Sand Crocodile vs. Issho

"Guhahahaha!"

"Sanders, you're not here to recruit me, are you?" Crocodile laughed as he touched the golden hook on his left hand.

"Of course not!"

Sanders had indeed thought about recruiting Crocodile in the past, but Crocodile trusted no one and would never submit to anyone. It was impossible to recruit him as a crewmate. In the future, even when Crocodile and Mihawk co-founded the Cross Guild under Emperor Buggy, the two were merely business partners.

"My target for recruitment is her, Nico Robin!"

Sanders pointed at Robin, who was standing next to Crocodile.

Crocodile's face instantly darkened. His previous suspicions had been confirmed—Sanders' goal was indeed Nico Robin!

Nico Robin was also stunned. She couldn't understand how Sanders knew she was here and how he recognized her at a glance.

The table in front of Crocodile instantly turned to sand and crumbled to the ground.

"Nico Robin has already joined Baroque Works; she is my comrade!" Crocodile growled, glaring at Sanders.

"Comrade?"

"Hahahaha, Crocodile, someone like you having comrades?"

"Who do you trust besides yourself?"

Sanders laughed out loud, as if he had heard a hilarious joke. He pointed at the members of Baroque Works standing behind Crocodile and said:

"They're nothing but your subordinates, your tools."

Crocodile took a drag from his cigarette and glared at Sanders, then instantly disappeared from his chair.

The next moment, he appeared in front of Sanders, his golden hook swinging toward him.

"Clang!"

Issho appeared in front of Crocodile, using his bamboo sword to block the golden hook and forcing Crocodile back.

"Don't interrupt the captain while he's recruiting a new crewmate, Crocodile!"

Seeing that Issho had stopped Crocodile, the lightning on Sanders' hands faded away.

"Huh? So this is your crewmate, Sanders? A blind man!" Crocodile sneered.

"Not being able to see can be a blessing." Issho smiled gently.

"Crocodile, why so eager to fight? You want to know where Pluton is? I'll tell you."

Sanders stood up from his chair, casually revealing Crocodile's secret plans.

The members of Baroque Works were left wide-eyed, shocked at what Sanders had just said.

Even Crocodile looked surprised, glancing suspiciously at Nico Robin and the rest of his subordinates. Only they knew about his true goal.

He suspected someone had betrayed him.

"Stop looking, Crocodile, no one betrayed you," Sanders said, reading Crocodile's mind.

"So, you're here to steal Pluton as well." Crocodile's eyes narrowed dangerously, his right hand starting to turn to sand, ready to strike at any moment.

"Pluton isn't here. I'm only here to recruit Miss Robin."

"Besides, do you really think she'd tell you where Pluton is after reading the Poneglyph?"

Sanders said.

Neither Crocodile nor Nico Robin trusted each other.

Robin's face showed a bit of panic, as if her secret had been exposed.

Crocodile remained expressionless: "And you think she'd tell you after reading it?"

"As I said, Crocodile, if you want to know where Pluton is, I can tell you."

Sanders smiled calmly.

"The only question is: do you have the guts to take it from a Yonko?"

Pluton was in Wano.

Currently, Wano was under the control of Kaido of the Beasts.

Even if Crocodile could find Pluton, there was no way he could take it out of there.

Crocodile narrowed his eyes, considering what Sanders had said.

To take Pluton, one would have to face a Yonko.

This meant that Pluton was in the territory of one of the Yonko.

But...

"Why should I believe you?"

"Well, that's up to you."

Sanders spread his hands, feigning helplessness.

"I've already told you where Pluton is."

In fact, Sanders had already given away enough information for Crocodile to figure it out.

Searching the Yonko's territory would be far easier than combing through the vast ocean aimlessly.

"If you really want, I could also tell you where the blueprints are."

"Though the World Government is already watching them closely, so I doubt you'd have the guts to go after those either."

Sanders added.

Saying this, Sanders started walking toward Nico Robin.

He had been casually chatting with Crocodile up until now, but it was time to formally begin recruiting a new crewmate.

"Bastard!"

Seeing Sanders approaching Nico Robin, Crocodile cursed and charged toward him.

Regardless of whether what Sanders said was true or false, he could not allow Sanders to take Nico Robin away.

She was the only person capable of reading the Poneglyphs.

There was no way he could afford to lose such a valuable asset.

Issho stepped in front of Crocodile, his bamboo sword tapping the ground.

Crocodile suddenly felt an immense weight pressing down on him, making it difficult to move.

His eyes narrowed in surprise as he looked at Issho.

"Devil Fruit user?"

"I underestimated you!"

Crocodile's expression became serious.

Realizing that this blind man was no ordinary opponent, Crocodile's right arm transformed into a sand blade, slashing toward Issho.

Issho drew his bamboo sword, instantly coating it with Armament Haki.

The two clashed fiercely.

The battle broke out, and the small meeting room was quickly reduced to ruins as the two continued to fight.

Meanwhile, Sanders had already made his way to Nico Robin.

Just as he was about to greet her with a smile, Mr. 1, Daz Bones, charged at him, his arms turning into blades.

"Don't throw your life away!"

Sanders kicked Daz Bones away with ease.

Crocodile's subordinates were all unique, but in the grand scheme of things, they were still just small fry.

Ignoring Bon Clay and the others who were retreating in fear, Sanders smiled at Nico Robin.

"Hello, Nico Robin!"

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T/N:

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