Fear

The clamor inside the casino was gradually replaced by gasps of surprise, which swept through the entire hall like a rising tide.

Almost simultaneously, everyone's eyes converged on the same spot—the roulette table.

There, a dark-haired man wearing sunglasses was leisurely leaning back in his chair, his posture relaxed, as if he were on a resort beach.

The mountain of chips on the table refracted a dazzling light under the crystal chandelier, like scattered gems, mesmerizing the eye.

Round after round of chips fell rapidly, the "thud-thud" of them rolling like drums, vibrating through the crowd's nerves.

"32 million Beli!"

When the dealer mechanically announced the number, his voice boomed like thunder, silencing everyone instantly, followed by a deafening uproar.

"What... what kind of monster is this?!"

"I just bet 1000 Beli and lost, and he won over 30 million?! Are you crazy?!"

"In just five games, he turned one million into thirty-two times his initial investment?! Are you kidding me?!"

Exclamations, whispers, jealousy, and fear swept around like a raging storm, and the crowd of onlookers surrounded the gambling table in layers, making it impossible to move.

And the eye of the storm—

Roy remained seated, one hand supporting his chin, a faint smile playing on his lips.

His expression was indifferent, as if everything that had just happened was nothing more than a few seashells he had casually picked up, insignificant and unimportant.

He slowly removed his sunglasses, revealing a pair of deep, dark eyes, as deep as the sea and as unfathomable as an abyss.

His gaze swept casually over the crowd, a mixture of mockery, scrutiny, and intimidation, like a hunter surveying his own net.

Cold sweat beaded on the foreheads of the gambling table staff, their fingers trembling silently.

"Impossible..."

"I clearly rigged it... why is the roulette wheel still stuck on the number he bet on?!"

He glanced furtively toward the monitoring room not far away, hoping for an instruction, an order, or even a glance.

But all he received in response was a stagnant silence.

Second Floor - Monitoring Room

"Notify the vice president immediately!"

The monitor, pale-faced, frantically grabbed the Den Den Mushi: "Serious anomaly at the roulette table! The target customer has won 32 million yen in a row!"

In the casino corridor, high heels clicked rhythmically on the marble floor.

Nicole Robin walked gracefully down the Flame corridor, her steps steady and elegant, followed closely by two bodyguards in sharp suits.

"Vice President, there's a customer in the roulette area—"

"I see."

She interrupted softly, her eyes remaining calm as a lake, her tone gentle and composed.

However, when she turned the corner of the corridor and her gaze fell upon the man—

"Boom!"

A thunderclap exploded in my mind, and my thoughts went completely blank!

"It's him...?!"

Her body seemed to be tightly bound by invisible chains; her steps suddenly stopped, her knees buckled, and she almost lost her balance.

She wanted to escape, to turn around and leave immediately, as if fleeing a storm that was about to engulf everything.

But in that instant, Roy looked up.

Just one glance.

Those eyes, as deep as the night, met hers, seemingly casual, yet like a blade piercing her soul.

Robin's breath hitched, his blood seemed to freeze instantly, a chill ran down his spine, and he felt as if he were nailed to the spot, unable to move even a finger.

He's warning me...

"If I run away now... I'll die."

Accompanied by the crisp "tap, tap, tap" of high heels, a figure slowly stepped into view from the crowd.

Nicole Robin wore a well-tailored, form-fitting black outfit, with a long black trench coat flowing with her steps. Her black hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her red lips were as vibrant as roses. She moved with an air of grace, like Phantom emerging from the night.

She appeared elegant and composed, exuding charm and allure, like a casino queen.

"This guest is incredibly lucky."

Her voice was gentle and melodious, deep and pleasant like fine wine, with a hint of chill beneath its calm surface.

The surrounding gamblers immediately became agitated.

"The vice president personally intervened?!"

"Oh no, oh no, this guy has angered the casino's top brass!"

But no one noticed that beneath that flawless, aloof face, her fists were clenched tightly, her knuckles white, and her palms already soaked with sweat.

Her smile remained as steady as a sculpture, but behind it all, cold sweat was already pouring down her back.

Roy, however, merely raised the corner of his mouth and lightly tapped the table with his fingertips, a half-smile playing on his lips.

"Luck?"

He murmured softly, his gaze fixed on her, as if penetrating her very being.

"Perhaps."

As he spoke, he casually flicked out a golden chip, which Robin with perfect precision into Robin's palm.

"How about... you play a game with me?"

The voice was gentle and casual, yet it struck Robin's heart like a heavy hammer, leaving him unable to retreat even half a step.

In this situation, she had no other choice.

Meanwhile, Rain Dinners Top Floor Office

The dimly lit room was filled with the smoke of Cigars, and an atmosphere of anxiety and oppression permeated the air.

Crocodile stood in front of the huge monitoring screen, his Golden Hook Claws hanging at his sides, his Right Hand clenched tightly and trembling involuntarily.

On the screen, Roy was lounging lazily at the gambling table, looking completely at ease, as if the entire casino were his private stage.

On the other side, Nicole Robin stood there with a professional smile on her face.

But he could tell she was afraid—a real, deep-seated fear.

Crocodile's face immediately darkened, and his teeth chattered as he chewed his Cigar.

"Oh shit..."

"A Whitebeard almost beat me to a pulp..."

"Now we have another monster Marine who can fight both Whitebeard and Kaido at the same time?!"

His Golden Hook trembled slightly, reflecting the chilling smile on Roy's lips on the screen.

Countless thoughts raced through my mind.

"I am Shichibukai... a 'legal' Pirate recognized by the World Government. He has no reason—no, he shouldn't have the right—to do anything to me, right?"

"But then again, this guy doesn't seem to care about his status as Shichibukai at all..."

"Donquixote Doflamingo is still lying in Impel Down reading the newspaper..."

Crocodile took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, but the bulging veins on his forehead and the cold sweat on his back betrayed his inner turmoil.

His gaze was fixed on Robin's figure, his face gradually contorting.

"Robin... she's the key to my life!"

"The only person who can decipher the Poneglyphs! The most important piece in my plan!"

"If that monster targets me and takes me away, all my plans will be ruined!!"

He slammed his fist on the control panel, crushing the Cigar instantly, scattering ash and tobacco all over the floor.

"No! I can't let her be taken away!"

"But the problem is... how am I supposed to protect her from that monster?!"

His mind raced like a trapped beast. "A direct confrontation? What a joke... I couldn't even block a single attack from Whitebeard, how could he? He could take on Kaido and Whitebeard one-on-one!"

"Negotiation? What can I offer him? Why should he listen to me?"

"Escape? This is Alabasta, my territory, my entire foundation—if I lose this place, what's the point of revenge?!"

He gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with irritability and anxiety.

Just as he was trying to think of his next move, Roy on the screen suddenly looked up—

Those deep, dark eyes seemed to pierce through the lens and across the screen, staring straight at the top-floor office!

Crocodile felt a sudden, sharp jolt in his heart!

His whole body stiffened, cold sweat poured down his back like a tide, and his breath caught in his throat!

"He... he found me?!"

At that moment, he subconsciously took a half step back, like prey being targeted by Beast.

"Impossible... impossible... how could he possibly know...?"

But the oppressive feeling of that instant eye contact was like a dagger driven into his soul, making Crocodile unable to deceive himself any longer.

He staggered, struggling to regain his balance, but could no longer muster his former arrogance and confidence.

He knew very well that this round was no longer a competition at the gambling table...

(PS: The latest plot has confirmed it: Blackbeard is actually Rocks' son! It seems the three major shonen manga series can't escape the rich kid traveling the world trope~ (laughs))