Chapter 68: Preparing the Trap,

Blue sky, white...

Well, Alabasta, which has been in drought for three years, no longer has 'white clouds'. A few 'deception birds' weakly flapped their wings, struggling to find a target.

These 'smart' birds would play dead to deceive desert travelers and then take the opportunity to steal their food and water. However:

Since the frequent sandstorms began, human cities have been buried in the yellow sand, and the ground is covered with bones. The 'deception birds' have to compete with scavenging vultures for food...

Whoosh—

!?

"Caw caw caw..."

A giant white 'monster bird' streaked across the sky, scaring these somewhat intelligent 'deception birds' into fleeing in all directions!

Too scary, a monster bird with fire coming out of its rear...

In the cockpit of the paper fighter jet, Roman irritably rubbed his hair.

"Ah, sometimes knowing too much is more of a headache."

After saying all the good and bad things, Ace was still unmoved. This left Roman with no choice but to sigh helplessly.

Should I say something like: You will be captured by Blackbeard, then Blackbeard will use you to negotiate with the Marines for a Seven Warlords of the Sea position, then the Marines will discover your true identity as the son of Pirate King Roger, then set a trap to lure Whitebeard, even Luffy will be dragged into breaking into Impel Down and fighting at Marineford, and the protagonist's halo almost couldn't withstand it.

If it weren't for Kizaru's timely 'Yasakani no Magatama', the revolutionary army's young master would have fallen at Marine headquarters...

Ridiculous!?

Even if Ace's Observation Haki could tell that Roman wasn't lying, Ace would still think Roman had gone mad.

Now every Seven Warlords of the Sea's position is as stable as a mountain, does Blackbeard have the ability to make the Marines change it to 'Eight Warlords of the Sea'? And saying he will definitely lose without even fighting, treating the Flame-Flame Fruit like a lighter?

As for implicating Whitebeard? Don't be ridiculous, the world's strongest man fears nothing...

Alright, unless Roman directly reveals his 'transmigrator' identity, or says he ate the 'Prophecy Fruit', there's a slight possibility. But the more likely scenario is:

'Brother, don't give up, I'll take you to the best doctor, give you the best medicine!'

Roman could already imagine Ace looking at him with pity. Just like in his previous life when someone suddenly said aliens were invading and the Earth was going to be destroyed. — The outcome would definitely be a VIP room at the Qingshan Mental Hospital.

"Forget it, at worst I'll 'edit' all the newspapers on the ship in the future, so Luffy won't know..."

Roman cares about the Straw Hat Pirates, not Whitebeard's second division commander!

A sprawling cityscape and oasis appeared ahead, causing Roman to narrow his eyes and slow down. The 'cockpit' of the fighter jet opened, releasing a flock of paper cranes. Roman quickly found his target:

In the center of a luxurious pool stood a massive pyramid-shaped building. It was adorned with a carving of a banana crocodile, openly flaunting the identity of its owner.

Crocodile.

"Good, remember that this guy usually hides in his large casino called 'Rain Dinners'."

Moreover, at this time, the senior officers of the Baroque Works were all gathered at a place called the Spider Cafe, which meant that he only had to face Crocodile alone. However:

Using conventional methods would definitely not defeat Crocodile, so he had to resort to some 'underhanded' tactics. This was also why Roman left alone—no matter what, he didn't want Luffy, Nami, and the others to see these dirty tricks.

"You guys just keep dreaming,"

"I'll handle these things, after all: I am a pirate."

"Plots and schemes, poisoning and assassination, using others to kill, these are the 'professional skills' of pirates. Next:" 

The fighter jet quickly flew over the city. As it passed a group of fierce-looking pirates armed with knives and guns on the outskirts, Roman's eyes flashed, and he silently deactivated the 'paper fighter jet', descending slowly.

——————

"Damn it, do any of you have any Belly? Lend me some,"

A pirate rummaged through his pockets, only to find them cleaner than his own face.

"No, none."

The other pirates shook their heads repeatedly. This city, 'Rainbase', was a famous money pit in Alabasta, with endless fresh water, graceful beauties, noble-like enjoyment, and:

Exorbitant expenses!

The pirates, who had spent all their money in the lavish casino 'Rain Dinners', wandered the outskirts of the city, barely surviving like stray dogs, their bloodshot eyes fixed on those with insufficient armed forces, ready to pounce at any moment...

"Captain, we—"

"Shut up!"

A dozen pirates cast hopeful glances at their former leader, but the man who had already lost his ship was helpless. His title of 'captain' was now in name only. It wouldn't be long before...

"Everyone,"

A calm voice broke the oppressive atmosphere. A young, handsome boy emerged from a nearby alley.

"Want to make some money?"

In Roman's hand, a thick stack of green Belly reflected the same green in everyone's eyes!

"If you want money, then—"

"Fool!"

The middle-aged man, referred to as 'captain', stood up, pointing his scimitar and gun at Roman.

"If we kill you, the money will be ours too!"

The gun was cocked, and the swords were drawn—

"That makes sense,"

Facing the 'pirate-like' actions of those around him, Roman nodded without anger.

"Then—"

...

A few seconds later,

"Want to make some money?"

In Roman's hand, a stack of green Belly emitted the fragrance of wealth. However, the surrounding pirates all lowered their heads in silence, only daring to glance at the banknotes in the boy's hand out of the corner of their eyes.

Greedy yet helpless!

Because their 'captain' and a few overly eager comrades had already demonstrated the terror of the newcomer with their 'blood and guts'.

"If you want money,"

It was the same words as before, but now accompanied by the scattered limbs on the ground, causing the surrounding pirates' leg muscles to twitch uncontrollably, their backs bending lower and lower, until they all assumed a humble posture.

"Just listen to me—"

Rustle,

The Belly in Roman's hand was casually thrown, scattering all over the ground. The surrounding pirates' eyes lit up, like hungry dogs seeing a bone!

"All of these can be yours."

After all, they were just fake Beli made with his ability.

——————

"Manager, we received a message..."

In the brightly lit, all-night casino called Rain Dinners, an elderly man with white hair styled like an onion was reporting to Robin, who was sitting on a luxurious chair, wearing a white cowboy hat and a white fur coat.

"A bunch of reckless pirates?"

The intellectual beauty named Robin casually waved her hand at the casino's deputy manager.

"Let the security personnel handle it."

"Y-yes... but..."

The elderly man wiped the sweat from his forehead, bowed his head, and continued to report.

"The security personnel... have all been wiped out!"

"Oh?"

The slender Robin stood up, crossing her arms with interest.

"What about Baroque Works? Have you contacted them?"

"Yes, we have."

The deputy manager of the casino 'Rain Dinners' lowered his head even further, sweat uncontrollably dripping onto the expensive carpet.

"But... fifty Baroque Works combatants, five 'squad leaders', and one 'platoon leader' have all..."

Although he didn't finish, the implication was clear.

"Interesting."

Although the intellectual beauty named Robin had long surpassed the fear of bullets and blades, it didn't mean those things couldn't kill! The combatants of Baroque Works were all desperados, and the 'squad leaders' and 'platoon leaders' were skilled killers...

"What happened?"

A steady, Haki-filled voice of a middle-aged man echoed in the hall, making the elderly deputy manager bow even lower, his hands pressed against his trousers, eyes fixed on the ground.

Amidst the rustling, a third set of footsteps appeared on the luxurious carpet. Each step was firm and powerful, indicating the person's Haki and undeniable authority. The voice was mixed with strong Yamato coldness.

"Miss All-Sunday."

"Just a few rats,"

Facing the newcomer's question, Robin merely smiled.

"I was just about to check it out. But to defeat dozens of combatants, it must be an 'ability user' or..."

"Not at all,"

The deputy manager forced himself to speak despite his fear.

"The opponents are... a group of pirates who lost all their money."

?!

The other two people in the room were initially stunned, then simultaneously felt:

"Interesting."

"Let's go see who dares to cause trouble on my turf."

With Haki radiating from his voice, a black fur coat swept past the deputy manager, making him shrink back as if he had seen something more terrifying than a monstrous beast!

Tap, tap, tap,

It wasn't until the manager named Robin and the mysterious 'boss' had left that the poor deputy manager dared to straighten up. Wiping the sweat from his face, he looked as if he had just been pulled out of the water.

Too scary!

As the deputy manager of this giant casino, the old man knew many secrets unknown to outsiders, such as: his boss, the Seven Warlords of the Sea 'Crocodile', secretly formed the 'Baroque Works'; such as: many of the recent tragedies in Alabasta were related to the assassin organization called Baroque Works; such as: the rain that hasn't fallen for three years...

Whoosh—

The old man let out a long breath, his face full of exhaustion.

As an ordinary person without power, the more you know—the faster you die!

Information beyond one's ability is just a death warrant.

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