NOVEL NEXT Chapter 153: Crocodile
Once he had firmly established himself in the Arabasta kingdom, Mister 0, also known as Crocodile, wasted no time in expanding his influence. One could argue that he has been quite successful in crafting an image for himself as a savior.
Throughout the year, the kingdom of Arabasta, nestled in a barren desert, doesn't have the luxury of abundant water. Every now and then, natural oases pop up, but they dry up in no time.
Another way people can access water is by depending on rain. Unfortunately, the Arabsta kingdom faced a series of misfortunes when rainfall became scarce.
Lately, this thing has been happening more often.
Living near ports can be advantageous for people, as it provides easy access to water and a bustling economy driven by the constant arrival and departure of ships. There were also some folks who showed up with this intriguing powder that supposedly had the power to summon rain when you set it on fire.
The people of Arabasta refer to it as Dance Powder. No one knows how this powder made its way into the market, but multiple individuals have tested it and can confirm that it actually works. During that period, even people from the palace discovered the situation and took action against those who attempted to utilize it.
It's actually pretty straightforward. When the powder is heated to a specific temperature, it releases smoke that forms a cloud, eventually leading to rain. However, the consequences of this process can be quite devastating. Using Dance Powder repeatedly makes it harder for rain clouds to form naturally.
Yet another plan by Baroque Works has successfully come to fruition. They couldn't care less about the gradual destruction of this country as long as they can maximize their profits.
"Listen, all of you! Before long, we'll have full control over this country. Once that happens, the possibilities will be endless!"
A tall man with a broad chest stood on a rickety wooden podium, confidently making a loud announcement. The man's fair complexion stood out even more in the scorching desert heat.
He's got nape-length black hair, slicked back neatly, and a thick cigar in his mouth. His clothes give off a mafia boss vibe, perfectly matching his overall look. But what catches people's attention is the long-stitched scar at the bridge of his nose that stretches across his face.
"I'm not sure what happened to them, but the fact that some of them aren't here highlights their incompetence. So..."
"If you manage to achieve something great during this time, you'll have a chance to grab one of these seats. So, let's all stay positive and keep pushing forward!"
Standing on either side of Crocodile were a group of people, their smug smiles revealing their arrogance as they believed themselves to be superior to the thousands gathered below the podium.
"These people are seriously dangerous. I gotta make a quick exit as soon as I get the chance."
In the midst of the crowd, there was a girl who stood out with her robe covering her head. Her vibrant orange hair, gently swaying in the breeze, added a touch of brightness to the otherwise bland surroundings.
The girl couldn't help but lower her head every time Crocodile spoke as he revealed the wicked desires lurking in his heart. Her lips were tightly clenched as she watched Crocodile, a man who brought back painful memories of someone who had taken someone dear from her.
"Our ultimate goal is to overthrow Nevertari Cobra! Once that clueless king steps down, we'll turn this kingdom into our headquarters! Baroque Works is going to be even stronger than before!"
"Given his track record, it's pretty much a given that he'll dive headfirst into this mess. But now, his offer has me second-guessing... damn it, he even attempted to manipulate me by involving Nojiko."
The girl let out a sigh and muttered to herself, sounding a bit like she was complaining.
After getting caught by Thug, who happened to be a member of Baroque Works, Nami had no choice but to join their ranks. They saw great potential in her thieving abilities and made her work for them. With her fortune gone, she had no other option but to find a way to buy herself some time.
"I'm definitely going to take all the money from this crooked organization... while they're busy trying to overthrow the government, I'll make sure to bankrupt them."
After expressing her frustration, Nami lifted her head slightly to observe the individuals on the podium.
In addition to spotting Crocodile, she actually knew quite a few people. There she was, Miss Monday, with her toned physique, standing alongside her companion. However, unlike the rest, she appeared a bit fidgety.
"Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine, those two are quite the troublemakers... but I can't help but wonder about the others who aren't present."
Nami has a pretty good idea of what went down in Little Garden, so she can make a pretty educated guess about what happened to Mister 3 and Miss GoldenWeek. It was clear that their absence indicated their defeat at the hands of Luffy and the others.
She let out a sigh of relief, unable to conceal her emotions. Despite running away on her own, she couldn't deny her worry for Nojiko. So, she felt relieved and grateful that her older sister was likely safe and sound.
"When I think about my current situation, it seems like I don't have any other option but to depend on Luffy... ugh, he's so cunning, trying to use me like this."
A few days ago, Nami happened to run into him by chance. She was under the impression that she had taken a wallet from just an average guy, but little did she know that person happened to be none other than Luffy. She initially tried to flee but ultimately could not evade his grasp.
Luffy proceeds to explain his intentions to her without asking why she ran away in the first place, which somehow manages to irritate Nami.
"Okay, fine. I'll work with you this time, but once we leave this island, I'm taking Nojiko from you, and we're going our separate ways."
Nami's vision, which had been somewhat blurry before, suddenly sharpened. She could even make out Luffy's figure standing before her, his trademark grin plastered on his face. But even so, she remained resolute and determined, refusing to back down.