Chapter 70: 069
By the way guys, we are getting closer to the chapter on rewards for girls, what should I give to the winner as a reward?
By the Way the winner is at the end of the chapter.
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The two left the wax house at a leisurely pace, both eager to finish work and call it a day. The individuals Crocodile had arranged were very goal-oriented, each keen on wrapping up their tasks as quickly as possible. There was no chance they would put in an extra second for the boss unless he had them under a tight leash.
The candle man and Miss Golden Week made their way toward the heart of the island, their sights set on Luffy and the others who had already ventured onto the island. However, the candleman failed to pick up any news regarding Ron's movements. Since Ron hadn't gone with the main group and there were only a few people left on the boat, they had been divided into five teams.
"They've left. Let's go," Ron said, noticing the candleman's departure from the house. He grasped Mikita's shoulder and, transforming into a bolt of lightning, swiftly arrived at the candlelit house.
Inside the house, unpacked biscuits were strewn across the table, accompanied by a pot of steaming hot tea, giving the impression of a casual tea party. However, such an ambiance was typical for secretive meetings.
Ron took a seat at the table, casually picking up a biscuit to munch on. Whether the cookies were laced with poison didn't concern him. He had encountered similar situations before, relying on an antidote like Reiju's if need be.
"Master Ron, are we not going to capture them?" Mikita inquired, noticing Ron seemingly relishing the snack time. She couldn't help but think that they had their provisions onboard, even packed bento boxes. It seemed as if they had come here just to enjoy some cookies with Miss Golden Week. How idle and tedious!
"Why bother capturing them when I can have a chat with Crocodile?" Ron gestured to a covered basket containing a Den Den Mushi that enabled communication with Crocodile.
Mikita fell silent for a moment, contemplating why she had caught Crocodile's attention. Crocodile was not someone to be trifled with. What was the point of provoking him? Having left the group, Mikita had no desire to engage with her former boss. However, her current boss was no pushover either, and he certainly wouldn't agree to any conditions.
"Come on, you know how to reach him," Ron said, pulling out the Den Den Mushi and initiating contact directly.
Mikita nodded silently as the Den Den Mushi connected to Crocodile's end within moments.
"What's the matter?" Crocodile's somber voice echoed through the device, sending a shiver down Mikita's spine. Nevertheless, she stood her ground; the current boss was present, and she wouldn't cower.
"Crocodile!" Ron's voice rang out, addressing Lao Sha directly.
Crocodile seemed taken aback for a moment, glancing at the Den Den Mushi, confirming that it was indeed Candleman's device.
"I didn't expect the rat to make an appearance here."
"I didn't expect it either!" Ron retorted, a grim smile playing on Crocodile's lips as he retrieved a cigar from the drawer and placed it in the corner of his mouth. "These vermin are getting bolder," he added.
"I didn't expect that a Shichibukai like you would be involved in the planning of an Ancient Weapon capable of annihilating the world. Such a device capable of obliterating an entire island in one strike has no place in this world," Ron stated calmly, pouring himself a cup of steaming hot tea and relishing the flavor. Candleman certainly had good taste.
Whether it was due to Crocodile's wealth or some other reason, he was now enjoying better tea than what was on their ship. It was a testament to how even a low-level worker could enjoy such luxury.
…
"Nico Robin told you all of this?" Crocodile's tone was laced with skepticism. "Seems like she did betray me. That woman was always on the brink of treachery. You have to be careful; she'll betray you sooner or later," he warned, not in any rush to inquire further with Ron. The two of them conversed as if they were old acquaintances, seemingly comfortable with each other's company. Crocodile didn't hold his two subordinates in high regard; to him, such disloyal behavior was common. That was Nico Robin for you.
"Rest assured, this time, I will take her to witness the pinnacle of the world. Besides, who says former bosses are unreliable, and employees aren't allowed to seek better opportunities?" Ron chuckled, displaying a nonchalant attitude towards Crocodile's status. He understood that he had to restrain himself regardless of the multitude of thoughts racing through his mind.
"Tell me your name," Crocodile demanded directly.
"Ron, you must have heard of me," Ron replied. "Though it seems the tales about me may have been exaggerated. I'm just an ordinary guy, nothing too extraordinary."
"So, you're the Thunder Monarch who battled Mihawk and even emerged victorious? That's quite the reputation," Crocodile remarked with a hint of skepticism.
"Perhaps it's blown out of proportion, just tall tales," Ron humbly responded. While he had indeed made significant progress with his encounter with Mihawk, he was aware that his true strength still had room for improvement.
Presently, he felt confident facing Crocodile, especially considering his advancements in conquering the Grand Line, including attaining an intermediate level of Conqueror's Haki. With each battle, Ron's strength continued to grow, leaving him uncertain of the true extent of his capabilities.
Moreover, with the addition of his Thunder and Lightning Forging Body technique, his physical resilience had notably increased, making him nearly impervious to conventional weaponry.
A slight cut healed within a matter of minutes, leaving Ron to ponder if ordinary blades could even penetrate his skin.
"Tell me, what are your conditions for handing over Nico Robin?" Crocodile asked, getting straight to the point.
Ron proceeded to make the call, intending to negotiate terms with Crocodile. The proposition of handing over Nico Robin was the ultimate test, an opportunity to see what leverage he could grasp to make Ron value the offer. Even the promise of revealing information about the Ancient Weapon, a tempting incentive, failed to sway Ron's determination.
"I have no intention of giving her to you. I simply want to have a chat or perhaps declare war," Ron declared with a smirk, reveling in the opportunity to engage in some action. He suspected Crocodile had too much free time in Alabasta, not even warranting a second thought from him.
Crocodile's brow furrowed in response to Ron's unexpected antics. He had anticipated a conversation, not this sort of manipulation. Ron's audacity incited a sense of indignation in Crocodile, stoking the flames of his wrath.
"Are you playing games with me?" Crocodile's voice resonated with a menacing undertone, suggesting his mounting irritation. He couldn't fathom how this group of rookies dared to toy with him in such a manner.
Ron, undeterred, continued to whisper, "I've already revealed the secret of the Ancient Weapon. Right now, it's in one of the Four Emperors' territories, hidden away from the world's prying eyes. Apart from a select few, very few individuals know about it."
"Very well, my comrades have had too much idle time, and now I've found the perfect partners in crime," Ron mused silently. "Crocodile can play the role of a competent coach for now. I just hope he can train these individuals well. Currently, I'm planning to take on two maids; I don't have time to play games with Crocodile. My focus is on training these recruits."
Ron was certain about his priorities. Fishing on the boat served as a form of leisure, albeit with the ulterior motive of hindering his crew's smooth journey to their destination.
Mikita felt as though she had overheard something she shouldn't have. Though she wanted to cover her ears, she realized it would be futile. Every word had been heard, leaving her with a sinking feeling in her gut.
"It seems you are quite well-informed. I invite you to join me here and divulge everything you know," Crocodile stated, somewhat taken aback. Nico Robin hadn't divulged this level of insight. It appeared that this ship harbored hidden dragons and lurking tigers, unbeknownst to many.
There were still so many unknowns, even the whereabouts of the Ancient Weapon were known. To be able to pinpoint its location within the territory of one of the Four Emperors implied an extensive knowledge base. These Four Emperors were known for their smooth operations, lacking any form of disruption. They probably had no idea that such a significant entity resided within their midst.
Crocodile's lips curled into a smirk; he hadn't expected to encounter such an intriguing individual. The depth of knowledge Ron possessed hinted at a rich history that had somehow slipped under Crocodile's radar. "Very well then, come and defeat my partner first, and then we can talk. If you manage to do that, I'll reward you with more information," Ron asserted, ending the call before Crocodile had a chance to respond. This classic villainous move amused Ron to no end.
Following the phone call, Ron felt a newfound sense of ease. He hadn't anticipated this much excitement. Crocodile might come after him directly, a thought that oddly brought Ron some relief. Crocodile's dismissive attitude didn't sit well with him. While he could ignore Crocodile, he couldn't afford to do the same with Luffy. If need be, he would find a way to lure Luffy into the fray and have him confront Crocodile.
"Luffy, I'm making way for you, my brother. Let Crocodile be your direct opponent. You'll need a worthy adversary on this journey," Ron thought to himself, focusing on paving the way for Luffy's growth. Despite neglecting major events in his own life, he was determined to be the most dependable ally for Luffy. He had yet to settle the score with Luffy, making him an exceptional partner, even though Luffy had once claimed his dreams were superficial.
"Lord Ron, do you have to provoke Crocodile like this? Aren't you afraid he'll retaliate?" Mikita whispered, her concern palpable. She knew that when provoked, Crocodile's might could be devastating. "If he gets riled up, who knows what he's capable of."
"It's not my concern if he gets angry. Let's go. We should check on how the other maid is doing," Ron replied, unfazed. After all, it wouldn't be him facing off against Crocodile; he was merely a crewmate. Last time, when he competed with Luffy for leadership, Luffy had expressed discontent. Now that Ron had offered the lead to Luffy, he should be content.
"Your captain must be delighted to have a companion like you," Mikita teased, sensing the complex dynamics at play within the ship. It seemed like the vice-captain was constantly plotting to seize power and overthrow the captain. Such contemplations appeared to occupy Ron's thoughts regularly.
"Thunder Monarch Ron! A newcomer from East Blue. We don't have any additional information. He first emerged in Shells Town. He's a Logia user of the Goro Goro no mi, proficient in both Armament and Observation Haki. Is that all the information? No further leads?" Crocodile queried, reviewing the intel with a slightly furrowed brow. It was evident that the information at hand didn't match the depth of knowledge Ron had exhibited. Given the extent of Ron's awareness, there had to be more information yet to be uncovered.
"Boss, that's all we've managed to gather," the subordinate replied respectfully, standing by Crocodile's side. Their intelligence network had even extended to underground organizations and exchanges with Joker's men. Despite scouring East Blue for information, this was all they could ascertain.
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By the way guys, we are getting closer to the chapter of reward for girls, what should I give to the winner as a reward?
The Winner is Robin So why should i give her?
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone