But that was clearly impossible. In fact, the staff all wanted to run—but Kuro stopped them. He outright refused to let them leave.
"Hey, don't you have any professionalism? I'm a customer, you know? This place hasn't collapsed yet, right? If it hasn't, then keep working. Do you know how hard it is for me to win money? Just one more round, okay? Let's play one more time. If I win, you give me sixty million. There's no way I can lose."
"Hey, hey, hey, don't go! At least help me cash out!"
The staff didn't even respond and kept running. Kuro had no choice but to grab one of them and plead:
"You guys can't just bail like this! If you don't exchange the chips for money, what am I supposed to do with them?"
The staff member struggled a few times but couldn't break free. The tremors above were getting worse, and the ceiling looked like it was about to collapse. He grew anxious and said:
"Sir, you can come back and cash out next time. This place belongs to one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea—our Alabasta hero, Crocodile. We would never cheat you."
It's because it's him that I need to cash out now!
The Straw Hats are already in Rainbase. In a few days, that guy's gonna end up in prison. You think this place will still be around then?
"Exchange them."
While Kuro was arguing with the staff, a gentle voice spoke up behind him.
"Manager?"
The staff looked past Kuro.
Robin walked over slowly and said, "There was just a little incident. The building isn't going to collapse. After exchanging for this customer, have the others return to work."
She turned to Kuro and said, "Sorry for the trouble, sir."
"No trouble at all. Just give me my money."
Nico Robin, huh? Of course Kuro recognized her—but so what?
Was he supposed to be scared?
It's not like Robin knew who he was anyway.
Robin waited while the staff brought over a briefcase. She took it and handed it to Kuro. "Here's your thirty million Berries, all exchanged. Would you like to count it?"
"No need. This place has great service."
Kuro took the case, waved casually, and said, "Bye."
Then he left quickly.
This was a woman who'd been wanted since the age of eight and was constantly watched by the World Government. Best to avoid any entanglement.
Robin watched his back with a smile. "Strange."
That deliberately exaggerated way of walking and those carefully maintained actions—he was clearly in disguise. The only people who would need disguises in a place like this were government-related personnel.
After all, those kinds of people weren't allowed in.
"Kuro! Where did you run off to?!"
Not long after he left, Lida spotted him and ran over, Klahadore in tow.
Kuro raised an eyebrow, looked around, and pointed at himself, full of confusion.
"What are you doing? Pretending you don't know us?" Lida ran up and stared at him curiously.
"What the—how'd you recognize me?"
Lida wasn't around when he changed clothes.
"You still smell the same."
Lida sniffed and said, "Even if you were ashes, I'd recognize you."
"Smell, huh? What are you gonna do, mix my ashes into your food?"
Kuro grumbled, "Weren't you guys out with Smoker? What are you doing loitering here?"
Of course, he already knew. That tremor earlier must've been from Smoker and Luffy escaping.
"Smoker disappeared. We don't know where he went. We got bored and wandered around. This 'Rainbase' is really lively. No wonder it's Crocodile's headquarters."
Lida pulled a snack from Klahadore's arms, tore it open, and started eating.
Klahadore was holding the food, his sword Kashu at his waist—he looked like a walking tool rack.
As the three gathered, none of them noticed that in a nearby corner, a few hands with eyes and ears slowly vanished.
"So, they're Marines…"
Inside the casino, Robin opened her eyes, her expression thoughtful.
That guy didn't matter, but that black-suited man with a sword—wasn't that Klahadore?
Gathering intel, are you… Robin mused.
"What are you doing?"
Crocodile appeared just then, his expression dark as he looked over the wrecked basement and the many unconscious banana gators, then turned to Robin.
"Oh, nothing. I was just admiring their good luck—for actually getting away," Robin said with a soft laugh.
Crocodile's face darkened further. "Arrogant bastards. I'll make them pay. Pursue them."
.
..
...
Kuro had changed back into his usual outfit and happened to bump into Smoker, who was soaking wet, cigarette in mouth, deep in thought.
"Yo, what are you doing here? Swimming? Forget to take your clothes off?" Kuro greeted him.
"Don't joke around."
Smoker's face was grim. He took a deep drag and exhaled smoke. "Crocodile has a plan, but we don't have proof. Damn Warlords."
Even if they did have evidence, it wouldn't matter. He was just a Captain—he didn't have the authority to command the World Government. The only thing he could do was disobey orders.
But even acting on his own had limits. He was still a Marine. Arresting Crocodile without approval? The World Government would never allow it. And even if he reported it to them in advance, they'd probably just brush it off.
The plan was already in motion.
"I have to go. Kuro, you're in charge."
"…Huh?"
Kuro pointed at himself. "Me? In charge of what?"
"Whatever. Crocodile's planning to take over Alabasta. What you do is up to you. Just follow your conscience as a Marine. I've got things to deal with."
With that, he ordered the Marines to prep his motorbike.
"Kuro, you're a Marine. Don't forget your duty."
Smoker got on his bike, gave Kuro one last look, and sped off toward the sea.
My duty?
My duty is to stay safe!
Kuro opened his mouth, watching Smoker's figure disappear into the distance, and sighed. "What a pain…"
"Mr. Kuro, what should we do now?" Tashigi asked, standing nearby.
Kuro replied, "What else can we do? We head to Alubarna. Tashigi, you'll lead."
"Me? No way, I'm not that strong yet. And Captain Smoker specifically said you!" Tashigi waved her hands nervously.
"You're a Marine too, and a Headquarters Marine at that. I'm just from a branch. You've got more authority. Just follow your own sense of justice."
Kuro's expression turned serious. "I'll act on my own and make some preparations."
"I see… I misunderstood you, Mr. Kuro. I thought you were just being lazy again. I'm really sorry!" Tashigi bowed and apologized earnestly.
No, you didn't misunderstand.
Why would he mess with the plot for no reason?
Normally, Luffy would just beat Crocodile, and the Marines would handle cleanup.
If something went wrong because he got involved, and his subordinate got hurt, he might be the only one who could stop Crocodile.
And then he'd become famous.
Last time, he used Klahadore as a meat shield. If something went wrong this time, who could he hide behind?
Even if he didn't defeat a Warlord—just got forced back by one while "trying"—that would still be a big deal.
Crocodile was a Warlord. Losing to him wasn't shameful. Not dying would already make you stand out.
Then the Headquarters would notice—"Hey, this guy's strong," and promote him.
Next thing you know, they'd be calling him up for the War.
And that would completely ruin Kuro's plans.
The best thing to do now was to split up—Tashigi handles cleanup, and he just drifts around.
Safe, steady, and definitely won't get famous!
(***)
Outside Rainbase, in the vast desert, Crocodile watched as Luffy slowly sank into the sand currents. He sneered, then turned his gaze toward Rainbase.
"There's still one troublesome guy left."
He stirred up a cluster of sand and flew off toward Rainbase. Then, gathering a small sandstorm in his hand, he hurled it forward.
"Sables!"
The sandstorm formed in the desert, growing larger and larger, turning into a massive storm surging straight toward Rainbase.
"It's a sandstorm! A sandstorm!!"
"It's coming this way!"
"Take cover!"
The residents of Rainbase fled in panic at the approaching sandstorm.
It tore through building after building, leaving devastation in its wake.
"Sables!"
Tashigi, just about to head out, looked up in shock and shouted to the Marines, "Get out of the way, quick!"
The Marines scrambled for cover, barely dodging the edge of the storm—but even the fringes were strong enough to scatter them like leaves.
"Peh! Peh! Peh!"
Klahadore stood up from some rubble, spitting out dust. Before he could get his bearings, a gust of sand swept in and gathered in front of him, slowly forming into a human shape.
Klahadore's face tensed, eyes wide as he stared at the figure before him.
One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, a pirate of the Grand Line—Crocodile!
"So, you're Klahadore?"
Crocodile glanced warily at the sword at his waist. "The man praised by Hawkeye, huh?"
"…?"
"Who?"
Klahadore instinctively nodded, then quickly shook his head furiously.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm not that guy. I mean—I'm Klahadore, and I'm not a swordsman!"
Crocodile narrowed his eyes, his expression growing serious.
He grabbed the sword's hilt—almost like he was baited—but then let go. Did he see through my setup?
The Warlords and the Marines both served under the World Government—they were technically allies. Crocodile didn't want to make the first move and risk leaving a bad mark. Even if he got what he wanted later, now wasn't the time to antagonize the Government.
His Warlord status was too valuable.
He had to provoke the Marine into making the first move—that way, he'd have an excuse to retaliate.
This man was no joke. Even Crocodile, confident as he was, knew that anyone praised by Mihawk wasn't to be taken lightly.
Just seeing Klahadore reach for his sword had made him tense up.
This man was dangerous.
Sand began swirling around Crocodile as he shifted into his elemental form. A faint red gleam flickered in his eyes.
Observation Haki—a power one could only use in a state of absolute calm. It let the user perceive lifeforms and predict movements.
Of course Crocodile could use Haki.
His Observation Haki wasn't broad or precognitive, but it could read his opponent's intent and sense danger.
"What's going on? Why is there no reaction at all?"
In Crocodile's Haki, Klahadore didn't show any signs of preparing for an attack. He just stood there—stunned, like a civilian frozen in fear.
But that didn't make sense.
This was someone praised by Mihawk—he couldn't possibly be that kind of person.
Was he just waiting for Crocodile to strike first so he could arrest him?
Or worse—was Crocodile simply unable to gauge his true strength?!
"Definitely a troublesome man," Crocodile muttered grimly. "Can't let you walk away."
Meanwhile, Klahadore—
He wasn't thinking anything at all.
He was literally scared stiff.
What the hell is this?!
Why does he feel so dangerous?!
That half-visible, sand-like form—was that elemental transformation?!
Klahadore had dealt with Smoker enough to know exactly what that meant.
What the hell did I do to deserve this?!
Right now, all Klahadore wanted to do was scream.
Being called a "troublesome man" by a Warlord—was that supposed to be an honor?
Maybe. If it weren't so damn terrifying.
Why… why did it come to this?
All he wanted was a peaceful Marine life, joking around with Kuro and the others—what was with this Warlord nonsense?!
"I'm just a normal Marine. I'm only a Seaman Third Class," Kuro tried to explain.
"Seaman Third Class? And already this famous?"
Crocodile hesitated even more. The man looked to be around thirty, yet possessed such power—how had he stayed hidden in East Blue all this time? He must be incredibly shrewd.
If he really was a great swordsman, any fight would drag on endlessly. Crocodile had hoped the sandstorm would just blow him away—but that was clearly wishful thinking.
Now, he was regretting making a move so soon. But if he didn't act, Alubarna might become a problem, disrupting his entire plan.
So the two stood locked in a tense standoff.
A gust of wind blew past, rustling their clothes—like a classic Western duel at sunset, slowly forming a dramatic tableau.
"Desert Spada!"
Crocodile finally lost his patience. He raised his hand and swung it downward. A dark line slashed through the ground, heading straight for Klahadore.
"Soru!"
Klahadore's eyes widened—the moment Crocodile moved, an overwhelming sense of danger exploded within him. He stomped his foot and vanished far away.
"Sables!"
Crocodile had anticipated this. The moment Klahadore moved, he summoned another sandstorm, hurling it forward—a desert whirlwind taking shape.
At the same time, his body dispersed into sand and merged into the storm—striking Klahadore instantly.
Whoosh!
Klahadore didn't make it out. The sandstorm swept him up and flung him high into the air.
But as he was being lifted, Crocodile's instincts flared like a blade pressed against his throat. He immediately dispersed the storm and retreated, forming a massive sand sword in his right hand, eyes locked above.
But—
No one was there.
The sky was empty.
No sign of Klahadore anywhere nearby.
Where the hell did he go?
"What's going on…?"
Crocodile's face darkened. During that exchange, he'd nearly convinced himself Klahadore was a fake—a low-ranking Marine with no real power.
But that intense, blade-like danger he'd felt couldn't be ignored.
"What exactly is that man trying to do…?"
His expression shifted as he fell into thought.
Out in the desert beyond Rainbase, a figure came flying from afar and crashed headfirst into the sand with a loud thump.
"Landed pretty accurately."
Kuro and Lida walked out from a nearby building. Seeing Klahadore's legs still kicking out of the sand, Lida casually grabbed one and yanked him free.
"Almost died," Klahadore gasped.
He was a total mess—panting, dust-covered, face pale with fear.
He really had almost died.
(*****)
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