into his bones.
Ayr gave a small nod. "Ah. That explains it. I don't recall much from that day."
It was a small mercy, but Crocodile latched onto it with visible relief. At least Ayr had acknowledged the past.
Ayr's gaze shifted toward the woman beside him. "And her?"
Crocodile immediately straightened. "This is Miss All Sunday my vice president."
Nico Robin stepped forward slightly, offering a polite nod. "A pleasure, Mr. Ayr."
She was careful with her words. Robin had heard many stories about Ayr. Unlike Crocodile, she didn't need to pretend familiarity. Respect was enough.
Ayr studied her for a moment, then leaned back. "The pleasure's mine, Miss Sunday."
He didn't press further. But internally, he noted the strange combination Crocodile and Robin. Power and knowledge. Dangerous.
The tavern quieted again.
Ayr knew Crocodile hadn't come all this way just to reminisce.
So he waited for the real reason behind this unexpected visit.
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