On a warship on the Grand Line.
Inside the cabin, Bullet sat on a sofa eating dessert.
At his desk, Sakazuki put the two fruits in his hands into boxes for safekeeping.
He handed them to Carol and said:
"Take these to Mr. Vegapunk on Punk Hazard."
"Feed the Mushroom-Mushroom Fruit to the Pacifista. As for the Munch-Munch Fruit, let him decide what to do with it."
"He knows what they do."
Carol put away the two boxes.
"Understood."
Whoosh-
He vanished in an instant...
Sakazuki turned back and picked up the newspaper on his desk.
The lead story on the second page reported that the people of Alabasta had unanimously hailed Crocodile as a "hero."
The photograph in the newspaper had been taken from an excellent angle.
The Golden Hook on Crocodile's left hand had pierced a pirate, whom he held high in the air.
Desiccated corpses lay scattered across the ground, while countless citizens cheered behind him, moved to tears by their gratitude.
He certainly carried himself a little differently...
Of course... a hero without official recognition from the country had no legal standing.
But with the entire population of Alabasta holding Crocodile in such high regard, there was no stopping it.
However much the royal family of Alabasta objected, they could only turn a blind eye and swallow their displeasure.
Sakazuki gave a soft scoff.
"Fools..."
It was unclear whom he meant... or whether he meant all of them...
Rustle-
He put down the newspaper.
"Let's go, Bullet."
"Find a deserted island."
Rainbase, Alabasta.
Inside the lavish hall of Rain Dinners, Crocodile carried a bag of treasure and casually tossed it onto the floor.
His subordinates hurried to collect it and carry it away.
It was the spoils from another pirate crew Crocodile had just wiped