Crocodile's Fury

Rain Dinners VIP Room

After a brief silence, Roy leaned back on the sofa, his tone as calm as if he were stating something perfectly ordinary. "The Revolutionary Army needs you."

The moment the words left his mouth, the air seemed to freeze.

Robin's pupils contracted sharply, as if struck by lightning.

Her usually calm and collected expression finally showed a dramatic change, with unprecedented shock and disbelief in her eyes.

"The Revolutionary Army... needs me?"

She certainly knew what that name meant.

That was an existence that even the World Government viewed with great apprehension; a red storm stirring up the world order from the shadows.

And she, Nico Robin, a woman dubbed the "Devil Child" by the World Government, never imagined she would be "needed" by a force of the Revolutionary Army's caliber.

She murmured softly, as if confirming, "You mean... the Revolutionary Army... really will accept someone like me?"

Roy chuckled, waved his hand, and said in a relaxed tone, as if he were talking about family matters. "Don't worry, the leader of the Revolutionary Army is my older brother, and his son is still in my hands."

Do you think he wouldn't be tolerant of you?

"Boom!"

Robin felt as if he had been struck by a heavy blow, and his brain went blank for a second.

"The commander-in-chief of the Revolutionary Army... is the elder brother of Marine Vice Admiral?"

He even 'kidnapped' someone's son?!

She always prided herself on being calm and wise, but at this moment she showed an unusual blank expression, her lips slightly parted, unable to utter a word for a moment.

Seeing this, Ace, who was sitting to the side, finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Roy, stop scaring her, she's totally out of her mind, haha~"

"She was acting like a calm queen just a moment ago, but now she looks like a kitten that's been struck by lightning."

Roy shrugged, looking innocent. "But I'm telling the truth."

After saying that, he looked at Robin, his expression turning serious again, and asked earnestly, "What? Is there anything else you're worried about?"

Robin lowered her eyes, pondered for a moment, and finally spoke softly, "Crocodile, he..."

Her voice was soft, yet it carried an indescribable emotion: conflict, guilt, and a touch of unease.

That was her only "dependence" at the moment, even though she knew it was nothing more than a relationship of exploitation and being exploited.

After hearing this, Roy seemed to realize something and gently patted his forehead.

"Ah... right."

"If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have almost forgotten about that little crocodile."

"... Little crocodile??"

Robin was instantly bewildered, an expression of disbelief appearing on her face.

"He... was he just calling Crocodile...'Little Crocodile'?"

That's Shichibukai! A powerful "legal" Pirate recognized by the World Government, the overlord of the sands who occupies Alabasta, controls underground forces, and wields a vast intelligence network!

In his mouth, it actually became...

"Little crocodile???"

Roy glanced at the time, casually flicked his sleeve, and stood up, saying in a relaxed tone, "Perfect timing, I have something to discuss with him."

Ace yawned and stood up as well. "He's the casino owner, right? I thought you were here to win money..."

Roy tilted his head towards the door and smiled at Robin, "Let's go, lead the way."

"So we don't get lost and disturb his afternoon nap."

Robin stared blankly at the two leisurely men in front of him, his feelings extremely complicated.

She had never seen anyone dare to talk about the Shichibukai in such a nonchalant tone—without the slightest fear or apprehension, as if they were nothing more than a neighbor she could greet at any time.

After a long silence, she lowered her head and whispered, "... Come with me."

She turned and pushed open the door to the VIP room, her figure resolutely walking out.

At that moment, she finally made up her mind.

--Perhaps, this is the first step towards true freedom.

Rain Dinners - Top Floor Office

The room was filled with smoke, and the heavy atmosphere seemed to be frozen in the air.

Crocodile paced back and forth, his golden hook hand reflecting a cold, icy light under the lamplight. His Cigar burned to the end, the ashtray overflowing but unnoticed.

"Damn it... why isn't Robin back yet?"

His brows furrowed, his expression grim, and the unfathomable black eyes on the surveillance footage involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

"Could that monstrous navy guy have really attacked her? No, he shouldn't have done it at this time..."

"Unless... he doesn't care about the 'Shichibukai' title at all..."

"Damn it, is he really here to get rid of me???"

Before a few anxious whispers could finish, the office door was suddenly pushed open with a loud bang.

"President."

Nicole Robin's voice came softly.

Crocodile turned around abruptly, a hint of joy flashing in his eyes, and took a quick step forward.

"Robin! You--"

His words abruptly stopped, as if he had been choked.

Behind her, two unfamiliar yet imposing figures entered side by side.

Roy and Ace walked in slowly, one with a smile on his face and the other with his hands in his pockets, as if they were just visiting guests.

Roy glanced around, casually surveying the office decor, then sat down as if he were in his own living room, crossing his legs. "Hey, little crocodile~"

The tone was affectionate, but the attitude was extremely contemptuous.

Ace whistled, scanning the ceiling and furniture. "Wow, this office is even more impressive than Sengoku's office, and the carpet is velvet?"

Crocodile's face was as black as the clouds on the sea before a storm, and his whole body was filled with murderous intent, but he forcibly suppressed his anger.

"No... I can't act impulsively... This person is beyond my level to confront head-on..."

He slowly walked back to his desk, forcing himself to remain calm, his eyes fixed on Robin: "Robin, what are you doing bringing them up here?"

Roy gave a half-smile and answered for her, "Don't misunderstand, we're not here to disturb your work."

"Just here to chat~"

"For example... you secretly plotted to overthrow the Alabasta monarchy?"

Crocodile froze, Flash murderous intent appearing in his eyes.

Roy continued, speaking slowly, but each word struck like a hammer blow. "For example... your plan to use Dance Powder to create drought and incite rebellion?"

Crocodile gritted his teeth, his face turning ashen.

"Don't rush, there's one last item—"

"Enough!!"

The roar shook the dust off the ceiling.

Crocodile suddenly raised his hand, his Golden Hook stirring up dust and swirling with killing intent!

"Roy, what exactly do you want?!"

Roy slowly rose, his expression calm, but his voice was like an ice blade slicing through the air. "What do you want?"

"It's very simple."

He stared directly at Crocodile, unwavering. "First, abandon Alabasta."

"Secondly, I'll take her with me."

"Third—" Before the words were finished.

"Don't even think about it!!"

Crocodile roared, his irrational rage finally erupting. A rustling sound suddenly rose, and a huge, spinning sand blade condensed in his Golden Hook Claws!

"Desert Spada!!"

The raging sand blade, like a greatsword made of storm, slashed through the air and hurtled towards Roy!

However, the next second--

"Fire Fist!!"

Ace took a sudden step forward, his right arm instantly bursting into flames as he unleashed a punch!

"Boom!!"

Flames clash head-on with sand blades!

The intense heatwave, accompanied by Shockwave, shook the entire office violently!

The sand blade heats up rapidly under extremely high temperatures.

"Click--!"

Crystallization and embrittlement are visible to the naked eye!

--Vitrification!

The next instant, it shattered with a deafening roar, and fragments rained down like crystal sand from the sky!

"What?!"

Crocodile's eyes widened, his pupils contracted sharply, and before he could react, a tremendous force slammed into his chest!

"Bang--!"

Flames, accompanied by Impact, slammed into him!

"Ahhh--!"

Crocodile screamed as his body flew out like a kite with a broken string, smashing through the heavy window and leaving a trail of flames before crashing heavily into the open square outside!

"Hiss--!"

Scalding flames burned his body, leaving him in a sorry state!

Ace's eyes turned cold, his right arm ignited again, and his figure transformed into a streak of flame as he leaped out of the window to give chase!

Thanks to Roy's ability to control it, the Impact did not affect the entire office.

The lingering draft in the VIP office was still present. Roy dusted off his sleeves, glanced at Robin with a complex expression, and smiled faintly.

Don't worry, I'm not planning to kill him yet.