Keeping Promises

"Crocodile, you don't want me to tell Marine Headquarters about the Devil Child, do you!"

"Dudududu~"

"..."

Crocodile stared at the Den Den Mushi he'd hung up again, his face dark. The cigar in his left hand continuously emitted smoke. Finally, he squeezed it tightly...

The cigar instantly turned to ash and drifted away!

"BOSS, do you want me to go capture that guy?" Mr.1, Daz Bones, from Baroque Works, asked his boss, seeing how angry he was. With his hands behind his back, he spoke in a chilling tone, "Since he's already found them, there's no need for that. I'll bring the person to you personally."

However.

Crocodile, still scowling, refused Daz Bones' suggestion. He lit another cigar and took a deep drag. The anger on his face seemed to ease slightly as he said faintly, "No need. As long as that guy brings the Devil Child to me, that's enough!"

To be honest, he hadn't expected that guy to find the Devil Child so quickly, after only a few days!

He had to say...

He truly was a useful pawn!

A cold smile touched his lips. "As for everything else, we'll deal with it after that guy shows up!"

"Then the money..."

"...Wire it to him!" Crocodile flicked the ash off his hand, his expressionless face stating, "What's more important for us right now is absolutely not letting the World Government discover our plan!"

As he spoke, he stood up again with a cold smile, standing by the window and overlooking the bustling Rain Base with a sinister grin. "Besides, I can't wait to see that greedy Marine appear before me!"

He wanted to see...

If that guy would have the nerve to take the 600 million Belly from him then!

Meanwhile.

Everyone watched in silence as Xia Che, who had a smile on his face, hung up the Den Den Mushi.

"This is the big business you mentioned?" Crocas asked Xia Che, his gaze peculiar, breaking the silence first. Then, after a moment's hesitation, he added, "Isn't the Devil Child right beside you?"

"But he doesn't know that~"

"..." Hearing Xia Che's answer, Crocas fell silent for a moment before frowning again. "You plan to sell out your companion?"

As soon as he said that.

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

Especially Bonnie... she pouted directly, glaring at him angrily, as if looking at scum.

As for Kuma...

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

Of course, he was also aware of some of the secrets surrounding this Devil Child, who was wanted by the World Government.

It could be said that anyone who wanted to know the truth of history was looking for her, and even the Revolutionary Army was secretly searching for this Devil Child.

To think that...

The Devil Child the Revolutionary Army had searched for so many years was hiding in the East Blue.

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

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

"Hey, hey, hey, old man, you can't wrongly accuse me!" Noticing Kuma's gaze, Xia Che quickly waved his hands and said to Crocas with a serious expression, "I just hired a new employee. Don't mess things up for me. People might think I'm some kind of scrupulous boss!"

He spread his hands open, his tone matter-of-fact. "I only said I'd bring the person to him, not that I'd hand them over."

"You rascal..." Crocas seemed to understand what he meant, his eyes looking at him strangely again. "Did Crocodile offend you?"

"Of course, he did~" Hearing Crocas's words, Xia Che revealed a meaningful smile. "And he offended me greatly. That guy is trying to poach my employee, do you think that's a small offense?"

"Poach your employee? Never mind, it's none of my business anyway." Crocas showed a hint of surprise, but looking at Nico Robin, who had an elegant smile and showed no panic, he 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 a tall person, and he read the newspaper every day, so unlike others, he didn't suffer from face blindness.

How could he not recognize her?

However.

These matters no longer interested him at the moment!

"But..." Crocas's gaze fell back on Xia Che. "Let me remind you, the fact that he was recognized by the World Government and granted the title of Shichibukai means that guy is not simple at all."

"I know~"

Xia Che waved his hand indifferently in response to Crocas's reminder.

If it were the later version of Crocodile, he might have to be careful, but this Crocodile at this period... his past ambitions and beliefs had long been shattered.

Speaking of which, the pirate world was quite idealistic.

Once one's beliefs and ambitions were broken, not only would their strength fail to increase, but they might even weaken.

For example, another Shichibukai, Gecko Moria, became a shut-in after being defeated by Kaido and losing all his crewmates.

Precisely because of this...

After being demoted, his strength didn't increase, and he didn't have much of a record in the East Blue, so he didn't attract much attention. Marine Headquarters would only think that the former genius had fallen and wouldn't pay him any mind.

After all, to Marine Headquarters...

He was just a genius Marine Colonel!

"It seems you're mentally prepared?" Crocas looked at Xia Che again, frowning and pondering for a moment. "Then when do you plan to leave?"

"Of course... now!" Xia Che's lips curved slightly, a genuine businessman's smile appearing on his face. He said, "Since I said I'd bring the person to him immediately, I mean immediately. As soon as he transfers the money, I guarantee I'll appear before him. You know, I'm the most trustworthy when it comes to business!"

He had originally thought he'd need to sail slowly to Alabasta, but now that Kuma was by his side, why would he need to go through all that trouble?

With just this distance, he could fly there in an instant.

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

It had to be said, recruiting Kuma on this outing was a pleasant surprise!

Next, ignoring Crocas's disdainful gaze, he turned to look at Kuma and said, "I'll be counting on you in a moment!"

"Yes!"

Receiving his new boss's first command, Kuma nodded immediately without hesitation.

Since his boss had fulfilled his promise, he would also keep his word. Although Bonnie wasn't completely cured yet, her illness had been alleviated!

For him, who had been facing despair, any hope was enough!

He had long decided that he would do anything to cure Bonnie!

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

Meanwhile.

East Blue.

Goa Kingdom, in a tavern in Windmill Village.

At this moment.

"Creak~"

As the tavern door swayed slightly.

"Welcome."

A gentle female voice sounded.

Immediately after...

"Hahaha, Makino, do we have another guest?" a hearty and rough voice boomed. "It looks like the tavern's business is quite good today! I hope it's a generous customer who can buy me a drink!"

"Mr. Garp, please don't say that." Makino showed a helpless expression and smiled wryly at the guest slowly walking in with an old backpack. Then, she lowered her head and looked at Garp, who was drinking heartily at the bar without any pretense, and said with a smile, "Also, this guest seems to be looking for you!"

"Looking for me?" Hearing Makino's words, Garp, after finishing a large gulp of beer, was taken aback and put down his drink. "Who is it? Could it be that Luffy and Koby, those brats, are back?"

As he finished speaking.

Just as he was about to turn his head to see who it was.

Suddenly.

A palm slapped his shoulder, followed by a familiar figure sitting down beside him with a lazy smile, saying, "Mr. Garp~"