Earth-Shattering! The Audacious Duo!

Moria looked at Crocodile with suspicion. "What do you mean by this?"

He and Crocodile were old acquaintances.

They had already met in Loguetown when Roger was executed.

They clashed many times afterward as they ventured out on the Grand Line, not to mention that after becoming Shichibukai, they would occasionally meet at Shichibukai meetings.

However, he never intended to have anything to do with this guy.

The reason is simple: in the past, Moria only trusted his companions, but after the battle in Wano Country, after being burned by those golden flames, Moria felt that the dead were more reliable than the living.

"Looking at you now, I'm afraid you'll never be able to take revenge on Kaido or Ian."

Crocodile said without any politeness.

The current Moria is far inferior to his former self. How can he possibly contend with the Beasts Pirates in the World's Strongest?

"Crocodile!!"

Moria's pale face, as white as a sheet of paper, suddenly flushed red. His hand, gripping the scissors, trembled. "What nonsense are you spouting! As long as I find a powerful enough shadow! As long as I revive that one! What Kaido, what Ian, I'll crush them all to pieces!"

If only Oars could be resurrected.

If he could get the power of that thieving monster Oars to work for him, then the Beasts Pirates would no longer be unapproachable!

"Yeah?"

Crocodile raised an eyebrow slightly. Could it be that Moria actually possessed something extraordinary? Why was he so confident?

but.

"You mean a shadow?"

Crocodile seemed to remember something. "You're not putting your hopes on those nonsensical zombies, are you?"

What do you know?

Moria sneered, "Zombies are much more useful than living people!"

The zombie would never betray him, nor would it let him experience the pain of loss.

Is there any subordinate better than a zombie?

"Tsk."

Crocodile was speechless once again.

I thought there was some amazing secret, but it turns out to be just this?

He began to wonder if he had come to the wrong place.

Where has Moria found even a trace of the ambition he had back in Loguetown?

I'm about to become a complete useless person.

Or you could go find Mihawk.

That bastard may be a loner, but at least he's more respectable Moria.

but.

Since we're already here...

Crocodile took a deep breath. "No matter how powerful your secret weapon is, Kaido and Ian are two people, not to mention they have many skilled subordinates."

even--

Um?

Who was killed in Dressrosa again?

Never mind, it doesn't matter anymore.

Crocodile said seriously, "Having someone help you is never a bad thing. Just answer me, Moria, what's your answer to my proposal for cooperation?"

Why should I cooperate with you?

Moria sneered, "You bastard, you don't have any connection with Kaido or that brat, do you?"

"That bastard Ian stole what I'd been planning for years."

Crocodile briefly explained his feud with Ian, saying, "That's something I'm absolutely unwilling to give up."

"Oh?"

Moria carefully examined Crocodile, and seeing that the guy didn't seem to be faking it, he couldn't help but smile.

Is this guy also one of that brat's nemesis?

It's a bit like I can empathize with that.

In that case, it's not that there's no basis for cooperation.

Crocodile is right, the Beasts Pirates are too strong. Even with Oars' unparalleled power, he would be no match for both Ian and Kaido at the same time.

"So, how do you want to cooperate?"

Moria became slightly more serious.

Crocodile's lips curled into a smile.

See, if you want to discuss cooperation, you still have to find someone who's not quite right in the head.

Learn something --

Hmm, who was it trying to mock again?

"We want to bring Kaido and Ian down from their horses,"

Crocodile held up two fingers. "I think we should approach it from two angles."

"Strengthen ourselves."

"Weaken them both."

Moria looked at him as if he were an idiot.

Isn't that obvious?

"Since we need to strengthen ourselves,"

Crocodile scrutinized Moria, paying particular attention to Moria's large belly. "How long do you plan to maintain this disgusting appearance? Have you already forgotten what you looked like back then?"

Moria was somewhat embarrassed.

He has indeed been too lazy over the years.

"Then, we need to recruit more people."

Crocodile said, "The Beasts Pirates aren't just powerful because of Ian and Kaido."

"Easy for you to say,"

Moria sneered, "How many people in the world would dare to oppose the Beasts Pirates? Aside from those ignorant fools, where else can we find anyone?"

We can't exactly poach people from the navy, can we?

There are indeed many guys there who dare to oppose the Beasts Pirates.

Yes, there is a place.

Crocodile's eyes gleamed dangerously. "We can also take a second step: weaken the Beasts Pirates."

Moria frowned deeply. "What exactly do you mean?"

"The struggle for supremacy in the New World is over."

Crocodile's lips curled into a smile. "The emperors' territories are stable, and they are unlikely to start a war easily."

"But if some other strong and capable guys go in, things will be different!"

"So Crocodile, what exactly are you trying to say?"

"Don't you understand? You idiot! Next, we're going to a place to recruit people, and while we're at it, we'll release some monsters back into the sea! You wanted shadows, didn't you? There are plenty of powerful shadows there!"

"Really? There really is a powerful shadow?"

"Is the focus on the shadow? Never mind, but before that, we need to make some preparations."

"What preparations?"

"We will not prepare to become Shichibukai!"

Hachinosu Island.

Ian and a little girl stared at each other.

The little girl didn't glare at him in the end, and cautiously lowered her head.

Sugar was scared.

How could I not be afraid?

She hadn't forgotten the air bullet that grazed her ear, nor the merciless Raigeki in Dressrosa.

"You're not allowed to remove your abilities without my permission from now on."

Ian gave his instructions.

"Yes, yes, Lord Ian."

Sugar shuddered and hurriedly spoke.

Ian picked up a plate of plump grapes from the side and handed it to her, saying, "You've worked hard, go have some fun."

Sugar hesitated for a moment, then took the grapes and ran away with a sigh of relief.

Ian watched her retreating figure.

That's a really interesting ability.

During this time, he had Sugar cooperate with him in experimenting with the abilities of the Hobby-Hobby Fruit.

Some questions have been answered.

After being turned into a doll, one's physical functions will be greatly weakened, including Haki. It is extremely difficult to remove one's abilities using Haki.

If Sugar were to impose a contract preventing the use of Haki, there would be even less chance of breaking free from those constraints.

The injuries sustained by the doll will not completely return to the original body; although there will be some impact, it will not be significant.

Unless killed.

If the doll is killed, its abilities will be canceled because the original body has also died.

Furthermore, the power of the Hobby-Hobby Fruit is not absolute.

If someone is turned into a doll, then everyone in the world will have their memories of that person erased.

However, it's only a memory; the written records will still remain.

For example, the Donquixote Family members can still learn from past documents and newspapers that their original leader was named Donquixote Doflamingo.

They simply couldn't recall anything that had ever happened between them and this man.

It's like watching someone else's story; all the emotions have been erased.

This is why Ian specifically instructed Sugar not to remove her powers without authorization.

Even so, this ability is already abnormal enough.

If Ian wanted to, he could easily make someone disappear without a trace.

Sugar, clutching the grapes, quickly ran to a corner of the square, still looking somewhat shaken.

"Sugar!"

Her older sister was waiting for her there. As soon as she saw her younger sister arrive, Monet rushed over anxiously, grabbed her sister, and examined her carefully. "Ian —did that man do anything to you?"

"It's okay, sister."

The little girl shook her head and handed the grapes in her hand to Monet, saying, "Eat grapes."

"You eat it."

Monet breathed a sigh of relief, then smiled and ruffled his sister's hair.

"I told you nothing would happen."

A female voice came from the side, "How could Lord Ian make things difficult for a little girl? Everyone in the world knows that Lord Ian is magnanimous and upright."

Monet turned his head away.

A tall, red-haired woman lay on a deck chair, sunbathing by herself.

Her name was Baccarat, and she was the one Mr. Tesoro sent to show the Donquixote Family around the island.

"Put aside your worries, Monet,"

Baccarat said leisurely, "Lord Ian is known for treating his subordinates very well."

The stunningly beautiful woman stretched lazily, extending her long legs with unrestrained abandon. "You'll soon find out just how wonderful it is to work under Lord Ian."

Monet pursed his lips but remained silent.

"Look, isn't that girl adapting quite well?"

Baccarat pointed to the sky to one side.

Monet looked over.

An airplane is flying in the sky.

No, that wasn't an airplane.

Rather, it is.

"Hahaha! This move is called Bomber Girl!"

The plane's front featured a cute little face that was laughing heartily, "Lord Ian! Look! I did it!!"

She hovered above Ian's head, accompanied by the whistling sound of the wind.

The other Homie bombers flying around in the sky thought they had seen a companion and came over to play with her.

"Wow! Don't come near me!"

The woman on the plane, Baby-5, screamed in terror at the sight of the Homie, instantly deactivated her powers, and fell from the sky, landing hard on her backside.

Watching Baby-5 groan and cry out in pain while clutching her bottom, but clearly not seriously injured and already getting up, Ian couldn't help but glance towards a corner of the square where Kuina was sparring with Zoro.

So, how high is the staircase exactly?

"How was it, Lord Ian!"

Baby-5 hopped over, "I can turn into a bomber now!"

This girl doesn't seem to have any resistance to the current situation at all.

No wonder, she simply couldn't refuse any request from others.

"Very nice."

Ian nodded approvingly. "You did a great job."

"Yay!"

Baby-5 jumped up happily and spun around twice.

The Weapon-Weapon Fruit, that's truly a very powerful Devil Fruit.

In theory, it can be transformed into any weapon.

Whether it's a cold weapon or a firearm.

It can be changed whenever you want.

Of course, the specific power depends on the user.

"I'll be even more oily in the future!"

Baby-5 declared confidently, "Lord Ian, I will absolutely not let you down!"

Ian shook his head helplessly.

The girl's loyalty to him at this moment was beyond question.

The problem is, with just one word, her loyalty can be transferred to someone else.

We need to strengthen education.

Just then.

Brub brub brub.

The Den Den Mushi suddenly rang.

Ian picked up the Den Den Mushi.

"Big News Morgans! Ian! Big News Morgans!"

Putting aside whether it's big Big News Morgans, Morgans, what did I do wrong to deserve such disrespect from you?

Don't they even call him Lord Ian anymore?

But the next second, Ian knew it was indeed Big News Morgans.

Impel Down has been breached!

Oh, wow.

Ian blinked.

If I remember correctly, Luffy should still be the leader of the kids at Marine Headquarters, right?

Whose handiwork is this?

"Tell me in detail."

This is something I really need to understand!

Let's go back a little earlier.

Somewhere in the Calm Belt, lies Impel Down, the world's Impel Down, a fortress known as Hell.

Impel Down appears to be just an ordinary sea fortress, and its size is not particularly large.

But anyone with a little knowledge knows that.

Most of Impel Down is underwater.

This is a massive tower-shaped building situated on the seabed in the deep sea.

Its unique geographical location and special structure have made this prison an impenetrable fortress; since its construction, only one person Golden Lion, has successfully escaped.

But on this day, this iron wall welcomed a new challenger.

Because of its unique location in the Calm Belt, both the government and the navy must pass through the massive vortex behind the Gate of Justice to Impel Down.

However, it doesn't mean that it can only come through a huge circulation.

With the help of two men rowing hard, the small boat finally approached the great fortress.

"Hehehehehe!"

Moria gazed at Impel Down in the distance and couldn't help but burst into laughter. "How dare Crocodile! He actually comes to Impel Down to recruit people!"

Is there a more suitable place?

Crocodile stood up, his body already turned to dust. "Move quickly, don't get discovered."

His body dispersed completely, and the yellow sand became incredibly scattered, almost invisible to the naked eye as it flew through the air.

"Then you'll just have to wait and see."

Moria sneered, and his shadow suddenly detached, speeding forward along the sea surface.

Crocodile chuckled softly, and the yellow sand flew forward.

Before long, he arrived above Impel Down, and the marines patrolling the nearby waters did not notice him at all.

Crocodile landed on the outer wall of Impel Down, silently solidified his body, and then used his corrosive power to carve a hole in the wall, descending downwards.

Many of the cells in Impel Down were made of Seastone.

However, this doesn't mean the entire building was made of Seastone; Crocodile's infiltration was virtually silent.

As he slipped into the cave, a shadow followed him through the opening.

Keep going down, down.

Crocodile used his Observation Haki to determine which floor he had descended to.

His goal was to Impel Down, where powerful individuals were imprisoned.

He counted silently.

Basement level 1, basement level 2, basement level 3, basement level 4, basement level 5.

This is the sixth --

Um?

Crocodile paused for a moment.

Why is there another layer below?

Little did he know that long ago, someone had dug out another space between the fifth and sixth floors.

Crocodile wasn't too bothered by it, because he sensed that the space above was empty, while the space below was filled with powerful auras that couldn't be concealed at all.

Continue reading.

Once you reach a reasonable position, drill towards the center.

Soon, Crocodile broke through the solid wall and emerged from the hole.

He focused his body.

clatter.

That's the sound of leather shoes stepping on the ground.

Then, the shadow around him coalesced into the shape of Moria, and then...

"Hehehe! You got in so easily?"

The shadow transformed into Moria, and he burst into laughter.

Heavy breathing sounds instantly echoed from the dark sixth level.

Crocodile's lips curled slightly as he stepped forward.

"Hey, you stray dogs!"

He shouted, "Want to get out?"

... I'll make up the chapter I owe tomorrow, lol