Crocodile, as a Logia Devil Fruit user of the Sand-Sand Fruit, had a deep aversion to water, yet Robin could faintly see a drop of cold sweat on his face. He didn't even need to look at the bounty amount at the bottom; the two pictures alone were enough to move over ninety percent of the world's pirates.
Dracula D. Alucard
San Juan Wolf
Though he wasn't sure if the idiotic Millions counted as being part of the 'moved' group.
"But rest assured, they've already left. Did you just narrowly escape death?" Robin smiled slightly.
A flicker of anger crossed Crocodile's face, but he didn't deny it. Though he hated to admit it, Crocodile knew that if he ran into the Immortal Pirates now, he would have no choice but to act like a mere nobody.
Alucard's recent record included defeating both Kaido and Byrnndi World. Those two victories alone were enough to make Crocodile humble himself, let alone facing Alucard himself.
While Robin was also wary of the terror of a Yonko, she maintained a composed facade, lightly tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Aren't you interested in the four stone tablets that record the location of the final island, Laugh Tale?"
It had been some time since the Government made the announcement. Everyone was coveting the tablets held by the Yonko that recorded the location of the final island. Robin believed that with Crocodile's ambition, there was no way he didn't want them.
"Hmph. Right now, only a bunch of fools are busy trying to challenge them," Crocodile said coldly.
As he spoke, Crocodile shifted his focus. "What? Are you planning to betray me and join a Yonko, Miss All Sunday?"
"Hehe, how could I dare? I'm simply very interested in the content recorded on those stones, that's all."
Robin gave a slight curtsy, performing a refined gesture befitting a noblewoman, before exiting the room. "I'll go find replacements for the spots those simpletons left empty."
After Robin left, Crocodile was silent for a few seconds. He picked up his glass and drank the whiskey in one gulp, not even leaving the ice. He took a few deep breaths before finally calming down slightly.
Since Whitebeard, he once again felt a gulf-like disparity in power. If Alucard had decided to press on after annihilating the Millions, he likely wouldn't be sitting here peacefully.
"Whitebeard... Immortal..."
Crocodile clenched the wine glass, sucking the remaining cold moisture dry. "Once I get my hands on the Ancient Weapon Pluton, I'll definitely take you all down..."
Meanwhile, after leaving the room, Robin returned to her own. With her arms crossed, her ample cleavage was further accentuated. She was deep in thought. Does this count as Crocodile having offended a Yonko? Should I betray him or not?
Alucard had no idea that the desert island he had landed on was Crocodile's territory. That dead crocodile was avoiding the New World and was merely using the protection of the Seven Warlords while fixating on the Pluton. Even if his strength hadn't regressed, he must have stagnated over the years and wasn't worth a second glance.
After sailing for a while on Wolf, Wolf suddenly spoke. "Oh right, Captain, your Den Den Mushi rang for a bit just now. I wonder who it was."
"Hm?"
Alucard, who was enjoying a special Alabasta liquor, shifted his eyes behind his sunglasses toward the Den Den Mushi on the small table to his left. Two minutes later, another call came in. He didn't know if it was the same person.
Before the Den Den Mushi could ring twice, Alucard picked up the receiver. "Speak."
"It's me, Z."
Zephyr's voice came through the Den Den Mushi.
"Oh, aren't you busy training those rookies?" Alucard retorted, half-mockingly.
Since Ain and Binz arrived, Zephyr had dedicated a large portion of his energy to them, though in the eyes of most of the Immortal Pirates, they were nothing but rookies.
"I know about the two Devil Fruits mentioned in the newspaper," Zephyr said in a low voice, ignoring Alucard's sarcasm. "Let me handle this."
Wolf's eyes darted around, clearly surprised by Zephyr's offer.
"It's rare for you to volunteer for a mission," Alucard commented.
"I simply don't want the Government's military power to increase any further. I'm a man who came from that era, and I know how dangerous those two Fruits are." Zephyr hung up the phone after speaking, not waiting for Alucard to judge his intentions.
The truth was, Zephyr was not loyal to Alucard. He only wished to overthrow the Government's rule and establish his own concept of Justice. His allegiance to Alucard's banner was primarily due to his deep understanding of his own limitations; he needed Alucard's power. He was willing to work for Alucard, but the word "loyalty" was far from accurate.
Alucard showed no sign of anger. He placed the receiver back on the snail shell of the Den Den Mushi.
"Captain, aren't you afraid Z will betray you?" Wolf asked curiously.
Wolf wasn't the sharpest, but even he could tell that Zephyr and the Immortal Pirates were not truly one unit. Zephyr still held onto his concept of "Justice" while the Immortal Pirates were mostly scum, pirate scum. Even if they were a single group now, there was always the feeling that something might go wrong. Everyone just kept the thought to themselves.
"If he wants to betray me, let him. Do I fear betrayal?"
Alucard propped his face up with one hand and finished the red wine in his glass with the other.
Wolf's eyes widened in astonishment, then he burst out laughing after a moment. "As expected of the Captain!"
Upon closer thought, Alucard had indeed taken in many "second-hand goods": the Kuja Pirates aside, there were remnants of Shiki the Golden Lion's crew, the Heart Pirates, former Marine elements, and even a small number of stragglers from the Red-Haired Pirates... Countless old powers converging into a new force.
This was the complete opposite of Whitebeard, who had personally nurtured Marco, Jozu, and the others.
However, whether someone would betray him wasn't important. What mattered was: "Does anyone dare to betray him," and "Does Alucard fear betrayal?"
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