"Hmm, that's good. As for the rest, whether you want to find Pluton or Uranus, I don't care."
Crocodile didn't reply, cold sweat soaking his back. Nero actually knew about Pluton?
Where did she learn about it? Was it from him? Then is Nero also after Pluton?
Nico Robin was the bait she released, but why tell him the truth now?
Is it because I can't turn back, so she felt there was no need to hide it anymore?
Using me as a tool to find Pluton, and then reaping the benefits herself in the end. This calculation, this ambition, truly worthy of Nicuss's Emperor, certainly not ordinary.
Crocodile didn't believe Nero's words about not caring about Pluton at all.
In his opinion, it was impossible for anyone in this world to refuse the temptation of Pluton, a legendary power that could rule the world.
Not to mention someone from the ruling class like Nero, how could she allow such a powerful weapon that threatened her authority to be controlled by others?
"Ah, the next collaboration will proceed as you said, with Nico Robin as the lead."
How ironic, Crocodile. All these years of elaborate schemes, only to pave the way for someone else?
"Do you also have any leads on the whereabouts of the three ancient weapons, Uranus?"
Nero Claudius, this woman is truly unfathomable.
"Uranus?" Nero was a little puzzled why Crocodile would suddenly bring this up, but it wasn't anything important, so Nero spoke frankly.
"Uranus is in the hands of the World Government, deep within Mary Geoise. But don't even think about that thing; it's a top secret even for the Celestial Dragons."
And yet, you, an outsider, know this secret clearly.
Crocodile exhaled a puff of smoke. Nero, a mere woman, in just a few years, her identity jumped from Emperor to Pirate King cadre, and then to Celestial Dragon. The wisdom and power involved were beyond his imagination. The other party's intention was also very clear—to recruit him.
Yes, to recruit!
Otherwise? Because of Nico Robin? She could have taken the person away but let her stay.
With this woman, Nero could completely find Pluton herself, but she specifically named him to participate, together with Nico Robin, under the guise of cooperation.
Haha~
Being able to single-handedly support the underground organization Baroque Works, and having almost completely hidden his identity from everyone, Crocodile was not an idiot who couldn't understand words.
Just a few words showed her absolute control over the situation. Truly worthy of an Emperor, the aura of a king is completely different from the Haoshoku of grassroots figures like Whitebeard.
If it's this woman, if I follow her, I can also reach higher heights, right?
Crocodile's heart pounded violently. How many years had it been since he felt such a surging heartbeat?
"Hahahahaha! In that case, Nero!"
Crocodile seemed to have understood something and suddenly laughed up to the sky: "Empress of the Golden Rose and the Dragon, let me, Crocodile, witness how high you can reach!"
Lighting another cigar, his former swagger returned to Crocodile: "Don't worry, I know the importance of Nico Robin. She won't suffer any harm before I die."
He didn't bring up issues like the terms of recruitment. Some things don't need to be stated too clearly. The other party not explicitly saying it was already giving him enough face, so now he just needed to reciprocate with action.
"Hmm, then I shall look forward to it." Nero was originally wondering what was suddenly wrong with this guy, but her words changed before she knew it.
This guy's speaking style is really cool. I actually feel somewhat suppressed. Nero thought for a moment, preparing to regain control of the conversation.
"You've been playing in Paradise for so long, do you still have some Haki left?"
Black lightning flickered around Crocodile, and a dramatic curve formed on his lips: "Heh, don't concern yourself. This time, remember my name well—Crocodile!"
Hmm, he got to show off!
And after Crocodile finished speaking, he actually hung up the den den mushi directly. Nero was confused. Why did this guy suddenly become so arrogant?
However, just as Crocodile said, Nero now completely remembered his name.
Crocodile—a cool-talking man.
On the other side, Crocodile, who had hung up Nero's den den mushi, suddenly unleashed his Conqueror's Haki, then quickly reined it in.
He still had a confident smile on his face, and instead of returning the den den mushi to Hathaway, he casually tucked it into his pocket.
"Judging by the style, this should be a special den den mushi that can only contact Nero, right? I'll keep this."
"..."
Hathaway was silent. She had never seen anyone so bad at losing, even coveting a den den mushi.
She, as an observer, had heard Crocodile and Nero's conversation clearly and understood that the outcome had a subtle deviation.
However, Hathaway had no intention of correcting it. Crocodile was a capable individual, and having him, as a partner, personally supervise little Robin's movements would definitely yield better results.
But that den den mushi, as Crocodile said, was custom-made.
She didn't have any spare ones, but asking for it directly would seem too petty.
Miss Hathaway, accustomed to Nero's extravagance, couldn't afford to lose face like that.
So Miss Hathaway spoke against her conscience: "Ahem, please give me this den den mushi first. His Majesty Nero is usually busy with many affairs and doesn't have time to be distracted by things here. I will give you my den den mushi later."
"Don't worry! I won't contact her either. Only when the mission is successful will this den den mushi ring again."
Crocodile waved his hand dashingly, leaving Hathaway with only his disappearing back.
No! Listen to me!
Hathaway reached out her hand, wanting to speak but ultimately dropping it powerlessly.
Her impression of Crocodile also deepened; the sand Crocodile who didn't understand people's feelings... In the casino, Robin and Kuina were chatting happily, mostly Kuina talking, with Robin occasionally agreeing.
In this short time, Robin had pretty much gathered all the information about Kuina and Nero, from their acquaintance to the present.
Just then, Crocodile and Hathaway returned one after another.
Looking at Crocodile, who had wounds but was in high spirits, and Hathaway, whose expression hadn't changed from when she left but was now sulking.
Both were shocked... Did this mean Hathaway lost?
"This battle, I made a misstep!" Seeing their confusion, it was Crocodile who stepped forward to explain.
No, you're so happy even though you lost.
"Let's get along well in the days to come, Nico Robin." After giving them a meaningful look, Crocodile left to treat his wounds... Seriously, what was this person doing here?
Robin and Kuina were even more bewildered, looking at Hathaway together, hoping for an answer.
Hathaway didn't even give them a glance, sighing wistfully, still feeling bad about her den den mushi.
"..."
"..."
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