Crocodile

"Shichibukai?"

"What's that?" Nami asked doubtfully.

"The Shichibukai are a system established by the World Government at the beginning of the Great Pirate Era to curb the excessive expansion of pirate forces and prevent them from threatening the World Government's rule. The World Government authorized Navy Headquarters to establish the Shichibukai system, forming the Shichibukai organization. The World Government selects seven renowned and powerful pirates with catastrophic destructive power or strength comparable to that of a nation. Using their strength and notoriety, the Shichibukai intimidate and strike down ordinary pirates."

"Other than having to answer the World Government's mandatory summons and hand over a portion of their earnings, the Shichibukai are free to act as they please. The Navy will not arrest them, and they are completely free from interference by the World Government. The World Government will not pursue any of the crimes they committed before becoming Shichibukai. Even if they pillage in private, the World Government turns a blind eye."

"In short, the Shichibukai are pirates recognized by the government, and Crocodile is one of them." As she spoke, Vivi's face filled with despair.

The boss of Baroque Works was actually Sand Crocodile Crocodile, one of the Shichibukai. Upon hearing this news, Miss Monday was secretly shocked as well.

"H-How could this be... This is... too..." Nami was utterly stunned.

"If they're messing around like this, it feels like the World Government is doomed," Windfire Wheel said in astonishment.

"Enough. I'm not interested in the World Government or the Shichibukai. Right now, I just want to know who my two subordinates are and where they ran off to!" Rody interrupted impatiently.

Seeing Rody's impatience, Vivi hurriedly said, "Lord Rody, your two subordinates are members of Crocodile's Baroque Works: the sea otter codenamed Mr. 13 and the vulture codenamed Miss Friday. They serve as Baroque Works' executioners and intelligence agents, responsible for gathering and reporting intelligence for the organization, as well as executing Baroque Works members who fail their missions."

"Mr. 13 and Miss Friday took advantage of your inattention and secretly flew away just now. They should be on their way to Alabasta."

Those two animals were actually members of Baroque Works—and even executioners and intelligence agents. Rody had not expected that.

Originally, he had only planned to go to Alabasta because he was interested in the Poneglyph in the underground royal tomb. He wanted to see what this Poneglyph, which pirates were fighting over, actually looked like. That was why he had gotten a permanent pose to Alabasta from Crocus.

As for Crocodile's so-called Utopia Plan, Rody himself had no interest in it. But since Crocodile had the "people" Rody wanted under his command, Rody had no choice but to go meet this Sand Crocodile. After all, Rody's nature was that he would definitely get whatever he wanted.

"Since you've already found out that Crocodile is the mastermind behind the country's civil unrest, then I assume you've also figured out where his base is."

"Then take me to meet this Sand Crocodile." Rody spoke calmly.

"Mr. Rody, although you are very powerful too, he is one of the Shichibukai—a great pirate recognized even by the World Government. Are you really confident you can defeat him?" Vivi looked at Rody nervously.

"Don't worry. I don't know how strong these so-called Shichibukai are, but he definitely isn't stronger than our captain," Windfire Wheel said confidently.

"Your Highness, there's no need to worry. Since the day I met Lord Rody, no one has ever lasted more than a single move against him," Mike added with equal confidence.

"However, Princess Vivi, if you want our Rody to deal with the mastermind behind your country's civil unrest, you'll have to pay us a reward of 2 billion Beli." Nami looked excitedly at Vivi, her eyes seemingly filled with symbols of money.

"2... 2 billion Beli? Isn't that far too much?" Vivi stared at Nami in shock.

"Not at all, not at all. Alabasta is a major country, after all," Nami said with a smile.

Alabasta was considered a superpower in the world of pirates. Its capital, Alubarna, alone had a standing army of 600,000. Although 2 billion Beli was no small sum for Alabasta, it was something they could afford not only in normal times, but even while the country was mired in civil unrest.

Though shocked by Nami's asking price, Vivi first looked to Rody to see his attitude. Vivi knew clearly who among this group had the authority to make decisions. Rody, however, did not care and told Vivi to negotiate with Nami. After some bargaining, the two finally settled on 1.5 billion Beli.

As long as Rody defeated Crocodile and quelled the rebellion within the country, Alabasta had to pay Rody's group a reward of 1.5 billion Beli. When they finally confirmed the price, Vivi glanced at Rody.

"Tch."

"Rody, as long as we defeat that Crocodile, we'll have 1.5 billion Beli! I've never seen that much Beli before! Hahaha..." Nami kissed Rody, her face full of excitement.

Once her excitement passed, Nami became worried again. "But that Shichibukai guy is a great pirate recognized even by the World Government. Could there be any danger? If it's dangerous, I can give up on it, even if that means we won't get the 2 billion Beli." Vivi looked at Rody anxiously.

"Don't worry. He's merely a Shichibukai."

"What danger could there be?" Rody said indifferently as he rubbed Nami's hair.

Alabasta, Rainbase, casino.

Inside a spacious and luxurious room, a man with a pirate hook for a hand and a horizontal scar across his face smoked a cigar as he quietly watched the crocodiles with banana-shaped growths on their heads swim through a massive water tank.

At that moment, a tall, voluptuous woman with fair skin, dressed in a vest dress, walked up to the calmly smoking man with a report in hand. "Mrs. All Weekday has just received intelligence from Mr. 13. Slayer Rody, who has a bounty of 50 million Beli, encountered the organization's Millions in Whiskey Peak. All the Millions at Whiskey Peak have been eliminated by him. He also made a deal with the Princess of Alabasta: in exchange for Alabasta paying 1.5 billion Beli, he will eliminate you, one of the Shichibukai."

This man was Crocodile, one of the Shichibukai. Crocodile took the report and looked at the pictures of the slain Millions, frowning. "This kid really is bloody and cruel. Those guys he killed were truly unlucky."

Crocodile set down the report and picked up Rody's photograph. Suddenly, he laughed. "Hahaha... An arrogant newcomer. 1.5 billion... Let's see whether you have what it takes to claim it... I, Sand Crocodile Crocodile, will be waiting for you right here."

"Don't disappoint me."

"Slayer."