Once his anger had dissipated, Crocodile returned to silence, coldness, and an imposing presence that needed no anger.
There were only mistaken names, never mistaken nicknames.
Crocodile had always been like his name, "Sand Crocodile"—cold-blooded, ferocious, yet accustomed to patience.
Having fully grasped the current situation, he forcibly suppressed his unwillingness, gave up that tempting prey, and lowered his raised crocodile head back beneath the calm waters.
But this was not surrender. He was merely placing all his bets on the next attack.
"Robin."
Crocodile cast his icy gaze upon Robin beside him, his calm tone filled with invisible intimidation:
"The next operation requires you."
"Earn that hypocrite's trust and find out where the Poneglyph is!"
Robin nodded without hesitation. This was also the solution she had discussed with Crocodile long ago.
The Poneglyph concerning Pluton's location was a treasure guarded by the Alabasta royal family for generations. Only the current king, Cobra, knew its exact whereabouts.
According to Crocodile's original plan, he would stir up a massive rebellion in Alabasta, seize control of the Royal Capital, Alubarna, amid the chaos, then use methods such as torture, coercion, and threats to force Cobra to reveal the Poneglyph's location.
But now that someone had interfered with his plan to steal the country, Crocodile could only achieve his goal by taking a roundabout route:
He would send Robin to falsely defect to Garen, then use this other country thief's relationship with the Alabasta royal family to learn the Poneglyph's whereabouts.
Everyone knew what use Nico Robin, an archaeologist, could be. Crocodile refused to believe that that sanctimonious country thief could resist the temptation of the Ancient Weapon Pluton.
"However."
Crocodile gave Robin another deep look, making no attempt to conceal the cold killing intent in his voice:
"After you join Garen, you