After landing as Inazuma, Gawain nodded slightly to Crocodile wore a humble expression.
Seeing this, Crocodile immediately whispered to Gawain.
"Saint Gawain, I am honored to be Shichibukai, Sand Crocodile..."
"No need to say more."
Gawain waved his hand, interrupting Crocodile's actions, and then he spoke softly.
"Come with me!"
Before Crocodile could react, Gawain transformed into a bolt of lightning and teleported 800 meters away!
Crocodile was genuinely bewildered by Gawain's actions.
Well... the routine greetings and etiquette haven't even been completed yet?
Despite his confusion, Crocodile quickly followed Gawain's movements, transforming into a wisp of sand that drifted over the crowd.
However, before he could reach Gawain's location, Gawain continued to transform into Inazuma, teleporting all the way to the desert outside the city!
And so, Crocodile drifted for more than twenty minutes, finally spotting Gawain lounging on Gawain ground atop the highest and largest sand dune, more than 110 kilometers away from Katorea.
Now, Gawain can sit anywhere without getting his clothes dirty, even on sandy ground, he doesn't have to worry about getting troublesome sand stuck in his clothes.
So he sat there with exceptional ease.
Noticing Crocodile had come up behind him, Gawain didn't turn around and patted the sand beside him.
"Sit next to me, I have something to talk to you about."
"Yes, sir..."
Upon hearing this, Crocodile, though puzzled, still obeyed Gawain's order and sat down near Gawain.
After Crocodile was seated, Gawain spoke directly to Crocodile.
"When you actually travel by boat on the sea, you'll find that time passes much faster than you think."
The time spent on the road is already considerable, and time must also be allocated for carrying out various tasks.
So, sigh, I really don't want to waste any more time.
"I don't have much time left."
At this point, Gawain turned his head and looked at the bewildered Crocodile.
At this moment, Crocodile's face remained calm as always, but his heart was about to explode.
He really didn't understand what Gawain was trying to tell him with this opening line!
In his view, Gawain specifically sought him out, possibly to investigate his connection with Ace, or possibly to recruit him into Gawain's team.
The possibility of investigating this matter is actually very small, because if Gawain wants to get rid of him, then even he can only seek a chance to escape by hiding in the desert.
Having witnessed the power of a legendary figure like Whitebeard, Crocodile felt pressured even when looking at Rayleigh...
As for inviting him to join...
Gawain has already recruited three Shichibukai. After seeing Gawain's newspaper article, the remaining four Shichibukai are all preparing for when it will be their turn...
Even Crocodile was no exception!
But at this moment, looking at Gawain's opening, Crocodile felt that what Gawain was going to say was probably completely different from what he thought!
Crocodile is currently playing this game of "guess what I'm guessing, or not guessing what I'm guessing" in his mind...
Crocodile's main point of speculation is what Gawain meant by "not wasting time"!
Under Crocodile's bewildered yet solemn gaze, Gawain whispered to Crocodile.
"Okay, I'll just tell you directly."
Uranus the Heavens, is in Mary Geoise; Poseidon, is on my ship; Pluton, is in Wano Country.
So, you're going in the wrong direction.
"What?!!!!"
The moment Gawain finished speaking, Crocodile was completely dumbfounded!!!
He guessed at countless ways Gawain could save time. He thought Gawain would coerce him, or entice him, or talk to him about ideals or something.
But he never expected that Gawain's time-saving strategy would go so far as to save time in this way!
This isn't saving time, it's clearly messing with his mentality!
His secret, which he had kept hidden for over a decade, was just... blurted out like that!
Moreover, it was done by directly revealing the location, a method that can only be described as humiliating!!!
Most importantly, damn it, the World Government possesses Uranus, which is one thing, after all, it was the most powerful force that ruled the world for eight hundred years.
But how did Poseidon end up on Saint Gawain's ship?!
At the same time, Gawain actually let me know about such an important matter!
For a moment, Crocodile nervously looked around, feeling as if he were suddenly close to death.
If he were Gawain, he would never tell such a secret to a living person!
Crocodile stood to the side, speechless with shock, yet instantly on high alert.
Gawain chuckled and continued.
"The drought in Alabasta has been a great help to me in some ways."
However, let's leave the drought at that. Dance Powder is fine as a temporary rain, but using it to create drought has far too much of an impact.
Even if the drought ends, Alabasta will need at least a quarter of planting time to fully recover.
I can support them for a quarter, but if it goes on for longer, my logistical support will be under great pressure!
What do you think?
"I... I... I..."
Meeting Gawain's gaze and facing Gawain question, Crocodile panicked for the second time in his life.
The first time was when he was slammed to the ground by Whitebeard in one blow!
As for now, the things he thought he had done without anyone noticing have actually been exposed to such a detailed extent!
Moreover, this person's identity is one that I absolutely cannot afford to stage an accident for!
Even the Four Emperors don't dare to actually kill Celestial Dragon, so would Crocodile dare?
What a joke! Even if he falls into the mud, Crocodile will insist on getting up and making a comeback!
At this moment, Crocodile gritted his teeth tightly; he was enduring!
As long as Gawain doesn't ultimately decide to execute him, he will continue to endure humiliation and hardship. Even if his plan is exposed, he is still young and has time to create a new plan!
But if he is determined to kill the Celestial Dragon, then he will truly be doomed!
Beside him, Crocodile gritted his teeth, but at the same time desperately tried to control himself, changing from a sitting to a kneeling position.
Gawain waved his hand gently.
"There's no need to kneel. I've always believed that no one in this world has done anything wrong."
After all, everyone has their own perspective and psychological state. From that person's point of view at the time, what they did will always be what they felt was right.
As for your role in causing the drought in Alabasta, which displaced millions of people in the country...
For the past fourteen years, haven't you also been protecting this country as a hero, preventing hundreds of millions of people from being harassed by pirates and other villains?
My identity and position are very special, so special that I must, like I am now, look at things from a higher perspective.
Sometimes, people can accept that someone who has lived a life of evil has laid down their weapon; if an evil person dies because of doing good, people may even feel empathy and regret.
At the same time, people find it hard to accept someone who does good deeds throughout their life but ends up doing evil. People not only forget the good things they did, but also curse them endlessly for the evil they committed.
But my perspective cannot be as one-sided as others'; I want to see more, and I have seen more.
Therefore, I acknowledge your title of hero for the past fourteen years, up to now, and I also acknowledge your identity as a hero.
As for the mistake you made, drought is ultimately a natural phenomenon, and the drought you created only lasted for about six months...
Even without you, this drought could still occur, so you haven't fallen to the point where I absolutely must kill you.
In short..."
Gawain reached out and gently patted Crocodile on the shoulder.
"Just stop, Sand Crocodile. The hidden Poneglyph in Alabasta only record information about Dark King. It's a war machine with its own consciousness, created by Water 7 eight hundred years ago."
As for its location, it's in Wano Country. So, even if you control Alabasta according to plan, all you'll get is an Affiliated Nation that can completely destroy you.
After all, the Nefertari Family are descendants of the Twenty Kings Celestial Dragon. Even though their withdrawal from the Celestial Dragons back then meant they lost their status Celestial Dragon and World Nobles, they still deserved their respect.
But whether it's me or the Five Elders, we all still remember that they are our blood relatives.
So, once you truly end Nefertari's reign, you really won't live much longer."
At this point, Gawain glanced at Crocodile with amusement.
"So, although it's cruel to say this, I have to tell you eventually."
"You went in the wrong direction all those years."
"I... I..."
Even Crocodile, with his Suna Suna no Mi powers, was sweating profusely!
We have no idea where that sweat came from.
In short, at that moment, he was so shocked that he couldn't control his expression at all.
His shrewdness, his strength, and even his acting skills are all inferior to Shanks and Teach's.
Therefore, it's not surprising that he couldn't control his facial expressions.
Seeing Crocodile stammering and Gawain bewildered, Gawain sighed softly and continued.
"Also, I should mention that your Baroque Works is quite useful."
After all, they have always been rooted in the first half of the Grand Line and Alabasta, and can be considered local strongmen in these areas.
That guy in your guild who ate the Supa Supa no Mi has the potential to become an excellent swordsman.
And that guy who ate the Mane Mane no Mi, even if you don't use him in your narrow-minded plans, he can still be put to other clever uses.
Especially your company's Mr. 3, the user of the Doru Doru no Mi. This guy can not only use it in certain special situations, but he also has the potential to become the first mate of one of the Four Emperors.
Can you believe it?
As for Nicole Robin, she's even more useful. Here's what we'll do: take me to see Nicole Robin in a bit; I have some things to tell you."
"I..."
Hearing Gawain's words, Crocodile completely lost the ability to converse; he couldn't even stutter anymore.
Damn it... all those things I thought I had hidden so well, Gawain had already figured them out to this extent!
Horrible, truly terrifying!
Crocodile's eyes were filled with terror as he looked at Gawain!
Meeting Crocodile's terrified yet tense gaze, Gawain stood up abruptly.
"There's no time like the present."
He said softly.
"Let's do it now. You show me the way and take me to your secret base so I can meet the girl who embodies an era."
Nicole Robin, alas, a poor girl deeply hurt by her willful mother.
Even so, the title of "Devil Child" is somewhat of an exaggeration.
As a scholar, Nicole Robin is quite outstanding; in terms of potential alone, she may be the best scholar of the next generation.
So, haha, I'm really looking forward to meeting her.
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain reached out and grabbed Crocodile by the collar, but Crocodile didn't react at all...
He didn't know how to react!
Given his pride, he would never do something like the Spandam Family doing—kneeling down and surrendering the moment their secret is exposed.
As for resistance, or even simply killing Gawain...
He didn't have that kind of determination.
After all, if he were truly determined, given his ambition, how could he not Awakening even his Conqueror's Haki?
Gawain could probably guess Crocodile's thoughts, so he understood Crocodile's mindset at this moment.
But while he understood, Gawain really didn't want to waste too much time on Crocodile.
Crocodile was incredibly impulsive in his youth, and around the age of twenty, like any hot-blooded young man, he challenged Whitebeard.
Yet he was remarkably patient, hiding in Alabasta for countless years solely for the sake of the elusive legend of Dark King.
Persuasion is absolutely useless against this kind of person; he has his own plans.
So Gawain might as well just completely deprive him of the ability to make plans!
So, seeing Crocodile dazed and almost completely exhausted, Gawain loosened his collar.
Immediately afterwards, Gawain drew his Rokumei Kotetsu with his right hand.
He didn't swing it, but held the sword in his right hand, hovering the blade of Rokumei Kotetsu just two centimeters in front of Crocodile.
Then, Gawain coldly shouted.
I really have no idea what you're thinking right now.
Some things seem difficult, but are actually quite simple. If the situation is stronger than you, then you can use your power to suppress others, just like I have.
If one is in a weaker position than another, then even someone as proud as myself will lower my head and even bend my knees at the appropriate time.
As for you, haha, what plans could you possibly have now? Don't you understand what I'm saying?
I know everything you've done in the past, and I know everything you want to do in the future!
So now, don't you only have two possible outcomes?
Alternatively, you can come aboard my ship as the hero you've cultivated for the past fourteen years, continue to hide as a hero within my ranks, and pursue my dreams and other plans you may undertake in private!
Either I kill you here, or even if I don't, you won't escape the pursuit of my crew!
I've emphasized before that I don't want to waste too much time, so give me your answer, Crocodile!
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain's right hand tightened slightly, and at the same time, his pupils narrowed!
As his pupils rapidly contracted, an invisible yet extremely powerful Conqueror's Haki flowed down Gawain's arm and onto the blade of Rokumei Kotetsu!
Even though Rokumei Kotetsu was still a few centimeters away from Crocodile's face, Crocodile's head was somehow pushed back slightly by Rokumei Kotetsu's blade.
At the same time, the sandstorm instantly reversed, and even a large part of Crocodile's body turned into sand and dust, and he was pushed back hundreds of meters away by the unparalleled Conqueror's Haki.
The sand dunes beneath their feet instantly shrank, and the sand, centered on Gawain, scattered and splashed in the blink of an eye, forming layers upon layers of lotus platforms!
In other words, there were no clouds in the sky over Alabasta, so there were no gaps between the clouds this time.
But this void, which should have appeared in the clouds, is now opening in Crocodile's heart.
His heart is broken!!!
It was all just Gawain talking to himself, but he had absolutely no chance to refute it...
He didn't even have the chance to refuse the choices Gawain offered him...
He... really doesn't want to die!
Because he was unwilling to accept it!!!
Tickets, please!