Chapter 20 Stepping Stone
In Alabasta, on the highest floor of the casino, in the vast hall, a huge golden banana crocodile lay on the floor. Beside it, Crocodile lounged comfortably on a massive sofa, while the golden Transponder Snail beside him kept ringing.
Crocodile merely glanced at it and ignored the ringing. Only when it was about to hang up did he slowly pick up the receiver and press the answer button.
There was silence on the other end of the line, as if it had been hung up. Crocodile smiled slightly and spoke in a menacing voice. Finally, a deep voice responded from the Transponder Snail.
"Crocodile, what do you think?"
"Think about what? Becoming your Marine lackey?" Crocodile replied arrogantly, but the voice on the other end was unperturbed.
"Really? Crocodile, since you refused, why did you answer? Let's not waste time."
"Guhahahaha..." Crocodile laughed, not angry at being called out but excited. Only he knew how excited he was upon hearing the Marine's offer to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Because this perfectly fit his plan to seize control of Alabasta. Even when he first heard it, he couldn't believe that the Marine and World Government would come up with such a foolish plan, just for him.
"If you want me to be Marine's lackey, then your offer isn't enough!"
Crocodile revealed his true intention, but unfortunately, the voice on the other end refused without hesitation.
"Stop dreaming, Crocodile. If you want to negotiate terms with the Marine, show your worth first. You've been out at sea for too long. We're not sure if you still have that kind of influence."
"Is that so?"
Crocodile's eyes narrowed slightly. "In that case, let's wait until you confirm it before we talk."
"Y-You..."
With that, Crocodile hung up the phone amidst the frustrated and annoyed voice of the Transponder Snail.
Crocodile was not worried about losing his position in the Seven Warlords of the Sea over this. After understanding the general content of the plan, he knew that maintaining his position required more than just the recognition of the Marine and World Government.
As the call ended, Crocodile pressed a bell on the table. The crisp sound echoed through the hall, and MR.1 entered with a cold expression.
"Boss, I've found out why those Marines came to Alabasta."
Crocodile didn't speak, so MR.1 continued.
"The Marines who landed in Alabasta are disciples of Admiral Zephyr. They were ordered to capture the vampire Gnar. Worried about Gnar landing in Alabasta, they left a squad of Marines here. Their leader is a Marine named Ain, a recruit currently holding the position of Captain, and a beloved disciple of Zephyr. She possesses the Paramecia-type Retro-Retro Fruit."
This information surprised Crocodile. Although he had been working hard to have his subordinates infiltrate the Marine and gather useful intelligence, the details they obtained were surprisingly accurate.
Sensing the BOSS's confusion, MR.1 added with a hint of disdain, "These Marines are just a bunch of interns. They're very inexperienced. Our people can easily extract information from them."
"Interns!?"
Crocodile was momentarily stunned but then sneered. "Recruits? That's ridiculous. Marine is really falling apart."
"Do you want to get rid of them? Except for Ain, whose Devil Fruit is a bit troublesome, the others can be easily dealt with."
Crocodile shook his head. "Perhaps we can use Vampire Gnar. Don't we also want to find him? The mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit user and Nico Robin, the Devil Child, make an exciting combination..."
MR.1 understood BOSS's thoughts and nodded. "I understand. I'll have our people keep an eye on them..."
At that moment, the sound of a Transponder Snail rang out again in the empty room.
Crocodile was stunned and looked towards the golden Transponder Snail, only to realize the sound wasn't coming from it.
Instead, MR.1 took out an ordinary Transponder Snail from his pocket with a solemn expression.
"BOSS, it's Miss Doublefinger!"
MR.1 was slightly surprised. Although this was just an ordinary Transponder Snail, Baroque Works agents all had Transponder Snails specially used for communication. Only the two parties knew the number of the Transponder Snail, so this couldn't be from Miss Doublefinger.
Crocodile narrowed his eyes and signaled MR.1 to answer.
As the call connected, a very frivolous male voice spoke.
"Hey, hey, is anyone there?"
MR.1 glanced at Crocodile, and after receiving a nod, he replied coldly, "Who are you?"
"Hahaha..." A burst of frivolous laughter echoed. "No need for such formalities, members of Baroque Works..."
The atmosphere in the hall grew tense, both sides testing each other until Crocodile took the initiative to speak.
"Vampire Gnar!"
The Transponder Snail responded, "Crocodile of the Sand!"
Instantly, MR.1 frowned. The BOSS's identity had been leaked. Was it when MR.5 and Miss Doublefinger died? Impossible, they didn't know the BOSS's identity.
Crocodile just frowned slightly and said, "Did you kill my two subordinates?"
"Hahaha, of course, their blood was delicious!"
After hearing such provocative words, Crocodile's expression lost its calmness, and his tone became cold.
"So, kid, are you calling me specifically to provoke me?"
"No, no, no..." The voice on the other end remained frivolous. "I have great respect for senior pirates from the New World... but..."
Another burst of laughter followed.
"As a junior, I also want to make a name for myself on this sea. So, Crocodile-senpai, would you please be a stepping stone for me?"
The atmosphere in the hall turned solemn. MR.1 could clearly sense the suppressed anger in BOSS's body.
If it had been an ordinary Zoan-type Devil Fruit user, Crocodile wouldn't have taken the Transponder Snail's words seriously. But the existence of the mythical Zoan-type forced him to put away his contempt.
"Hey kid, what gave you the courage to challenge me, a mythical Zoan-type user?"
"Hahaha, as expected of Mr. Crocodile. You guessed Marine's intention, which makes me even more excited... So, please be prepared, Mr. Crocodile. I'll be coming to Alubarna, the capital of Alabasta, to find you soon... I hope you won't disappoint me then..."
"Click..."
The Transponder Snail hung up.
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