Robin, still seated in the shadows of the Rainbase hideout, considered the information.
"I've heard," she added, her voice a low, thoughtful murmur, "that Lancelot has recently acquired three notably capable subordinates. A former Krieg pirate commander, Gin the man demon... a woman who uses a Zoan fruit... and the infamous Pirate Hunter, Roronoa Zoro. We could perhaps ignore them before, individually... but now, acting as his unit... it seems we need to take them seriously."
Upon hearing this, Crocodile, who had been leaning back, sat forward slightly, the cigarillo clamped between his teeth glowing brighter.
He raised an eyebrow. "Zoro? That Zoro? Interesting... Very well. Then have Mr. 3 and his partner, Miss Goldenweek, go along too. Their unique abilities should be sufficient to neutralize at least one of these troublesome underlings. We must secure those three billion Berries."
Three billion Berries was no small amount, not even for a Warlord of the Sea with his own hidden kingdom.
Crocodile himself was tempted by the sheer scale of the prize.
So, this time, he dispatched his strongest available lineup, excluding only himself and Robin.
He was absolutely confident they could capture Lancelot and his treasure.
....
Meanwhile, back in Loguetown, after Lancelot gave 40 million Berries to Smoker to deliver to Ipponmatsu, he didn't linger.
He and his core crew boarded the Going Merry once more.
He set out again, leaving the East Blue behind.
His destination was precisely the first half of the Grand Line.
Gin was at the helm, steering the small, sturdy caravel, with Nami assisting, already proving herself an invaluable navigator even in these relatively calm waters.
Lina and Zoro, however, weren't focused on the sea ahead.
Their gazes were fixed intently on Lancelot's waist.
After all, Lancelot currently had four swords hanging there: his original twin blades, Frost Demon and Flame Dragon, and the two newly acquired blades, Sandai Kitetsu and Yubashiri.
Lancelot first unfastened Frost Demon and Flame Dragon.
He turned and handed them to Lina, his expression serious.
"These are your family's swords," he said. "Before, you lacked the strength. Now... you are worthy of wielding them. I hope, in the days to come, you will make them renowned across the world."
Lina accepted the familiar blades, her hands trembling slightly, her eyes shining with visible excitement and deep gratitude.
"Absolutely, Master! I will! I will definitely make them famous throughout the world..."
Without regard for the others present—Zoro, Gin, Nami, and the five soldiers—she flew into Lancelot's embrace and kissed him deeply.
Lancelot chuckled and patted her rounded bottom, signaling for her to step down. Business first.
He then unfastened Yubashiri and handed it to Zoro.
"I promised you I would replace your broken swords with famous blades. This is the first one. It's light, strong, and sharp. Later," he added, his eyes gleaming with the knowledge of Sandai Kitetsu still at his hip.
"I will find another to help you complete your set of three renowned swords."
Zoro was even more thrilled than Lina.
For a swordsman, Meito—famous blades—held an irresistible, almost mystical allure, especially when one's collection was still incomplete, relying on cheap, unreliable steel.
Lancelot said, "This is Yubashiri (Snow Chaser). One of the fifty Skillful Grade swords."
Zoro took the blade, drawing it slightly, feeling its perfect balance, sensing the quality of the steel.
He took a deep breath, his usual gruff expression softening into one of genuine, sincere gratitude.
"Thank you... Captain."
Lancelot clapped him firmly on the shoulder. "When you joined my crew, we became comrades. Comrades who can entrust our backs to one another. So, no thanks are needed between us."
"Entrust our backs to one another?"
Zoro pondered these words deeply, his gaze shifting to Gin and Lina.
Gin, Lina, and even Nami, standing beside him, heard the phrase.
They exchanged glances, a silent understanding passing between them, and then shared a collective, genuine smile.
In that moment, forged in shared battle and now solidified by their leader's words, their bond grew stronger.
This small, disparate group truly became one.
....
Three days later, after navigating the treacherous currents of Reverse Mountain, Lancelot and his crew arrived at the first small island in the Grand Line: Cactus Island.
Whiskey Peak was located on this island.
It was a town renowned throughout the early Grand Line for its fine brewing and lively music, known far and wide for its overwhelming hospitality towards pirates.
It was the only town on the island, situated strangely on both sides of a wide river flowing down from giant, cactus-shaped mountains.
In reality, Lancelot knew, the entire town was inhabited by a large group of bounty hunters, all operating under the banner of Baroque Works.
It served as one of their primary bases, a trap designed to lure in young, inexperienced pirates flush with the excitement of entering the Grand Line.
Countless crews had fallen prey to these hunters, drugged, captured, and turned in for their bounties.
This was one of the primary reasons Lancelot had come here.
First, these bounty hunters had undoubtedly accumulated substantial Berries from hunting pirates over the years, and the town's lucrative brewing industry provided another significant source of income.
Plundering the plunderers was always satisfying.
Secondly, as the first island most crews encountered upon entering the Grand Line, capturing and managing Cactus Island effectively would yield a steady, strategic economic stream.
After all, any trade involving the Four Seas had to pass through here eventually.
Just collecting tolls and "protection fees" would bring in substantial profits for his growing organization.
Thirdly, Lancelot had promised to help Zoro acquire three famous swords.
Yubashiri was the first.
He knew Sandai Kitetsu was waiting for the right moment.
And the third... If his assumptions were correct, many members of Baroque Works had gathered here for some reason, likely awaiting orders regarding him.
This gathering should include Mr. 11, the agent who wielded the Skillful Grade sword Kashuu.
As long as Mr. 11 was present, Zoro's third blade could be obtained.
However, as soon as Lancelot and his crew docked the Going Merry and entered the seemingly cheerful town, they were met by a large group approaching them openly, without any attempt to conceal themselves.
They lined the street, blocking their path.
The leaders were a man and a woman.
The man was tall and extremely muscular, with a completely shaved head like a monk's.
A prominent scar ran from below his hairline on the right side down to his cheekbone.
His eyebrows were thin and connected, and he had thick, impassive lips.
He wore martial monk-style attire, sleeveless, with intricate snake patterns tattooed on both sides of his chest and the character "One" tattooed prominently in the center.
This was Mr. 1, Daz Bonez, user of the Dice-Dice Fruit.
The woman beside him had a wild, blue afro hairstyle and a curvaceous figure, walking with an exaggerated, provocative sway.
She wore a revealing yellow top and tight pants.
This was Miss Doublefinger, user of the Spike-Spike Fruit.
On their left stood a brawny, muscular figure with bizarrely heavy, feminine makeup, dressed inexplicably in a swan ballet outfit—a flamboyant cross-dresser.
This was Mr. 2, Bon Clay, user of the Mane-mane Fruit.
To their right were two individuals, one large and one small.
The larger one, dressed flamboyantly, had a large, candle-like "3" sculpted into his hair.
This was Mr. 3, Galdino, user of the Wax-Wax Fruit.
The smaller one, a young girl, held a brush and palette, her expression utterly blank.
This was his partner, Miss Goldenweek, a master of psychological manipulation through colors.
At the rear, looking significantly less confident, were Miss Merry Christmas, Mr. 5, and Ms. Valentine—all of whom Lancelot had previously clashed with in Loguetown.
They were accompanied by Mr. 4, Miss Merry Christmas's slow-witted partner, and another man Lancelot recognized—Mr. 11, the one wielding Kashuu.
Lancelot couldn't help but frown.
Mr. 1, Miss Doublefinger, Mr. 2, Mr. 3, Miss Goldenweek, Mr. 4, Miss Merry Christmas, Mr. 5, Ms. Valentine... and Mr. 11.
Good grief.
roque Works had gathered in full force.
Everyone except the leaders, Crocodile and Robin, seemed to be here.
This wasn't just an ambush; it was an execution squad.
Wait... Lancelot's Observation Haki picked up another figure standing further back, partially hidden behind the main group, looking nervous.
Waist-length wavy light blue hair. Striking beauty, an elegant figure, dressed in commoner's clothes but carrying herself like royalty.
Two long strands of hair framed her forehead, cascading past her shoulders.
'Princess Vivi?' Lancelot never expected her to appear here as well, still undercover as "Miss Wednesday."
Lancelot subtly turned to his companions—Zoro, Gin, and Lina—and instructed quietly.
"That blue-haired woman at the very back. Just knock her out. No serious injuries. Her status is... special. She'll be useful later."
"Special status?" Zoro, Gin, and Lina were initially startled by the specific order, then grew curious.
If Lancelot deemed someone's status "special," it must be truly extraordinary.
They nodded in unison, understanding the assignment.
Lancelot continued, his voice low and confident, "I've already detailed the abilities and appearances of all Baroque Works Officer Agents. You should know what to expect when facing them."
Zoro, Gin, and Lina nodded simultaneously.
"Don't worry, Captain..."
Their focus immediately shifted, assessing their opponents.
Their primary targets, besides the leader Mr. 1, were clearly Mr. 2 Bon Clay (a master of Okama Kenpo and disguise), Mr. 3 Galdino (a powerful Wax-Wax fruit user), and the unsettling Miss Goldenweek (whose color traps could bypass physical defenses).
Naturally, Mr. 1 Daz Bonez, the man made of blades, would be handled by Lancelot himself.
They needn't worry about him.
...
Meanwhile, Mr. 1 and his team were also assessing Lancelot's group.
Mr. 1, his face impassive, issued his orders, his voice cold and metallic.
"I'll take the target, Lancelot. Mr. 2, you lead Miss Doublefinger and Miss Christmas against the swordsman, Zoro. Mr. 3, you and Miss Goldenweek will handle the one using Rokushiki, Gin. The rest of you... deal with the woman, Lina."
'Not bad,' Lancelot thought wryly.
'They've already gathered thorough intelligence on my group's abilities.'
He stepped forward, his hand resting on Sandai Kitetsu.
"How utterly dismissive of us!" he called out, his voice laced with mocking amusement.
"Not only do they block our path so blatantly, they don't even bother with Whiskey Peak's usual treacherous schemes of poisoned drinks and fake welcomes. Now they're dividing us up outright..."
He turned to his crew, his smile turning sharp and predatory.
"Zoro! Gin! Lina! This is your first true battle on the Grand Line! Your chance to make a name for yourselves! Show this whole damned world the extent of your power!"
"Soru!"
The moment he spoke, Lancelot vanished from his original position, appearing instantly before Mr. 1, his blade already drawn.