Knowing When to Back Down

Outside the Big Bird Spin Spin Spin Internet Cafe.

Just five minutes ago, Crocodile, the boss, was full of vigor and wanted to teach his unruly employees a lesson, but now he is so docile.

Crocodile knew that Ma Qiao, that lazy bum, had friends in the Navy, but he didn't know that Maggio's network of friends was so terrifying!

Speaking of which, during the Paramount War, Crocodile was a man who cut Akainu in half and went head-to-head with Hawk-Eye. Cowardice was not usually in his vocabulary.

However, times have changed.

Crocodile, having lost everything during the Paramount War, was fearless and arrogant, having nothing to lose.

Crocodile is currently at a crucial moment in his search for the Ancient Weapons.

He couldn't let ten years of hard work go to waste, so he had to be patient.

Besides, even Paramount War, Crocodile couldn't possibly have faced a lineup of Sengoku, Garp, and Zephyr at the same time, could he?

Even if Roger came, this lineup would have to flee overnight with the Orleans Jack.

In short, it only took a few seconds for Crocodile to realize the situation before him and transform from the arrogant Crocodile into the obedient little Crocodile.

Do you know the Scarf Kid?

While picking his nose, Garp used the same hand to grab a handful of beef jerky and put it in his Barry: "Didn't you just say you were looking for him?"

"Huh? You mean Ma Qiao?... I think I know him... but we're not very close..."

Crocodile quickly denied it.

"That's a real shame..."

Garp extended his fan-like palm. "Then you'll have to pay up. I think fifty million Beli should be about right."

"Fifty million Beli? Vice Admiral Garp, are you trying to rob me?"

Although he was completely under Crocodile's thumb, he still struggled to maintain his last shred of dignity.

The Sengoku also felt a pang of conscience.

After all, Crocodile had shown considerable respect by attending the previous operation to Shanks.

Although he was just going through the motions like Doflamingo, he was at least much more sensible than Moria was nowhere to be seen.

He also advised, "Isn't fifty million a bit too much? Yamaburo wasn't seriously injured; he can recover by eating a few more donuts."

"Sengoku, what nonsense are you spouting!"

Garp quickly stopped his incompetent teammate. "Don't you know how much damage a big 'big 'poop' can do to Little Goat's psyche? Besides, he damaged the internet cafe's door and computer desks; we'll have to pay for those."

As he spoke, Garp wrapped his arm around Sengoku's neck again, then lowered his voice and whispered in his ear, "Have you forgotten how shady this game designed by Scarf Kid is? You don't want to be doing beginner quests with just a few E-rank ninjutsu!"

"Oh, this..."

"Don't hesitate any longer, this isn't just a simple game. This is about whether Brother Zephyr can overcome his trauma and rebuild his life!"

Garp used his ultimate move, immediately dispelling Sengoku's concerns.

That's right. We coerced and extorted a Shichibukai in order to reinvigorate a Marine Admiral. From any perspective, this action is just.

This game, "Infinite Tsukuyomi," is touted as a healing game that can cure anyone's psychological trauma.

Ma Qiao is unanimously recognized by a host of naval officers, including Garp, Onigumo, Momonga, Comil, and Smoker, as a male lecturer who is well-versed in human nature.

As the Fleet Admiral, Sengoku was quite familiar with the character of his friends and subordinates.

If it were just Garp alone, Strategist, as Sengoku, might hesitate.

But now that so many prominent Vice Admiral and colonels are saying that Ma Qiao is a psychology expert, Sengoku has to take his words seriously.

However, it must be said that the cost of psychotherapy is indeed very high.

Just for a C-rank ninjutsu, you need to spend millions of points.

If you don't spend money, you can only learn advanced ninjutsu through various missions and coincidences.

Simply put, how can you become stronger without spending money?

How can I help my brother Zephyr if I don't become stronger?

Sengoku nodded. "This is all for the justice of King's Landing— Crocodile, my goat has suffered internal injuries. The medical expenses plus compensation for emotional distress will probably cost 100 million Beli. Will you pay in cash or by check?"

Crocodile:???

I'll knock your mother's head off!!

Although he had a lot to say about C programming, there was no doubt that when faced with Fleet Admiral's blackmail, it was best to swallow your complaints.

Crocodile, with tears of humiliation in his eyes, wrote a check for 100 million Beli and handed it to Sengoku.

"Damn it, don't underestimate the poor middle-aged! Once I find Pluton, I'll kill you all!"

Crocodile silently made a vow and turned to leave.

Suddenly, a large hand wrapped in bandages gripped his shoulder.

"Zephyr?"

Crocodile took a drag of his cheap cigar, suppressing his anger. "Old man, what else do you want from me? The check is definitely genuine; you can cash it at any bank."

"Crocodile, I have a favor to ask of you," Zephyr, shaking his head.

"Please ask me?"

Crocodile frowned. "You don't mean for me to go after Weevil, do you? I want to take down Whitebeard, not that idiot who claims to be Whitebeard's son."

Crocodile regretted saying those words as soon as they were spoken.

Weevil Whitebeard II was the one who cut off Zephyr's arm.

In the world of One Piece, it's perfectly normal for people to be missing limbs or missing arms.

As one of the Shichibukai, Crocodile had heard about Admiral Zephyr losing his left arm.

After Zephyr, losing his left arm wasn't exactly something to be proud of, but at least he wasn't like Red-Haired Shanks, who was tight-lipped about why he lost his arm and always said nonsensical things like "I bet my arm on the new era."

However, even if he's slightly better than Shanks, Zephyr would definitely get angry if someone mentioned him to his face.

Crocodile was starting to panic.

Now we are at their mercy, like fish on a chopping board.

He tolerated the extortion of 100 million Beli, so why can't he control his boastful mouth?

Fortunately, Crocodile was relieved to find that Zephyr's mental state seemed to be much better than rumored.

He didn't fly into a rage because he had exposed his past.

Instead, Zephyr raised his bandaged left arm, a glint in his eyes. "What Weevil owes me, I will personally take back with this new arm!"

Your arm?

Crocodile then noticed that Zephyr's left arm, which was rumored to have been severed, seemed to have grown back.

Although it was bandaged, its flexibility and the sensation of patting my shoulder just now clearly indicated that it was a real, flesh-and-blood arm.

What is the principle behind this?

Crocodile subconsciously touched the hook on his left hand.

We agreed to all be disabled together, so how did you secretly grow some?

Crocodile found it hard to accept at first.

Zephyr didn't notice what Xiao Sha was thinking, otherwise he would have definitely recommended that he seek medical help from the highly skilled Director Dr. Mundo.

Zephyr pulled Crocodile around and turned to his two old friends.

"Sengoku, Garp, I'm sorry, for some reasons I can't team up with you..."

"Zephyr, what do you mean by this?"

Sengoku was getting anxious. "This is a psychological rehabilitation and healing therapy jointly recommended by Dr. Dr. Mundo and kid Ma Qiao. Are you going to go against their advice?"

"No, I will continue to participate in the relevant treatment."

Zephyr shook his head. "The only difference is that our progress will be a little different. I was wondering how to handle this, but now that Crocodile is here, why don't we just let him choose the Sasuke role?"

Back at the internet cafe, the manager kindly served the elderly folks a refreshing snack – geoduck with lard.

Crocodile watched in shock as the three old men picked up geoduck clams and swallowed them like French fries, swallowing hard in fear.

It turned out that choosing to give in was a wise decision.

"Sir, would you like to turn on a machine as well?"

The internet cafe manager very enthusiastically came forward to inquire.

Crocodile glanced at Garp and the others who were wiping their mouths.

The 100 million Beli ransom demanded earlier clearly did not include his internet access fees.

Xiao Sha, being sensible, took out the last of his pocket money from his wallet and turned on a machine.

Then he ran to a corner and silently dialed Robin's number.

I'm out of living expenses, please send me money immediately!

Robin's surprised voice came from the other end of the phone. "Buying the sofa wouldn't cost that much, would it?"

"So you did know about the sofa!"

Just as Crocodile was about to explode, Garp's impatient urging came from the other side.

"We're one short, Xiao Sha, hurry up and log on. I chose the healing ninja, I'll give you a buff."

Left with no other option, Crocodile hastily threatened his beautiful secretary, demanding that she transfer the money as soon as possible.

Considering that he would likely have to deal with these old men here for a few more days, and that the prices in Shurima them a heads-up.

Has that lazy bum, Ma Qiao, never seen money in his life?

Or is he using this method to undermine the foundations of Alabasta?

Crocodile was still pondering such a complex problem when Garp's iron fist landed on his head.

With a loud "duang" sound.

Crocodile had a large bump on his head.

Then Garp picked up a giant snail and put it on Crocodile's head.

This is the latest product from the Big Bird Consortium: a helmet-style gaming Den Den Mushi.

You deserve it!

Seeing his two old buddies and Crocodile all wearing helmeted Den Den Mushi, Zephyr took a deep breath and stuck his head into the snail shell as well.

As the darkness before him was dispelled by a blinding light, Zephyr finally returned to this place he still found hard to believe.

"Hello, welcome to the world of Tsukuyomi. This is both virtual and real. As long as you work hard enough, all your dreams can come true."

A man with long white hair, dark skin, and a black-and-white striped hairstyle stood in front of Zephyr: "Would you like to bind this character—Uchiha Obito?"

Zephyr looked at the dark-skinned punk in front of him with a complicated expression.

The reason he refused to become Garp and Sengoku's teammate was because he unexpectedly triggered a hidden storyline when he first logged into the game, which allowed him to select a special hidden character.

Whether it's Obito or Water doesn't matter; what truly moved Zephyr was the words the game's guide spoke to him.

"Your name is Black Zetsu, right? You mean that if I can unlock all the content in this game, my wish will come true?"

"That's right, to ensure that everyone's life is without regrets, and to create a world of family happiness—that is precisely the mission of 'Infinite Tsukuyomi'."

"If, I mean if..."

Zephyr swallowed hard. "I want my wife and son back to life, and my lovely students to be with me again. Even such an excessive request, is it really possible to fulfill?"

"Sure!"

Black Zetsu (Ekko) looked at the moon on the horizon, a wicked smile creeping across his face.

On that boundless land, some self-proclaimed god is waiting for you...

Whether you choose the path of a passionate, growth-oriented character or the path of a behind-the-scenes mastermind, you'll need to spend a lot more money to defeat him.

Let's ride the waves!

My old babies...