Breaking a Sweat, Crocodile?
Crocodile hails from the God Valley in the West Blue!
This is a bold hypothesis made by Storm based on all the intelligence information currently available.
Crocodile has just displayed undisguised hatred towards Buckingham Stussy and the Rocks Pirates.
Storm had seen everything Crocodile did.
The only people who could possibly be hostile to the Rocks Pirates, who have been missing for decades, and who still harbor resentment towards them, are probably the residents of God Valley Rocks Pirates.
In the year 1486 of the Grand Line Era, the God Valley Incident occurred.
The Celestial Dragons chose this island called "God Valley" and decided to hold a "Native Indigenous Hunting Tournament" on it.
The World Nobles plan to slaughter the more than 100,000 native inhabitants of God Valley within three weeks, including the poor slaves who were captured and sent to God Valley.
The Rocks Pirates arrived upon hearing the news, followed closely by the Roger Pirates, and then -Marine Vice Admiral Garp also arrived...
Many powerful figures from the ocean gathered at the God Valley.
Final.
Roger teamed up with Garp and defeated Rocks.
Of the more than 100,000 innocent civilians and slaves who originally lived in the God Valley, only about 500 survived.
Not even one in a hundred survived!
After the God Valley Incident ended.
It's not just that the World Government forcibly covered up the truth of this incident.
Even the island of God Valley itself has completely disappeared into the West Blue...
If Crocodile is a native of God Valley.
Then many of the doubts surrounding him can be explained.
For example, why does Sand Crocodile harbor such hatred for the Rocks Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates...?
For example, why would Sand Crocodile dream of building a military nation so powerful that it is invincible, even surpassing the World Government...?
For example, why would Sand Crocodile have access to information about Ancient Weapon that are inaccessible to ordinary people, and even directly target Alabasta...?
For example, why would Ivankov, the Okama King, seize upon Crocodile's minor weakness...?
After all, Ivankov was also a firsthand witness to the God Valley Incident!
This is also because of Ivankov, the Okama King.
Storm believes Crocodile's gender can freely switch between "male" and "female".
Who gave the [Paramecia Hormone-Hormone Fruit] the ability to change a person's gender at will?
As for mentioning "prince" or "princess"...
That wasn't something Storm said casually.
Crocodile's dream is set at a very high level.
Build a powerful force, search for Ancient Weapon, create a military nation, and establish a utopian dream...
This is a "dream" that requires a certain level of "insight" to possess.
If Crocodile were just an ordinary resident of God Valley who unexpectedly survived the God Valley Incident and then dreamed of restoring his homeland... it wouldn't be entirely impossible.
However, the latter probability is relatively small.
Crocodile remained silent in the face of Storm's final questions, his forehead beaded with cold sweat, which soaked his back completely.
"Ivankov..."
Crocodile suddenly uttered this name.
What did he tell you...?
"It seems my guess was correct."
Storm smiled slightly, then spoke frankly.
"Actually, I only know Ivankov; he has never talked to me about anything related to you."
"Also, there's one more thing: I know Bartholomew Bear."
"You might not remember the name, but you should know about the [Nikyu Nikyu no Mi], right?"
[Nikyu Nikyu no Mi]!
Crocodile fell silent.
Storm is absolutely right.
He certainly had a vivid memory of that Paramecia Devil Fruit.
More than thirty years ago, the "Indigenous Hunting Competition" took place in the God Valley.
The World Government prepared "prizes" for the Celestial Dragons, including two rare and powerful Devil Fruit!
[Paramecia Paw- Nikyu Nikyu no Mi]!
[Zoan, Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Azure Dragon Form]!
It was because Bear ate the Paw- Nikyu Nikyu no Mi amidst the chaos that he was able to use its power to help five hundred people escape from God Valley.
Otherwise, the death toll in God Valley will continue to rise!
"Looks like you really haven't forgotten the [Nikyu Nikyu no Mi], Crocodile."
Storm carefully observed Crocodile's expression, not missing a single change in his demeanor.
"So you really are a native of God Valley, right?"
"... boring."
Crocodile managed to squeeze out those two words through gritted teeth.
He then turned and left without even glancing at Storm.
What White Dragon, what Cross Guild, what Edward Weevil...
At this moment, Crocodile completely forgot about everything else.
What he wants to do most right now is to leave this Golden Island, leave the East Blue, and go back to Alabasta!
Storm watched Crocodile's departing figure and said casually.
"The Rocks Pirates have been wiped out..."
"..."
"The God Valley has also been completely destroyed..."
"..."
"This is fake."
"!"
Crocodile paused, turned around, and looked at Storm with an extremely complex expression—anger, resentment, shock, anticipation, fear... all sorts of emotions appeared on his face at once.
What are you talking about?
"Huh? Which sentence did you say?"
"Don't play dumb with me, White Dragon!"
Crocodile strode over, his right hand reaching out to Storm, trying to grab the latter's collar.
With a gentle tap, Storm deflected Crocodile's right palm.
"Speak politely, and don't get physical."
"You just asked what happened to God Valley?"
"Intelligence information, one for one."
"Storm said calmly."
"I'll ask you first, then you ask me."
"First of all, are you a native of God Valley?"
"... yes!"
Crocodile clenched his right fist, then let it fall limply.
What happened to God Valley?
"Although the God Valley has completely disappeared into the West Blue, it has not been completely destroyed."
Storm gave only a partial answer, then continued to ask questions.
"Where did you learn about the Ancient Weapon [Pluton]?"
"Rocks D. Xebec!"
Crocodile uttered a name, then asked impatiently.
Where is the God Valley?
"Paradise."
Storm also gave a two-word answer.
Immediately afterwards.
Storm and Crocodile stared at each other, wide-eyed.
Finally, Crocodile couldn't help but ask the question.
"Hurry up! Don't you have any other questions?"
"That's all. I'm not really that interested in you, so why would I have so many questions?"
Storm shrugged and said honestly.
"Although I still have one more question to ask..."
"But I feel that if I ask that question, it might affect my opinion of you."
"So, Crocodile, that's enough for now!"
The last question Storm wanted to ask, yet also didn't really want to ask, was --
Is Crocodile male or female?
Fun fact.
Although Crocodile had a slicked-back hairstyle and a thick cigar in his mouth, giving him the air of a villainous party leader.
However, he can ride "Eyelash," a camel in Alabasta that is only allowed to be ridden by women... (Not from comics/anime, but a character song cover, and there are some other hints).
Therefore, Storm felt that Crocodile truly had the potential to become a "transgender person"!
But what if Crocodile turned into a woman...?
Storm felt something was off, so he decided not to ask.
"You bastard!"
Crocodile was so angry he almost wanted to slice Storm into pieces with his "Desert Great Sword".
People who only say half the story deserve to die!
Where is God Valley in Paradise?!
Crocodile took several deep breaths to calm his raging emotions.
Regardless, he had obtained some very valuable intelligence.
As long as God Valley remains in Paradise.
Then the agents of Baroque Works will be able to find its location!
Crocodile decided he was no longer going to waste time with that bastard White Dragon.
He was about to turn around when he suddenly seemed to remember something and uttered his last words.
"The two giants who were in the Little Garden, along with their two subordinates on Enies Lobby, disappeared into the Devil's Triangle, which is Gecko Moria's territory!"
After saying that, Crocodile didn't hesitate any longer and turned to leave.
"Red Ogre Brogy and Blue Ogre Dorry have intruded into the Devil's Triangle?"
Storm frowned slightly.
He considered Gecko Moria's strength, and then considered the levels of the Red Ogre Brogy and the Blue Ogre Dorry.
"There shouldn't be any problems, right?"
Storm lured the Red Ogre Brogy and the Blue Ogre Dorry out of the Little Garden because he thought the two giants were quite strong.
Furthermore, both the Red Ogre Brogy and the Blue Ogre Dorry hail from Elbaf, an Elbaf known as the "World's Number One nation."
Whether from the perspective of "oneself" or from the perspective of "power".
Both the Red Ogre Brogy and the Blue Ogre Dorry are considered formidable fighters.
However, the intelligence provided by Crocodile also caught Storm's attention.
Could the Red Ogre and the Blue Ogre have capsized on Thriller Bark?
Storm thought about it for a moment, then stopped worrying about the little problem.
Because he had already made plans to attack the Thriller Bark.
After we get to Thriller Bark, it'll be about time to set sail for the New World...
In fact.
If it weren't for the sudden appearance of news about Edward Weevil.
Storm has now set Thriller Bark.
But now...
There is one last problem to solve.
Storm watched as Crocodile's Baroque Gustav sailed away from the waters near Golden Island.
He conjured a Blue-Eyes White Dragon, flew it high into the sky, and then took out Den Den Mushi).
"Moshi moshi... Admiral Aokiji... could you help me contact... Teacher Zephyr?"
Presented at midnight, a standard 9k...
There will be more later, around 11 o'clock.