Chapter 184: ...Can I Change the World?
Ralph stood up, looking down at Bon Kurei with a smile that said "everything is under control."
"I know you still have doubts about my identity. That's fine. You just need to slowly verify it in the events to come."
He paused, then began recounting future information as if listing off treasures:
"When you reach Alabasta, you senior agents will first gather at Spider's Café—that's Baroque Works' base in Alubarna.
Then everyone will be taken to the Rain Dinners casino in Rainbase, where you'll meet the one who calls himself Mr. 0... Crocodile."
Bon Kurei's breath hitched.
One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Sir Crocodile, is Mr. 0?
If this information got out, it could create huge waves in the New World!
Wait, if Crocodile is Mr. 0, then who is this man claiming to be the boss?
Before his mind could catch up, Ralph's next wave of information bombardment arrived:
"Crocodile will hold a meeting for all senior officers and issue the final mission—"
"Create internal strife in Alabasta, use the rebel army to attack the royal forces, then intervene as the 'national hero' to seize power."
"Using Alabasta as a foundation, establish the so-called 'Utopia.'"
The deck fell silent.
Even the crew members of the Swan, who had been drinking soup earlier, put down their bowls.
Though they were only low-level members, they understood what "seizing a nation's power" meant.
It meant war, countless people displaced, and the country plunged into an abyss of blood and fire.
Vivi's hands trembled.
She bit her lower lip hard, her nails digging into her palms.
And Bon Kurei was completely convinced.
He had actually suspected something about the "final mission."
As a user of the Mane Mane no Mi, he had once received a special order:
Memorize the face of Alabasta's King Cobra.
At the time, he knew this mission was no small matter.
Now, hearing Ralph's explanation, everything fell into place.
"You... how could you possibly know..."
Bon Kurei's voice was hoarse.
Ralph didn't answer, only smiled slightly before dropping the final bombshell:
"Crocodile's plan to seize Alabasta's power has another purpose.
Legend says the Alabasta royal family holds the secret of an ancient weapon—he wants that."
The moment the words "ancient weapon" left his mouth, a collective gasp echoed across the Going Merry.
Lufia tilted her head:
"Ancient weapon? What's that? Is it powerful?"
Zoro frowned:
"Sounds like something that would cause trouble."
Bon Kurei slumped onto the deck.
He felt his brain could no longer keep up.
The boss's identity, the final plan, the ancient weapon...
Any one of these pieces of information leaking out would be enough to cause an earthquake, yet this stranger had spoken them as casually as chatting about daily life.
"When all of Crocodile's laughable schemes fall apart,"
Ralph leaned down and whispered in Bon Kurei's ear, "That will be the day I reclaim Baroque Works. Talented senior employees like you needn't worry. Just keep working and wait for the personnel changes."
Bon Kurei stared at him blankly.
Two leaders fighting for power?
The boss changing?
How the hell is anyone supposed to work peacefully like this!
The conversation ended.
The crew of the Swanda Express watched as their boss staggered back from the Going Merry.
Normally lively as a little swan, always spinning and dancing for no reason, their boss now seemed like his soul had been drained, his steps unsteady, his gaze unfocused.
"Boss? Are you okay?"
A crew member asked cautiously.
Bon Kurei waved his hand, plopping down on the deck and holding his head.
Spinning?
What spinning!
His mind was already overloaded with so much information it felt like it might explode; any more spinning and he'd really faint.
Bon Kurei needed time to process everything that had happened today.
The two ships began to separate.
Though both were heading toward Alabasta, they had different destinations.
"Goodbye! Little Bon!"
Lufia stood by the ship's railing, waving vigorously.
"See you again!"
Usopp shouted too.
Chopper burst into tears:
"Take care!"
Bon Kurei looked up at the gradually receding sheep-headed ship, at the people on board who had just shared a meal with him and were now sincerely bidding farewell, and a complex emotion suddenly surged in his heart.
What?
What studio, what boss, what Utopia and ancient weapons...
Were those vague, intangible things really more precious than this brief yet genuine friendship before him?
He stood up, twisted his body into an alluring pose, and shouted with all his might:
"Goodbye—! See you again—!"
His voice carried far across the sea.
On the Going Merry, Lufia, Usopp, and Chopper hugged each other, crying uncontrollably.
Ralph stood nearby watching, utterly unable to understand.
"How did this friendship even form?"
He muttered quietly, "Just sharing a meal, chatting, dancing, and they become life-and-death friends?"
Indeed, when it comes to making friends, being on the same wavelength is the best strategy; trying to cater to others' preferences is a lesser approach.
"Ralph."
Vivi's voice came from behind him.
Ralph turned to see the princess looking at him with a serious expression.
"About the ancient weapons..."
Vivi took a deep breath, "As the princess of Alabasta, I have never heard of the royal family guarding secrets about such things. Is it true? Or did Crocodile misunderstand something?"
Ralph looked into her eyes, filled with worry, and remained silent for a few seconds.
"Vivi, that's the logic of most Pirates!"
He began slowly, "Those guys chase after legends and explore based on rumors."
"Some want the result, others enjoy the process."
"As for whether the legend is true or not... sometimes it doesn't even matter."
"But the people of Alabasta are innocent!"
Vivi's voice rose slightly, "Just because a Pirate wants to achieve his goal, thousands of people should suffer disaster?"
"That's why we're gonna beat up Crocodile!"
Lufia had somehow come over, fists clenched, eyes sparkling.
"Once we knock him flying, all the problems will be solved!"
She said it so matter-of-factly, so full of confidence.
Looking at her, Vivi felt her anxiety ease somewhat, but another question surfaced.
Really... would everything end just by defeating Crocodile?
She looked at Ralph.
The black-haired man was gazing at the distant horizon, his profile somewhat blurred in the setting sun, but his eyes were exceptionally clear.
Vivi suddenly had a feeling—this man knew far more than he was letting on.
Not just how to defeat one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, nor how to end a war.
It seemed he knew the truth behind why this world was in such chaos.
If Ralph knew what Vivi was thinking, he would probably smile wryly.
The truth?
What truth did he know?
Before crossing over, the serialization of One Piece hadn't even fully revealed the whole picture of the Void Century.
All he knew were some bits of information about the Ancient Weapons, the D Clan, and the World Government.
Plus a whole bunch of speculations from online forums and message boards.
Was that a lot?
Could any of that change the world?
Ralph thought it was better to be realistic.
For now, using these so-called "intel" to trick Robin, raise her favorability, and rely on her power to smoothly take over Baroque Works was the practical move.
After all, it was an intelligence organization and mercenary group spread across the first half of the Grand Line! Its value was immeasurable!
The key was that everyone in it was talented and spoke so nicely!
As for Crocodile…
A subtle smile curled at the corner of Ralph's lips.
Just imagining that scene was quite amusing.
"Ralph! What's for dinner!"
Lufia's shout snapped him back to reality.
"Didn't we just eat…"
Ralph started to say, but seeing Lufia's "I'm hungry" expression, so bold and unapologetic, he swallowed the rest of his words.
"Alright, I'll go catch something more…"
As soon as he finished speaking, a Sea Beast with the head of a cat and the body of a fish emerged from the sea.
Vivi quickly stopped Lufia and Zoro, who were about to attack.
"Don't attack! This is a sacred symbol of our country!"
A Sea Cat?
It seemed Alabasta was right before their eyes!