Chapter 50: Alabasta – Crocodile's Endgame & Luffy's Breaking Point
Deep within Rainbase, in a hidden luxurious underground room, an extraordinary meeting was quietly taking place.
"What's with this? How much longer does this lady have to wait here?" Mr. 2 Bon Kurei twirled around the room in lively ballet steps, arms waving dramatically. "At least bring me a cup of coffee!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he abruptly stopped, balancing perfectly on one foot in an extremely elegant pose. "Fine, fine~ I'll just dance another piece to pass the time! Where's the applause? Where's the enthusiastic applause?!"
"Someone shut Mr. 2 up." Miss Doublefinger lazily leaned back in her chair, fingertips tapping the armrest sporadically, her tone laced with irritation.
"Shut your mouth, you stupid pig! You're making my old back hurt again!" Miss Valentine angrily slammed the table, causing cups and plates to rattle loudly.
"You calm down too, Miss Valentine," Miss Doublefinger said coldly, giving her a warning glance.
"Hehe…" A light, shallow laugh came from the staircase. Robin descended gracefully. "It seems everyone is getting along quite poorly." She walked to the center of the hall, her gaze slowly sweeping over the gathered high-ranking agents. "Thank you all for coming such a long way. Now that everyone is here, this gathering truly is impressive."
"Where exactly is this place, Miss All Sunday?" Mr. 1, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.
"Ah, right…" Robin gave a small smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "You were all brought in through the back door by Mr. 4. This is the city where everyone dreams of getting rich overnight through gambling — Rainbase, the City of Dreams."
In the secret conference room on the top floor of the Rain Dinners casino, brilliant crystal chandeliers illuminated the entire space in golden splendor.
Robin elegantly pulled over a high-backed chair and sat down, her fingertips lightly tapping the smooth tabletop. "This is Rain Dinners' largest VIP room. If there are no further questions, let's get to the point."
She looked around at the Baroque Works senior agents present, a mysterious smile curving her lips. "But before we begin, I'd like to introduce someone you've never met in person—the President himself. Until now, I've been the one conveying his orders as his spokesperson…" She deliberately paused, building suspense. "But now, that's no longer necessary."
As soon as she finished speaking, a sudden sandstorm swirled up inside the conference room. The leather swivel chair at the head of the table slowly turned. Crocodile's figure, cigar in mouth, gradually became clear amid the swirling sand. "Because the time has come." He exhaled a smoke ring, his low voice slowly echoing through the room. "This operation, codenamed 'Utopia,' will be Baroque Works' ultimate mission!"
"C… Crocodile?!" Gasps rose one after another around the conference table; every face was filled with disbelief.
Robin observed their reactions with interest and said softly: "It seems everyone recognizes the real deal."
Miss Valentine shot up from her chair so violently that its legs screeched across the carpet. "This is impossible! A figure like him…"
"We're actually working under a pirate?" Bon Kurei dramatically covered his mouth, eyes nearly popping out in shock and bewilderment.
Only Mr. 1 remained calm. He spoke gravely: "So you really are our President."
"Got a problem with that?" Crocodile narrowed his eyes, his tone carrying unquestionable pressure.
"N… No…" Miss Doublefinger quickly explained. "It's just… we never expected that someone who's already a Warlord of the Sea, officially recognized by the World Government, would still establish an organization like this."
"Money? Status?" Crocodile sneered. He stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at Rainbase's dazzling night view from above. "What I want is military power! Power strong enough to overthrow the world!"
As he spoke, a staggering plan slowly unfolded. When he mentioned the Ancient Weapon "Pluton," Bon Kurei leaped up in excitement: "Pluton really exists in this country?! Oh my god~ This lady is about to faint from excitement!"
"So every mission we've carried out until now was for this moment," Mr. 1 said heavily, a trace of understanding in his tone.
"That's right." Crocodile turned around, staring sharply at everyone. "From the day Baroque Works was founded, every single mission you've executed has been paving the way for today's operation." He pointed to the documents just distributed on the table. "These are the final orders. The end of Alabasta has arrived."
After carefully reading the documents, the agents burned them one by one. The dancing flames reflected the fanatical expressions on every face.
"Once you complete your tasks, this country will fall into unprecedented chaos." Crocodile's voice came like a devil's whisper. "In just one night, Alabasta will become our 'Utopia'!" He slammed his hand on the table. "This is Baroque Works' final and greatest operation—success is the only option! The operation begins at 7:00 tomorrow morning!"
"Understood!" A unified response echoed through the conference room.
In the scorching desert, Ace had already parted ways with the group to continue his pursuit of Blackbeard.
As the Straw Hats pressed onward, Luffy suddenly plopped down on the burning sand, leaning against a withered tree trunk with his hands behind his head.
"What's wrong, Luffy?" Vivi asked worriedly, stopping in her tracks.
"I'm not doing this anymore!" Luffy's voice was unusually firm.
"Hey! What are you talking about?!" Usopp jumped up shouting. Chopper also ran over in a panic: "Aren't we supposed to head to Katleya?"
Sanji lit a cigarette, his tone impatient: "This isn't the time to be selfish! Listen, idiot captain—there are over a million rebel soldiers waiting for us to stop them. If fighting breaks out, this country is finished! For Vivi's sake, get up right now!"
"Boring!" Luffy cut him off.
"What did you say?!" Sanji's veins bulged with anger.
Luffy raised his head, eyes blazing. "Vivi, I'm going straight to take down Crocodile. Even if we reach Katleya, will those rebels listen to a bunch of pirates?"
Sanji's anger suddenly vanished. He looked thoughtful: "This idiot… actually hit the nail on the head this time."
Luffy stood up; sand slid off the brim of his straw hat. "You want no one to die in this disaster—not the citizens, not the rebels, not even us. But our enemy is a Warlord and over a million furious people!" He stared straight into Vivi's eyes. "You're too naive!"
Nami couldn't help interjecting: "Luffy! At least consider Vivi's position—" Sol gently stopped her: "Wait, let him finish."
"What's wrong with thinking that way? Isn't it right to not want anyone to die?" Vivi asked passionately, clutching her chest.
"People die." Luffy said calmly.
Slap!
A resounding slap sent Luffy sprawling to the ground. "Shut up!" Vivi trembled all over. "Aren't we trying to prevent tragedy right now? The rebels, the royal army, the civilians… none of them are wrong! Why does anyone have to die? This is all Crocodile's fault!"
Luffy slowly stood up—then suddenly punched Vivi to the ground.
"Luffy!" Usopp cried out in shock.
Sanji had already rolled up his sleeves and was charging forward: "You bastard! I'm gonna kill you!"
Vivi staggered to her feet, feeling the stinging pain on her cheek. She suddenly lunged at Luffy, fists raining down on him. Luffy didn't dodge or block, letting her vent: "Look at this country! Think clearly about what you really need to do! Betting just your own life isn't enough!"
Vivi's punches gradually slowed. Images flashed through her mind—palace, people, her father… "Then what else can I bet… I've already lost everything…"
Luffy suddenly grabbed her wrist. His voice thundered: "Then bet our lives too! Aren't we your crewmates?!"
Vivi froze. Tears burst forth like a dam breaking. She slid to the ground, covering her face and sobbing loudly.
"See? You can cry after all." Luffy picked up his straw hat and gently brushed off the sand. "Those kinds of tears… I know you're the one who hates this the most, the one who wants to punch that bastard yourself."
Vivi's tears flowed uncontrollably. She knelt in the sand, wailing.
Nami immediately stepped forward and hugged her, comforting her gently.
Under everyone's silent gaze, Luffy firmly placed his straw hat back on his head. His voice was low but resolute:
"Tell me, Vivi—where exactly is Crocodile?"
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