"Vespera?"
Crocodile sat back in his chair, brow furrowed as he repeated the name slowly.
"That's the name of our organization?"
Shirogai Yamikuro lounged lazily in a brand-new boss chair, fingers loosely laced over his chest.
"A massive predatory bird that feeds on dragons. The meaning is clear," he said with a smirk. "We, the members of this organization, are Vespera. We will devour the Celestial Dragons... and grow stronger from their ashes."
A glint flashed in Crocodile's eyes.
"And who else is part of this so-called organization?"
Shirogai glanced sideways and raised an eyebrow.
"Oi, that's classified, Old Sand. You think I'd reveal everything to a brand-new recruit?"
Currently, the total number of members in the secret organization Vespera: 2.
"Tch."
Crocodile snorted, letting the matter drop—for now.
"You the founder?"
Shirogai looked up proudly.
"Of course. A tasteful and powerful organization like this could only be crafted by someone like me."
[Secret Organization Vespera — Established: One minute ago.]
After a moment of thoughtful silence, Crocodile spoke again.
"So, how do I contact you moving forward? Den Den Mushi can be intercepted by the Marines."
"Simple."
Snap!
Shirogai casually snapped his fingers.
Suddenly, Crocodile's body surged with a coating of Armament Haki. He immediately tensed, eyes narrowing with suspicion.
"What did you just do?"
He could sense something foreign trying to enter his mind. Though he quickly used Haki to repel it, nothing else seemed off.
Shirogai smiled, relaxed.
"I planted a signal in your mind. Nothing dangerous. If you want to contact me, just trigger that signal."
"Signal?" Crocodile's voice dropped with caution. "Don't play games. What did you really do?"
Shirogai shrugged.
"From now on, if you want to reach me, just think the word 'Vespera' and we'll be linked. You can still talk to me while I'm on the island, but once I leave, that connection won't work until I expand the range."
He silently added to himself, 'Once I find a Devil Fruit user whose ability has awakened... Whisper-Whisper Fruit, hurry and awaken already.'
Crocodile narrowed his eyes and hesitantly whispered the word in his mind.
"Vespera."
Suddenly, Shirogai's voice rang clearly inside his head.
"Yo, testing, testing... Whisper-Whisper at your service."
Crocodile flinched.
"A Devil Fruit power...?"
"That's right," Shirogai replied in his mind. "One of several I've mastered. This one allows real-time mental communication."
Crocodile immediately growled, "How do I shut this off?"
"Simple. Just think the word again."
Crocodile tested it and relaxed only after the connection faded. The thought of Shirogai listening in on his mind was deeply unsettling.
But even he had to admit—from an assassination or intel-gathering standpoint... this ability is priceless.
He had no idea how many Devil Fruits Shirogai had access to, but one thing was certain—this man was far more dangerous than he'd originally thought.
The Plunderer, Shirogai Yamikuro, might be an even bigger threat than the Four Emperors.
Whitebeard, Edward Newgate, wielded the Tremor-Tremor Fruit.
Kaido had the Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Zoan model: Azure Dragon.
Big Mom, Charlotte Linlin, possessed the Soul-Soul Fruit.
As for Red-Haired Shanks—his true strength was still a mystery.
But Shirogai?
If he had access to all of their powers...
"Hah…"
Crocodile exhaled slowly, spooked by the thought alone.
With Whitebeard, he didn't have to worry about being struck by a seaquake one second, then facing Kaido's dragon form the next.
With Big Mom, he didn't have to deal with her changing from soul manipulation to quake generation mid-fight.
But against Shirogai? All those scenarios were terrifyingly possible.
What terrified Crocodile even more was Shirogai's comprehension speed. Just earlier, the man had observed his Sand-Sand Fruit... and within seconds, used it to create sand clones that even Crocodile couldn't distinguish from himself.
This monster's understanding of Devil Fruits... it's unreal.
If Shirogai mastered more powers… and refined all of them…
Would he even be human anymore?
Or...
Would the world have to acknowledge him as a god?
"This guy… he really does have the qualifications to build a faction that sounds insane to the rest of the world," Crocodile thought, suppressing a shudder.
His usual arrogance faded. Now, he looked at Shirogai not with disdain, but with envy... and caution.
For now, I'll play along. But maybe someday… I'll kill him. Take whatever Devil Fruit gave him that power.
Shirogai, sensing the shift in mood, smiled lightly.
"See? It's so easy dealing with smart people like you, Old Sand."
"Hmph," Crocodile sneered, recovering some of his pride. "Don't get too cocky. I'll kill you the moment your back's turned."
Unbothered, Shirogai tapped his chin thoughtfully.
"Things are going smoother than I expected. I thought you'd be more stubborn. But since you're in... we'll do this my way."
He grinned.
"Your old plan? Cancel it."
Crocodile's brow twitched, and he was about to protest when—
"I'll tell you where Pluton is."
"…"
Crocodile's glare turned lethal, but he couldn't hide the interest that flared in his eyes.
"If you're lying, I'll sell you to the Marines myself."
Shirogai laughed.
"As you wish."
He stood, his tone suddenly sharp.
"Good. Then go put on a show for my crew. Help whip them into shape. I'm heading to Alubarna to speak with King Cobra."
"A show? What if I accidentally kill them?"
Shirogai smirked.
"Then they weren't worth keeping alive."
Crocodile narrowed his eyes, silently noting the cruelty in the young man's words.
"You're merciless."
"What can I say?" Shirogai said over his shoulder as he walked away. "You want me to babysit them?
In this world, only death is fair.
The dead... have no value."
---
Meanwhile...
"My head… ugh…"
The Baroque Works agents groaned as they slowly got to their feet.
When their vision cleared, they spotted Crocodile seated in the boss chair, arms crossed, looking absolutely unimpressed.
"Well, if you're awake, come here," he said coldly. "Tch. Look at the mess you made—bringing that monster straight to our base."
The officers exchanged sheepish glances, none daring to speak. It was their fault.
Only Mr. 1 broke the silence.
"Where is that guy?"
"Where's Shirogai?"
Robin, silent until now, also glanced around, searching for the young man's figure.
"I killed him," Crocodile said bluntly, pointing outside at the Banana Gators thrashing in bloodied water. "Fed him to the fish."
He genuinely wished he could toss them all in there for their incompetence.
They were supposed to help him overthrow the kingdom—not bring a Four Emperors-level wild card straight into the operation.
With a disgusted look, Crocodile barked, "Enough. Miss All Sunday will hand you your next orders. Read them. Burn them."
Robin silently nodded and began distributing sealed instructions to each officer.
She sighed internally.
That guy really is reckless… there's no way he was ready to take on Crocodile.
Or so she thought.
---