Are You MR.0? Then Who Am I?

Chapter 32: You Are Mr. 0? Then Who Am I?

Alabasta, Elma.

This city, which had been wailing in drought just over half a month ago, was now completely transformed.

The land that had once cracked from dryness had now healed its wounds.

On both sides of the streets, merchants had set up their stalls again.

Though this "City of Oasis" was far from regaining its former prosperity, it had clearly begun to brim with hope.

And the reason needed no explanation—every citizen of Elma knew.

It was all because of the rain brought by that "Rain Summoner" that Elma had pulled through.

On the western outskirts of Elma stood a coffee shop.

Its plain wooden sign read "Spider Cafe," located in a desolate area on the western edge of the city.

It seemed utterly unremarkable.

But now.

A figure walked up to the coffee shop.

He wore a sandy-colored traveling robe, and had just lowered his hood.

Beneath the hood, the man had slicked-back hair, a long scar across his face, and a cigar clamped between his teeth.

But what was most startling was his left hand.

His left hand was not flesh and blood—it was a massive golden hook gleaming with cold metallic luster.

At that moment, his gaze rested on the hopeful atmosphere within the city, his expression indifferent.

He did not like the city's mood.

Not that he bore any malice toward the citizens—it was simply that this atmosphere of hope meant his plans had hit an obstacle.

And the Shichibukai, the Sand Crocodile "Crocodile,"

despised anything that stood in his way.

But it didn't matter.

"Puff."

He took the cigar from his mouth and exhaled a plume of smoke.

According to the information he had received, that "obstacle" had already been removed.

He murmured under his breath.

"I just hope the clues Nico Robin found are worth the trouble."

And what he spoke of was precisely why he was here now.

Not long ago, he had ordered the Baroque Works officers to kill the "Rain Summoner" hiding in the palace who could bring rain.

And the day before yesterday, he had received a report from Nico Robin.

"The target has been successfully killed."

This news did not surprise Crocodile.

The Baroque Works officers were battle-hardened Ability Users; a coordinated attack on one person naturally made killing them unremarkable.

Especially since the target's ability seemed to be "rain manipulation"—not a combat-type power.

What surprised Crocodile was another piece of information Nico Robin had included with her letter.

"In the palace, I stumbled upon a crucial clue regarding 'Pluton.'"

This news had made Crocodile temporarily return to Alabasta.

And now, Crocodile stepped into the coffee shop.

"Jingle!"

The wind chime hanging on the doorframe let out a crisp "jingle."

Then, Crocodile's footsteps halted.

Because right now, before him, at the bar inside the coffee shop, sat two figures.

One he knew well—a slender, beautiful woman, none other than Nico Robin.

But the other.

"The 'Rain Summoner.'"

Looking at the Dragon Head Mask recorded in his intelligence, Crocodile exhaled another puff of smoke.

Like the schemer he was, he had almost instantly grasped the situation.

The "Rain Summoner," who should have been dead according to Nico Robin's report, was here—and Nico Robin was clearly on his side.

The other officers were nowhere to be seen.

The meaning... was self-evident.

"You betrayed Baroque Works and led me here?"

He exhaled a plume of smoke, his tone flat as he looked at Nico Robin.

"As expected of a woman who's survived by betraying others time and again—Nico Robin."

Faced with his words, Nico Robin's expression tensed.

But before she could speak, Crocodile heard the voice of the man beside her.

"That's no way to speak to a lady, Mr. Sand Crocodile."

Dragon of the Chen said with a light smile. "And betraying Baroque Works? Where does that come from?"

He stood up, gazing at the great pirate whose name resounded across the Four Seas, then pointed at himself.

Word by word, he softly stated the 'facts.'

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am 'Dragon of the Chen,' this lady's partner, the President and leader of Baroque Works. Or you can call me—Mr. 0."

Even Crocodile was taken aback for a moment by what he said.

He found it absurd.

You're Mr. 0? Then who am I?

"I see."

But in an instant, he understood.

As the one who founded Baroque Works, he naturally knew the organization's traits.

Within Baroque Works, all members used codenames.

From Mr. 1 to Mr. 12, down to the rank-and-file 'Millionaires' and 'Billionaires,' it was all the same.

And the most mysterious of them all was he himself, Mr. 0.

No one in all of Baroque Works had ever seen his true face.

Almost all his orders were relayed by his partner, 'Miss All Sunday,' Nico Robin.

The reason was simple.

He was a Shichibukai chosen by the World Government, so he couldn't openly lead a criminal syndicate.

In other words.

For every member of Baroque Works, as long as Nico Robin acknowledged someone as Mr. 0, Then that person was undeniably Mr. 0.

Just like at this moment.

"Dragon of the Chen."

Crocodile said thoughtfully.

"And you—Nico Robin. Not only have you betrayed me, but you've also joined forces with someone else to covet what's mine?"

After figuring out the intentions of Dragon of the Chen and Nico Robin, Crocodile suddenly laughed.

"Not a bad plan."

He didn't hold back his praise.

But there was no mirth in that smile—only coldness.

"However, it seems you've gotten one thing wrong."

"Boom!"

With his anger, the floor beneath him silently crumbled, turning into fine sand.

Countless grains of sand swirled around him like the most loyal guards.

He raised his left hand, the massive golden hook gleaming coldly.

"What do you think Baroque Works was built on? What do you think allowed it to stand on these seas and grow to where it is today?"

He raised his right hand, took the spent cigar from his mouth, and casually tossed it to the ground.

"It's because of me that it's Baroque Works!"

"It's because... of my power!"

The cigar was instantly swallowed by the quicksand, vanishing as if into an abyss.

Then—

"Boom!"

The abyss-like quicksand erupted, surging out in all directions.

Everything began to be devoured by the Yellow Sand.

And Crocodile's figure, too, melted into the Yellow Sand.

Only his voice remained, layered and overlapping amidst the grains of sand.

"In this sea, the only thing that truly decides everything is power!"

A quick note here about the location of the Spider Cafe.

I asked DS and it said it was in Rainbase, but from what I remember and what Baidu Baike says, it's in Elma.

Of course, I could be wrong, but it doesn't affect the story either way. I'm just explaining this so readers won't get hung up on it.

Lastly, let me talk about the Sky Island matter. Since so many readers have brought it up, I'll give a little spoiler in advance.

We will definitely go to Sky Island, and it'll be right after about the next two story arcs.

But as you can imagine, since the author arranged such a golden finger, there's already a way to handle that gold on Sky Island.

I can't reveal the specifics, but I can tell you that the Sky Island arc won't be what you expect, and it's directly related to the final ending of this book. (Yes, the rough outline of this book actually goes all the way to the ending, so I don't think it'll fall apart.)

Actually, as an author, I shouldn't be saying this ahead of time, but since you lords keep asking, I'll just give a little spoiler.

Finally, I'm asking for follows and monthly tickets, and also, please go easy on the criticism. The poor kid's been stuck on writer's block lately.