Blackmailing Crocodile for a Fortune

Chapter 46: Extorting a Large Sum from Crocodile

As Crocodile began his operation, all intelligence organizations within Alabasta mobilized at that very moment.

Throughout Alabasta, Crocodile's image was that of a national hero.

Therefore, besides the vast forces he commanded, other officials and powers were willing to grant Crocodile some face.

A simple gamble had now escalated into the mobilization of national forces.

However, Roy and Spandam paid no mind to these developments.

The moment these forces began gathering intel, Roy and Spandam had already ventured into Alabasta's vast desert.

It could be said that it was precisely because of Roy and Spandam's decisive withdrawal.

That intelligence related to them around Rain Country was now scarce.

Crocodile's large-scale mobilization of forces naturally drew the attention of Alabasta's royal family.

But due to the country's perpetual drought and widespread uprisings.

Even though Cobra sensed something was amiss, he had no time to deal with matters concerning Crocodile.

The current internal situation of the country, in the eyes of Alabasta's royal family.

As long as Crocodile did not rebel, maintaining the status quo would be a great relief.

A benevolent king was fortunate for his people.

But this must be coupled with strength; otherwise, having benevolence without the corresponding power often leads to a tragic end.

Crocodile was an unadulterated, greedy crocodile.

If Alabasta's royal family hadn't been so naive back then.

They wouldn't have ended up with the current situation where the kingdom's subordinate powers were too strong to control.

The World Government's direct secret agency had its own unique operational logic throughout the Pirate World.

Even though Crocodile had mobilized more than half of Alabasta's intelligence forces to search for information related to Spandam.

The intelligence ultimately gathered and related to the matter only concluded one thing: it was related to the Revolutionary Army.

After three days of searching without finding Roy and Spandam, Crocodile felt a moment of relief upon receiving this news.

As long as CP9's arrival in Alabasta didn't interfere with his plans, Crocodile wouldn't pay attention to any of their actions.

And while Crocodile was flipping through the documents in his hand.

"Finally here, damn desert, I hate sand."

Seeing the port city of Nanohana within reach, Spandam and Bon Clay embraced and wept.

It wasn't because Spandam had lowered his expectations.

But rather, the journey through the desert for the past three days had been too arduous.

After all, no one could have predicted that the vast desert, scorching and calm one moment, would be swept by sandstorms the next.

In such harsh weather, there was no such thing as just being unlucky, only unluckier, as Roy's group's transportation had gotten lost.

This journey allowed Roy and Spandam to truly experience the harshness of the desert.

Since Spandam was the weakest of the three in terms of stamina, he had been mostly taken care of by Bon Clay along the way.

Sometimes hardship changes one's perception of another, especially in life-or-death situations.

That's why, upon arriving at the port city, Spandam and Bon Clay embraced and wept.

Of course, this was also part of Roy's plan, having Bon Clay interact closely with Spandam to understand the man better.

After all, the Mane Mane no Mi's ability only mimicked outward appearances; the inner self required learning.

Although Spandam was now Roy's close partner, Roy knew Spandam's unpleasant personality.

If anything were to happen to him, Spandam would undoubtedly betray Roy without hesitation.

Therefore, Roy needed a failsafe. If Spandam ever harbored ill intentions in the future, Bon Clay would replace him entirely.

Glancing sideways, Roy saw the two men shouting loudly.

Roy had long grown accustomed to the characteristic boisterousness of the Pirate World.

Waving at them, Roy led the way towards the nearby city-state.

Port cities were often symbols of wealth.

Because Nanohana was one of Alabasta's few excellent port cities, it appeared particularly prosperous compared to other impoverished regions.

Walking through the bustling crowds.

The sensitive Roy, the moment he entered the city, sensed malicious scrutiny.

To this, Roy felt no surprise.

On the contrary, everything that was happening was within his expectations.

Because these malicious gazes were mostly focused on Spandam, and Roy, who had already altered his appearance using Life Return, could tell with his eyes closed whose subordinates these hostile stares belonged to.

Roy glanced back at Spandam, who seemed to no longer perceive any danger.

Indeed, that guy's arrogant nature wouldn't change so easily.

After all, they were still within Alabasta's borders.

Roy didn't say much about Spandam's exposure; in fact, he thought it was a good thing.

Because after two days of walking in the desert, perhaps due to how easily the money in his hands had been obtained, Roy felt increasingly like he was losing out.

Recalling the prosperity of Rain Country and the sandstorms they encountered along the way.

A bold plan unconsciously formed in Roy's mind.

The memories in his mind gave Roy the ability of foresight.

And his identity within the World Government's direct subordinate department gave Roy even more confidence.

Since Crocodile had now become Alabasta's hero.

Thinking about Alabasta's special geographical location in the Grand Line and its vast population.

Roy glanced again at the money he had won back from the casino, and immediately felt that this money was far too little.

Since he knew Crocodile's weakness and his conspiracy, why couldn't he extort something bigger from Crocodile?

Looking at the crowds of people coming and going on the street.

Roy thought this port city was quite good.

Although he didn't know its affiliation yet, Roy believed that with Crocodile's abilities, he could help sort everything out.

No sooner said than done, after Roy decided to extort Crocodile.

Roy and his group arrived at the port and met up with the Turkey Pirates, who had been waiting there for a long time.

At the same time as the news of Spandam's appearance was sent to the Baroque Works headquarters in Rain Country.

An anonymous letter was being spat out from the mouth of the printing Den Den Mushi held by Bon Clay.