Crocodile couldn't understand why Don had chosen Sabaody Archipelago of all places.
To him, that was absolutely the worst location imaginable.
It was a crossroads watched by every faction in the world — and the last stop before entering the New World.
Marine Headquarters, Marineford, and the Holy Land Mary Geoise were all nearby.
Order and chaos intermingled there; no one could ever predict what might happen next.
Because anything could happen.
And being so close to Mary Geoise meant that Celestial Dragons occasionally appeared — and if anyone so much as offended one, a Marine Admiral might be dispatched in an instant.
"But no place is more suitable than Sabaody Archipelago," Don said, his voice drifting slightly as his gaze met Crocodile's.
"If trouble comes, just deal with it."
His tone was light, almost casual — but Crocodile's expression darkened as he weighed the practicality of that statement.
"You're being too cautious," Don said evenly. "Has the sand crocodile who once dared to challenge Whitebeard really vanished?"
Crocodile froze, caught off guard.
Before he could reply, Don waved his hand dismissively and rose to his feet.
"It's settled, then. I won't be staying in Alabasta for long — I've got other matters to handle. Oh, and give me a Log Pose to Little Garden. You should have one, right?"
"I'll have someone bring it over," Crocodile replied.
Hearing that, Don nodded and said no more. Crocodile stood up and left Rain Dinners without further questions.
Outside, the people who had fainted earlier under Don's overwhelming Conqueror's Haki had already regained consciousness.
Now they stood around the casino entrance, looking at one another in confusion.
No one had the slightest idea what had just happened.
Then, hearing footsteps from inside, they all turned.
Out came Crocodile — usually so composed and sharp in appearance, but now looking thoroughly disheveled.
"Boss, what's going on?"
It was Daz Bones, his top subordinate, who spoke first.
The question made everyone from Baroque Works turn curiously toward their leader.
"Send someone to check that direction," Crocodile said, pointing toward the area where Don and Issho had fought. "And bring me a Log Pose to Little Garden."
Though puzzled, his orders were carried out at once.
Meanwhile, inside Rain Dinners, after Crocodile left, Robin and Issho both turned to Don.
"So that's it? We're done?" Robin asked, surprise written all over her face.
"Yes, it's done," Don replied simply.
Of course, he understood what Robin was really asking.
"What about funds, manpower, and everything else we'll need?" she pressed.
Issho nodded silently — clearly wondering the same thing.
"Obviously, Crocodile's covering that," Don said as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Why else would I pick him? Sure, he's got brains, but more importantly, he's got resources — and that Shichibukai title."
"So… we don't actually have to do anything?" Robin asked after a moment's pause.
"Who said that?" Don grinned. "Coming here to recruit Crocodile — that's part of our job too, isn't it?"
"Still… this doesn't feel quite right," Issho said, clearly uncomfortable with Don's logic.
"It's fine," Don said, glancing over at him. "You'll get used to it. After all, this is the law of the sea — the rule of the strong."
At that same time, outside Rain Dinners, Crocodile was starting to piece things together.
Other than telling him to form the Hunter Association, Don hadn't said much else.
What about funding?
What about personnel?
Was he supposed to provide everything himself?
Crocodile's expression darkened further.
But now that Don was gone, there was no point asking.
"Was I too distracted earlier to realize this?" he muttered to himself.
Beside him, Daz Bones watched his boss's shifting expression in bewilderment.
"Boss, about those two giants on Little Garden — our men are still watching them. Should I call them back?"
Even though Daz was a fighter, he wasn't an idiot.
From what Crocodile had mentioned earlier about Little Garden's Log Pose, he guessed that the three uninvited guests might be heading there.
But if they ran into those two hot-tempered giants… things could get ugly.
"Yeah, contact them. Have everyone regroup at the café," Crocodile ordered.
Despite Don dropping this massive task on him out of nowhere, Crocodile couldn't deny his curiosity.
Having once roamed the New World himself, he knew very well what kind of storm a true powerhouse could bring.
The three great powers ruling the New World all stood atop one overwhelming individual.
Though Crocodile hadn't fought Don directly, he could roughly gauge the man's level.
And Issho — he had just felt that strength for himself.
Even in the New World, a power like his could not be ignored.
Still, he couldn't understand how someone of that level could exist without leaving any trace in history.
The same went for Don.
Even the information he'd gathered about him had only surfaced recently — as if these two had appeared out of thin air.
And then there was Pluton.
The thought of that ancient weapon made Crocodile's head ache.
All his leads pointed to Alabasta — but Don had just claimed it was buried in Wano!
Of course he knew about Wano — Kaidou's territory.
Could it be… Kaidou had already found Pluton?
Crocodile frowned deeply, lost in thought.
"Boss!"
A subordinate handed him the Log Pose.
Taking it, Crocodile drew a slow breath, turned, and walked back toward Rain Dinners.
There were still questions he needed answers to.
When he returned, Robin was dealing cards again, and Don and Issho were calmly rolling dice.
Crocodile exhaled heavily and stepped forward, setting the Log Pose on the table.
"I want to know what you're going to do next," he said.
"Didn't I already tell you?" Don asked casually, picking up the Log Pose and examining it before tossing it to Robin.
"I mean you personally," Crocodile clarified, taking a seat beside him.
Robin's movements slowed. Issho turned his head slightly, listening.
"Me?" Don smiled faintly. "I'm going to cut my way through everything — and when this Hunter Association truly takes shape, I'll stand at its very top."
He looked up, his expression calm yet brimming with confidence.
"Just like the Pirate King once did."
END OF CHAPTER
patreon.com/MrBehringer