"..."
"And that concludes the full outline of the Pokémon Paradise Project!"
"Does anyone have any questions!?"
"No!"
Red and Robin's journey through the Pokémon world did not last long.
After the two of them rode Sky Dash to Celadon City and completed the final piece of Robin's move set, they exited the Pokémon world.
By then, the Baroque Works agents outside had already familiarized themselves with their newly acquired moves and abilities. One after another, they returned to the café, awaiting Red's next instructions.
Ace, having completed his theatrical performance, quietly retired to a corner to brew coffee alone.
Red, meanwhile, gathered all the agents and opened a discussion on Baroque Works' future development.
During the meeting, Red—now the president of Baroque Works—outlined three requirements for the organization to stabilize and expand the Pokémon Paradise Project:
Actively respond to headquarters' directives, discard outdated organizational plans, and prepare thoroughly for establishing diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Alabasta.
Conduct a thorough purge of internal troublemakers—root out those who are cruel, inhumane, or malicious, and enforce the strict policy of severe investigation, severe discipline, and severe punishment.
Implement a new talent-selection system to quickly identify individuals who better align with the organization's future direction. Reassign them to needed positions to accelerate the progress of the Pokémon Paradise Project.
...
...
Of course, a massive undertaking like the Pokémon Paradise Project could not be achieved by mere rhetoric.
Red had long since entrusted the detailed execution plans to Robin.
As the Straw Hats' vice-captain, she was undeniably part of the management tier.
With someone as capable and reliable as Robin at his side, Red saw no need to waste his own brain cells—handing everything over to her was far more efficient.
After all, from Baroque Works' standpoint, Robin still officially served as his secretary.
"Very good. In that case, we'll begin with the first phase of the plan…"
Seeing that none of the agents were idiots like Luffy and all immediately understood his meaning, Red felt an unexpected sense of relief.
He suddenly stood up, a mischievous smile curling at his lips.
"To implement the Paradise Plan, we still need a large amount of startup capital."
"And conveniently, there is a very wealthy man in the Kingdom of Alabasta right now."
"It's about time we paid him a visit—let's see whether he's willing to support our project."
"Robin, call the carriage. We're departing…"
"To Rainbase!"
"Rainbase!?"
At his words, a flash of realization ran through the agents' eyes. Their minds scrambled rapidly.
A wealthy man in Rainbase?
And someone Red personally deemed worthy of robbing…
In that instant—
A terrifying thought exploded in Agent's minds.
Mr. 2, being as blunt as ever, immediately pulled a long, bitter face.
"Lord Red… you don't mean the owner of Rainbase's largest casino—Crocodile!?"
Because he constantly maintained his heroic persona, Crocodile frequently appeared across Alabasta to 'defeat pirates.' Information about him wasn't much of a secret in the first half of the Grand Line.
"Of course." Red nodded calmly. "Is there anyone more suitable to rob in all of Alabasta?"
"But…"
Unease rippled through the agents' eyes. Their gazes drifted between Red and Ace.
Whether by chance or by design, the World Government had long encouraged a public misunderstanding across the first half of the Grand Line and the Four Seas:
That the Seven Warlords of the Sea were comparable to the Four Emperors.
According to Marine propaganda, the sole purpose of forming the Seven Warlords was to counterbalance the Four Emperors.
Ridiculous as it was, many still believed it.
Including these agents standing before Red.
In their eyes, although Ace was a Whitebeard Pirates commander—and therefore of higher status than a Warlord—his strength…
Was honestly questionable.
Still, with a Whitebeard commander, a mysterious powerhouse like Red, and a team of elite agents…
Maybe—just maybe—they could defeat a Warlord.
They were terrified, but having just sworn to follow Red through fire and flames, it would be shameful to shrink back now.
And so, one by one, every agent fell silent.
Just like that—
Under Robin's guidance, a giant turtle soon arrived at the café, pulling a strangely designed vehicle behind it.
"Long time no see, Banchi~!"
Robin stepped out of the café, smiling as she gently stroked the turtle's head.
The next moment—
A pink, shimmering glow flared from her palm, instantly flowing into Banchi's brain. His tiny bean-like eyes turned into heart-shaped pink symbols.
Seeing this, Robin's eyes sharpened with interest.
"So that's it."
"So this is the Charm ability Red mentioned?"
"Fascinating."
Murmuring softly, she patted the turtle again.
"Then I'll be counting on you, Banchi."
"Wooooh!!!"
Banchi lifted his giant head and bellowed excitedly at the sky.
One after another, the senior agents boarded the turtle-carriage.
After Red boarded as well, he suddenly waved toward Ace, who still stood outside.
"Well then, Ace—I'm leaving Luffy to you!"
"I'll come find you once I'm done here!"
"Got it~!" Ace laughed heartily, then swept his hand through the air. A blazing road of fire erupted across the wilderness, lighting up the night.
The carriage door closed.
Energized by Robin's touch, Banchi shot forward as if injected with pure adrenaline, his strong limbs thundering across the bright desert sands.
"L-Lord Red…"
Watching Ace waving goodbye in the distance, Miss Doublefinger asked with confusion:
"Why isn't Lord Ace coming with us?"
"Hm? Ace?"Red, still reviewing the agents' ability sheets, looked up casually.
"He has more important things to do, so he won't be joining us this time."
"Ah… I see…"
The agents exchanged bewildered looks.
They stared at each other, completely unsure what to say.
As the scenery raced past the windows behind them, a single thought surfaced simultaneously in every mind:
"If I jump out of the carriage right now… would I survive?"
The answer—
Absolutely not.
Having finally secured a group of reliable tools, Red would never let them slip away so easily.
Though the agents weren't strong by Grand Line standards, they were more than sufficient for the first half of the Grand Line—and thus quite useful to him.
To recruit them thoroughly, Red had even decided on something outrageous…
He would personally go to Rainbase and take down Crocodile!
He wasn't the least bit worried about them learning Crocodile was Baroque Works' true boss.
In fact, Red wanted Crocodile to reveal it in front of them.
Because the purpose of this entire operation…
Was to teach these agents one thing:
Work for Red obediently, and your future will be limitless.
The classic method—"first the stick, then the candy"—was old-fashioned, but undeniably effective.
As for Ace, who had already departed…
Red wasn't lying to the agents. Ace genuinely had something more important to do.
That task—
Was to act as a sparring opponent for Luffy and the others while Red advanced the Paradise Plan.
To let them—after Blackbeard—experience yet another glimpse of true New World strength.
Because with Crocodile's canon strength…
Against the Straw Hats trained by Red…
He wasn't even qualified to let them warm up!!!
(End of Chapter)