One Piece: With Sign-in System Chapter 88: 88: The Rising Tension in Rainbase—An Uninvited

At the top of the largest building in Rainbase, the Rain Dinners casino:

A man with slicked-back hair, a long scar slashing across his face, and clad in a black fur coat stood by the glass window, a cigar clamped between his teeth. Crocodile, the man renowned as the "Desert King," surveyed the city below—a glittering facade filled with wealth and splendor, but shrouded in darkness and cri.

Footsteps echoed from behind.

Without turning, Crocodile spoke, "Is everything set?"

"Yes. Mr. 1 and Mr. 2 have everything ready," a female voice responded from the shadowed part of the room. "Over ninety percent of the underground organizations in Arabasta have gathered in this city. We're monitoring their movents closely."

"Well done," Crocodile said, eyes narrowing slightly. "After tonight, the entire underground network of Arabasta will be under my control."

"Since we already have everything planned, should we really reveal the Devil Fruit?" the voice questioned.

"An effective lure requires authenticity," Crocodile remarked coolly. "We have to make them believe it's genuine, or they won't bite. Of course, we'll make sure they don't get away with it."

"Understood. I'll handle tonight's auction as planned, boss," said the woman, stepping into a shaft of light. She was tall, with tanned skin, long dark hair, and a sharp, commanding presence. She was clad in a white fur coat, a cowboy hat shadowing her calculating eyes.

At Night…

Rainbase glittered brightly, a pearl in the desert, alive with lights and bustling activity. The shadowy forces that moved unseen during the day now erged, converging toward Rain Dinners.

Ron, after ensuring Conis was safe, set off alone toward the grand casino.

Tonight would be far from peaceful.

Rain Dinners Casino:

The streets outside were crowded with different factions—so visible, others lurking in the shadows—ready to support their representatives inside the casino. These people, ard to the teeth, stood at the brink of conflict.

Ron, dressed in black capris and a white short-sleeve hoodie, walked calmly through the crowd, his dark hair catching glances from those who were surprised to see a seemingly carefree youth heading toward the casino doors.

Stepping into the main hall of Rain Dinners, Ron felt multiple eyes on him. Many attendees, sizing him up, soon dismissed him as an unard young man likely there to gamble, not compete for the Devil Fruit.

"It's my first ti in a place like this," Ron murmured, a hint of amusent in his tone. Hands in the pockets of his hoodie, he chewed on so bubblegum bought in Rainbase, occasionally blowing bubbles. His relaxed deanor made him stand out in the sea of tense, battle-ready attendees.

"What's that kid doing here?" soone muttered, irritated.

"Did Baroque Works lose its touch, letting kids in now?" another scoffed.

"Get him out of here. He's an eyesore."

"Leave it. Baroque Works will handle it," said a man, shaking his head.

Just as Ron wandered around, a hulking figure over two ters tall, shirtless with scars crisscrossing his chest and a massive axe on his back, blocked his path.

Smack!

Ron stopped mid-step, a bubble from his gum bursting softly.

"That's Koyared", soone whispered.

"Shh! I heard he despises weaklings. That kid is done for."

"Do you think he'll crush the kid's head with one slap?" a voice speculated darkly.

Koyared, glared down at Ron, eyes filled with murderous intent.

"Get lost, runt," he snarled, raising a hand the size of a shovel to strike.

Ron's eyes narrowed.

Suddenly, Koyared froze, his raised hand trembling mid-air. Beads of sweat rolled down his face, eyes wide with terror as he stared at the calm youth in front of him. The room seed to hold its breath as a cold, invisible pressure emanated from Ron.

"What's happening?" soone asked, puzzled.

"Why did he stop?"

"Did he... get scared?"

Before anyone could make sense of the scene, the side doors of the hall opened, and Mr. 3, the wax-wielding agent of Baroque Works, stepped forward.

"Apologies for the wait. The auction will begin shortly. Please proceed inside," he announced.

The seriousness of the announcent redirected everyone's attention. Conversations hushed as the attendees moved toward the inner hall, excitent simring at the prospect of the Devil Fruit.

Ron, without sparing Koyared another glance, followed the crowd, chewing his bubblegum.

Koyared waited until Ron was out of sight before he swallowed hard, eyes still wide with lingering dread.

"That... that was killing intent," he whispered shakily, a hand wiping sweat from his scarred face. The intensity he felt reminded him of Arabasta's infamous hero, the Warlord of the Sea, Crocodile.

Who in the world was that boy?

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