You Have No Right to Choose

You Have No Right to Choose.

Those blunt words undoubtedly made Crocodile even angrier.

Yet reality left him unable to refute them.

Because, just as Roy had said, after investing so much effort in the early stages, Crocodile would never abandon his plans in Alabasta.

After all, what he had been plotting for in Alabasta was intelligence on Pluton, one of the Ancient Weapons.

Pluton, the warship hailed as the most wicked vessel in the history of shipbuilding, was a taboo forbidden from investigation by the World Government.

If the World Government turned its attention to Alabasta, then there was a good chance that everything Crocodile had done would be exposed.

An organization that had ruled the world for nearly eight hundred years was nothing like the naive Alabasta royal family.

If the World Government discovered his ultimate goal in Alabasta, the consequence would be the immediate stripping of his Shichibukai title.

After that, the World Government's powerhouses would likely swarm him like locusts and hunt him down.

That was a consequence Crocodile did not want to bear.

So, from the moment Roy wrote that ransom letter, Crocodile had only two choices left.

Either leave the Shichibukai and forcibly continue his plan, then face the joint pursuit of the World Government and the Marines.

Or accept Roy's extortion, hand over Nanohana, the port city in southern Alabasta, and have both sides pretend that nothing had happened today.

The two faced each other from afar across the desert.

Though Crocodile frowned deeply and his gaze brimmed with murderous intent, Roy was utterly relaxed, even humming a little tune.

That was the difference between those with something to lose and those with nothing to lose.

The fury of being extorted continued to spread through Crocodile's heart, but his reason kept his instincts firmly under control.

"Hehehe... Looks like you've got me figured out. But why are you so certain Alabasta is that important to me?

If I leave all of you CP9 members in this desert, the World Government probably won't learn anything, will it?"

Covering his face as he threw back his head in wild laughter, he revealed undisguised killing intent through the gaps between his fingers.

Roy remained unmoved by Crocodile's threat.

Anyone else might truly have been intimidated by Crocodile.

But Roy was a man who knew the future.

He knew just how obsessed Crocodile was with Pluton at this point in time.

That was why he did not believe a formidable figure like Crocodile would be unable to control even his own temper.

Besides, Crocodile's long-awaited fruit of success was already close to ripening.

That was Roy's greatest confidence in directly threatening a Shichibukai.

The enormous sunk cost and the fruits of success that were nearly ready for harvest—these were among Roy's trump cards against Crocodile.

"Oh, it seems Mr. Crocodile intends to use force!

But before you make a move, let me remind you of one thing: every action comes with a price.

If we CP9 members fail to return on time, then the World Government will definitely learn about all the dirty things you've been doing in Alabasta.

Of course, you can go ahead and hunt us down to your heart's content, but can you guarantee that not a single fish will slip through the net?"

He raised his hand and held his blade before him.

Armament Haki instantly dyed the blade pitch-black.

Faced with Roy's stance, ready to fight at any moment, a deep wariness flashed through Crocodile's eyes.

If it had been anyone else, Crocodile might truly have done as he said and tried his utmost to hunt them down and erase them.

But Roy was a Great Swordsman—and a Logia Devil Fruit user, at that.

Though Crocodile had absolute confidence in his own strength, after witnessing Roy's flying ability and slashes earlier, he realized that he did not have absolute confidence in being able to keep Roy in this lifeless desert.

After all, Logia Devil Fruit abilities were troublesome enough on their own. On top of that, Roy could fly and possessed the strength of a Great Swordsman.

The many factors forced Crocodile to consider more carefully.

Just as Roy had said.

Right now, he had no right to choose.

Though he did not trust Roy's reasons for wanting Nanohana, at least one thing was clear: CP9 needed the port city of Nanohana.

As long as there were ties of interest, Crocodile believed that even if the World Government learned he had released Dance Powder in Alabasta, they would probably turn a blind eye.

After making that humiliating decision in his heart.

When Crocodile looked at Roy again, there was far less bloodthirst in his gaze.

"You win. I can agree to your terms. I'll send people to clear away every obstacle preventing you from taking over Nanohana, but you must keep your promise as well.

"And that traitor Bon Clay—you have to hand him over to me too."

In the end, Crocodile yielded to Roy's extortion.

However, Crocodile's demand for Bon Clay made Roy frown.

After all, Bon Clay was someone Roy valued highly.

And in the future, Bon Clay's Devil Fruit ability would be of tremendous use to Roy.

"Mr. Crocodile, keeping our promises is a given, but I can't hand Bon Clay over to you."

Roy refused outright.

Crocodile's expression immediately darkened.

"Oh? You don't want to hand over Bon Clay? It seems you don't have much sincerity toward this deal either!"

Sand gradually formed into a tornado behind Crocodile, and his gaze grew increasingly dangerous.

Roy was not intimidated by him.

Looking at Crocodile, who seemed ready to attack again at any moment, Roy looked up at the sky and snapped his fingers.

Under Crocodile's puzzled gaze, a cool droplet fell onto his face.

Splash, splash!

A torrential downpour suddenly poured from the sky.

"Reaper's Sound."

A deathly soundwave that made one's body tremble instantly began spreading out from Roy, blanketing the area.

"Mr. Crocodile, I already told you—you have no room to choose.

"Our deal is simple: the exchange we just discussed.

"On that basis, no additional conditions will be accepted.

"If you refuse to accept that, then let's fight!"

Roy's face was stern.

As the rain from the sky grew heavier, Crocodile's face darkened, and his wariness of Roy deepened further.

Because he knew that this sudden downpour was Roy's doing.

And if Roy could do this, it meant that he knew Crocodile's weakness.