12

Ryō completely defeated Crocodile using the power of Pain's Six Paths in an overwhelming power.

The members of Baroque Works, who had been observing the battle from afar, were terrified as they witnessed Crocodile's crushing defeat.

One by one, their faces showed fear.

"Our president was actually defeated just like that?!..."

"What should we do?!..."

"Run?! Baroque Works is finished…"

"The president has been defeated, it's our turn next! Hurry up and run!"

Someone shouted, and the members of Baroque Works began to scatter in panic.

The reason these people had joined Baroque Works was entirely because of Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

Now that Crocodile had been defeated, lying on the ground like a dead dog, what reason did they have to stay? Were they waiting to die?

With Crocodile's defeat, they knew their own time would come next.

Realizing this, the members of Baroque Works exchanged glances and quickly fled into the distance.

"Hmph, trying to run..."

"Do you think you can escape?!"

"Get back here!"

"Banshō Ten'in!"

Ryō saw the fleeing Baroque Works members and clenched his right hand, unleashing a powerful gravitational force.

"Ahhh… Ahhhh…"

With a loud cry, all the members were pulled back, landing in front of Ryō, trembling with fear.

"Are you going to kill us?!..."

"Kill you? No… The organization welcomes anyone with ambition to join…"

"From now on, Baroque Works no longer exists. You are now all affiliate members of the Akatsuki Organization," Ryō declared to the Baroque Works members.

"We agree to join the Akatsuki Organization…"

"All hail the leader…"

Without hesitation, the Baroque Works members knelt before Ryō. His power was undeniable—he had defeated the mighty Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. What choice did they have?

Moreover, joining a powerful organization like Akatsuki, led by such strength, seemed like a good deal.

Satisfied with their submission, Ryō turned his attention to Robin.

"As for you, you will be the angel of God…"

"You will be responsible for delivering the will of God…"

Ryō said to Robin, as he waved his hand, a set of Akatsuki's signature cloak appeared in her hands.

Ryō, playing the role of the god-like Pain, required a divine messenger by his side, and Robin was perfectly suited for the role.

"Yes, my lord…"

Robin did not hesitate and donned the black cloak with red clouds. On her, the iconic Akatsuki cloak looked strikingly elegant.

"Ahem, what about me?... Do you want me to join Akatsuki and become one of its officers?" Crocodile asked in a raspy voice, still seriously injured.

Crocodile knew full well he couldn't defeat this man. The fact that Ryō had bested him so easily, yet left him alive, suggested that he wanted to recruit him.

"You?"

"Our Akatsuki Organization has no need for weaklings like you. You'll be nothing more than an affiliate member," Ryō said dismissively, not even sparing Crocodile another glance.

Hearing these words, Crocodile's anger surged.

What was that supposed to mean?! This was pure disrespect!

He was a Warlord of the Sea! Even in the New World, he was one of the strongest pirates around. If he joined the crew of one of the Four Emperors, he could easily rise to the rank of officer.

Yet, this Akatsuki Organization wanted to make him an affiliate member? How insulting!

"Damn it! Aren't you afraid that I'll kill the other members and take their place?" Crocodile shouted.

"If you have the strength, then go ahead and try," Ryō said, completely unconcerned.

As the battle settled, Princess Vivi rushed over from a distance.

Seeing how easily Ryō had subdued Baroque Works, Vivi understood that the entire kingdom of Alabasta had fallen into Ryō's hands.

Even a powerful Warlord like Crocodile was no match for him, and there was no one left to resist.

Now, all she could hope for was that Ryō would truly take care of Alabasta.

"My lord, the Kingdom of Alabasta has been suffering from drought. Please, save our kingdom," Princess Vivi pleaded as she looked at Ryō with desperation in her eyes.

"The Kingdom of Alabasta is now under the rule of Akatsuki…"

"God will save his kingdom…"

"Summoning Jutsu—Demonic Statue of the Outer Path…"

"Boom…"

The ground trembled, the desert roared, and a massive figure began to rise from beneath the earth.

The entire kingdom shook violently, as though an earthquake had struck.

"Ahhh… What's happening?!..."

"Look! What is that?!..."

"It's enormous! Like a mountain!"

In the end, the towering Demonic Statue of the Outer Path stood in the center of Alabasta, looming over the kingdom like an ominous giant.

Ryō's body floated upward, landing on the head of the colossal statue.

"I am the leader of Akatsuki, Pain, the god…"

"God will save this country…"

"Rain Tiger at Will Technique…"

Ryō's voice boomed across the entire Kingdom of Alabasta, and as soon as he finished speaking, a light rain began to fall from the sky. Gradually, the drizzle turned into a steady downpour, quenching the kingdom's thirst.

For a drought-ridden land like Alabasta, the rainfall was nothing short of a miracle.

"It's raining!"

"Thank goodness, it's finally raining…"

"This is all thanks to the Akatsuki Organization! They've saved our kingdom!"

The people of Alabasta cheered and swiftly embraced the rule of Akatsuki.

"It's really raining…"

"You can control the weather… like a god…"

Princess Vivi muttered in disbelief as she stared up at the sky, watching the rain pour down over the once-parched land.