"Crocodile, have you ever truly stepped foot into the New World?" Vane asked with a faint laugh.
"I've been there," Crocodile replied, his tone heavy.
He immediately understood what Vane was implying. If someone had entered the New World, they would know how terrifying it was. That sea was filled with monsters beyond imagination—true legends like Whitebeard, whose strength dwarfed most others. Crocodile himself had once dreamed of killing the man, but every time he faced him, he was crushed without Whitebeard even fighting seriously.
It was a humiliation that had scarred him deeply.
And so, ever since becoming a Shichibukai, Crocodile had remained in the first half of the Grand Line, weaving plots around Alabasta and scheming to obtain Pluton, the ancient weapon. With it, he hoped to conquer the seas and carve his place in history.
Vane's eyes sharpened. "Since you've been to the New World, then you should already understand. Out there, countless monsters roam—whether it's the Pirate Emperors who already rule, or those hidden powers with strength equal to the world's apex."
His voice carried weight, calm but undeniable. "If I were to fight you seriously, you would die without a chance to resist, not even for a moment."
"I understand…" Crocodile admitted, recalling the merciless beating he had just received. Vane hadn't even used his full power. In fact, he hadn't relied on his strange abilities at all.
Rumors whispered that Rhett Vane wielded a demonic sword capable of unleashing seas of fire, possessed a power similar to the Gura Gura no Mi, commanded two terrifying beasts, and could even summon meteorites from the sky. Yet here, he had relied only on his fists and raw strength—and still left Crocodile helpless.
The thought chilled Crocodile. If he resisted further, he wouldn't simply lose. He would die.
"I don't need much from you," Vane said flatly. "Work under me for three years. That's all."
"Three years?"
The time seemed almost trivial. For a man who had lived decades, three years would pass in the blink of an eye.
"Of course," Vane continued, his tone softening, "there will be rewards—rewards you couldn't imagine."
That piqued Crocodile's curiosity, and even Robin's eyes flickered with interest.
"What reward?" Crocodile asked cautiously. Robin leaned forward slightly, waiting.
"For example," Vane said, his smile razor-sharp, "a chance to reach Laugh Tale."
"Laugh Tale!"
Both Crocodile and Robin exclaimed at once. The name of the final island carried power on its own. It was the end of the Grand Line, the place where Gol D. Roger had left everything.
To Crocodile, Laugh Tale symbolized absolute power and possession. To Robin, it represented truth—the hidden history of the world. Both found themselves tempted.
Crocodile stared hard at him. "To reach Laugh Tale, I would need four Road Poneglyphs. Can you get them?"
"Isn't that simple for me?" Vane asked calmly.
Crocodile froze, then nodded slowly. It was true. For someone like Rhett Vane, even the Road Poneglyphs might not be out of reach.
The pieces of the puzzle were scattered across the seas—Big Mom held one, Kaido held another, Fish-Man Island guarded a third. The last was still shrouded in mystery. Yet, with Vane's strength, obtaining them no longer seemed impossible.
"As long as your people bring Nico Robin, I don't care about the rest," Vane said. "But whether you like it or not, you'll be working for me."
"Wano Country?" Crocodile asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Correct."
Robin felt Vane's gaze fall on her then. Her chest tightened slightly as he spoke directly to her.
"You can read the Poneglyphs. That makes you essential. With me, you no longer have to fear the World Government or the Navy."
Robin hesitated. "Can you really protect me?"
"Yes," Vane replied without pause.
"Don't doubt him," Crocodile said coldly. "He has more than enough power to do so."
—
The next day arrived. The Baroque Works prepared to depart Alabasta, setting course for Wano Country. That isolated land was vast, far larger than Alabasta, rich in resources, and blessed with abundant water—something Alabasta lacked.
With Crocodile gone, the crisis in Alabasta came to an end.
Princess Vivi wanted to thank Vane in person, perhaps even invite him to a meal, but he had already departed. She was left standing there, a pang of loss tightening in her chest, as though she had just let a priceless treasure slip away.
Crocodile and his followers set sail on their own ship, entering the New World and beginning their journey toward Wano.
Vane, however, had taken another path. His presence had already vanished into the horizon.
—
At Marine Headquarters, the atmosphere was heavy. Zephyr returned with his surviving troops, carrying the bodies of fallen sailors. The silence was suffocating. Once again, the navy had paid dearly.
Whenever the navy clashed with pirates, blood was inevitable. Even with their numbers, they were often overwhelmed. Two hundred thousand marines meant little when pirates could rally forces several times larger.
"You killed Weevil and Miss Bakkin, didn't you, Zephyr?" Sengoku asked, his voice sharp. Weevil had long been Zephyr's enemy, and if he was dead, then at least Zephyr had avenged himself.
"I didn't kill him," Zephyr said heavily.
"What? If not you, then who? Who else could kill a monster like Weevil in the first half of the Grand Line?" Sengoku's eyes narrowed.
Zephyr's face hardened. "It was Vane. The Pirate Emperor."
The room erupted in shock.
"What!?"
Every officer present froze, unable to believe what they had just heard.
______
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