The Sky Screen's revelation of Tony Tony Chopper had sent ripples of opportunity across the pirate world. Beyond the Marines and Beast Pirates, countless other factions recognized the strategic value of controlling such a unique individual. Even those who couldn't utilize his abilities directly understood that the right buyer would pay handsomely for access to the "Zoan God."
Arabasta Kingdom, Baroque Works Headquarters
In the opulent casino that served as his base of operations, Sir Crocodile sat behind his desk like a predator weighing his options. The Shichibukai's patience, never abundant to begin with, had been stretched to its breaking point. Days had passed since his last communication with any of his officer agents, and the silence was more damning than any mission report could have been.
The golden hook that replaced his left hand drummed against the mahogany surface as he contemplated the latest intelligence. According to the Sky Screen's timeline, the Straw Hat Pirates should have already reached Drum Island—and if the future was to be believed, they would soon gain a crew member whose medical knowledge surpassed anything the world had seen.
"Damn incompetent fools," he muttered, cigar smoke curling around his scarred face. The last confirmed report had come from Mr. 3, boasting about his plan to eliminate both the Straw Hat Pirates and Princess Vivi's entourage on Little Garden. The subsequent radio silence told its own story.
What truly concerned Crocodile wasn't the loss of his agents—subordinates were replaceable. It was the prospect of facing Luffy's crew after they recruited the legendary doctor. With Chopper's abilities supporting them, these upstart pirates might actually pose a threat to his carefully orchestrated revolution.
The plan was so close to fruition. Hundreds of thousands of rebels were marching toward Alubarna, their rage toward King Cobra reaching a fever pitch thanks to Crocodile's manipulation. The last thing he needed was a group of idealistic pirates disrupting his endgame.
Buru buru buru buru...
The sound of his personal Den Den Mushi cut through his brooding. Only one person had access to this particular number.
"You'd better have an excellent explanation for the past week's silence," Crocodile said without preamble, his voice carrying the promise of violence barely held in check.
"Our operation encountered unexpected complications," came the calm, measured voice of Nico Robin from the other end. The Demon Child's tone remained perfectly composed despite reporting failure. "We faced a Devil Fruit user capable of transforming into a giant. Mr. 3 and I found ourselves outmatched."
Crocodile's jaw tightened around his cigar. Robin's clinical detachment was useful in most situations, but her obvious lack of investment in Baroque Works' missions had always irritated him. She was a partner by necessity, not a subordinate by choice.
"I've spent the past several days trying to extract our captured agents," Robin continued from her position aboard a small turtle-shaped ship. "Mr. 3, Miss Valentine, and Mr. 5 are alive but temporarily stranded on Little Garden. Without a proper ship, pursuing the Straw Hats became impossible."
The unspoken truth hung between them: Robin could have prevented this failure if she'd truly committed to the battle. But Crocodile needed her ability to read Poneglyphs more than he needed to vent his frustration. The moment he found Arabasta's hidden history, their partnership would end—permanently.
"I'm sending extraction teams for those idiots," Crocodile growled, already formulating new plans. "You head directly to Drum Island. I'll bring Mr. 1 and handle the Straw Hat Pirates personally."
The admission stung his pride. To require personal intervention against rookies who'd barely entered the Grand Line was humiliating, but Crocodile had learned not to underestimate enemies blessed by fate.
As for the reindeer doctor, he represented a valuable commodity. The Marines would likely pay handsomely for such a unique asset—perhaps even enough to secure a rare Devil Fruit for Baroque Works' arsenal. Crocodile had little use for Chopper's abilities himself; his organization relied on Paramecia and Logia types, with the sole exception of Miss Merry Christmas and her mole powers.
The irony wasn't lost on him. Here he was, a notorious pirate masquerading as a hero of Arabasta, preparing to eliminate the very people who might actually save this kingdom from his machinations. The World Government's system of sanctioned pirates created such delicious contradictions.
Elsewhere in Arabasta
In a different part of the desert kingdom, another group of pirates had been monitoring the Sky Screen's revelations with keen interest. The Blackbeard Pirates, flying their distinctive three-skull jolly roger, had established a temporary camp while pursuing their own agenda in the region.
Marshall D. Teach, the man who would one day become one of the Four Emperors, stared up at the ethereal display with a mixture of frustration and opportunity. His massive frame cast a long shadow across the sand as he contemplated their missed chance.
"Zehahaha! If we'd known the Sky Screen would appear this soon, we could've waited on Drum Island a little longer," Blackbeard laughed, though his mirth carried an edge of genuine annoyance.
"If that metal-eating bastard Wapol hadn't run like a coward, we'd have his Baku Baku no Mi (Munch-Munch Fruit) by now," grumbled Burgess, the Blackbeard Pirates' helmsman and champion wrestler. His massive muscles rippled as he shadowboxed, imagining the additional strength the Fruit would have provided. "That ability would've been perfect for my fighting style!"
Doc Q, the crew's sickly doctor, swayed precariously atop his equally sickly horse, Stronger. Despite his frail appearance, his eyes gleamed with malicious interest as he studied Chopper's image on the Sky Screen.
"Captain, we should acquire a faster ship and return to Drum Island immediately," he wheezed, his voice carrying dark undertones. "I find myself... curious... about this reindeer's medical practices. Professional rivalry, you might say."
The irony of a doctor who dealt in death being interested in one dedicated to healing wasn't lost on the crew. During their earlier rampage through Drum Island, only Kureha and Chopper's quick thinking had kept them hidden from Blackbeard's notice.
Van Augur, perched on a nearby rock formation with his rifle "Senriku," lowered his scope from scanning the horizon.
"The Sky Screen's revelation will draw significant attention to Drum Island," he observed in his characteristic monotone. "Pirates we can handle, but the Marines present a more complex problem. If the captain intends to pursue Shichibukai status, direct confrontation with Marine forces would be... counterproductive."
Lafitte, the crew's navigator and chief strategist, twirled his walking stick as a cruel smile spread beneath his top hat. The former sheriff turned pirate had always possessed a talent for finding opportunities within seemingly impossible situations.
"Captain, perhaps we can solve multiple problems simultaneously," the Demon Sheriff suggested, his voice carrying the smooth cadence of a man accustomed to manipulation. "Sir Crocodile should still be operating in Arabasta. Given your... history... with the Whitebeard Pirates, he might be inclined to assist us."
Blackbeard's grin widened, revealing the gaps in his teeth. The plan forming in his mind was beautifully ruthless in its simplicity.
"Then we kill him and take his place among the Shichibukai," he continued Lafitte's thought. "Along with his Sand-Sand Fruit, of course."
The crew exchanged knowing looks. Crocodile's defeat at Whitebeard's hands had broken something fundamental within the former pirate. His abandonment of personal strength in favor of seeking ancient weapons marked him as a man who had lost the will to grow stronger—exactly the kind of weakness Blackbeard was prepared to exploit.
"A Logia-type Devil Fruit would complement our crew perfectly," Blackbeard mused, already imagining the possibilities. "And stepping over a Shichibukai's corpse to claim his position would announce the Blackbeard Pirates to the world far more effectively than capturing some rookie."
The crew's original target—Monkey D. Luffy with his 30 million berry bounty—suddenly seemed like small fish compared to this opportunity. The Straw Hat kid would have to wait; bigger prey was within reach.
The pirate who came from the East Blue with a bounty of 30 million berries. The Blackbeard Pirates originally targeted Luffy, so this Straw Hat kid was lucky.