Baroque Works

Currently, I was staring intensely at the Shichibukai in front of me.

The force of gravity within me was ready to be unleashed at a moment's notice.

Crocodile had access to both strong armament Haki and an awakened Sand-Sand Fruit. It wasn't the smartest idea to engage him in battle. But I didn't really feel like being a part of his 'ideal nation.'

In hindsight, I doubted that Crocodile could ever acquire Pluton, even if he somehow took over Alabasta. At the same time, I had almost zero interest in ruling over a fragmented Alabasta.

So, I'd basically be working for nothing if I accepted his recruitment. And working for free was surely against my principles…

The next moment, Crocodile didn't attack me and respond to my provocation like I had expected him to. An arrogant grin had formed on his face instead. "Kuhahahaha! You're a capable brat with no fear... But your limited imagination has no idea what I'm offering at all!"

"What're you saying?"

I clicked my tongue with irritation. Why hadn't we just started killing each other already?

"Tsk, this is your last chance… I'm willing to make an exception and grant you access to special funds and resources for your participation. Think about it. It would be a waste to kill someone like you."

Crocodile lifted his golden hook in the air and stared at me with half-lidded eyes.

I fell into deep contemplation upon hearing his offer. It seemed he really wanted to recruit me for some reason.

If I'm being completely honest, I was slightly tempted by his new rewards. It was something tangible, unlike the place in his 'idea nation' that he had offered before.

More importantly, I wanted to avoid this fight until I became stronger in the future. Especially because I desired to kill Crocodile without being hurt in the process.

This wasn't the worst deal to stall for time at all…

"Mhm, I accept depending on how much you offer."

Almost instantly, Crocodile took a drag of his cigarette and grinned once more. "Smart. I'll give you something that will satisfy you… Now, let me show you what Operation Utopia is all about."

**

Soon Crocodile took me over to Rain Dinner once more. It wasn't the casino this time, but his underground basement where his main operations were located.

On the way there, he briefed me a little on Operation Utopia and how they were going to take over Alabasta.

When we reached finally reached his main office at the basement, my body froze for a second.

The office was immensely luxurious and large with a small desk in the center, a large sofa for guests, and expensive painting and decorations all over; however, that part wasn't surprising. Instead, in the middle of the hall, there was a large Banana Gator that made me gulp. It was basically a giant crocodile that was known to prey on Sea Kings.

This was the first time I was seeing an 'animal' species that was native to this world. That too such a fearsome one.

"Does it bite?" I asked, keeping my distance from the gigantic creature.

Crocodile didn't reply to me and sat on the chair next to his desk.

"No, these guys are just cute… but they do like to swallow and chew on humans from time to time!"

At that instant, a voice I had never heard before answered me. I glanced at the source of the voice which was coming from the stairs we entered from.

Step-Step-

From the top of the stairs, a tall and slender woman with shoulder-length black hair and eyes that had dark, wide pupils descended slowly. She had a thin, defined nose and was sporting a skimpy all-purple cowgirl outfit.

I was sure this woman was the "Devil Child," Nico Robin.

My gaze was completely focused on her as she began to pet the giant crocodile like it was a dog.

Shortly, Crocodile glanced at me once more and said, "This here is Miss Sunday… All you need to know is that she is a capable subordinate I hired just a week ago. She will be detrimental for our operations in Alabas-"

Right then, I broke into a chuckle and said, "Bahahaha! Your plans are too obvious!"

Crocodile bit his cigarette in half. He hated being interrupted, so much so that he may truly be debating killing me at this very moment.

I stood unfazed and just pointed at Nico Robin calmly. "That over there is Nico Robin, the last survivor of Ohara… The only reason a cautious person like you will accept her is if your goal is related to the ancient weapons themselves… Project Utopia is just your smoke screen, right?"

Crocodile and Nico Robin had their eyes blink rapidly at my words. They didn't expect me to guess the entirety of their plans in just a flash.

"Tch… You're smarter than you look."

"Fufufufufu… You sure have recruited someone interesting, Sir Crocodile."

My lips curled upwards into a smug grin. Of course, I had good foresight. That was a given when you had the general plot serialized to you on a weekly basis.

After a few more moments of silence, Crocodile propped his head over his hands and continued, "Whatever, this doesn't change your tasks here… From now on, you'll be Mr.1 and partnered up with Miss Sunday… You, along with her, will act as my executives and listen solely to my orders… A mistake means your death. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Sir Crocodile."

Talk about a solid promotion to Mr.1 already… I just hope there wouldn't be too much work.

Later, Crocodile briefed me a little more before leaving me to my own devices. My time in Baroque Works had officially begun.

**

Zzzzz….

A few days later, I was in my own small office at Rain Dinners basement, taking a nap.

There had been no work given to me so far. I hadn't even met Crocodile or Nico Robin once since that day.

For some reason, Nico Robin had offered Crocodile to complete all the miscellaneous administrative work for the organization, leaving me happy but with nothing to do.

Crocodile had stayed true to his offer and given me access to some of his funds and connections.

Using that, I was able to import a special body pill for millions of Berrys. That pill was apparently manufactured for some of the higher ups in Marines and could only work once on you.

However, the results were halfway decent at best.

[Through consuming the body pill, all your stats have been boosted by 2 points.]

The only thing I could do for now was search for even better resources and obtain them.

Perep-Perep-Perep-

Suddenly, a call forced me up from my nap. With a small grimace, I picked up the Den Den Mushi.

[Mr.1, you have your first mission assigned to you… Come over to my office to be briefed further.]

Nico Robin's voice resounded from the other end of the line. I answered with a "yes," and then put the Den Den Mushi back down.

Kachak-

Soon I walked over towards her office. It was time to see what Baroque Works needed of me.