Keeping One's Word

"Crocodile, you wouldn't want me to tell Marine Headquarters that I found the Devil Child, would you?"

"Beep beep beep~"

"..."

Crocodile stared grimly at the Den Den Mushi that had been hung up on again. The cigar in his left hand kept smoking until he clenched it tight...

The cigar crumbled directly into ash and scattered away!

"Boss, do you need me to bring that guy here?" Baroque Works' Mr. 1—Daz Bones—stood nearby with his hands behind his back. Seeing his boss so enraged, he spoke in a chilly tone. "Now that he has found her, he is no longer useful. I will personally bring him before you."

However.

Faced with Daz Bones' suggestion, Crocodile, still wearing a dark expression, refused. He lit another cigar and took a hard drag. The anger on his face seemed to ease slightly as he said flatly, "No need. As long as that guy brings the Devil Child before me, that will be enough!"

Honestly, he had not expected that in just a few days, that guy would find the Devil Child so quickly?!

It had to be said...

What a useful pawn!

A cold smile appeared on his lips. "As for the rest, we can discuss it once that guy stands before me!"

"And the money..."

"...Transfer it to him!" Crocodile flicked the ash from his cigar and said expressionlessly, "What matters more right now is that the World Government must not discover our plan!"

As he spoke, he rose with a sneer and stood by the window, looking down over the bustling Rain Base. A savage grin spread across his face. "Besides, I can't wait to see that greedy Marine appear before me!"

He wanted to see...

Whether that guy had what it took to take those six hundred million Beli from him!

Elsewhere.

Everyone silently looked at Xia Che, who wore a smile as he hung up the Den Den Mushi.

"This is the big deal you were talking about?" Crocus looked at Xia Che strangely, breaking the silence first. Then, after hesitating for a moment, he said, "Isn't the Devil Child right beside you?"

"But he doesn't know that~"

"..." After hearing Xia Che's answer, Crocus fell silent for a moment, then frowned. "Are you planning to sell out your own companion?"

As soon as those words fell.

Bonnie, who was receiving treatment, and Kuma beside her both frowned at Xia Che.

Bonnie in particular... puffed out her cheeks and glared at him angrily, as though she were looking at absolute scum.

As for Kuma...

He had only realized afterward that the woman from earlier was Nico Robin.

Of course, he also knew a little about the secrets hidden by the Devil Child, who was wanted by the World Government.

It could be said that anyone seeking the truth of history was looking for her. Even the Revolutionary Army was secretly searching for the Devil Child.

Yet unexpectedly...

The Devil Child the Revolutionary Army had searched for all these years had been hiding in East Blue.

And... hiding within an East Blue Navy branch?

He wondered what Marine Headquarters' reaction would be once they found out.

"Hey, hey, hey, old man, don't slander me!" Noticing Kuma's gaze, Xia Che hurriedly waved his hands. He looked at Crocus with a serious expression and said, "I just hired a new employee. Don't mess things up for me. People who don't know better might think I'm some heartless boss!"

He spread his hands and said in a matter-of-fact tone, "I only said I'd bring her before him. I never said I'd hand her over to him."

"You..." Crocus seemed to understand what he meant. His eyes turned strange again as he looked at him. "Did Crocodile offend you?"

"Of course he did~" Xia Che revealed a meaningful smile. "And badly, too. That guy was trying to poach my employee. Wouldn't you say that's a serious offense?"

"Poach an employee? Forget it, it has nothing to do with me." A trace of surprise appeared on Crocus' face, but when he saw Nico Robin standing there with an elegant smile and no sign of panic, he simply shook his head indifferently.

He had known for a long time that Nico Robin was by this guy's side.

After all, she was such an obvious person, and unlike others, he read newspapers every day and was not face-blind.

How could he fail to recognize her?

However.

Such matters no longer interested him now!

"But..." Crocus' gaze fell on Xia Che again. "Let me remind you, anyone recognized by the World Government and granted the title of Shichibukai is no simple person."

"I know~"

Xia Che paid no mind to Crocus' warning and merely waved his hand.

If it were the later version of Crocodile, perhaps he would need to be cautious. But Crocodile at this point... his former ambition and conviction had long since been shattered.

Come to think of it, the pirate world was rather driven by belief.

Once one's conviction and ambition were broken, not only would their strength stop growing, it might even weaken.

For example, another Shichibukai—Gecko Moria. After losing to Kaido and watching all his companions die, he had turned straight into a fat shut-in.

That was precisely why...

After being transferred down here, his strength had not grown, he had achieved nothing in East Blue, and he had not drawn much attention. Marine Headquarters merely believed that a former genius had fallen and paid him no heed.

After all, to Marine Headquarters...

He was merely a gifted Marine Colonel!

"Looks like you have already prepared yourself?" Crocus looked at Xia Che again, frowning as he pondered for a moment. "Then when do you plan to leave?"

"Of course... right now!" Xia Che's lips curled slightly, and he revealed the smile of an honest businessman. "Since I said I would bring her before him immediately, then immediately it is. Once he transfers the money, I guarantee I'll appear before him at once. You should know that I'm a man who keeps his word in business!"

He had originally thought they would have to sail leisurely to Alabasta, but Kuma was right beside him now. Why make things so troublesome?

That distance could be crossed in a single flight.

It would even make traveling between different seas much more convenient in the future.

It had to be said, recruiting Kuma on this trip was truly an unexpected delight!

Then, ignoring Crocus' disdainful gaze, he turned to Kuma and said, "I'll be counting on you later!"

"Yes!"

Receiving his first order from his new boss, Kuma did not hesitate and immediately nodded in agreement.

Since his boss had fulfilled his promise, he would keep his as well. Although Bonnie had not been completely cured yet, her condition had been relieved!

For someone who had faced despair for so long, hope was enough!

He had long made up his mind that as long as Bonnie could be cured, he would pay any price!

Therefore, even if the enemy they faced next was a Shichibukai, he had no hesitation as a father!

At the same time.

East Blue.

Inside a tavern in Foosha Village, Goa Kingdom.

At that moment.

"Creak~"

The tavern door shook open.

"Welcome."

A gentle female voice rang out.

Then...

"Hahahaha, Makino, do we have another customer?" A bold, rough voice rang out. "Looks like the tavern's business is quite good today! I hope it's a generous customer who can treat this old man to a drink!"

"Mr. Garp~, please don't say that." Makino wore a helpless expression and gave the guest slowly entering with an old backpack a helpless smile. Then she lowered her head and looked at Garp, who was drinking heavily at the bar without any regard for appearances, and said with a smile, "Also, it seems this guest has come to see you!"

"To see this old man?" Hearing Makino's words, Garp froze. He drained his beer in one gulp and set down his glass. "Who is it? Did those two brats, Luffy and Koby, come back?"

As soon as he said that.

Just as he was about to turn around to see who it was.

Suddenly.

A hand landed on his shoulder. Then a familiar figure sat down beside him with a lazy smile and said, "Mr. Garp~"