"What did you say?? The citizens of Alabasta actually regard Crocodile as a hero?!"
Tashigi exclaimed, her face filled with disbelief.
The other girls also lost their composure, looking at Vivi in surprise.
The group, who had been full of laughter along the way, finally started discussing the enemy they were about to face, Crocodile, as they neared Alabasta.
Mikita and Golden Week awkwardly lowered their heads, not daring to say a word.
As for the reason, it went without saying.
"Why do I feel like the citizens of Alabasta are a bit foolish?!" Carmen, who never hid her thoughts, blurted out immediately.
The other girls also had subtle expressions in their eyes.
Crocodile had only been in Alabasta for four years, and he had already become a hero of Alabasta?!
Their diligent and benevolent king, they didn't trust him, preferring to trust an outsider, and a pirate at that—
Ridiculous!
They truly couldn't understand the citizens' way of thinking.
Reno wholeheartedly agreed with this point; he could only say that the citizens here were truly too naive, perhaps because they were simple-minded.
Facing everyone's criticism, Vivi forced a very strained smile.
After all, she was the princess of Alabasta, and there were some things she couldn't comment on easily.
Seemingly sensing Vivi's embarrassment, Reno patted her shoulder and gave her a reassuring look: "Once we reach Alabasta and deal with Crocodile, all problems will be solved."
"Mm, I trust Reno." Vivi clenched her fists and nodded in response.
She had waited long enough for this day, and the citizens of Alabasta had waited long enough too.
Rainbase.
One of the few prosperous cities in Alabasta, and also Crocodile's main base.
Inside a smoke-filled office at the casino Rain Dinners.
All the high-ranking agents of Baroque Works had gathered there at Crocodile's request.
However, the number of people was somewhat reduced compared to before.
"Only a few of you left?!"
Crocodile, at the head of the long table, scanned the room, his expression gradually darkening.
At least half of the agents were missing.
"BOSS, Mr.2 is already on his way back as you ordered, but the incident happened suddenly, so he might not make it back before the plan starts."
"As for Mr.3, Mr.5, Mr.9, and their partners…" Robin hesitated.
"I know." Crocodile waved his hand in displeasure.
He had been plotting to acquire Pluton these past few days and had forgotten.
Those guys had all died at Reno's hands, and as for their partners, they had betrayed Baroque Works and joined the Reno Pirates.
"We can't wait any longer. Even without them, the plan must proceed as scheduled!"
Crocodile slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the executives one by one.
His most trusted subordinate, and the strongest in Baroque Works besides himself, Mr.1.
A Dice-Dice Fruit user.
Next to him was his partner, the graceful Thorn-Thorn Fruit user, Miss. Doublefinger.
Further back were executive Mr.4 Beb and his partner Miss. Merry Christmas.
Overall, although they were all insignificant characters.
Taking down a small royal capital was more than enough.
"Tonight, success is the only option, failure is not! Do you all understand?!"
"Yes, BOSS!"
"Yes!"
The four executives responded in unison, then left the office to make their preparations.
After all four had left.
Crocodile lit another cigar for himself.
"Robin, is there any news of Reno and his Pirate Crew?!"
Behind him, Robin, dressed like an older sister, shook her head.
"Not yet. Mr.2 reported that he didn't find any trace of Reno near Drum Kingdom."
"If I'm not mistaken, they should have come directly to Alabasta."
"Judging by the time, they should be here by now, perhaps even right above us."
Crocodile's pupils contracted, and he shot Robin a sidelong glance.
Could she not say such frightening things?!
"It doesn't matter. As long as they dare to come here, I'll make sure they don't leave alive."
"Whether it's Princess Vivi, the members of the Reno Pirates, or those two traitors, I will personally eliminate them this time."
Crocodile's eyes were filled with dark malice as he gently stroked the gold hook on his arm.
Challenging him again and again, did they think their strength was on par with Whitebeard's?!
"You can go now. Proceed with the plan." Crocodile waved his hand.
"Understood." Robin walked out of the room with graceful steps, a fleeting, almost imperceptible hint of something unusual in her eyes.
During this time, she had secretly investigated Reno behind Crocodile's back.
The strange thing was that while there were traces of people like Kaya and Nami, Reno seemed to have appeared out of thin air, with no clues about him whatsoever.
Everything that happened to him was after he met Nami.
Moreover, Nami, who was originally defenseless, actually gained the Rumble-Rumble Fruit after joining the Reno Pirates, and her strength advanced by leaps and bounds.
As for Reno, he was even more unfathomable.
Most importantly, many people had witnessed him engaging in a fierce battle with Mihawk, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, at Baratie Restaurant. Although he didn't win, he pushed Mihawk to the brink, who then left in a huff.
"It seems the Marine's intelligence work is still lacking," Robin chuckled, shaking her head.
She had not informed Crocodile of this news.
After all, their relationship was merely one of mutual exploitation.
Crocodile had allowed her to remain solely because she could read the text on the poneglyph.
He couldn't do without her.
"Crocodile, how will you deal with a man even Mihawk couldn't defeat?!" A playful curve appeared on Robin's lips.
She now regretted not meeting this mysterious man back at Whiskey Peak.
As evening approached, the going merry finally arrived at Alubarna, the capital of Alabasta.
"Vivi!!!"
A familiar voice rang in her ears, and Vivi's delicate body trembled.
Then she saw Cobra running out of the palace.
"Father!"
Tears streamed down Vivi's face as she ran towards Cobra.
The two began to express their mutual longing.
The ministers Bell and Chaka quickly stepped forward to welcome Reno and the others.
Igaram had already informed them of everything, knowing that Reno was the benefactor who would help them defeat Crocodile, and must not be treated lightly.
In a private room.
King Cobra, ministers Chaka and Bell, and all the members of the Reno Pirates were seated.
"Lord Reno, are you truly confident in defeating Crocodile?!"
Cobra hesitated for a moment, then spoke with difficulty.
This concerned all the citizens of Alabasta, and he needed a definite answer.
After all, he was one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and his strength was not to be underestimated.
"Just call me Reno." Reno waved his hand.
Vivi was his woman, and Cobra was Vivi's father.
For him to call him 'Lord' was just awkward.
"That's right, Father, you don't need to be so polite with him." Vivi, next to him, playfully stuck out her tongue at Reno.
This intimate gesture startled Cobra; their relationship seemed a bit too close.
He then looked at the women in the room and suddenly had an ominous premonition.
Could it be that the two of them...
"I am 100% confident I can defeat him. Moreover, Crocodile is more anxious than you are right now. We'll just wait here; he will come to us."
Reno knew Crocodile's urgent desire to obtain Pluton.
To him, that was the truly important matter.
As for dealing with them, in Crocodile's eyes, it was just a side task.
Seeing Reno's confident tone, Cobra finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Night fell, and the entire city was enveloped in darkness.
The sounds of laughter from every household gradually subsided into quiet.
On top of the royal palace, a gust of wind and sand suddenly swirled, slowly condensing into Crocodile's form.
And at the moment he appeared, in a certain room inside the palace, Reno suddenly opened his eyes, and his body instantly vanished.
Shortly after Crocodile appeared, several figures emerged in the plaza; they were the four remaining executives of Baroque Works.
And after them, nearly a thousand assassins appeared.
They were the Billion and Million officers of Baroque Works.
Crocodile's gold hook gleamed with a faint cold light under the Moonlight.
"Begin." Crocodile raised his gold hook, and all the forces below quickly dispersed, commencing their actions.
"I can already smell victory."
Crocodile slowly closed his eyes, fantasized for two seconds, then opened them again.
He gazed intently at the palace below, a satisfied curve on his lips.
After today, Pluton would be his.
Once he obtained Pluton, the entire world would be his.
Then he would first kill that bastard Whitebeard.
With a beautiful fantasy in mind, Crocodile's body transformed into quicksand, scattering with the wind.
Everyone began their respective tasks, only Robin stood still with a complex expression.
After an unknown amount of time, she let out a helpless sigh. Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly stopped.
Looking at the figure that appeared in front of her, a momentary flicker of panic crossed Robin's eyes, but it quickly settled.
"Reno, when did you arrive?"
Reno rested his hands on his forehead and said casually, "We just arrived in Alabasta today. I was planning to wait for him here, but I didn't expect Crocodile to be so impatient to rush to his death."
"He's already gone. Aren't you going to chase him?!" Robin looked at Reno, puzzled.
"He can't escape. Before that, I'm more interested in you."
Reno looked at Robin, who exuded a mature aura from head to toe, and felt a stir in his heart.
This was a beautiful woman, and also a woman who made men... unable to resist.
Robin remained calm. Did she not know about men's desires?!
After learning that Reno only recruited female crew members, coupled with the betrayal of Miss. Golden Week, her keen mind had already detected something amiss.
0... Seeking fresh flowers--- Is he finally making a move on her now?!
He truly was a lecherous Captain.
Unfortunately, the other party didn't know her background, nor did he know what dangers he would face with her by his side.
If he knew, he would probably avoid her at all costs.
Robin's beautiful eyes curved slightly, and she spoke with a smile, "Reno, do you want me to join your Pirate Crew?!"
Reno shrugged, noncommittal.
As expected of Robin, she understood immediately.
"You seem to really like beautiful women, but don't you know? The more beautiful a woman is, the more dangerous she is."
"Dangerous?!"
Reno smiled, looked at Robin, and said softly, "Are you referring to your origins?!"
"The survivor of Ohara, with a bounty of 79 million Berries, Nico Robin, known as the devil child."
Boom!
Robin's mind instantly exploded, and the smile on her face vanished after hearing that sentence.
"How do you know all this?!" Robin's voice turned cold.
Reno didn't answer Robin's question, but continued to speak to himself:
"Back then, to destroy Ohara, the current Fleet Admiral Sengoku issued a Buster Call, and the current Marine Admiral Aokiji and Admiral Akainu were the two Marine Vice Admirals who carried out that mission."
Upon hearing those two familiar names, Robin was once again moved.
Both Akainu and Aokiji had a significant impact on her.
It was also because of Aokiji's momentary leniency that she managed to survive.
But it was also from that moment on that she officially began her life on the run, surviving through betrayal after betrayal.
She feigned compliance with various forces... To protect herself, Robin had no choice but to disguise herself.
Making herself calm, making herself unapproachable.
Reno stepped forward proactively, approaching Robin.
Robin's pupils contracted, and she instinctively recoiled: "What are you... what are you going to do?!"
"Robin, I know everything about you, and I understand your pain. You and Crocodile are just using each other. Join my Pirate Crew. Here, you can experience true happiness."
Robin's expression instantly froze.
If it had been before, she wouldn't have felt anything if Reno invited her to join his ship.
But since he knew her identity, he should understand how sensitive her identity was.
The World Government had never for a moment stopped hunting her.
Even so, did Reno still want her to join his ship?!
"Are your intentions the same as Crocodile's?!"
After a brief moment of emotion, Robin regained her rationality.
Her long dark life and repeated betrayals meant she wouldn't easily trust others.
"Are you referring to Pluton?! Or your Devil Fruit Ability to read poneglyphs?! I'm not interested in either." Reno shook his head disdainfully.
"Firstly, the Pluton that Crocodile wants isn't in Alabasta at all; it's in Wano Country. All his schemes over the years have been for naught."
"Secondly, I have no interest in poneglyphs, and you don't need to decipher the text on them for me."
"Of course, later you can personally go and see that poneglyph and see if there's any difference between its records and what I've told you." Reno added before Robin could speak.
Robin pressed her lips together, her expression finally showing emotion.
"What if I still don't agree?!"
"I don't like being rejected, so you only have one choice, and that is to join my Pirate Crew."
"Reno, since you know my identity, then you should understand how heavy the burden on me is." Robin bit her lower lip, actively leaning closer to Reno, her beautiful eyes fixed on him.
Reno waved his hand dismissively and chuckled, "Robin, I know the World Government hunts you because you can read poneglyphs and potentially uncover the history they've sealed away."
"But do you know what burden I carry?!" Reno clenched his back teeth.
Robin shook her head in confusion; she really didn't know.
Reno shook his head with deep sorrow: "Perhaps you don't know, the true master of the World Government is named Imu, a mysterious woman. She is the true ruler of the sea."
"Both the Marine and the Five Elders obey this woman."
"And I must make her join my Pirate Crew and become my crewmate."
"Tell me, whose burden is heavier, yours or mine?!"
"You are only being hunted by her subordinates, but I want her!"
Robin:...Although she didn't know who Imu was, it sounded like what Reno was about to face was indeed much more terrifying than her own situation.
How come she suddenly felt a sense of shared suffering?!
How about teaming up?!
Robin's emotions finally relaxed.
"How about it?! Do you want to join my Pirate Crew?!"
"Hmm..." Robin nodded slightly, drawing out the sound, "Captain Reno's story sounds much more exciting than mine."
"Alright, you've already called me Captain, so I'll take that as a yes."
Robin:...I said Captain Reno, okay!
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