The Incident of Crocodile Fainting While Reading the News

Shurima.

Birdnet Addiction Reverse Detoxification and Rehabilitation Center.

Garp and Zephyr sat leisurely under a parasol on the street, drinking steaming hot milk.

The harsh Alabasta sun, after being blocked by the lush greenery and UV-protective umbrellas, becomes gentle and delicate.

Of course, both Garp and Zephyr, those two old men, have thick chest hair, and they've even applied sunscreen underneath, so they're completely protected from the harmful effects of the sun.

Zephyr took a sip of milk, and wondered if it was because his stomach had been acting up lately, but he felt that milk was a bit too bland.

I wanted to add something, but I just couldn't figure it out.

After taking a sip of the bland milk, Zephyr asked his old classmate beside him:

"Garp, have you been beating up the Land of Fire Daimyo again lately?"

Garp rolled over so that his back could also get some sun.

Upon hearing the topic of his old classmate, Garp waved his hand:

"I'm just killing time. If I can't beat up the Celestial Dragons, can't I at least beat up those good-for-nothings in the game?"

"Speaking of which, old classmate, what exactly do you do in the game? You're online the longest, but I've never even seen you."

Zephyr paused for a moment, then casually said, "I want to create a world with lovers and children..."

"You didn't turn this action ninja game into a romance novel, did you? This game does offer a pretty high degree of freedom..."

Garp's eyes suddenly widened. "You're not going to disguise yourself and scam people online again, are you? Let me tell you, old folks like us need to have some principles and a bottom line..."

"Well... I'll handle this myself..."

Zephyr stammered.

After all, in his view, "cross-dressing" simply means changing one's identity and disguising oneself.

His own account character, Obito Uchiha, was actually impersonating Uchiha Madara, causing trouble everywhere.

According to the game's instructions, only in this way can a world with loving people and children be created.

I never expected that Garp, who usually seems so carefree, would be so perceptive when it comes to games.

Even if he sensed something, Zephyr would not compromise.

Even just gaining the ability to simulate the appearance of his wife and children in the game would be of immense significance to Zephyr.

After all, people who have lost hope in life must find a way to regain meaning in their lives.

Even if this moment is just an illusion, they are willing to risk everything for it as long as there is a fleeting moment of beauty.

Zephyr often found himself connected to Obito Uchiha.

Of course, according to the background provided by Black Zetsu, Obito indirectly killed his own teacher.

For Zephyr, betraying his master and killing his mentor was still too extreme.

Because he is a good teacher in himself.

How could anyone in the world be so cruel to their mentor?

That's obviously impossible.

My lovely students all respect me very much!

Zephyr firmly believed this.

Look at these two old men, their necks buried in the ground, enjoying a leisurely sunbath, while Crocodile sits to the side, sipping coffee with a gloomy expression.

I should be on the right path to acquiring Ancient Weapons, not playing these childish games with a few old geezers.

It was indeed quite fun...

Cough cough cough...

That's not the point.

Although I gained happiness, I lost my freedom!

It's all Ma Qiao's fault, that lazy bum.

If it weren't for his reputation for being lazy and slacking off, I wouldn't have been so worried and personally come to this run-down place to inspect the work.

If it weren't for him creating this damned Big Bird Network, I wouldn't waste so much time every day going online to read novels by Su Mali and Qiong Yao.

It is indeed quite beautiful...

No, that's not the point!

I only learned about political struggle tactics through those novels.

This can only be considered one of the few bright spots after all the evil deeds Ma Qiao has committed.

In short, if it weren't for this guy, I wouldn't be living such a miserable life now.

Maybe he's already driving Pluton to the New World to settle scores with the Whitebeard old man.

Beep beep!

Just then, Zephyr, who was drinking milk, Garp, who was sunbathing, and Crocodile, who was drawing circles and cursing the two old geezers, all had their Mobile Den Den Mushi ring at the same time.

There's no such thing as spam text messages in the world of One Piece.

The three of them simultaneously raised their phones, lowered their heads, and moved in a synchronized and practiced manner.

This is a pop-up window on a mobile phone screen.

The last time this thing appeared was on the day Infinite Tsukuyomi was released.

All three of them became interested and quickly clicked to check it out.

"Galdino has never been a member of our organization. We appreciate his continued attention and support for Baroque Works, but we strongly condemn and reject his current behavior."

All of Galdino's words and actions reflect his personal stance and should absolutely not be taken at the company level.

Our organization consistently adheres to the principles of abiding by laws and regulations, paying taxes in accordance with the law, combating pirates, and respecting and supporting the absolute leadership of the Celestial Dragons.

Baroque Works will not be making any further comments on this matter, and we remain grateful for everyone's positive efforts and contributions to Baroque Works.

We hope that everyone can now return to the core of Baroque Works itself. (Everyone bows)

Almost immediately after the incident in Sabaody Archipelago Galdino brutally beat up Celestial Dragons, Ma Qiao pushed out this Baroque Works statement across the entire internet via Big Bird Network.

This was even earlier than when he sent the template to Nico Robin via WeChat.

Although many people believe that Baroque Works is a criminal organization, this view is actually incorrect.

They are certainly committing crimes, whether it's overthrowing the royal families of World Government Member States World Government recruiting key fugitives like Nico Robin, these are heinous crimes.

But that's a story for another time.

Before the crimes of Baroque Works were exposed, it was a legitimate company whose main business was hunting pirates and providing mercenary services.

They are definitely not pirates.

This can be seen from the reactions of the senior officers in the Alabasta arc of the original manga, before the final battle, after Robin revealed Mr. 0's true identity to them.

Bon Clay even said something like, "So it turns out we've been working for pirates all along."

This shows that in Bon Clay's mind, his previous work was cleaner than that of the Shichibukai.

Of course, to say that these high-ranking officials are innocent and pure would be utter nonsense.

Pirate Hunters and pirates can transform into each other.

But at least in the eyes of ordinary people or officials, Baroque Works is at most a company operating in a gray area.

Crocodile was certainly well aware of this.

Galdino, also known as Mr. 3, is considered one of his veterans.

Although he didn't have the same complex emotions as Ma Qiao, the first employee, Galdino was still an outstanding employee with excellent performance.

Although his combat strength is not top-notch, Crocodile admires his despicable and shameless style of using any means to achieve his goals.

It was precisely because of this quality that even though he stole the Wax-Wax Fruit was originally meant for Ma Qiao, Crocodile did not punish him. Instead, he granted him the high-ranking agent status of Mister Three.

But now...

Crocodile frowned.

Galdino is a top-tier agent. Who gave Nicole Robin the audacity to fire him without consulting me, the real boss?

Crocodile stubbed out his cheap cigarette in the ashtray, his face covered with frost.

However, he soon realized a problem.

If the announcement only concerns the dismissal of Galdino, then the wording is quite strange.

Furthermore, why announce such internal club matters online?

These various behaviors are really unreasonable. Nico Robin would never do such a thing without a reason.

Meanwhile, most of the other users of Big Bird Network who received the announcement cursed it as incomprehensible, then closed the announcement and continued surfing the internet, reading novels, playing games, or drawing the curtains, preparing tissues, and silently opening the official website of North Blue Girls.

However, Garp and Zephyr are two exceptions.

Zephyr frowned. "Isn't Ma Qiao an employee of Baroque Works?"

Garp picked his nose. "That seems to be the case, but that kid hasn't been fired yet? The owner of Baroque Works is too lenient, isn't he?"

"I don't think so?"

Zephyr wasn't entirely sure either, because Ma Qiao had just too many titles to list.

The identity of being a member of the Baroque Works was something that Ma Qiao filled out when he registered for talent at the G-2 Branch.

"Let's investigate and see what happened. If it's because the company isn't doing well, then we'll need to buy more ninja equipment. It would be a real problem if the game shuts down!"

Garp shook his head, sat up, opened the search engine, and began searching with his two large thumbs nimbly typing in keywords.

Zephyr leaned closer to join the fun.

Crocodile then stealthily positioned himself behind the old scoundrel Garp.

Soon, an article titled "Ode to Loyalty, Forge Military Soul with Iron Will," written by Alice, the star reporter of Big Bird News, appeared before us.

Garp skimmed through the text, skipping over the nonsense praising the Navy's justice, and quickly extracted the key words.

Galdino.

A ferocious tiger from the South Blue.

A brutal beating of the Celestial Dragons.

He fled to evade punishment.

It is suspected to have been swallowed by Sea Kings.

In addition to this news report, there is a related link below that redirects to a blog post.

The blogger who published this post is suspected to be Ulpo D. Kuro, the son of the former Pirate King.

He tearfully recounted his experience of being threatened and blackmailed by Galdino years ago.

"That Galdino is amazing!"

"He punches the Celestial Dragons and kicks the Devil Child; is there anyone in this world more awesome than him?"

Garp and Zephyr showed expressions of admiration.

At the same time.

Thump!

The two old men turned around and saw Crocodile lying stiffly on the ground with his eyes rolled back.

"Aren't young people these days so easily outdated?"

"He got heatstroke from just a little sun; serves him right for being used as a fishing tool by Newgate."

"Tsk tsk..."

After a long while, Crocodile finally woke up.

He found himself lying in a ward at the old Western Hospital.

At that moment, Crocodile was moved to tears. Thanks to his brother Ma Qiao!

While it's unclear whether this disclaimer will be effective, it's always good to make a clear stance from the outset.

Of course, Crocodile is also seriously considering a problem.

Since only Nico Robin knows her true identity, can she rest easy as long as she resolutely denies being the owner of Baroque Works?

"Damn it, I 'Crocodile!"

"How can you be so easily intimidated by something like this!"

Crocodile shook his head, abandoning the absurd idea.

What Crocodile didn't know was that Ma Qiao's statement, along with the use of the media power of the Big Bird Network and the resources of Garen and Darius, who were the first witnesses, confirmed one thing.

That was the crime Galdino committed; it was merely beating and kidnapping Celestial Dragons.

The real cause of Saint Charlos's death was an attack by some unknown Sea Kings.

Furthermore, the deaths of the Celestial Dragons were not mentioned in any of the related news reports.

Although beating and kidnapping Celestial Dragons is a heinous crime, it is still much better than killing Celestial Dragons directly.

Whether the Holy Land Mary Geoise accepts this claim remains to be seen.

But given Ma Qiao's understanding of the Five Elders, who are all suffering from dementia, they might actually help suppress the fact of Saint Charlos's death to reduce the negative impact.

The Sea Kings, as scapegoats, can at least serve as a plausible excuse to divert the attention of the Saint Charlos.

But no matter how you put it...

Just three days later, the bounty on Candle King Galdino was increased to 300 million Beli.

We're not in an era where bounties have been greatly devalued yet; 300 million Beli is by no means a small sum.

Of course, according to numerous eyewitnesses, Galtino has been eaten by the Sea Kings.

The World Government only offered this bounty to appease the feelings of the deceased's family.

A sea area near the entrance to the Grand Line.

Ma Qiao, holding the wanted poster delivered by News Coo, kept stealing glances at his Third Brother, who had a large bump on his head.

Yamato, carrying a spiked club, complained that the gifts that came out of the golden egg were utterly disgusting.

But it must be said, the Third Brother's ability to create candles is truly remarkable.

While not as overpowered as Barto's Barrier-Barrier Fruit, his Candle Wall, made of candles, was still used to help Ace withstand Sengoku's Sea Fist during the Paramount War.

Even Yamato had to use some force to break his candle ball.

"Do you want to hand me over to the World Government?"

Gal Dino sat down on the deck, utterly exhausted.

He wasn't afraid of Ma Qiao, the Penguin Devil Fruit User.

Penguin Fist can still beat his Candle Champion Cup?

Is this a joke?

However, Gal Dino felt a deep sense of dread towards the strong, beautiful girl wielding a spiked club beside Ma Qiao.

He heard that Buggy the Clown, the Fifth Emperor of the sea, had a tall girl (Alvida the fat version) who wielded a spiked club by his side.

Could it be that big shot on the list, Ma Qiao?

The more Gardiner thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

After all, the Penguin seems to be a good match for the Shaco, doesn't it?

This explains why Ma Qiao would appear in a high-end shopping area like the shopping streets of the Sabaody Archipelago.

~

"Forget it, it's not like we're short of 300 million."

Ma Qiao shook his head and tossed the bounty poster aside. "Third Brother, what kind of person do you take me for? I was just wondering, with so many heroes and great men under heaven, which powerful figure could possibly protect Third Brother brave man like you...?"

"I thought and thought, and one name kept swirling in my mind, that name is..."

"Emperor Clown Buggy!"

"Perfect timing! As a true media warrior, I've been invited by two Emperor's Deputy of the Buggy Pirates to film a documentary. Would you like to come with me?"

Ma Qiao extended his palm, his face full of a sincere smile.

In response to requests, the second update will be released earlier so that readers can go to bed early.

Also, it's almost the end of the month, please give me some monthly votes!