"Captain, I also think the Paramecia-type Warp-Warp Fruit would suit me perfectly!!!"
Having been tempted by Hades, Van Augur of course knew about the most widely circulated legend among snipers.
The world's strongest sniper, Orin—his rise to the very top relied on his exceptional Observation Haki and the Warp-Warp Fruit.
"Speaking of which, among his Shichibukai, there seem to be some powerful Devil Fruit users."
"And in the underworld as well. Those big shots have collected many rare fruits…"
"And there's the long-missing Thunder God Enel—the Rumble-Rumble Fruit is known as one of the strongest Logia."
"Captain, captain, are you sure you don't want to consider Black Gun and the Shichibukai?!!"
With Hades egging them on, even many of the Blackbeard crew's officers felt the idea was feasible.
But in the end, a cold-sweating Teach forced the conversation to stop.
"Zehahahahaha… As for that Black Gun bastard, I naturally have plans for him later. Right now, the main issue is still discussing how to deal with the Whitebeard Pirates. I already have a plan in place…"
Seeing Teach drag everyone back to the topic, Hades had no choice. He originally wanted to trick them into raiding his own "dungeon."
But it was fine. He could slowly figure out the secret behind how this sly old fox Teach was able to contain two Devil Fruit abilities.
He had plenty of time anyway.
"According to reliable intel, Ace, the 2nd division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, has already arrived in the first half of the Grand Line. As long as we capture him and hand him to the Marines…"
"It will inevitably trigger a massive war between the Whitebeard Pirates and Marine Headquarters. And since Pops is getting old, we'll have our chance!!!"
Having traveled around Alabasta, Ace had no idea he'd already become a prime target.
He had already said goodbye to Luffy and the others and set off once more in pursuit of Blackbeard.
To this, Orin could only feel helpless.
Ace, that kid—his inability to think straight and his hot-headed stupidity were only slightly better than Monkey D. Luffy.
No matter what, someone needed to give him a painful, unforgettable lesson. Without the protection of destiny, he would not live long.
It was for his own good, the last thing Orin could do for Captain Roger, and also something to account for to Lady Rouge.
After Ace survived and Whitebeard died, Orin would no longer allow him to stir up trouble.
Ace, having eaten the Flame-Flame Fruit but unable to keep up with the higher power brackets, should just become a carefree drifter at sea like Marco.
...
And during this period…
Monkey D. Luffy, for the first time in the Grand Line, faced his first real boss—[Desert King Crocodile].
"Gum Gum—Gatling!!!"
"Reckless kid who doesn't know his place…"
His fist passed through Crocodile's body, kicking up sand, but accomplishing nothing.
Sand swirled violently in Crocodile's hand. Even without Haki, in this desert, the Logia Sand-Sand Fruit gave him overwhelming terrain advantage.
A casual strike could become a massive sandstorm or a desert vortex.
Without Armament Haki, no matter how flexible Luffy's body was or how strong his rubber punches were, he could not avoid having one of his arms drained dry.
"AAAAAAAH!!!"
Clutching his shriveled arm—withered like a branch—Luffy collapsed, screaming in pain.
Then, a golden hook pierced straight through his chest.
"Still don't understand? Brats like you…
The sea has more than enough of them."
With his crew gone to stop the rebels, Crocodile and Robin stood before Luffy. At this moment, Crocodile fully embodied the archetypal boss who refuses to finish off the protagonist—allowing Robin to pull the dying Luffy to safety.
"D, huh?"
...
In the capital of Alabasta,
Crocodile had already arrived. With everyone held up by the rebel army, he seized King Cobra and walked straight toward the underground palace.
"Crocodile…"
Coughing blood, King Cobra struggled to open his eyes and looked at the man in the cloak. Though he looked different from his memory, he still spoke.
"This is our second meeting… The first time was on Duramos Island."
Their first proper meeting had been during old Keek's birthday celebration.
Hearing him bring this up, Crocodile slowly turned his eyes toward him—filled with contempt.
"Bringing that up now… Are you hoping I'll spare you for Orin's sake?"
"You're a king. Don't indulge in such childish fantasies. Orin has connection with me—but you, King Cobra… do not."
With Nico Robin taking Cobra into the city first, Crocodile once again crushed Luffy, then headed downward as well.
Except…
Nico Robin seemed unwilling to reveal the true content of the Poneglyph.
"This only records history."
"Nani…?"
Crocodile's face bulged with veins, expression darkening.
"Are you telling me… that the Ancient Weapon I've been chasing all this time doesn't exist!?"
"Yes."
"…"
Crocodile fell silent.
Then sandstorm winds erupted from his body, and his expression instantly grew ice-cold.
Robin tensed up immediately.
"In that case… you're useless to me."
"I originally thought that since you knew Orin and Mihawk, you'd count as one of us—you could become one of my subordinates. But now, it seems that's unnecessary."
"Whether the Poneglyph truly lacks the information, or you just refuse to tell me, I will never trust you again. You failed my expectations."
Crocodile was such a man—
Full of ambition, ruthless, a man who would use any means necessary.
The only ones he acknowledged or trusted were probably the companions he met in his youth—Orin and the others, whose strength surpassed his.
Nico Robin?
She was never qualified to join the "younger generation."
Robin's expression changed dramatically. She pulled out a bottle of water to resist, but clearly overestimated her ability.
A single thrust—the golden hook pierced her abdomen.
"You kept that water for dealing with me, right? But I'll forgive you."
Crocodile laughed. Though his face remained cold, he wasn't particularly angry.
"After all, I never truly trusted you from the start."
"Next, I will take direct control of Alabasta—this massive nation. Eventually, I'll find Pluton. Then with Orin's financial might and influence…"
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
"A military nation that will make the entire sea tremble… is about to be born!!!"
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
+100 chapters and support me on Patreon(.)com/Jixo