With Robin's orders issued, the members of Baroque Works began to assemble. The Chief Agent of Baroque Works boarded the Special Waterway Transport Turtles and rushed toward the headquarters, Spider Cafe.
Mr. 2 Ivankov arrived first, dancing the okama dance: "I have arrived first!" Then came Mr. 4 Babe and his partner, the Zoan Mole-Mole Fruit user, Miss Merry Christmas Drophy.
Babe also brought a gun that had eaten the Inu Inu no Mi, Model: Dachshund. Drophy asked the dancing Ivankov, "Is there a reason you brought us here?"
Mr. 2 continued to twirl and said, "I don't know why we were called either. Robin seems to have summoned everyone, saying there's a major announcement."
After a while, a strong man walked in. It was Mr. 1 Daz Bones, who had eaten the Paramecia Dice-Dice Fruit, and his partner, Miss Doublefinger Zala, who had eaten the Paramecia Spike-Spike Fruit.
Zala walked in swaying her hips. Mr. 1 looked at the spinning Mr. 2 with some dissatisfaction: "Stop dancing, you okama."
Just as the tension between the two sides peaked and they were about to fight, Robin arrived and stopped the conflict.
Seeing Robin enter, Mr. 1 stopped bothering Mr. 2: "What's the matter this time, calling us all together like this?"
Robin said with a smile, "This time, I'm taking you to Rain Dinners."
She then led them onto the Special Waterway Transport Turtles and took them to the reception hall of Rain Dinners.
Mr. 2 didn't quiet down even after reaching Rain Dinners. He stood on a chair and started spinning, complaining, "Exactly how long do I have to wait? At least bring some Octopus Parfait."
Before Mr. 1 and Miss Merry Christmas could fly into a rage, Robin arrived at the venue: "Before discussing this plan, allow me to introduce our true boss."
Sitting at the end of the long table, smoking a cigar, Sir Crocodile turned around.
Everyone was shocked to see the boss's true face. Sir Crocodile had been fighting pirates in the Alabasta Kingdom for the past few years, making him well-known to the people of this kingdom.
Sir Crocodile said, "Operation Name: 'Utopia'. This is our final operation."
Then, looking at the shocked crowd, he blew a smoke ring: "What is it? Are you dissatisfied?"
Zala was the first to speak: "It's not that we're dissatisfied, but isn't a 'Shichibukai' a pirate recognized by the authorities? Why establish this organization then?"
Sir Crocodile said, "What I want isn't money or status. What I want is military power—the ancient weapon 'Pluton' hidden in this country."
Next, he handed out a stack of mission lists to everyone: "This wasn't supposed to start so early, but the Marine has already arrived here, so we have to move ahead of schedule. These are the missions you need to perform."
Seeing that everyone had taken their mission lists, he continued, "When you each complete your tasks, Alabasta will automatically collapse. It will only take one night for this place to become our Utopia."
At this time, Mr. 3 Galdino, the Paramecia Wax-Wax Fruit user covered in bandages, walked out and said, "I hope this plan can be delayed. I failed to kill the Straw Hat Pirates at Small Garden."
Sir Crocodile stopped Mr. 2, who wanted to finish off Mr. 3: "Wait, didn't you say in the transponder snail that you killed those people?"
Mr. 3 was confused: "I didn't use a transponder snail to contact you."
Sir Crocodile only then realized something was wrong: "I wondered why no Unluckies returned to report back then. So, surely you killed at least one or two members of the Straw Hat Pirates?"
Cold sweat broke out on Mr. 3's forehead: "I didn't kill any... not a single one. Their leader, Luffy, is too strong. His black fists could easily break through my defense."
When Mr. 2 saw the portraits given by his boss, Sir Crocodile, he realized he had actually met them on the ship.
In a fit of rage, Sir Crocodile threw Mr. 3 into the pool under Rain Dinners to feed the crocodiles.
No matter how angry he was, it was useless now. The most urgent matter was to prevent Princess Vivi from meeting with the Alabasta Kingdom's Rebel Army.
Sir Crocodile said somewhat helplessly, "This is troublesome. I heard that Princess Vivi and the leader of the Rebel Army, Kozah, are childhood friends."
Mr. 1 said, "They're just a few pirates. We just need to stop them before the mission."
Sir Crocodile nodded and said to Robin:
"Tell the Mr. 1,000,000,000s in 'Nanohana' that they must not let the princess and the pirates enter the Rebel Army's territory, 'Kattelya'. If they are encountered, kill them on sight."
Robin nodded and said, "No problem, I'll get right on it."
Sir Crocodile said, "Alright, you all go too. I don't want any more variables in the plan."
The Chief Agent of Baroque Works said in unison, "Yes, Boss."
By this time, the crew of the argo had already arrived in Rainbase. Kuina's Observation Haki had already perceived all of this. Looking at Hera, who was still having a great time playing in the casino, she said:
"We've already heard their conspiracy. Should we just ignore them?"
Hera was using Observation Haki and the 'Fifth Shot' to cheat in the casino. The chips she won were piled up like a small mountain.
Hera said, "Don't worry, this is all within my plan. They won't interfere with the others."
Hera thought for a moment and decided it was better to add another layer of insurance, saying, "Kuina, you go keep an eye on Mr. 1. Nami, you watch that Zala."
"Reiju, watch that okama. Don't let him touch you; he's a Clone-Clone Fruit user and can mimic anyone he touches."
"Perona and Ain, follow that old lady and the fat guy with the dog. Be careful not to let them harm ordinary people, and don't let the Rebel Army and the Royal Army actually start fighting."
Everyone nodded upon hearing the instructions.
Hera continued, "Watch them. After they make contact with the Straw Hat crew, bring them over. You are not allowed to help the Straw Hat crew."
Then, as Hera watched the few of them walk out, the City of Devouring Time subtly spread into their shadows. A white light from the ability flashed by, and a thought suddenly appeared in the minds of those walking out.
"The Straw Hat crew is the biggest obstacle. We must defeat them first before carrying out other missions."
Then, Hera looked back at the cards in her hand. The 'Fifth Shot' had already seen victory. With a lollipop in her mouth, Hera pushed forward her chips: "Gambling really is simple."
The companions from the argo followed the members of Baroque Works and left the area. Hera's Observation Haki had already covered the entire Rainbase, keeping a constant eye on their movements.
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