Pell quickly sent someone to report the news of the pirate's capture to Cobra and Igaram. The two rushed over immediately upon receiving the news. This was a pirate who had been lurking in their country! Their purpose was still unclear.
However, it's never a good thing for a powerful pirate to be hiding in a country. They have to come and take a look, and they also want to interrogate him. But that depends on Vic's attitude, since the pirate was captured by someone else.
When Cobra and Igaram arrived, all they knew was who the pirate was. They couldn't interrogate him because he was unconscious. Although Vic knew Crocodile's purpose, he didn't say much. The two of them could only come and go in a hurry.
When it was time for dinner that evening, Vic took out Seastone Handcuffs from his Dimensional Space and handcuffed the unconscious Crocodile.
Although Crocodile was unconscious, his expression changed slightly the moment he was put on the Seastone, as if he were carrying bricks in his dream, looking somewhat tired!
Vic wasn't comfortable leaving a Logia user lying around, even if they were unconscious. This was one of his chosen Shichibukai candidates; if they ran away in this desert country, they'd be hard to find.
Whether it was due to the Seastone or because Vic's punch was too forceful, Crocodile didn't wake up until three days later.
Although he was awake, he looked like he had sex more than ten times last night, with a face full of kidney deficiency. Due to his injuries and the effects of the Seastone, he seemed crippled from the neck down. It felt like he would die at any moment if he wasn't treated.
"I need to talk to you about something. I'm taking your handcuffs off now, but don't even think about running away. If you try, I'll really kill you."
Vic noticed Crocodile's awakening immediately. He didn't believe Crocodile could escape from him. Even if Crocodile had become an elemental, his true form must be hidden somewhere in the sand. Vic could still use Armament Haki to force Crocodile back to his original form.
"Do we really have to do this? He's a Logia Fruit user!"
Seeing that Vic went straight to unlock his handcuffs after speaking, Rebecca couldn't help but remind him. She had experienced firsthand how troublesome Logia users were, and even those with Armament Haki were not easy to deal with. If it weren't for the sneak attack she had landed a couple of blows earlier, she would have really felt like she had nowhere to attack. Of course, this was just Rebecca's own feeling.
This time, Vic wasn't just with his own group; Chaka and Pell were also present. Crocodile would most likely agree this time. If no one from Alabasta was present, and the World Government released Crocodile after reaching an agreement, it would be difficult to explain and would be bad for Vic's and the Navy's reputation. Of course, the Navy's reputation wasn't great in the eyes of these kings to begin with, but Vic still valued his reputation.
"It's alright, he can try if he doesn't want to live anymore."
Vic said calmly, then put away the unlocked Seastone Handcuffs, making Crocodile's eyes twitch. "Are you a fake Devil Fruit user? You're not even afraid of Seastone, you're a monster."
"After reading this, you'll understand why I contacted you. Think it over carefully."
Vic handed Crocodile a piece of paper listing the conditions for becoming Shichibukai. Crocodile took the paper and started reading it. This time, he really didn't dare to run away.
He had been beaten unconscious without even seeing the person before. If the other party really wanted him dead, he would have been dead long ago. He knew that the culprit behind this ordeal was written on the piece of paper in his hand, so he was reading it very carefully.
Crocodile's eyes grew brighter the more he looked at it; he felt that the title of Shichibukai was perfectly suited to him in his current state.
He was originally hiding his identity in Alabasta to find Pluton. He was initially quite cautious, afraid that someone would discover him and send the Navy to deal with him. Affiliated Nation of the World Government have this privilege.
But if he had the title given to him by the World Government, he would be legal and could roam freely in Alabasta as long as he didn't enter the royal palace. He didn't trust anyone anyway, so he wouldn't feel guilty about fighting other pirates.
"I agreed! What's next?"
Crocodile agreed to the terms without much consideration. He was a smart man and naturally knew what was in his best interest. If he didn't agree to cooperate with the World Government, the Dark Dragon in front of him would either capture him and send him to Impel Down or kill him. There was no way he could choose to let him go. So did he need someone to teach him how to choose?
"This is Den Den Mushi) to contact the Five Elders. Call them and you can discuss the rest yourselves. Let's move away and not disturb him."
Vic took back the paper and handed it to Chaka, then gave the special Den Den Mushi to Crocodile, before leading the others away into the distance.
Although Chaka and Pell were shocked and confused, they still followed the others away.
Although Vic left, it was just for show. He couldn't afford to reveal his true colors to the World Government yet, but his Observation Haki remained active. He still wanted to delve deeper into the dealings between the World Government and the Shichibukai.
However, Vic didn't hear anything substantial. Saturn only said that after Crocodile became Shichibukai, he should actively cooperate with the World Government and the Navy, and would be summoned at any time if needed.
Of course, a formal contract will be sent to him later. He will only need to sign his name and drip his blood on it to complete the contract. From then on, Crocodile will be able to enjoy the privilege of legally plundering as Shichibukai without being hunted down by the Navy.
There were no particularly secrets involved; everything was already known to Vic, except for the signing of the contract and the blood-drip. Of course, this was also within Vic's expectations. If there were any secrets, he wouldn't have mentioned them over the Den Den Mushi; he would have gathered all the Shichibukai together to discuss them.
" Dark Dragon! Saint Saturn has something to say to you!"
Crocodile has finished talking with Saturn, but Saturn also needs to inform Vic Vic, regardless of whether the talks were successful or not.
"Hello! This is Vic!"
Vic took the Den Den Mushi from Crocodile and said in his usual indifferent tone.
Although Vic guessed that the Five Elders were not simply civilian decision-makers, they certainly had combat capabilities, but he didn't know their level.
But Vic won't respect you just because you're strong. In fact, in Vic's mind, the Five Elders are not as good as Captain T-Bone in the Navy. Although T-Bone looks like a zombie and is a bit scary, his sense of justice is admirable, unlike the Five Elders ' contempt for life.
"Shaq Crocodile has already reached an agreement with our government. You don't need to worry about him anymore. You can look for the next target."
Saturn maintained his usual cold, lifeless tone, almost giving an order, and then hung up the phone, likely due to his dissatisfaction with Vic's attitude.