Chapter 195: Are You Helping the Boss, or Helping the Boss?
Rain Dinners, underground chamber.
The dim candlelight flickered on the long table, casting half-lit, half-shadowed reflections on the faces of those seated around it.
It particularly accentuated the villainous aura emanating from the members of Baroque Works.
Crocodile sat at the head of the long table, leaning back in the spacious chair.
A cigar dangled from his mouth, smoke curling upward.
"I think it's time to reveal the identity of Mr. 0 to all of you."
"I, Sir Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, am the boss of Baroque Works, Mr. 0."
The moment his words fell, the air in the chamber froze.
Expressions of shock spread across every face.
"Seven Warlords..."
Miss Merry Christmas gasped sharply.
"The boss is actually a Warlord..."
"No wonder we had access to so many resources..."
Miss Doublefinger pondered thoughtfully.
Mr. 4 nodded—his way of expressing surprise.
And Bon Clay...
Bon Clay's shock was on an entirely different level from the others.
He was indeed shocked, but not because "Crocodile is a Warlord."
He already knew that—Ralph had told him.
What shocked him was...
What Crocodile said next matched Ralph's predictions exactly.
"Our ultimate goal is to seize Alabasta."
Crocodile's voice echoed through the chamber, carrying a fanatical tone.
"Three years."
"For three years, I have meticulously planned, pushing this country step by step to the brink of collapse."
"The dance powder incident, the tarnishing of the royal family's reputation, the rise of the rebels..."
"Everything has been for today."
"The rebel army has gathered in Katorea, just a step away from the royal capital, Alubarna."
"And the royal army, in order to 'protect' the capital, has withdrawn most of its forces to the surroundings of Alubarna."
Crocodile turned around, a cruel smile spreading across his face:
"When the rebels and the royal army engage in their decisive battle, both sides exhausted..."
"I will appear as the 'national hero,' quelling the rebellion and saving the country."
"At that time, the people will support me, the royal family will cease to exist, and we—"
He spread his arms as if embracing the entire world:
"Will become the true masters of this country!"
"Alabasta will become our Utopia!"
The agents in the chamber listened intently.
It was a grand plan.
But Bon Clay's face grew paler and paler.
Because what Crocodile said next, Ralph had also predicted.
"And this is not all."
Crocodile returned to his seat and lit another cigar.
"The Alabasta royal family guards an ancient secret—the legendary Ancient Weapon capable of destroying the world, Pluton."
"Gaining Alabasta means gaining clues to Pluton."
"At that time, I will possess the power to rival the World Government and the Four Emperors."
He finished speaking.
The chamber fell into dead silence.
Everyone was digesting this information-heavy plan—
overthrowing a country, seizing an Ancient Weapon, establishing a Utopia...
Only Bon Clay, whose shock had reached its peak.
His face was deathly pale, his fingers trembling unconsciously.
Only one thought echoed in his mind:
"Everything... everything Boss Ralph said was true... identity, plan, Ancient Weapon... all of it..."
Crocodile noticed Bon Clay's unusual state.
He frowned:
"Mr. 2, do you have a problem?"
All eyes turned to Bon Clay.
Bon Clay opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but didn't know what to say.
In the end, he could only stammer:
"N-no... it's just... I'm... too shocked..."
"Being shocked for a while is fine," Miss Merry Christmas said impatiently, "But going on and on is just lame."
The other agents also cast strange glances—
While everyone was shocked, Bon Clay's reaction was indeed a bit excessive, giving off the impression that he couldn't handle important matters.
Little did they know, the reason for Bon Clay's shock was:
Everything had been predicted by that man named Ralph, down to the last detail.
Just then, Nico Robin, who had been quietly sitting in the corner, spoke up.
"Boss," Her voice was calm and steady, "There seems to be some commotion outside."
Crocodile tilted his head to listen.
Then, they all heard it—
A loud shout from the surface, piercing through layers of buildings and reaching the underground chamber:
"Crocodile—!"
The voice was filled with youthful fighting spirit and anger.
"Get out here—!"
"I'm gonna knock you flying—!"
The agents in the chamber exchanged glances.
Detailed information came through the Den Den Mushi, and Crocodile's frown deepened.
"The Straw Hat Pirates..."
He muttered to himself, "That brat who doesn't know his place..."
He stood up, transforming into a swirl of sand.
"Wait here," he said, "I'll go deal with this clueless Pirate, and we'll continue the mission when I return."
Before his words faded, the sand had already disappeared through the chamber's ventilation shaft.
As soon as the boss left, the atmosphere in the chamber immediately changed.
Miss Merry Christmas immediately leaned over the long table and said to Mr. 4 beside her:
"Quick, give me a shoulder rub. Sitting for so long has made my back ache."
Mr. 4, the over-two-meter-tall giant who could swing a four-ton iron club, obediently reached out and began massaging the old woman.
The force was so great that the table legs creaked.
Mr. 1 remained seated silently, like a sharp blade.
His partner, Miss Doublefinger, continued to elegantly sip her coffee.
Normally, Bon Clay would have started dancing by now.
He couldn't stay idle and always liked to practice dance steps while waiting, spinning in place.
But today, he sat there in a daze, his mind in chaos.
Boss Ralph's prophecy... Crocodile's plan... the earlier shouting sounded like Feifei-chan's voice...
Before he could sort out his thoughts, a voice sounded beside his ear:
"Mr. 2," Bon Clay looked up and saw Nico Robin had somehow walked over to him.
"Y-yes, Miss All Sunday?"
Bon Clay was a bit nervous.
"About Mr. 3's whereabouts," Robin said with a smile, "I'd like to talk to you."
Bon Clay's heart tightened.
"Mr. 3 is missing," Robin's tone was casual, as if discussing the weather, "He lost contact in Little Garden, after encountering the Straw Hat Pirates."
She paused, looking into Bon Clay's eyes:
"And you've encountered them too, haven't you?"
Three sentences.
Mr. 3 is missing.
He went missing after encountering the Straw Hat Pirates.
You've encountered it too, haven't you?
Bon Clay didn't need to answer.
Because Robin had already found the answer in his expression.
"Just as I thought."
Robin's smile deepened, "Then, the one challenging us outside earlier must be the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates.
Although the boss didn't ask for our help, if it comes to a fight..."
She glanced around at the other agents in the secret room, her expression half-smiling as she said:
"Will you side with the boss, or with the boss?"