Chapter 166: The Rage of the Sand Crocodile
Rain Dinners Casino - VIP Room
After a brief silence, Roy leaned back on the sofa, his tone calm as if discussing the weather. "The Revolutionary Army needs you."
As the words fell, the air seemed to solidify instantly.
Nico Robin's pupils contracted violently, as if struck by lightning.
Her usually icy composure finally cracked, her eyes revealing unprecedented shock and suspicion.
"The Revolutionary Army... needs me?"
She knew exactly what that name meant.
It was an existence that even the World Government regarded as a formidable enemy, a red storm stirring the world order from the shadows.
And she, Nico Robin, a woman branded "Devil Child" by the World Government, never imagined she would be "needed" by a force of that caliber.
She murmured softly, as if confirming, "You mean... the Revolutionary Army... would really accept someone with my identity?"
Roy chuckled, waving his hand dismissively. "Relax. The Commander-in-Chief of the Revolutionary Army is my big brother, and I currently have his son in my hands."
"Do you think he won't accept you?"
"BOOM!"
Robin felt like she'd been hit by a heavy blow, her brain freezing for a second.
"The Commander-in-Chief of the Revolutionary Army... is a Marine Vice Admiral's big brother?"
"And he... 'kidnapped' his son?!!"
She prided herself on her calm intelligence, but right now, she wore a rare expression of utter bewilderment, her lips slightly parted, unable to speak.
Sitting beside them, Ace finally couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing. "Pfft—hahaha! Big Bro Roy, stop scaring her. Her brain just crashed!"
"She was all 'Ice Queen' just a second ago, and now she looks like a kitten struck by lightning."
Roy shrugged innocently. "But I'm telling the truth."
He looked at Robin again, his expression turning serious. "Well? Do you have any other concerns?"
Robin lowered her eyes, pondering for a moment, before finally speaking softly. "Crocodile..."
Her voice was quiet, carrying an indescribable mix of emotions: conflict, guilt, and a little unease.
He was her only current "anchor," even if she knew it was a relationship of mutual exploitation.
Hearing this, Roy slapped his forehead as if just remembering.
"Ah... right."
"If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have forgotten about the Little Crocodile."
"...Little Crocodile??"
Robin was completely confused, a look of disbelief on her face.
"Did he just call Crocodile... 'Little Crocodile'?"
That was a Warlord of the Sea! A powerful "legal" pirate recognized by the World Government, the Sand Sovereign who controlled Alabasta's underworld and held a massive intelligence network!
And he called him...
"Little Crocodile???"
Roy checked the time, brushed off his clothes, and stood up leisurely. "Just as well. I have some business with him."
Ace yawned and stood up too. "He's the owner of this casino, right? I thought you were just here to win money..."
Roy tilted his head toward the door, smiling at Robin. "Let's go. Lead the way."
"We wouldn't want to get lost and disturb his nap."
Robin stared blankly at the two relaxed men before her, her emotions a chaotic mess.
She had never seen anyone speak of a Warlord so lightly—without a trace of fear or wariness, as if he were just a neighbor they could drop in on anytime.
After a long while, she lowered her head and whispered, "...Follow me."
She turned and pushed open the VIP room door, walking out firmly.
In that moment, she finally made up her mind.
—Perhaps this was the first step toward true freedom.
Rain Dinners Casino - Top Floor Office
Smoke filled the room, the heavy atmosphere almost solidifying in the air.
Crocodile paced back and forth, his golden hook reflecting a cold gleam under the lights. His cigar had burned to the end, the ashtray full but ignored.
"Damn it... why isn't Robin back yet?"
His brow furrowed, expression dark. The image of those abyssal black eyes from the surveillance screen kept flashing in his mind uncontrollably.
"Did that monster Marine really make a move on her? No, he shouldn't be acting at a time like this..."
"Unless... he doesn't care about the 'Warlord' status at all..."
"Dammit, is he really here to eliminate me???"
Before his anxious mutterings could finish, the office door was pushed open with a loud BANG.
"President."
Nico Robin's voice drifted in calmly.
Crocodile spun around, a flash of relief in his eyes as he stepped forward urgently.
"Robin! You—"
His words cut off abruptly, as if he were being choked.
Behind her, two unfamiliar yet oppressive figures walked in side by side.
Roy and Ace strolled in—one smiling, one with hands in pockets—as if they were just guests dropping by.
Roy looked around, casually surveying the office decor, then sat down as if in his own living room, crossing his legs. "Yo, Little Crocodile~"
His tone was intimate, but his attitude was extremely contemptuous.
Ace whistled, scanning the ceiling and furniture. "Whoa, this office is even fancier than Old Man Sengoku's. Is that velvet carpet?"
Crocodile's face turned black as a storm cloud. Killing intent surged, but he forcibly suppressed his rage.
"No... I can't be impulsive... This person isn't on a level I can fight head-on..."
He walked slowly back to his desk, feigning calm, staring fixedly at Robin. "Robin, why did you bring them up here?"
Roy smiled faintly, answering for her. "Don't misunderstand. We're not here to disturb your work."
"Just here for a chat~"
"Like... about your secret plot to overthrow the Alabasta throne?"
Crocodile stiffened, killing intent flashing in his eyes.
Roy continued, his pace unhurried, but every word hit like a hammer. "Or... your plan to use Dance Powder to create droughts and incite rebellion?"
Crocodile clenched his teeth, his face turning iron-green.
"Don't rush, there's one last thing—"
"ENOUGH!!!"
The roar shook the dust from the ceiling.
Crocodile raised his hand abruptly, sand swirling around his golden hook, killing intent surging like a tide!
"Roy, what exactly do you want?!!"
Roy stood up slowly, expression calm, but his voice cut through the air like an ice blade. "What do I want?"
"Simple."
He looked straight at Crocodile, yielding nothing. "First, give up on Alabasta."
"Second, I'm taking her."
"Third—" Before he could finish.
"IN YOUR DREAMS!!!"
Crocodile roared, his rationality finally snapping under the fury. The sound of sand rushing rose abruptly as a massive spinning sand blade formed on his golden hook!
"Desert Spada (Treasured Sword of the Desert)!!!"
The violent sand blade slashed through the air like a storm sword, chopping straight at Roy!
However, the next second—
"FIRE FIST!!!"
Ace took a step forward, his right arm instantly igniting with blazing flames, punching out!
"BOOM!!!"
Fire and sand collided head-on!
A violent heat wave wrapped in a shockwave shook the entire office violently!
Under the intense heat, the sand blade temperature skyrocketed—
Crack-crack-crack—!!
Visible to the naked eye, it crystallized and became brittle!
—Vitrification!
In the next instant, it shattered with a boom, shards falling like crystal sand!
"What?!"
Crocodile's eyes widened, pupils shrinking violently. Before he could react, a massive force slammed into his chest!
"BANG—!!!"
Flames wrapped in impact force blasted him!
"GAAAAHHHHHH—!!!"
Crocodile screamed, flying back like a kite with a cut string. He crashed through the heavy window, tracing a fiery arc as he plummeted heavily onto the plaza below!
"Hiss—!!"
Scorching flames burned on his body, leaving him in a wretched state!
Ace's gaze was cold. His right arm ignited again, and his body turned into a streak of fire, leaping out the window in pursuit!
Under Roy's control, the explosion's impact didn't damage the rest of the office.
As the wind pressure settled in the VIP office, Roy dusted off his sleeves, looked at the complex expression on Robin's face, and smiled faintly.
"Don't worry. I don't plan on killing him just yet."
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