Crocodile and Nico Robin

After jotting down these thoughts in his notebook, Bane soon fell asleep as well.

Meanwhile, in Rainbase, Alabasta, on the second underground level of Rain Dinners—the most luxurious casino in all of Alabasta and even the first half of the Grand Line.

This was the headquarters of Baroque Works, as well as the office of its president, Crocodile the Sand Crocodile.

Though it was late at night, this was the best time for a casino. Crocodile had not gone to rest; instead, he was enjoying a particularly cruel spectacle.

Debtors from his casino were thrown into his "crocodile pool" for the pleasure of watching Banana Gators feed.

Just as a Banana Gator swallowed the unfortunate man whole, there came a knock at the office door.

A cigar clenched between his teeth, his hair slicked back, a fur coat draped over his shoulders, Crocodile spoke with imposing authority. "Come in."

As his words fell, the door opened. A woman in a white trench coat and white cowboy hat stepped inside. She had a perfect figure, healthy wheat-colored skin, and a strikingly beautiful face.

Nico Robin!

The woman known to the World Government as the "Devil Child," carrying a bounty of seventy-nine million Belly—the sole survivor of the Ohara incident.

"What is it?" Crocodile asked coldly.

Although Robin was Baroque Works' second-in-command, Crocodile was deeply wary of her. Their partnership was, broadly speaking, one in which Robin sought protection from the World Government's pursuit and someone who could help her uncover history, while Crocodile wanted to use her knowledge to decipher Poneglyphs and obtain Pluton, the ancient weapon capable of destroying the world.

The reason they could not trust each other was that Robin had lived amid betrayal and betrayed others ever since she was eight years old. As for Crocodile, he was a sinister and ambitious man by nature, so he would never place much trust in anyone.

Thus, their cooperation was built on mutual suspicion and vigilance.

"The people below sent word of something interesting. I thought you might be interested." Unbothered by Crocodile's coldness, Robin casually sat on the sofa, made herself a cup of coffee, and spoke softly.

"Something interesting?" Crocodile gave a disdainful chuckle. "What could possibly be interesting?"

"That Bane who took down the commander of the Whitebeard Pirates' 4th Division has appeared at Whisky Peak. That means they chose the route we're on. They may reach Alabasta before long." Robin sampled the slightly bitter coffee, her tone steady.

"Bane?" Crocodile's previously indifferent expression grew somewhat serious upon hearing the name. He rubbed the gold ring on his hand and fell into thought.

The main reason he had ended up in the first half of the Grand Line was because he had failed in his challenge against the Whitebeard Pirates and had ultimately been driven out of the New World.

Crocodile had never forgotten that grudge over the years. He had always wanted to return to the New World, defeat the Whitebeard Pirates, dominate the pirate world, and become the Pirate King.

His current method was to search for ancient weapons.

At the same time, he wanted to recruit capable people as his subordinates. Yet after so many years in Alabasta, no one had emerged whom he particularly admired. Daz Bonez barely counted as one.

This Bane had the strength to kill one of Whitebeard's commanders and had still lived freely to this day without being killed by Whitebeard. That also proved, from another angle, that he truly had some ability.

Crocodile felt that perhaps he could recruit him as a subordinate.

"Have everyone along this route keep an eye on their movements. If he truly comes to Alabasta, I would like to meet him. A talent like that can barely qualify as one of my tools. I hope he proves easy enough to use," Crocodile said after some consideration.

Hearing his arrogant words, Robin smiled. "That sounds nice, but he may not be willing to submit to you. Especially since you are a pirate, while he is a well-known pirate hunter. Perhaps he might even want to make you his prey."

Although Crocodile was one of the Shichibukai, the prerequisite for retaining that status was not being defeated. Once defeated, the World Government would consider him no longer strong or qualified enough to serve as a Shichibukai, and his title could very well be revoked.

If Crocodile were killed by Bane, his status as a Shichibukai would most likely be voided, and Bane could certainly turn Crocodile in for the bounty.

Crocodile gave a disdainful sneer at Robin's words. "Do not compare me to those second-rate pirates. Besides, this is Alabasta, the Desert Kingdom. Do you think anyone can defeat me here!?"

Crocodile was a Logia user of the Sand-Sand Fruit, and Alabasta, as the Desert Kingdom, was entirely his home ground. His abilities could receive an enormous boost here. Crocodile did not believe anyone could defeat him in this place!

Nico Robin stirred her coffee with a spoon. Hearing that, she felt Crocodile was right. In this desert nation, he truly was the King of the Desert.

However, with Crocodile's help, Robin had recently found some traces and clues to Poneglyphs within Alabasta. In truth, she only wanted to understand history. She had no desire to revive any ancient weapon, much less reveal information about one to the ambitious Crocodile!

So Robin had already begun considering how she could escape Crocodile after reading the Poneglyphs and learning part of history.

Perhaps Bane is an opportunity I can use. No matter what, he was able to kill one of Whitebeard's commanders in the New World, so his strength should not be lacking. If I provoke conflict between him and Crocodile and make them fight, then regardless of the outcome, I should be able to find a suitable chance to get away during it. Best of all, he kills Crocodile. Then I will have nothing to worry about.

Yet she revealed nothing on the surface and answered as usual, "Understood. I will personally keep track of information on Bane. If there is any development, I will report it to you immediately."

Crocodile stared at Robin with a meaningful gaze for a moment, but offered no comment. Instead, he changed the subject. "What progress has been made regarding Pluton?"

"It has been confirmed that the Alabasta royal family, the Nefertari clan, secretly possesses a Poneglyph. However, its location has not yet been uncovered. So you should hurry on your end as well. Once you take Alubarna and become the true King of the Desert, I can see this history sooner," Robin said after taking a sip of coffee, her tone carrying a hint of anticipation.

"Hmph." Crocodile snorted before saying, "The plan is nearly complete. If nothing goes wrong, the Nefertari clan will be dealt with within this year. I will become the new king of this ancient nation!"

The thought made Crocodile somewhat excited. Alabasta possessed immense wealth and abundant troops. With an ancient weapon, his own strength, and perhaps a few powerful subordinates, returning to the New World would be no difficult feat!

With nothing else to discuss, Robin drained the coffee in her hand and then left the office.

Once the office door closed, Crocodile's gaze darkened. Once Pluton was found, he would get rid of that deep-minded woman. That would be the safest course!