Preparation

Time shifted back slightly.

After making the arrangements, Xia Che set off with everyone.

This time, Kuma would be going along as both a key power source and a combatant.

This was Kuma's first job as a new employee, so he took it very seriously. He followed his new boss's arrangements diligently the entire time, worried that a careless work attitude would cost Bonnie her hope of being cured.

As for Bonnie, since her treatment had not yet ended, she had to remain with Crocus for the time being.

Although Kuma very much wanted to stay with his daughter, he had not left her side since leaving Sorbet Kingdom. This was the first time they would be apart, and he felt deeply reluctant and worried. But for Bonnie's sake, he suppressed his reluctance and promised to finish the job as quickly as possible and return to be with her.

And Bonnie... was very sensible as well. Though she was just as reluctant to part with Kuma, she still wore a cheerful smile, telling her father to go to work. She promised to listen obediently, get treated properly, and once she was well, travel with Dad and see sights she had never seen before.

For a moment, the touching scene of a loving father and dutiful daughter brought everyone to tears again~

Xia Che watched with a face full of black lines, feeling like some heartless boss forcing an employee to work overtime while the employee's relative was sick.

Come on~

Although Alabasta was some distance from Twin Capes, Kuma could make a round trip in no time with his ability.

Why were they acting like it was a final farewell?

Of course, as a kindhearted boss, Xia Che was still very considerate when an employee needed to be busy. He arranged for someone to look after Bonnie... namely Kuro, who had been remarkably well-behaved throughout the journey.

This guy had been like a complete background character the whole way. He asked nothing, said nothing, and simply stayed quietly to the side. That was why Xia Che felt comfortable leaving him behind this time.

He even promised that if Kuro did a good job this time, he would make him a full employee when he returned.

With everything arranged, Xia Che and the others boarded the Fearless Battleship Saber and set off for Alabasta under Kuma-powered propulsion.

As for the Fearless Battleship Saber...

As the Moke Pirates' exclusive pirate ship, it naturally had to come along.

After all, Moke still needed to take the blame this time. Without his signature ride, what would become of the East Blue Overlord's prestige?

At that moment.

"Hey, the money's been transferred?" Xia Che, once again comfortably reclining in a beach chair, received Crocodile's call. "As expected of a Shichibukai! So generous! Don't you know what kind of person I am? Brother Crocodile, just rest assured! What Seastone debt? What's the point of bringing that up now? It's all in the past. We need to look ahead! Don't mention it again."

It was obvious that Crocodile was very dissatisfied.

So Xia Che directly gave him a surprise. "Don't worry, don't worry. I've already headed to the Grand Line. I guarantee you'll see it! It's just that I took the World Government's elevator across the Red Line, so you'll have to reimburse me for the 200 million fare!"

"What elevator costs that much? Come on, do you know who I brought over? I had to go to great lengths to hide it from the World Government."

"Brother Crocodile, you wouldn't want the World Government to find out about this, would you?"

As soon as those words fell.

Crocodile's Den Den Mushi: ...

It fell silent again.

The expression on the Den Den Mushi made it clear just how furious he was, but in the end, Crocodile took a deep breath and restrained himself. In a low, cold voice, he said, "200 million. I'll prepare the cash. If you want it transferred through the black market, it'll take a few days. Or would you rather come collect it yourself?"

"Brother Crocodile, you're so generous!" Upon hearing that, Xia Che immediately praised him and said earnestly, "No problem! How could I refuse money? Don't worry, I'll be there soon!"

"This is the last time!"

"I guarantee it's the last time. Please believe me. After all, I'm a Marine who bears justice!"

As soon as those words fell.

Crocodile: ...

Justice?

Did this guy even have any?

The Den Den Mushi's face seemed to twist somewhat, but in the end, it merely snorted coldly, said nothing more, and hung up.

This made Xia Che, who was also holding a Den Den Mushi, sigh again. "As expected of a Shichibukai. So generous!"

He handed over so much money without even saying a word!

It felt like Xia Che had asked for too little.

He then put away the Den Den Mushi and turned to Moke and Kuma beside him. "I'll be counting on you two next."

"Yes, Boss!"

Meanwhile.

Rain Base.

At Crocodile's headquarters.

"That bastard!" Even after hanging up, Crocodile still gripped the Den Den Mushi tightly, his expression especially grim.

He knew that brat thought he had him cornered.

But it didn't matter...

Once that brat arrived, he would settle the score with him properly!

A glint of coldness flashed through Crocodile's eyes. He took a hard drag from his cigar and sneered disdainfully. "Justice? A mere fallen Marine dares talk about justice in front of me?"

He waved a hand at Daz Bones beside him.

Daz Bones understood what his BOSS meant. It was... time to pay up again!

However.

Daz Bones hesitated for a moment. "That Marine..."

"I know how to deal with him." Crocodile flicked the cigar in his hand, a vicious smile on his face. "I'll give him one last chance. If he dares refuse me again, I'll make him understand that I'm a pirate!"

As his words fell.

Daz Bones understood what his BOSS meant.

One final chance to recruit that Marine. If he refused, then to ensure the secret remained safe, BOSS would personally kill him!

At that thought, Daz Bones nodded, a cold glint flashing through his eyes. Just as he was about to recommend himself to BOSS so that he could personally test that fallen Marine's strength when the time came—

"Purururu~, purururu~"

The Den Den Mushi rang again.

But this time, it was not Crocodile's private Den Den Mushi. It was the one sitting on the table.

Crocodile's furrowed brows relaxed again. He answered the Den Den Mushi expressionlessly, then looked at Daz Bones. "A group of pirates has arrived. I'll handle them first! Get the money ready. That cunning Marine won't believe us easily until he sees the money!"

"Yes, BOSS~"

As Daz Bones finished speaking, Crocodile, cigar clenched between his teeth, instantly turned into a cloud of sand and vanished from sight, heading toward the location mentioned by the Den Den Mushi.

Very soon.

He arrived at the shore. Amid the crowd's cheers, Crocodile did not forget his heroic duties. He wore a calm smile and offered a few encouraging words to the foolish people of the Alabasta Kingdom before turning to look at the massive pirate ship slowly approaching. His brows immediately furrowed again.

Of course~

What made him frown was neither that enormous, costly pirate ship nor the pirate flag flying above it, but...

My fate is mine to decide, not heaven's!

The bright red banner on that ship left even Crocodile, a great pirate who had seen much of the world, staring blankly.

How outrageously arrogant?

But then he sneered disdainfully and shook his head.

What a foolish bunch.

Were they not afraid of being beaten to death?

Little did he know that aboard that massive pirate ship.

Kuma stared at the reappeared banner and likewise fell silent. His mouth opened as he looked at Moke, who stood with his arms crossed, as though he had something to say but did not know how to say it.

"What are you looking at, Kuma?" Moke, who was posing, noticed Kuma's gaze. He glanced at his banner and said with a grin, "Pretty good, right? The boss designed it for me. He said that as long as I put it up, it'd attract everyone's attention and make me the most eye-catching pirate around, scaring everyone off with the aura of the East Blue Overlord!"

"..."

It certainly attracted attention.

It also made him very easy to beat up!

But upon hearing that it was BOSS's order, Kuma said nothing further and looked toward the shore.

They should finish this quickly and get back to Bonnie!