"I thought Golden Lion's spy planted within the World Government was the real threat. I never expected you, Black Emperor, to be the most terrifying person in this world!"
Crocodile had once spent time in the world's largest prison, Impel Down.
Though his entire body was bound by Seastone chains, Crocodile did not look like a prisoner in the slightest.
"Catch."
Roy looked at Crocodile and the tense-faced guards before him.
He took a cigar and a box of matches from his pocket, tossed them to Crocodile, then waved his hand to signal everyone else to leave.
Huff... Catching the cigar Roy had thrown him, Crocodile did not refuse it and clenched it in his hand.
As the familiar taste of tobacco filled his mouth, he narrowed his eyes and savored its rich flavor.
Suddenly, Crocodile's eyes snapped open.
"Black Emperor, Golden Lion has already been controlled by you, hasn't he?"
Roy showed no unusual reaction to Crocodile's abrupt question.
He looked at this powerful pirate, whose strength on the seas was second only to the Yonko.
"That's right, Crocodile. You guessed correctly. Looks like you've learned quite a bit during this time. Golden Lion has indeed become a weapon in my hands. So, Crocodile, would you like to join me?"
Roy's answer made Crocodile's pupils contract sharply.
He thought of that vicious man who had once vied with Whitebeard and Roger for supremacy over the seas, only to become a weapon in this young man's hands.
For a moment, Crocodile felt lost.
At the same time, an inexplicable fear rose in Crocodile's heart for the first time.
But the pride of an old-school pirate would not allow Crocodile to bow his head to the young man before him.
"Heh heh, Black Emperor, stop putting on an act and pretending