After helping Hancock settle onto the sofa, Hina, unusually, did not return to stand behind Ortoren but remained by Hancock's side, appearing ready to attend to her at any moment. It was unclear whether this was intentional or accidental.
Ortoren had now taken his seat at the head of his own sofa. His gaze swept over the assembled figures before settling on Crocodile.
"This is our first formal meeting, isn't it, Crocodile?" Ortoren's lips curled into a faint, enigmatic smile.
The moment Ortoren spoke, every other person in the conference room turned their gaze toward Crocodile.
Among them, Slekemind, Doflamingo, and Moria—who were well aware of Crocodile's past animosity toward their respective Admirals—naturally shot him hostile glances.
As for Mihawk, the look in his eyes was pure schadenfreude.
Among the Shichibukai, aside from Jinbe who had stumbled into the position through Tiger's influence without paying the fee, only Hancock had never submitted the 20 billion yen bond required to become a Shichibukai.
But seeing Ortoren just now nearly made Hancock faint—the others understood the situation perfectly well, so it was entirely understandable.
But... Crocodile, what makes you so special? We all paid our dues. You didn't pay? How dare you sit at this meeting with us?
Everyone else is driving Mercedes or Rolls-Royces, and you show up in a Mazda? Is that really appropriate?
Feeling the weight of all those piercing stares, Crocodile's heart grew heavy.
In this hellhole, if Ortoren turned against him, he knew there was no way he'd walk out of this meeting room alive.
Crocodile was arrogant, yet he also knew when to let things go. In the original story, the Straw Hat Crew had thoroughly ruined his plans to seize the throne. In the end, when necessity arose, Crocodile was able to set aside those deep-seated grudges and ally with the Straw Hats.
Now, Crocodile saw no real grudge between himself and Ortoren—it was merely a matter of Ortoren demanding money from him years ago, which he had refused.
Though his purpose for coming to the New World had ended before it even began, he reasoned that since he was already here, smoothing things over with someone like Ortoren would be wise if he ever wanted to make a life in the New World.
In short, during his journey here and while waiting for Ortoren, Crocodile had already steeled himself mentally.
Now, as Ortoren spoke, Crocodile drew a deep breath, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Indeed," he replied. "Though we crossed paths once in Loguetown of the East Blue, this is our first proper meeting..."
Before Ortoren could respond, Crocodile quickly added,
"There must have been some misunderstanding between us before. Back then, someone impersonated certain identities to harass me, talking about investments and financial management. During that time, I was highly skeptical of such claims. That's why I inadvertently misinterpreted and misunderstood your intentions, Admiral..."
As Ortoren listened, the smile on his face grew broader.
"Is that so? A misunderstanding? I see..."
Crocodile explained with a forced smile.
"Yes, it was truly a misunderstanding. But you remained in the New World all this time, while I rarely left Alabasta over the years. These misunderstandings lingered until recently, when I finally wrapped up matters in Alabasta. I thought I'd arrange a meeting with you, Admiral, and even brought a special gift..."
In any other place, saying such things while being watched by so many might have made him feel embarrassed.
But here, it didn't matter. Aside from those two connections, Hancock and Jinbe, who the hell hadn't paid their dues? Who hadn't been humiliated by Ortoren himself?
Take Mihawk, for instance. Back in the New World, he was hunted down by the Black, White, and Gray Triad, with nowhere to run. Rumor has it he ended up borrowing from loan sharks just to scrape together that 20 billion and become a Shichibukai, finally escaping that crisis. Wonder if he ever paid them back?
As for Doflamingo, he was extorted relentlessly by Ortoren in the early days. Two hundred billion? That was barely scratching the surface. The debts piled up beyond reckoning. Wonder if Ortoren ever paid him back?
Moria? He was pinned to a table, his head smashed with an ashtray, before becoming a Shichibukai.
Slekemind? Forget about it. He got kicked around by Katakuri and his crew, beaten senseless, and dragged off to G-5. Only his underlings scraped together enough cash to buy him back, saving him from that ordeal.
Compare that to now. Crocodile figures bowing down to Ortoren here isn't exactly something to be ashamed of.
No one should mock anyone else—we're all in the same boat.
Those who refused to bow, from Whitebeard to Ochoku, from Shiki to Red-Haired—every single one of them. Can you even find a trace of them left in the New World?
Not a single hair left!
"Five hundred billion Belly in gold bricks, plus a special technique I discovered in Alabasta's ancient ruins that allows Devil Fruit powers to be passed down. This is my gift to you, Admiral. I hope it can clear up the misunderstanding between us." Crocodile's expression turned solemn as he explained.
Hearing this, the faintly puzzling smile on Ortoren's face instantly brightened. The gloomy tension in the room seemed to be swept away by his radiant grin.
"Hahahahaha... so it really was a misunderstanding. If it was a misunderstanding, then let's put it behind us. I'm famously not the grudge-holding type. I'm very generous, you see. Look at before—Doffy, Mind, Moria—didn't I have misunderstandings with all of them? And now? They're all my closest friends, brothers in arms, right?"
Ortoren laughed heartily as he spoke.
Seeing their Admiral once again put on a classic display of money-driven goodwill, Doflamingo and the others weren't surprised in the slightest. The ill-intentioned smiles they'd worn earlier softened immediately, and one by one they nodded along, acting as though they truly were family.
After the brief burst of noise died down, Ortoren lit a cigarette and looked at Crocodile.
"Looks like you're not that interested in Alabasta anymore. Fair enough. The New World is where things really get interesting. Don't bother going back after this. Once I finish dealing with what's on my plate, I'll find you a position in the New World."
Crocodile???
Find a position?
What does that even mean? I'm a pirate. Do I need to get re-employed now?
"Don't worry. The future's very bright," Ortoren added casually.
Seeing how unfazed everyone else looked, Crocodile didn't dare refuse outright. He could only force a smile and respond,
"Then… thank you for taking care of me, Admiral..."
Thinking it over carefully, it didn't seem completely unacceptable.
Look at Doflamingo. Rumor had it he'd gone from pirate to Navy Vice Admiral. As for Moria, he'd become some kind of labor king and bounty king in the underworld. Supposedly, he'd even put a private bounty on Kaidou's head. Maybe there'd be opportunities to work together down the line.
This "finding a job" thing… might not be so bad after all.
Speaking of Kaidou, after Kaidou joined Totto Land and Moria learned that Kaidou's daughter had become engaged to Ortoren's son, Moria had specifically called Ortoren via Den Den Mushi to ask how their old grudge should be handled.
Ortoren hadn't pressured him in the slightest. Kaidou's mess was Kaidou's problem. If Moria could take him down, that was Moria's ability. Ortoren wouldn't interfere.
Moria knew very well that although Ortoren was petty, vindictive, and full of minor flaws, when it came to matters like this, he kept his word. That put him at ease.
Truth be told, after all these years, Moria's mindset wasn't as extreme as it used to be. He'd even taken on Kaidou's construction projects. As for grudges… putting out a bounty was enough. Actually going head-to-head with Kaidou wasn't something he cared to do anymore.
Back then, he was a pirate with nothing—couldn't even scrape together twenty billion Belly. Bare feet weren't afraid of shoes. A worthless life was no big deal.
But now?
He was rich.
Everyone knew that Moria's assets had already surpassed one trillion Belly last year.
Would he really smash fine porcelain against a clay pot like Kaidou?
How many dishes does Kaidou even eat in one meal?
What kind of status does he have to think he's worth risking his life against Moria?