Arrogant Skills, Pluton

Clap, clap, clap!

"I didn't expect you'd actually dare to come, Slayer." Crocodile clapped as he slowly walked into the casino hall and looked at Rody.

"What, did you think your title as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea was that intimidating?" Rody casually tossed Vivi aside and said disdainfully.

"So arrogant, rookie."

"But your strength is quite impressive. I'll give you a chance—join my Baroque Works. What do you say?" Crocodile did not care about Rody's sarcasm. His goal had never been to remain a Warlord for life. Becoming a Warlord was merely a means to more conveniently obtain the ancient weapon Pluton. From beginning to end, he had only ever had one goal: to become the Pirate King.

It had now been confirmed that information about Pluton existed somewhere in Alabasta. He also had "Devil Child" Nico Robin, who could translate the ancient script. It could be said that everything was developing in a favorable direction.

Once he obtained the ancient weapon Pluton, with the power to destroy an island in a single shot, neither the Marines, the Four Emperors, nor even the World Government would be able to stop him from becoming the Pirate King.

"Oh, but I've killed so many of your subordinates," Rody said with a smile.

"Hmph. There are as many people like that in this world as you could want. They aren't worth mentioning at all."

"So? Once my plan in Alabasta succeeds—no, it will definitely succeed—you'll be incomparably grateful for the decision you make today." Crocodile raised both hands, and the golden hook swept through the luxurious casino with a chilling glint. His eyes were filled with confidence.

"Oh, you mean your plan to obtain the ancient weapon Pluton in Alabasta, then use its power to destroy an island with one shot to become the so-called Pirate King?" Rody looked mockingly at the utterly shocked Crocodile.

"Y-you... How do you know my plan? And Pluton? How do you know Pluton's name? Did you come to Alabasta for the ancient weapon Pluton as well?

"Just who the hell are you?" Countless questions flashed through Crocodile's mind before he finally glared darkly at Rody.

"Ancient weapons? Do you know what those are?" Windfire Wheel quietly asked the others.

"They are said to be ancient weapons that existed since the distant past, capable of destroying the world and bearing the titles of three gods."

"They are the Heavenly King, Poseidon, and Pluton. But no one knows the specific names of those three ancient weapons. I never expected Lord Rody to know Pluton's name," Mike explained.

"Destroy the world? That's way too exaggerated," everyone said, finding it hard to believe.

"No one knows whether ancient weapons can truly destroy the world. After all, no one has ever seen one. People always thought they were merely legends, that no such ancient weapons capable of destroying the world actually existed. But since Lord Rody even knows Pluton's name, then the three ancient weapons must really exist."

"As expected of the captain. Even if those ancient weapons don't possess the power to destroy the world, they must still be incredibly powerful weapons. Say, if I swallowed one with my ability, would I level up again? Become Super Super Super Windfire Wheel? No, I should be called Ultimate Windfire Wheel. Heh... hehehe..." Windfire Wheel could not help imagining himself swallowing an ancient weapon and becoming Ultimate Windfire Wheel. If he met Thunderbolt and the others afterward, how shocked would they be by his power? The more he thought about it, the more foolishly he grinned.

"Windfire Wheel... didn't go stupid, did he?"

"No, did you forget that Windfire Wheel is a machine person? He's probably got a broken circuit in his head," Nami said, unable to resist mocking Windfire Wheel's foolish grin.

Ignoring their antics, Rody looked at Crocodile's gloomy face and casually said, "Who am I? Don't you already know? Slayer Rody."

"As for something like Pluton, it makes no difference to me whether I have it or not. I'm not interested in that sort of thing."

"Stop lying. You're talking about the ancient weapon Pluton! Power capable of destroying the world—how could anyone not want it?" Crocodile did not believe for a second that Rody had no interest in Pluton.

"Well! Believe it or not, it doesn't matter."

"Since you want ancient weapons so badly, and you run a casino, let's make an interesting wager!"

"What wager?" Crocodile furrowed his brow, unable to tell what Rody was up to. Still, Crocodile had absolute confidence in his own strength. Other than Whitebeard, he had never lost to anyone. Even his battle with Barrett had ended in a draw.

Therefore, Crocodile did not care what petty tricks Rody might use. An unknown nobody who had never even gone to the New World could be easily suppressed with his strength. Even if Rody knew something about the ancient weapons, he had likely learned it from certain books, just like Nico Robin.

"As long as you can injure me—even make me bleed a single drop—I'll tell you everything I know about Pluton. Hmm... I can even directly tell you where Poseidon is. So? Tempted?" Rody said with a smile as he watched Crocodile's face grow increasingly grim.

"Princess Vivi, isn't this Slayer being too overconfident? No matter what, the other side is one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea."

"That's right, Princess. There can't be the slightest carelessness in battle. Even a lion uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit. This battle concerns all of Alabasta." Although they were dissatisfied with Rody's attitude toward the princess, Crocodile was Alabasta's greatest enemy. Igaram and Pell still hoped Rody could defeat Crocodile.

Vivi merely watched everything in silence and did not answer them.

Whoosh!

Crocodile took a deep drag from his cigar and exhaled a thick cloud of smoke. Then he suddenly smiled manically. "Kid, for someone who hasn't even been to the New World, you really... are arrogant!"

"But arrogance requires ability!"

"Oh, and I happen to have some."

Why did this exchange sound so familiar? Rody remembered that the person who had said those words had seemingly gotten run over not long afterward. But the opponent was merely Crocodile—how could he possibly stumble here? Shaking off the inexplicable thought, he looked at Crocodile. The man's forehead veins were bulging from rage, as though he wanted to eat Rody alive.

"Very good."

"Very good."

"It's been a long time since I encountered someone as arrogant as you. After I defeat you, I'll slowly torture every last secret about the ancient weapons out of you!"

Desert Sword