Simulation: Starting from Under One Person

To be honest, even if the battleship Hades has extremely powerful firepower and can destroy an island with one shot, is it really a battleship from eight hundred years ago that can still be used now?

And... do you think you're the only one who knows the Ancient Weapon Pluto is here? Don't treat everyone else like fools! Your plan has no chance of succeeding..."

Crocodile was shocked, his expression seemingly trying to change drastically, but the swelling on his face wouldn't allow it. The change was stopped by the swelling as soon as it started, and a pain shot into his mind, making him grimace.

"How ugly!"

Looking at Crocodile's ferocious face, Fang Rui gave a brief evaluation, which caused Crocodile to pause in thought.

Even people who don't care much about their appearance will feel a little disappointed if they are told they are "really ugly".

As the room quieted down, the atmosphere became somewhat oppressive.

The change in atmosphere did not affect Fang Rui's mood. He observed Crocodile's changes. Although his face was currently very abstract, making it impossible for ordinary people to guess his mood from his expression, Fang Rui had the ability to read minds and could see into Crocodile's heart.

'Oh dear~ Are you angry and disappointed because you were told you're ugly...'

'That's interesting!'

Fang Rui's lips curled into a wicked smile.

In the Impel Down arc, there's a plot point that confirms Ivankov and Crocodile know each other—not just someone who's met a few times, but someone who's quite familiar with them, and who may even know Crocodile's secrets.

"Speaking of which..."

Fang Rui suddenly spoke, drawing Crocodile's attention. Under his gaze, Crocodile slowly said, "What is the secret you're hiding? It's the one that Ivankov, the Queen of the Ivankov, knows."

Crocodile's expression suddenly changed, becoming quite ferocious, and a few seconds later it became even more ferocious.

When asked about something, many people will reflexively think about that thing, which is a normal reaction and there is nothing wrong with it. But what if you encounter someone who can read minds?

The moment you remembered, the other person knew...

"I see, that is indeed a very good handle."

Fang Rui paid no attention to Crocodile's increasingly ferocious expression, and said with a smile, "Mr. Crocodile, now you have no chance of defeating me, and I have leverage over you. You have no other option but to work for me, after all..."

"You wouldn't want your secret to be known by others, would you?"

Crocodile's expression is so ferocious that it could scare a child to tears.

"I understand," Crocodile said through gritted teeth, his anger finding no outlet.

"Very well, now I have something for you to do."

Fang Rui issued the mission: "Find the Germa Kingdom, which is known as the 'war experts' and 'evil army,' and invite them to visit the Kingdom of Alabasta."

Having roamed the seas for many years, Crocodile naturally knew about the Germa Kingdom and how to contact it.

Because soldiers of the Germa Kingdom operate as mercenaries around the world, profiting from war, many underground forces and certain intermediaries have ways to contact the Germa Kingdom.

"no problem."

Although he didn't quite understand why Fang Rui was looking for the Germa Kingdom, he didn't intend to ask further. He simply responded, turned into yellow sand, and flew out of the room, intending to return to his office to recuperate.

Fang Rui didn't stop him. After all, if he wanted something, he could just ask Robin. Crocodile didn't usually get involved in anything, so even if he asked him, he would just go to Nico Robin.

Thinking this, Fang Rui went to the window and gazed at the scene in the distance.

The golden desert resembles a golden ocean, appearing somewhat distorted under the sunlight, with undulating dunes rising and falling like waves.

"The desert..."

"I don't really like the desert!"

………………

On the other side, Nico Robin was very efficient. While Fang Rui and Crocodile were chatting, he had already done what Fang Rui had asked him to do.

Baroque Works employees in various locations have received the news, and many have begun searching for metal and wood. Of course, many others are wondering why this order was issued.

such as……

Whiskey Peak, a small town where bounty hunters gather, in an ordinary house.

The middle-aged man with light blond curly hair looked around and lowered his voice: "Princess Vivi, what do you think is the reason for issuing this mission?"

Drawing connections between metal ores and wood, all he could think of were forging weapons and building ships…

In particular, Alabasta has a type of transportation called a sand boat, which can travel in the desert.

After a moment of wild speculation, the curly-haired man had already imagined the rebel army heading straight for the capital in sandboats.

His expression was somewhat flustered.

The blue-haired girl, dressed somewhat strangely, remained calm. She frowned and pondered for a moment. Her guess about why Baroque Works collected metal ores was similar to that of the curly-haired man: it was for use in a kingdom rebellion…

what should I do?

Should they stay at Baroque Works to continue their investigation, or return home to find a way to stop the rebellion?

She has successfully grasped the clues in her investigation of Mr. 0, and given a little more time, she will find out who Mr. 0 is.

As for domestic rebellions, if the rebels receive weapons and supplies, and the Baroque Works interferes, then the outbreak of the rebellion will undoubtedly be brought forward...

'I don't know how much metal ore I need to collect, if there's a lot...'

'No, I can't gamble!'

The blue-haired girl bit her lip and pondered for a moment before slowly raising her head, having already made up her mind.

Chapter 207 Taking the Normal Path

Meanwhile, in the royal palace of Albana, the capital of the Kingdom of Alabasta.

Watching the Den Den Mushi slowly close its eyes and utter a "click," King Cobra repeated the key message: "Let's talk business..."

After a moment's thought, he asked the adjutant of the Kingdom's Guard beside him, known as "Falcon."

"Bell, what do you think Crocodile wants to talk to me about?"

Before Crocodile's true purpose was revealed, Cobra's perception of him was neither too bad nor too good.

As for trust, there isn't much either.

"I don't know."

Bell slowly shook his head, his expression serious, and said, "But my advice is... don't go."

Although the Seven Warlords of the Sea are recognized as pirates by the World Government and are considered forces under its control, thus prohibiting them from openly attacking the kings of member states, please note the key phrase "openly and legitimately" in the statement, which means...

As long as it goes undetected, attacking the king of a constituent republic is permissible.

Moreover... even if someone is a pirate recognized by the World Government, they are still a pirate and cannot be trusted.

"Refuse?"

Upon hearing this, Cobra remained silent for a moment, then raised his head and said, "No, I've decided to go see him."

"But……"

"No need to say more, I understand your concerns, so I have no intention of going to the Rain Banquet."

Before Bell could finish his persuasive words, Cobra raised his hand to stop him and explained, "I plan to meet him at a restaurant in Albana."

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, even if Crocodile wanted to do something, it wouldn't be so easy, and he wouldn't be going alone; he would definitely have to bring some guards with him.

Bell hesitated for a moment, then stopped trying to persuade him. He knew Cobra's personality; once he made up his mind to do something, no one could stop him, not even ten oxen could pull him back.

Therefore, all he could do was to protect the king with all his might.

………………

Nicole Robin's office on the second floor of the Rain Banquet Casino.

As Cobra's reply was relayed by the Den Den Mushi, the time and place for their meeting were set.

It was around 6 p.m., just dinner time, and the location was a restaurant in the capital, Albana, which was quite famous locally.

Nicole Robin and Fang Rui said they had no objection to this.

However... a certain desert king, one of the main figures in this meeting, expressed his objections.

"……I reject!"

Crocodile refused sternly, his face, covered in lumps, looking somewhat ferocious.

Even without explaining his reasons, Nicole Robin and Fang Rui could easily understand his thoughts.

Going out with an indescribable face is not only detrimental to his dignity, but it's as if his face has been thrown to the ground and crushed.

"Don't worry, you're my top enforcer. If you lose face, I lose face, so I won't let you wear that hat..."

At this point, Fang Rui paused for a moment, seemingly searching for a suitable adjective, but after a while, he couldn't find one in his limited vocabulary, so he casually said:

"...He went out with an indescribable face."

Crocodile's face is very ferocious, and he looks like he's about to attack someone.

As he spoke, Fang Rui ignored Crocodile's reaction, raised his hand and flicked out a beam of green light that flew into Crocodile's body.

Upon seeing the green light approaching, Crocodile instinctively tried to dodge, but it was too close. He couldn't avoid it, and half of his body turned into sand and floated away, while the other half stood awkwardly in place.

Fang Rui and Nico Robin, who witnessed Crocodile's impressive maneuvers without achieving anything, displayed subtle expressions.

Crocodile, however, showed no embarrassment whatsoever. After finding himself unharmed, he immediately asked, "...What was that?"

As soon as he spoke, Crocodile realized the problem. Because of the swelling on his face, he always experienced pain when he spoke, but this time he spoke without any pain, as if he were not injured at all...

Thinking of this, Crocodile's eyes flashed with realization. He raised his hand to touch his face, which was not smooth but rather rough, without any bumps or lumps.

"I'm ready!"

The surprise was fleeting, but the underlying vigilance was stronger.

It was yet another ability, and Crocodile's belief in the superior version of the Imitation Fruit that Fang Rui had mentioned increased slightly.

Similarly, Nicole Robin is also like that.

Fang Rui, who hadn't activated his mind-reading ability, didn't know what the two were thinking. He said to Crocodile, "Go change your clothes and then come with me to see Cobra."

"Why do I need to change my clothes?" Crocodile asked reflexively.

"No reason needed, just go and change it quickly."

Fang Rui was too lazy to explain. He slowly stood up from the sofa, raised his right arm and stroked it from top to bottom. As a result, his clothes changed from casual short-sleeved shirt and shorts to a pure white shirt and black casual pants.