Reborn as crocodile before Luffy arrival, Run away with Robin

Rosen sat quietly in his office, awaiting the arrival of Mr. 5 and Mr. 1. Despite his initial doubts about Robin's straightforward agreement, he had no reason to refuse her choice.

It was expected that she wouldn't immediately believe he wasn't Crocodile. However, it was better than living under constant suspicion.

Without Robin, uncovering some of the world's secrets later on would prove challenging with only his own knowledge. Thanks to the extensive experience he possessed, including languages and basic combat skills, he could at least understand news and newspapers.

It's crucial to note that this experience also included combat expertise from a madman and pirate powerhouse.

"I hope for smooth sailing ahead, but I wonder how many Berries the Baroque Works Agency has accumulated over the years. One billion should be feasible," Rosen pondered. Money always holds value, regardless of the circumstances.

The estimated value is around one billion Berries. Reflecting on the agency, despite waning strength in later stages, it was a significant entity capable of strategizing wars involving millions in the first half. With numerous peripheral members and a specialized money-making department, it remained a formidable organization.

More importantly, it had longevity. Money served as the foundation for all its activities. Notably, senior agents primarily possessed Devil Fruit abilities. The market value of a fruit was set at 100 million Berries, regardless of whether acquired or owned before joining the company.

Given Crocodile's nature, if he desired a Devil Fruit, he would obtain it, which was logical. Sometimes, money proved a more practical solution. If a situation could be resolved with money, resorting to violence was unnecessary, and certain factions wouldn't be provoked by Crocodile.

After leaving Rosen's office, Robin promptly sought information to confirm the royal tomb's location. Initially uncertain, the destination was now fixed. Historical records always contained clues for those seeking to uncover such secrets.

Robin was swiftly located. That very night, she stealthily made her way to the royal tomb, escorted by King Cobra. She convinced him that guiding her could prevent an imminent rebellion within the country. Though Rosen wasn't privy to the details, it wasn't surprising that Robin managed it.

In truth, it was all Robin's persuasive skills, but the gullible king believed her. He wished to avoid bloodshed at all costs.

"Perhaps, if Crocodile truly departs, then what I said is true," Robin contemplated. If she could locate the historical text here, it might lend some credence to Crocodile's intentions.

If not, then everything said previously would be a lie. The crucial question remained: would Crocodile intentionally disclose this information to her while covertly monitoring her movements?

Even if that were the case, it wouldn't matter as long as she kept the information to herself. What power would he have if he discovered it and gained nothing from it?

Upon finishing reading the historical article and returning to her residence, Robin encountered no sign of Crocodile. Could he have genuinely abandoned Alabasta?

After investing considerable effort, time, and energy into this charade, why would he abandon it all? Is it possible that he is not the same Crocodile from before?

Despite her curiosity, Robin found no definitive clues. Based on the verified information, it might be prudent to continue observing Crocodile for now. After all, he spared her life in that previous encounter, alleviating concerns of imminent danger.

"Miss Valentine? I don't recall summoning you," Rosen remarked, casually lighting a cigar and taking a deep draw. How intriguing. In the past, Rosen had been an avid smoker, but he never indulged in cigars. Even moderately expensive cigarettes were something he refrained from, despite his financial abundance.

This situation was advantageous to Rosen. Despite being somewhat mediocre, he had achieved success as a young man from an orphanage background.

"Boss, I... I coincidentally ended up partnered with Mr. 5. Our previous mission failed, so I'm hoping for another opportunity," Valentine, outwardly beautiful and fashionable with a fair complexion but capable of killing without hesitation, spoke with a trembling voice.

She understood the stringent rules of the agency. Though not classified as a senior agent, the stakes of elimination were high if a mission faltered.

Upon discovering that the elusive mastermind, who had never made an appearance, had summoned Mr. 5, she felt a sense of impending dread.

Encountering Crocodile had greatly diminished any remaining fear. The title of warlord was profoundly intimidating to them. Little did she anticipate that the shadowy boss behind them would be globally renowned, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

Even the explosive specialist Mr. 5 was visibly perturbed at this unexpected summons. Originally tasked with remedying their previous failure, they abruptly received instructions from Ms. All-Sunday, also known as Nico Robin, to hasten to Alabasta.

All Mr. 5 hoped for was that Mr. 1 remained composed instead of accusatory. It seemed Mr. 1 might be privy to Crocodile's true identity, a detail Rosen was uncertain about. Despite limited information on Mr. 1, there was deep respect for Crocodile within their ranks.

Initially recognized as a prominent bounty hunter, Mr. 1 once engaged in combat with Dracule Mihawk, naively testing his might. Despite being swiftly defeated, Mihawk's recollection of the encounter underscored Mr. 1's formidable strength. Despite admitting to rustiness from inactivity, Mr. 1 downplayed any significant injuries sustained during the skirmish.

"Are you familiar with cooking?" Rosen exhaled a plume of smoke, directing his gaze towards Valentine, and inquired. She possessed remarkable beauty but also had a lethal edge to her.

"Huh?" Valentine was caught off guard by the sudden question.

"I know a bit," she truthfully admitted. In reality, she had a fondness for making chocolates. There was a snippet in the original book alluding to this. Even though she and Golden Week once rescued other senior agents from the work agency, they set up the Spider Café, specializing in chocolate – a manifestation of her ideal career. As Rosen's thoughts drifted to Golden Week, he acknowledged their moderate strength, finding it acceptable.

"Alright, come along with us. There are two things you need to know. Firstly, you are among the chosen individuals. You will accompany me into the broader world, and our Utopia combat will be completely abolished, although it's evident you are indifferent towards it," Rosen stated bluntly, displaying an apparent lack of concern for Valentine.

Despite Crocodile's renowned aspiration for the ideal homeland, Robin held complete dominion over all information. In truth, the work agency held more significant recognition.

Initially, Crocodile had prepared for the potential acquisition of Pluton to realize his vision of the ideal country. If obtaining Pluton proved unattainable, utilizing Alabasta as a core foundation was considered an equally viable option.

However, Rosen had a different course in mind. His ambitions extended to a wider world beyond Alabasta. Unfamiliar with the intricacies of Alabasta, he understood that lingering in the region would inevitably lead to exposure. Recalling the narrative arc accurately, Smoker was likely aware of his operations and would consequently apprehend his subordinates.

"Why? Hasn't the ideal country been established? What about Alabasta?" Mr. 5 expressed surprise. What transpired? Annexing Alabasta to establish the ideal realm? While this wasn't necessarily his desire, having a goal seemed preferable to aimlessness.

Rosen glanced at Mr. 5 without responding directly. Instead, he proceeded to the second point: "Secondly, we shall set sail tomorrow, departing from Alabasta towards the latter segment of the Grand Line. The competition there will be rigorous, far removed from Alabasta's trivial conflicts. I provide you with two options: either continue to follow or make your exit."

"For a more formidable and challenging objective?" Mr. 1 queried with a puzzled expression.

"Yes, the stage in Alabasta is limiting. Don't you agree that remaining here seems insufficient? It resembles more of a retirement spot. If we can't contend with the strong, our fate is to be eliminated sooner or later," Rosen emphasized solemnly. Recalling the original storyline, Crocodile met his end in Alabasta, right?

"That sounds intriguing. Since you've extended the invitation, count me in," Mr. 1 affirmed.