Kane's final sentence carried a faint note of gritted irritation.
But when Nico Robin heard it—
She froze.
She had never expected a Marine Vice Admiral to say something like that.
Still, she quickly regained her composure.
"It seems, Vice Admiral, that you've been… hurt before."
Kane sighed, sounding oddly emotional.
"Yeah… You must never get addicted."
Robin blinked.
"I see… So what do you plan to do, Vice Admiral?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
"Of course—inspect the water meter."
Robin didn't understand what "inspect the water meter" meant—
But she grasped the intent behind his words.
Before she could respond—
Kane spoke again.
"Forget it."
"What's the point of talking?"
"This place is about to shut down anyway."
"Whether I inspect it or not doesn't matter."
"That's probably impossible," Robin replied calmly.
Kane turned to look at her.
His gaze—
Made her uneasy.
"…Why are you looking at me like that, Vice Admiral?"
"Aren't you afraid I'll arrest you?"
"Hand you over to the World Government?"
"The Devil Child—Nico Robin?"
Kane asked curiously.
Robin's expression instantly changed.
"…How do you know who I am?"
"Is your identity really that well hidden?"
Kane replied casually.
"I'm currently working under one of the Seven Warlords."
"But as far as I know—"
"In all of Barque Works—"
"Only that trash Crocodile knows your real identity."
"In other words—"
"You're not truly a subordinate of the Warlords."
"Just a partner of that little crocodile."
Robin's face changed completely.
"And don't tell me—"
"You think the title of Warlord can protect you?"
"Devil Child?"
"I'm not that brat Kuzan."
Cold sweat formed on Robin's forehead.
Her body tensed instinctively.
She never expected—
That this Marine Vice Admiral—
Would know her true identity.
And worse—
He didn't care about the Warlord system at all.
Even so—
She was ready to act.
"Relax."
"Take it easy."
"And most importantly—don't make a move."
"I don't like fighting women—"
"But I will respond to provocation."
Kane said lazily.
Robin remained tense.
"How about this?"
"I'm a man who loves money."
"And I'm not exactly fond of how the World Government operates."
"Yes, you're the 'Devil Child'—"
"But if you pay enough…"
"I can turn a blind eye."
"Consider it giving that brat Kuzan some face."
"What do you think?"
Robin was completely stunned.
Kane ignored her reaction and continued:
"Your current bounty is 79 million Beli."
"Let's double it."
"You just need to pay… 158 million."
"Hmm… that number isn't very neat."
"Let's round it up."
"160 million Beli."
"That shouldn't be too difficult for you, right?"
Robin remained silent.
She was trying to understand—
What exactly this Marine in front of her was.
Seeing no response—
Kane grew impatient.
"That's already a very cheap price."
"Damn old Marine…"
"What exactly are you doing here?"
A cold voice echoed through the hall.
Kane turned—
And saw Crocodile standing there.
Robin, drenched in cold sweat—
Immediately retreated.
Kane didn't care.
Since he was already here—
If she didn't pay—
She wasn't leaving.
Let her go because she's a woman?
Not happening.
There was only one reason Kane would let anyone go—
Money.
Everything else—
Didn't matter.
Crocodile's appearance shocked the gamblers.
The entire casino fell silent.
Some gamblers sensed something was wrong—
And quickly fled.
"Oh?"
"It's the little crocodile."
"Hm? Wearing bandages now?"
"But you seem to be recovering pretty well."
"As expected of a pirate who earned the title of Warlord."
Kane emphasized the word *pirate* heavily.
Even he couldn't help but sigh—
In this world—
The strong recovered ridiculously fast.
Crocodile had been heavily injured earlier—
Yet after just half a day—
He looked mostly fine.
Crocodile's expression darkened instantly.
After all—
Wasn't it this crazy old man in front of him—
Who caused those injuries?
To him—
Kane was nothing but a lunatic.
"What exactly are you doing here?"
"I already paid your ransom."
Though furious—
Crocodile restrained himself.
Because he knew—
Exactly how terrifying Kane was.
"Oh?"
"Got smarter, have you?"
"Not rushing in blindly anymore."
"But it seems the lesson I gave you wasn't enough."
"don't you know how to show respect to your elders?"
"Calling me 'old man' this and 'old man' that—"
"Did I offend you or something?"
As Kane spoke—
His expression gradually turned cold.
At the same time—
A terrifying killing intent spread from his body.
A suffocating pressure filled the air.
The already chaotic casino—
Descended into complete panic.
In just moments—
Everyone had fled.
Leaving only Kane—
And the members of Baroque Works.
Crocodile felt the overwhelming pressure—
His face darkened further.
"What exactly are you here for?"
"I'm a government-recognized Warlord!"
Kane showed clear displeasure.
"Didn't you hear what I said this morning?"
"When have I ever cared about the title of Warlord?"
He paused briefly—
Then continued:
"Besides—"
"That title won't belong to you much longer."
Crocodile's expression changed.
"What do you mean by that?"
"What do I mean?"
"Simple."
"Your actions are enough for the World Government to strip you of your title."
"…What actions?"
"Still trying to deny it?"
"I received a report—"
"That you're attempting to overthrow this country."
"And that you used Dance Powder."
Crocodile's face turned completely grim.
He was already thinking—
*How was this exposed?*
"Enough."
"We've wasted enough time."
"What I want to know now is—"
"Will you surrender quietly…"
"Or resist pointlessly?"
Crocodile's body tensed—
Ready to strike at any moment.
But suddenly—
He seemed to think of something.
"…You like money, don't you?"
"How much would it take for you to ignore this?"
He had already figured it out.
This Marine—
Was no saint.
From the extortion earlier—
It was obvious.
And he had also heard—
What Kane said to Robin.
If even the "
Devil Child" could buy her freedom—
Then this man clearly had no sense of justice.
Which meant—
He could be bought.
As for money—
Crocodile had plenty.
Though humiliating—
He knew one thing clearly:
Kane was a monster.
He wasn't someone Crocodile could defeat.
And now—
He was already close to achieving his goal.
He had no intention—
Of letting anything ruin it now.
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