Crocodile didn't know why Cyrus had chosen Sabaody Archipelago, but in his view, it was definitely not a suitable location.
It was a place that attracted attention from all sides and served as the gateway to the New World.
Both Marine Headquarters Marineford and the Holy Land Mariejois are located near Sabaody Archipelago.
Order and disorder intertwine here—no one can predict what might happen where.
Because anything could happen.
Due to its proximity to Mariejois and the occasional outings of Celestial Dragons, provoking one might attract a Navy Admiral.
"But there's no place more suitable than Sabaody Archipelago."
Cyrus looked at Crocodile, his voice somewhat distant.
"If trouble arises, we'll just deal with it."
Cyrus's words sounded casual, but Crocodile's expression shifted as he pondered the feasibility.
"You're being too cautious." Cyrus stared at Crocodile. "Has the Sand Crocodile who dared challenge Whitebeard truly vanished?"
This made Crocodile freeze momentarily.
Just as he was about to speak, Cyrus waved his hand and stood up.
"It's settled then. I won't stay in Alabasta for long—I have my own matters to attend to. By the way, give me an Eternal Pose for Little Garden. You should have one."
"I'll have someone bring it shortly."
Hearing this, Crocodile didn't press further and left Rain Banquet after standing up.
...
Outside Rain Banquet, those who had fainted from Cyrus's Conqueror's Haki had regained consciousness and were now waiting outside, utterly clueless about the current situation.
They exchanged bewildered glances until footsteps echoed from within Rain Banquet.
When they turned to look, they saw Crocodile—usually meticulous about his appearance—emerging, though now he looked thoroughly disheveled.
"Boss, what's the situation now?"
As Crocodile's top subordinate, Daz spoke first.
His question sparked curiosity among the other Baroque Works members.
"Send someone to check the situation over there, and fetch an Eternal Pose for Little Garden."
Crocodile didn't answer, instead pointing toward the direction where Cyrus and Issho had clashed.
Though curious, his orders were promptly carried out.
Back inside Rain Banquet, after Crocodile's departure, Robin and Issho both turned to face Cyrus.
"Is it over just like that?" Robin looked at Cyrus with astonishment.
"Yes, it's over!"
Cyrus naturally understood why she asked.
"What about funds, personnel, and other necessities?"
Robin inquired, while Issho nodded silently, sharing her concerns.
"Of course, Crocodile will handle all that!" Cyrus replied as if it were obvious.
"Why else would I seek out Crocodile? His strategic mind is one thing, but the resources he can mobilize—and his status as a Shichibukai—are equally important."
"So... we don't need to do anything?"
Robin stared at Cyrus, pausing briefly before asking.
"Who said we're doing nothing? Our tasks are crucial too. Wasn't coming to find Crocodile what we're doing now?"
"Isn't this approach somewhat improper?"
Issho clearly felt Cyrus's methods were questionable.
"Nah its fine!" Cyrus turned to Issho.
"You'll get used to it eventually. After all, this is how things work on the seas."
The rule where the strong call the shots.
While they were discussing this, Crocodile, who was waiting for the Log Pose to be delivered, finally came to his senses.
Cyrus had only told him to establish this Hunter Association without providing any further details.
'What about the funds?'
'What about the personnel?'
Was he supposed to provide everything himself?
Crocodile's expression grew increasingly grim.
But even if he wanted to ask now, he had no intention of doing so.
"Was my mind so unsettled earlier that I overlooked this?" Crocodile muttered to himself.
Daz, standing beside him, watched as his boss's face shifted rapidly through various expressions, feeling utterly bewildered.
"Boss, we've had people keeping an eye on the two giants in Little Garden. Should we recall them?"
Although Daz was primarily an enforcer, given today's events and Crocodile's earlier mention of the Log Pose for Little Garden, he could guess that the three uninvited guests might be heading there.
The two giants there had terrible tempers and if a conflict broke out in Little Garden...
"Recall them. And the others too—have them return to the café," Crocodile ordered upon hearing this.
Although Cyrus had casually assigned him such a heavy responsibility with just a few words, Crocodile was actually intrigued.
Having ventured through the New World, he understood perfectly what a true powerhouse could bring.
The three current Emperor forces in the New World were all built upon the foundations of three top-tier fighters.
Crocodile hadn't clashed with Cyrus, so he could only speculate about the latter's true strength.
But he had just personally experienced Issho's power.
Such strength would earn anyone a place in the New World.
Yet, even now, he couldn't fathom why someone of Issho's caliber had remained completely unknown until now.
The same went for Cyrus.
Although he'd gathered some information about Cyrus, it all pointed to his recent emergence.
These two seemed to have appeared out of thin air.
And then there was Pluton!
The thought of Pluton, the Ancient Weapon, left Crocodile feeling uneasy.
Previous intelligence had clearly linked it to Alabasta.
But now Cyrus claimed Pluton was buried in Wano Country?
He certainly knew about Wano—after all, Kaido of the Beasts currently occupied it as his territory.
'Had Kaido discovered Pluton?'
Crocodile frowned in contemplation.
"Boss!"
A Log Pose was handed to the contemplative Crocodile.
Taking it, he turned and headed toward the Rain Banquet.
There were still many questions he needed answers to.
When he returned to the Rain Banquet, he saw Robin acting as dealer while Cyrus and Issho continued playing dice.
Taking a deep breath, Crocodile stepped forward and placed the Log Pose on the gambling table.
"I want to know what you plan to do next," Crocodile voiced the doubt in his heart.
"Haven't I already told you?" Cyrus tilted his head as he spoke, picking up the Log Pose to examine it briefly before tossing it to Robin.
"I'm asking to you personally."
"Me personally?"
Cyrus gestured to the side.
Crocodile didn't refuse, taking a seat as well.
Robin slowed her movements, and Issho turned his head toward Cyrus.
"Of course, we'll cut our way through. If this Hunter Association is truly established, I'll become the King of Hunter, just like the Pirate King." Cyrus spoke with a calm tone, his expression serene yet filled with confidence.
---------
Read 40 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator