Selecting People (1)

However, regardless of which tiger is ultimately injured or dies, it will benefit him.

If the navy is defeated, it will inevitably suffer a severe blow to its strength and morale, which will likely dampen its future enthusiasm. At that point, they will have one less behemoth to contend with when sailing the seas.

If the Whitebeard Pirates were defeated, the Grand Line would inevitably be thrown into chaos. The Whitebeard Pirates were one of the Four Emperors of the New World! With Whitebeard dead and his crew wiped out, the area he ruled would undoubtedly become the object of covetous eyes of other pirates.

For that area, pirates will inevitably fight fiercely and wage war repeatedly.

Without the emergence of new Four Emperors, the New World will never be peaceful. A massive upheaval will sweep through the latter half of the New World.

By then, even the Navy won't be able to suppress it, because it won't just be other pirates acting; the remaining three of the Four Emperors will inevitably launch an attack as well. If the Navy intervenes, they might very well join forces against the Navy.

Therefore, the navy generally acts as an observer, watching from the sidelines. They only intervene at the most crucial moments. However, even then, their opportunities to intervene are extremely rare.

Therefore, regardless of the outcome, it will be highly advantageous for him.

After pondering for a moment, Fanxin stopped thinking about it. Then, he left the fifth floor and headed towards the sixth floor.

The sixth floor holds individuals with bounties of hundreds of millions; these guys must be incredibly powerful to have such high bounties.

He planned to take a few of them and send them to Marineford, the Marine Headquarters. That way, he could give the Navy a real headache.

Of course, his target wasn't the Navy, but the Shichibukai. He planned to use these powerful individuals to keep those Shichibukai occupied; once they were occupied, the Whitebeard Pirates wouldn't need to send anyone to Shichibukai them.

Upon reaching the sixth level, Fanxin began selecting people.

As he approached each person, he would refer to the wanted poster. In this way, he became familiar with the imprisoned criminals.

"Hello, Crocodile!" Fanxin walked along, he suddenly saw a Shichibukai. He chuckled and walked up to Crocodile's cell, calling out.

Upon hearing this, Crocodile, who was meditating on the stone bed, suddenly opened his eyes and looked at Fanxin.

Crocodile was dressed in a Black and White prison uniform. One of his hands was missing, but in its place was a large, Golden Hook. The Golden Hook was gleaming gold, and the point was extremely sharp. This was not only his other hand, but also his secret weapon. Inside the hook was venom, deadly venom. If you didn't have his specially made antidote, you would surely die from poisoning if you came into contact with it.

He doesn't usually use it, but if he's on the verge of death, he will definitely use it.

He lost his hand when he was a rookie pirate, during a battle with a powerful pirate. After that, he left the New World, accepted the Navy's summons, and became one of the Shichibukai.

However, his fate was quite tragic. He had been defeated by others before, and a few months ago, he was defeated by the Straw Hat Boy. In the end, he was imprisoned here, and he hasn't been able to get out yet.

The reason the Whitebeard Pirates and the Marines clashed was because Crocodile was defeated by Straw Hat Luffy. The original Shichibukai had become six, which felt somewhat undeserving. Therefore, the Marines planned to find a powerful and influential pirate to replace Crocodile.

As soon as this news broke, all the pirates who wanted to become Shichibukai sprang into action.

They began hunting pirates with bounties exceeding one hundred million, seeing it as the best way to prove their strength and influence.

Blackbeard, however, gained the upper hand and captured Fire Fist Ace, who was pursuing him. Fire Fist Ace was Whitebeard's right-hand man! His influence and strength were absolutely not to be underestimated.

When he handed Fire Fist Ace over to the Marines, he naturally became one of the Shichibukai.

After obtaining Ace, the Navy, after a long period of silence, finally decided to execute Ace. Their purpose in doing so was to strike a blow against the Whitebeard Pirates. Of course, they certainly had other motives; a single pirate wouldn't necessarily lead the Navy to completely turn against the Whitebeard Pirates.

Whitebeard was no pushover; he once rivaled the Pirate King Roger. After Roger's death, he dominated the latter half of the Grand Line for decades, and even the Marines dared not easily attack him, demonstrating his formidable power.

This time, the Navy made a very determined decision to target Whitebeard.

They might win this time. But they might also lose! The Whitebeard Pirates have grown significantly over the years, and their crew is now filled with many talented individuals.

It's impossible for the navy to defeat them all.

Crocodile caused a huge uproar, while he himself enjoyed a comfortable life here. Xiao Fan thought he was too comfortable.

The reason he approached Crocodile was to take him away and have him target the Shichibukai. Shichibukai targeting Shichibukai —that's going to be quite interesting!

"Hmm, who are you? How did you get in?" Crocodile stared at Fanxin and shouted. He had a hideous scar on his face that stretched from below his left eye to below his right eye. If the scar were any higher, he might have gone blind.

"I'm a pirate, captain of the Heavenly Soul Pirates. You might not recognize me," Fanxin Xin chuckled and said.

Crocodile used to Shichibukai, with a bounty of hundreds of millions. He, on the other hand, only has a bounty of eighty million. They definitely wouldn't pay attention to such a nobody.

However, he believed that after this incident, his bounty would definitely increase rapidly. He had broken into Impel Down! And soon enough, he was even planning to storm Marine Headquarters. For the Navy, this was a heinous crime, and they would certainly raise the bounty.

Fanxin estimated that after this incident, his bounty should be at least 300 million.

"I don't know you, but you fought Magellan earlier, so you're quite strong!" Crocodile chuckled and said.

Earlier, after Fanxin rescued Fire Fist Ace and Jinbe, Knight of the Sea, Magellan happened to arrive. He wanted to leave, while Magellan wanted to come in, and naturally, neither of them would give way. So, the two of them fought.

Although he didn't win, someone who could fight Magellan and escape unscathed must be quite strong.

That incident caused quite a stir, and many of the pirates imprisoned there were talking about it. So, Crocodile knew about it too.

"Hehe, but I'll need to train for a while longer to beat him," Fanxin Xin chuckled and said.

He can only exchange a few blows with Magellan for a short time. However, if it goes on for too long, he will have to retreat, because there is still a gap between him and his opponent.

However, he believed that after training hard for a while, he would become even more powerful. At that time, he would no longer be afraid of Magellan.

"Heh, that's just a matter of time. Tell me, what do you want from me?" Crocodile nodded, cut to the chase, and asked.

"I'm planning to take you out and then send you to the Marine Headquarters. I wonder if you'd be willing?" Fanxin Xin chuckled and said.

"The Whitebeard Pirates are about to have a major battle with the Navy. Why did you send me there?" Crocodile asked, his brow furrowing slightly.

"Of course, it's to have you deal with the Navy. If you're willing, I'll take you out. If you're not, you'll stay here forever. It's up to you!" Fanxin shouted.

He wouldn't bring an incompetent guy along, because these guys are all capable! Bringing them along would only create more trouble. So, if they're not going to do anything, he won't take them with him.

"Hehe, I agree, let me out!" Crocodile chuckled and said.

"Oh, why did you agree so quickly?" Fanxin asked curiously upon hearing this.

That was a battlefield; people could die at any moment. Crocodile agreed without hesitation, which surprised Crocodile.

"Because I've been stuck here with no hope, no future! But at Marine Headquarters, I can get what I want," Crocodile said.

"What is it?" Fanxin asked curiously.

"Whitebeard's head?" Crocodile said.

"Oh, why do you want his head?" Fanxin asked curiously. "You're not trying to become famous, are you? That's suicidal. Whitebeard isn't someone anyone can kill."

Whitebeard's abilities are terrifying; it's said he could Destruction the world. A single attack from him could Destruction a vast island. That kind of power is beyond the capabilities of ordinary people.

While Crocodile is Shichibukai, he can hardly be compared to Whitebeard.

Furthermore, Crocodile was defeated by the Straw Hat Boy, so he still had some doubts about the latter's strength. Therefore, he didn't believe that Crocodile could defeat Whitebeard. His attempt to ambush Whitebeard was tantamount to courting death.

"Hmph, precisely because it's difficult. So, if I kill him this time, I'll become famous," Crocodile said with a laugh.

"Heh, you're really crazy," Fanxin said. "Since that's the case, then I won't let you out. You can stay here by yourself!"

What he needs is someone who can help Whitebeard and take action against the Marines. But right now, Crocodile is focused on defeating Whitebeard. If he brings him along, he won't just fail to help, he'll actually make things worse.

Therefore, he won't take Crocodile out.

"Why?" Crocodile shouted as he saw Fanxin about to leave.

He was somewhat agitated because he didn't want to stay here. Staying here, doing nothing all day, just sitting there like an idiot, was just too boring.

If he were outside, he could do many things. Therefore, he hoped that Fanxin would take him out.

"Because I need to help Whitebeard, and you need to fight Whitebeard. Therefore, I can't take you out," Fanxin said with a smile.

"Alright! I'll give up attacking Whitebeard, is that alright?" Crocodile immediately said. In order to leave this hellish place, he had no choice but to bow to Fanxin. Otherwise, it would be impossible for him to get out.

Because very few people can break into the Impel Down! If he misses this opportunity, even if there is another chance, who knows how long he'll have to wait? He doesn't have that much time to wait. By the time he's old and gray, it will be impossible for him to do anything.

"Okay, but I have to do something to you. If you agree, I'll let you out; if you don't, I'll have to give you up," Fanxin nodded and said.

Crocodile's status as Shichibukai speaks volumes about his strength. He didn't want to give up on him, but if Crocodile didn't abandon his plan to attack Whitebeard, he would have no choice but to abandon him as well. He wouldn't feel any loss, because there were plenty of other people out there! He just needed to find a suitable one, and that would be enough.

"What kind of trickery?" Crocodile asked cautiously.

"I'm going to plant a Soul Bomb in your mind. As long as you don't attack the Whitebeard Pirates, he'll be fine. But if you dare attack the Whitebeard Pirates, your head will be blown off and you'll cease to exist," Fanxin said. "You decide for yourself. I'll give you a few minutes to think it over."

The Soul Bomb is a skill he recently acquired while cultivating his soul. He can use this Soul Bomb to threaten others and make them work for him.

However, while this Soul Bomb is powerful, it only works when it's close to the target. If it can't reach the target's head, the Soul Bomb won't unleash its full power.

Crocodile pondered for a long time after hearing this, then asked, "Alright, I agree. However, you must remove it afterward."

He wanted his freedom; as for dealing with Whitebeard, he could postpone that. Once he was free, he could target Whitebeard anytime. Therefore, he decided to agree to Fanxin's suggestion.

However, he was somewhat wary of Fanxin's Soul Bomb. He didn't want to be forever restrained by Fanxin! If he were restrained, wouldn't he be unable to target Whitebeard in the future?

"Of course, I'm only referring to this one time. As for the future, I won't concern myself with it," Fanxin nodded and said.

This time, Whitebeard has encountered a formidable enemy, and he doesn't have the extra time to deal with Crocodile. Therefore, he's prepared to lend a hand. By helping Whitebeard, he's actually helping Ace as well! So, this time, he won't change his mind.

However, after that incident, he had no further connection with Whitebeard.

He himself might target Whitebeard in the future. Therefore, Crocodile's targeting of Whitebeard is something he naturally won't interfere with.

"Since that's the case, then we've reached an agreement. You can release me now!" Crocodile urged.

"Of course," Fanxin Xin nodded and said.

After saying that, he beckoned to Crocodile, and once Crocodile came over, he immediately placed his hand on Crocodile's temple. Then, he implanted the Soul Bomb he had created into Crocodile's head.

After taking care of everything, Fanxin finally broke open the prison door and released Crocodile.

After unlocking Crocodile's handcuffs and shackles, Fanxin placed Crocodile into his own little world.

After finishing that, Fanxin headed inside to search for the next person.

He searched and searched, and finally found someone he really liked.

It was an old man with disheveled hair, wearing glasses, his eyes tightly closed, and his breathing very weak. If you didn't look closely, you might think he was already dead.

Fanxin arrived at the other man's cell door and called out, "Hey, old man, wake up! I need to talk to you."

Upon hearing this, the old man slowly opened his eyes, looked at Fanxin weakly, and said, "Kid, if you have something to say, say it; if not, get lost." He was in a very bad temper, as if Fanxin owed him millions.

"Hehe, old man, do you want to go out?" Fanxin Xin chuckled and said.

Upon hearing this, the old man, who had been listless, immediately perked up. He scurried over, looked at Fanxin, and said, "Kid, do you have a plan?"

Although he was very old, he still wanted to get out. Staying here meant certain death! If he could get out, he could live a good life.

"Yes, I can take you out," Fanxin Xin nodded and said affirmatively.

Upon hearing this, the old man carefully examined Fanxin Xin for a moment and said, "Tell me your conditions! If I can agree to them, I don't mind agreeing to yours."

He was a very old man, a shrewd man by now. Fanxin wouldn't have rescued him for no reason. Fanxin must have wanted him to do something. He wasn't stupid; he understood perfectly well.

He had made up his mind. If it wasn't anything serious, he would accept the demands of Fanxin. In that way, he could gain his freedom! But if it was something that would cost him his life, he would absolutely not do it.

"Alright, I'll take you out, as long as you're willing to cause some trouble at Marine Headquarters," Fanxin said. "Don't worry, I'll protect your safety."

This old man is too old to fight. If he encounters a strong opponent, he will likely be killed. If he has no one to protect him, he will surely die.

The reason he took the old man out was because he was now a scientist. He had made many discoveries, and he planned to have the old man take the Little Black Cat as his apprentice, so that the Little Black Cat could learn his true skills.