Arthur leaned closer to Redfield, a sly, knowing smile tugging at his lips.
His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper.
"I know how to get you the Mythical Zoan — Vampire Fruit."
Redfield's entire body stiffened. His eyes snapped open, shock cutting through his usual calm.
"What did you just say?"
"You heard me," Arthur said, nodding solemnly. "I can get it for you."
Of course, that was pure bluff. He didn't actually have the fruit — he just knew what Redfield wanted, courtesy of his "plot spoilers."
Still, if fate allowed, he'd make good on it someday.
Redfield's expression flickered — disbelief, temptation, pride, and hesitation battling across his face. Arthur's heart tightened.
Still not enough? Damn, guess it's time for the "military discipline" route.
The truth was, Redfield wasn't truly arrogant — just socially awkward after too long in solitude. After a long, tense silence, he finally exhaled and spoke.
"Fine… I'll go with you. It's been a long time since I've felt the wind of freedom."
He lifted his gaze, eyes distant, as though recalling the endless seas of his youth.
Whoosh—
Arthur grinned in relief. Finally. That's two down.
Now there was only one target left.
He turned toward the next cell, his grin morphing into something wicked.
Crocodile.
The former Warlord of the Sea was already standing near the bars, the flicker of wary calculation in his eyes. He'd been hoping for freedom — until he caught sight of Arthur's expression.
A chill crawled down his spine.
"What the hell's with that look?"
Their eyes met, and Crocodile's face darkened instantly.
"Don't even think about it. I'm not becoming your lackey!"
"Wrong," Arthur corrected with a mock gasp. "Companion, not lackey."
"Same thing! I'm no one's subordinate!"
"Really?" Arthur tilted his head, smiling in a way that made Crocodile's skin crawl.
The way that kid was staring at him—like a cat sizing up a particularly stubborn mouse—sent a wave of goosebumps up his arms.
What the hell is this creep thinking?
"You bastard… You're not one of those soap-dropping weirdos, are you?"
"Relax," Arthur chuckled. "I'm just curious about a little secret someone told me. A certain Ivankov shared something very… interesting."
Crocodile froze mid-sentence.
His expression shifted — anger, denial, then dread.
"You wouldn't dare…"
"Oh, I'd dare." Arthur's grin turned razor-sharp.
Crocodile's fury trembled just beneath the surface, his pride forcing the words through clenched teeth.
"I said I'm not being anyone's subordinate!"
"And I said—companion!" Arthur replied evenly, his eyes gleaming with amusement.
The two men locked eyes, the air thick with tension. Finally, Crocodile's hardened stare faltered for the briefest moment.
"...Fine. I'll follow. Now let me out."
"Sure." Arthur gave a lazy shrug, released the cuffs with a spark of lightning, and turned away as if it were no big deal.
But Crocodile's pride was bleeding. Watching the younger man's back recede, his hand clenched into a trembling fist.
"Desert Spada!"
In an instant, a storm of sand surged around him, coalescing into a gleaming blade that sliced toward Arthur's back!
"Captain!" Bundy shouted, stepping forward — but too late.
Slash!
The golden arc struck dead on.
"Ha—"
Crocodile's triumphant laugh died in his throat.
As the sand dispersed, Arthur turned, the entire back of his body glistening black.
Armament Haki.
Crocodile's pupils shrank to pinpoints.
The air seemed to grow heavy as Arthur slowly looked over his shoulder, eyes cold and predatory — the kind of gaze that belonged to a beast born in the depths of hell.
That single look was enough to make Crocodile's heart skip a beat.
What is this guy… a demon?!
As a veteran of countless battles, Crocodile knew danger when he saw it.
The moment their eyes met, he realized he might not survive this.
He shouldn't have attacked.
But there was no taking it back now.
Snarling, he threw his hands out, sand spiraling violently as he poured his full strength into the Suna Suna no Mi.
"Desert Grande Espada!"
His attacks rained down in fury, the cell block filling with slicing winds and sandstorms.
But Arthur didn't dodge. Didn't even defend with technique.
He simply walked forward — through the storm, through the blades — letting his Haki and lightning crush every attack in his path.
Each step shattered a wave of sand. Each breath pushed Crocodile further into panic.
When the last attack broke apart like smoke, Arthur appeared in front of him, eyes glowing faintly with blue lightning.
His hand shot out.
Crack!
In a single motion, he seized Crocodile by the throat and lifted him off the ground.
For the first time in years, Crocodile looked terrified. Truly terrified.
And beneath that fear, there was something else — something Arthur couldn't quite place.
A flicker of… embarrassment?
Arthur blinked. What the hell?
Still, the murderous intent bled out of him. His lips curled in a smirk.
"You get one last chance. Screw around again, and I'll make sure the whole world hears about that secret of yours. Maybe even give them a little live demonstration, hm?"
Crocodile's face flushed crimson with fury and shame, but the chokehold was too tight for him to speak.
He managed a stiff, resentful nod.
"Good." Arthur loosened his grip and dropped him.
He clapped his hands once, smiling in satisfaction.
"Welcome to the crew."
Crocodile coughed, glaring daggers, but said nothing.
He knew better — for now.
After all, Arthur clearly thought he held all the cards.
In truth, he had no idea what Ivankov's "secret" actually was. But bluffing was an art — and Arthur had mastered it.
With that, the business on Level Six was finally complete. Now came the hard part — escaping the underwater fortress.
As for the future? Straw Hat Luffy could figure things out without Crocodile's help this time.
Because from now on, this world's main character was Arthur.
Breaking out was easy — for four monsters like them, it was about as difficult as opening a door.
Arthur cast one last look across the cells.
What a shame Ace and Jinbe aren't here yet…
He gathered his new crew — Redfield, Bundy World, and Crocodile — and turned to leave.
The remaining prisoners howled in desperation.
"Wait! Kid, don't leave us!"
"Take me too! I'm stronger than that speed freak!"
"Hey, at least let me—!"
He ignored them all.
Those without heart, without loyalty — not worth the risk.
As the group passed Catarina Devon's cell, the woman spat venom through the bars.
"You little bastard! If I ever get out, I'll rip you apart myself!"
Arthur stopped and turned, his expression oddly pleasant.
"Oh, you'll get that chance soon enough," he said softly. "Just make sure you don't piss yourself when you see me again."
Devon blinked, confused by the almost cheerful tone.
Then his eyes hardened.
BOOM.
A wave of Conqueror's Haki erupted from him, hammering into her cell like a tsunami.
Devon's body convulsed. Her eyes rolled back, and she collapsed in a heap, foam at the corners of her mouth.
The hall went dead silent.
Arthur straightened his coat and smiled faintly.
"See? I told you it'd happen soon."
Then, without another glance, he strode out of Level Six — lightning dancing around his body, the others following in stunned silence.
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