(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited
smoothly. sp.atreon/INeedRest)
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Regarding Crocodile, Colt didn't care about him, nor about his combat power.
He had only one goal, and that was Nico Robin.
So, he didn't plan in fact to have anything to do with Crocodile.
However, he found that his subordinates were too capable, which was also a helpless situation for him.
Kisa seed to have misunderstood his thoughts, believing that Colt had sothing in mind for the famous sand Shichibukai.
Coupled with Sasori and Deidara having directly killed Moria, the current state of affairs beca more complex.
Now there were six Shichibukai (Kuma had not yet joined; he only beca one after Ace's failed attempt to recruit him), and Colt had already gained control of two of them.
He simply accepted this fact and considered it expendable.
But now that he was here and things reached this state, Colt thought of a mission for the warlord.
As for Colt's task for Crocodile, it was very simple: collect food and supplies.
From all kinds of Sea Kings to the most basic provisions-everything was needed.
Crocodile was startled for a mont after hearing this request.
He didn't know why Colt wanted this, but he dared not ask.
After the recent events, Colt's unpredictable nature had deeply imprinted itself in Crocodile's mind.
He feared that if he angered him, he might lose his life on the spot.
And this was exactly the effect Colt wanted.
"How much do you need?" he agreed to the mission of course. So, he asked for the amount needed.
"The more the better; you need to gather enough to support at least one hundred thousand people." Colt tapped his fingers lightly on the table and ordered, "Stop your actions in Alabasta. Such a valuable country shouldn't be destroyed."
"Understood." Crocodile replied in a muffled tone, adding, "I need so ti. Additionally, the assets of the Baroque Works won't last long."
What he needed was supplies enough for 100,000 people.
His usual funds were tied up in recruiting powerful individuals and purchasing weapons.
There wasn't much left.
A look of confusion crossed Colt's eyes.
How could Crocodile be so poor and still claim to be a Shichibukai?
Doflamingo was thriving-why was Crocodile in comparison struggling so much?
"If you don't have money, then rob it. Rob pirates, rob Marines, or even steal the Celestial Dragons' tributes."
Crocodile felt absurd hearing this.
If he had the power to do that, why would he even need to plan to acquire Pluton?
Crocodile's spirit had been shattered after his defeat by Whitebeard.
In the world of One Piece, courage and willpower were key factors in becoming stronger.
When a person becos dispirited, their Haki weakens as well.
Crocodile and Moria were pri examples-one was crushed by Whitebeard, and the other lost everything at the hands of Kaido.
After more than a decade, neither had shown any improvent in strength.
They couldn't even maintain their previous levels of strength.
Understanding the issue, Colt ordered Kisa to leave with Nami and Robin, leaving Crocodile alone.
"Do you want to beco stronger?"
Crocodile was stunned for a mont and laughed bitterly, "Can I even beco stronger at this point?"
Colt didn't respond imdiately.
His RinneSharingan's purple light flashed, and a black hole appeared out of thin air.
Suddenly, a massive tanuki-like creature was pulled out.
"This is..."
Crocodile stared at the massive One-Tail Shukaku, standing nearly fifty ters tall, sensing from him a power that felt oddly familiar to him.
"Where is this place? And who the hell brought ... here?"
The creature's shrill voice grated on the ears, but when Shukaku noticed the purple glow in Colt's eyes, he wisely changed his tone.
"Oh, it's Colt-sama." Shukaku's voice was full of respect.
"Go in," Colt commanded.
"Where to?" Shukaku asked, confused.
Colt pointed at Crocodile.
"From now on, follow this man. If he makes any wrong moves, kill him. But if he behaves, lend him your strength."
Shukaku glanced at Crocodile disdainfully but knew he had no bargaining power here.
Reluctantly, the tailed beast transford into a stream of quicksand and flowed into Crocodile's body through his upper abdon.
"What just happened?" Crocodile touched his abdon, puzzled at how such a massive
creature vanished.
"Not bad, kind of like that guy Gaara," Shukaku's voice echoed from within Crocodile, adding
mockingly.
"Hehe, Crocodile, from now on, you'll be my sidekick."
"Sidekick?!" Crocodile couldn't sense Shukaku's presence and felt both bewildered and
broken.
"What kind of monster are you?!"
He looked toward Colt, wanting to ask him to remove the creature, but Colt remained
impassive.
"Don't look at like that. One reason that Shukaku was brought here is to monitor you, but he'll also end up enhancing your power. As long as you remain loyal, he'll be your greatest
ally."
As if he understood the cue, Shukaku released a bit of his power, causing the sand around them to stir wildly.
Outside the place, a fierce sandstorm ford instantly as the wind howled.
Crocodile was astonished, feeling as though the vast ocean of sand was now under his control.
Who was the real Sand-Sand Fruit user?
He was stunned.
"Can you feel it?" Shukaku boasted from within.
"If you cooperate with , you'll be invincible in the desert. I am Shukaku! And I have
absolute control over sand"
Crocodile's initial resistance faded, replaced by a wave of excitent.
All his years of work, taphorically even eating sand in Alabasta, had been for the sake of obtaining Pluton a weapon of unparalleled strength.
But with Shukaku's power, he realized that while it might not rival Pluton, it was certainly
more fitting for him.
So, what if it was a monster?
Those who ate Devil Fruits were also considered monsters, weren't they?
Thus, he was a monster already.
Having figured it out, Crocodile felt a hint of gratitude towards Colt.
"Thank you, Colt-sama," he said, echoing Kisa's manner of address.
"You don't need to thank . Just make sure to do your job properly." Colt waved his hand
dismissively.
"I'll be taking Nico Robin with . You don't have any objections to that, right?"
"None at all," Crocodile replied without hesitation.
Without the need for Pluton, Nico Robin had lost her value to him.
However, curiosity got the better of him.
"Colt-sama, what exactly is your goal?"
With power like the one Colt had and with his formidable subordinates, why had their
organization remained in the shadows?
He had only seen Kisa but he knew for sure that there must be others...
"Goal?" Colt paused, surprised by the question.
He slowly raised his head, his gaze drifting upward toward the sky.
"My goal is to plant a tree at the highest point in this world."
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