So you wanted me dead long ago?

Deep underground, in the damp crypt, massive stone pillars supported the high ceiling, adorned with ancient, mysterious carvings and texts.

The cold, dim crypt was filled with an ancient, mystical aura. In front of a large, square blue-grey stone block, three figures stood, looking up with various expressions.

"Well, Nico Robin?"

A low voice broke the quiet, tense atmosphere. Crocodile's questioning tone carried an undeniable authority.

The woman beside him, however, looked dejected at his words, and spoke softly, "No, there's no mention of the Ancient Weapon at all."

The woman had a graceful figure, wearing a white cowboy hat and a white coat, but underneath, she only had on a midriff-baring camisole.

A short skirt barely covered her slender waist, as if any shorter, the skirt would lose its purpose.

The white coat couldn't completely conceal her alluring, sexy figure; instead, it added a sense of hazy allure.

However, the man beside her was in no mood for appreciation. His grim, twisted face held a cold gaze, and his low voice was tinged with undisguised fury.

"You said… no?"

No one responded, and the atmosphere gradually quieted. The air seemed to solidify for a moment.

After a while, Crocodile's expression became calm again. He then looked at Nico Robin beside him with a hint of mockery.

"As long as we get its power, and combine our forces, we can gain the strength to fight the World Government. Don't you want revenge on the World Government, Nico Robin?"

Crocodile didn't believe there was no record of the Ancient Weapon, nor did he want to believe it.

He had been planning here for so many years; how could there be nothing? He believed Nico Robin was lying to him, that she wanted the Ancient Weapon for herself!

Behind him, the bound Cobra, however, looked at Nico Robin with a strange expression.

Boom!

Just then, a tremendous sound came from above, and a ray of light pierced through the crypt's thick ceiling, illuminating the dim space.

The three people in front of the Poneglyph were startled and looked up. They saw large and small stones rolling down from above, and among them, several figures were falling too.

"Straw Hat Boy!?"

Crocodile recognized one of them at a glance, and a ruthless expression immediately appeared on his face.

It was that idiotic punk!

He had inexplicably gotten involved in his plans. He had thought he was just some ignorant kid, but he had disrupted his rhythm repeatedly.

Bang!

Bang! A large number of stones crashing to the ground caused a tremor, stirring up clouds of thick smoke.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Cobra ducked his head and turned away, avoiding the surging dust. Then, full of anxiety, he turned to look into the thick smoke, because he had just seen two familiar figures. He quickly yelled at the smoke:

"Vivi! Pell!"

"Father!"

Vivi's long cry, filled with worry, was his reply. However, Cobra had no joy of reunion. Instead, he cried out in panic:

"Don't come here! Run, Vivi!

"Pell! Take Vivi and leave!"

"It won't be that easy!"

A low voice entered Cobra's ears. The next moment, a dark figure swept past him.

Crocodile's lower body turned into flying sand, and the hook in his hand gleamed golden as he plunged into the thick smoke.

Without preamble or warning, his belly full of rage desperately needed an outlet, and that person was naturally—

"Die! Mugiwara Luffy!"

Bang!

Bang!

A huge crash sounded. Crocodile, who had charged with explosive speed, was instantly sent flying backward out of the thick smoke, slamming hard against the Poneglyph stone tablet and spitting out a mouthful of blood.

"What was that?!"

Crocodile looked dazed, his hair disheveled and slightly dishevelled. Visibility was poor in the thick smoke, and the opponent's speed was too fast for him to react. He only remembered that something with a shield had suddenly blocked him as he charged in.

He had nonchalantly activated his Logia form, preparing to bypass the opponent and take the Straw Hat Boy's head. However, what he didn't expect was—

The opponent had sent him flying with one move!?

Something was wrong, very wrong!

"Armament Haki!?"

Crocodile looked on in shock as the smoke gradually cleared, revealing several figures standing within.

The ones that caught his attention most were naturally Luffy, wearing a straw hat, and two tall figures wielding spears and round shields, with greatswords at their waists. One of them was the one who had just repelled him.

As for the others, besides Princess Vivi and Pell, there were three unfamiliar faces.

A long-nosed man, a short-haired orange-haired girl, and a timid blond man with a pet perched on his shoulder.

Looks like just a few minor characters. The only ones truly worth paying attention to are the three leading them, Crocodile thought to himself, sizing them up.

At this moment, Cobra and Robin, standing nearby, both stared in astonishment at Crocodile, who had a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth. He actually took a hit on their first encounter?

Could this group really be strong enough to defeat Crocodile?

No, that's not right!

Robin watched Crocodile get up. He seemed disheveled but wasn't seriously hurt. Her expression became complicated. Should I take this opportunity to betray him?

Robin had long been prepared to stab Crocodile in the back. She had a vial of water hidden in her coat pocket, just waiting for the right moment. Now wasn't the time; she had to wait until he was off guard before making her move.

"Who are you people?"

Crocodile frowned, staring at Blue Ogre and Red Ogre. According to his intelligence, the Straw Hat Crew didn't have these two.

But the threat he felt from them was the strongest. Every movement exuded an explosive combination of power and speed.

"They're called Blue Ogre and Red Ogre, our strongest combat members on the ship! You're finished, Crocodile!"

Reiner peeked his head out from behind a fallen rock and yelled loudly at Crocodile.

Nami and the others were also hiding, with only Pell, the birdman, standing alongside Luffy and the rest.

And so, Luffy, Blue Ogre, Red Ogre, and Pell confronted Crocodile head-on, their gazes meeting in the air, sparking.

"Nico Robin, go deal with those annoying little nobodies hiding."

Crocodile looked at Robin beside him, his voice low and cold, like an unchallengeable command, as a swirling mass of sand gathered in his hand.

"Understood," Robin replied indifferently, turning and walking away.

Now isn't the time to act. I'll cooperate with him for now and keep looking for an opportunity, Robin thought to herself.

Although that previous scene had given her hope for the Straw Hat Crew, Crocodile's true strength was far more than what he had shown.

However, just as Robin turned her back—

"Unfortunately, I don't trust you, Ms. All Sunday." Crocodile's eyes hardened, and the sand in his hand flew out, instantly forming a blade that struck at Nico Robin.

"Desert Spada!"

He didn't intend to kill Nico Robin, but facing an opponent who could threaten him, how could Crocodile allow someone he didn't trust to stay by his side?

He believed this woman had just intended to monopolize the information about the Ancient Weapon.

"You should lie down for a bit, Nico Robin."

A sand blade formed instantly, its rapidly vibrating sand grains buzzing as it aimed for the unsuspecting Robin.

However, at that moment, Robin seemed to sense something, quickly turning her body and head. Crocodile didn't trust her, so why should she trust him?

Being by Crocodile's side, she was constantly on guard against him. Her childhood experiences had taught her to trust no one and had trained her to be constantly aware of her surroundings.

As Crocodile made his move, Robin pulled a vial of water and a dagger from her coat. The sand blade grazed her shoulder, tearing her coat and drawing a trace of blood.

However, Robin endured the pain and threw the water at him, then forcefully flung the dagger like a dart.

This sudden turn of events stunned everyone present.

Crocodile was bewildered. So you wanted me dead all along!

Reiner was also bewildered. What the hell...

—They're all backstabbers!?

This is truly thrilling!

Without time to think, Blue Ogre and Red Ogre sprang forward, aiming for a surprise attack.

Reiner knew that Crocodile wouldn't be defeated so easily. Even if they couldn't kill him, they at least had to protect Robin.