The Great Voyage: The Props Master on the Straw Hat Ship

Well, it's probably because Bucky knows that it's good to be under a big tree and knows how to act in a way that's more advantageous to him.

"As for Whitebeard Jr., it's easy to understand. As long as he offers a higher price than the World Government, his mother, Bakkin, who controls Edward Weevil, will easily change her mind and switch sides."

"Barrett is disdainful of money and treasure, which is why he can be so generous. It is probably because of this that the treasure hunter is willing to plunder treasure with him."

Aokiji stretched slightly.

"However, based on the information we've gathered so far, since the establishment of the Cross Guild, in addition to the Seven Warlords of the Sea, it has also recruited many new voyages or pirates from the New World, resulting in an unprecedented expansion of its power."

"But surprisingly, Douglas Barrett did not take any further action, and instead remained somewhat quiet amidst such a grand spectacle."

"And for those lawless pirates, such quietness means..."

"They're about to make a big move!!!"

Meanwhile, on the other side, far from Wano Country, on Delta Island, known as the Island of Festivals.

"Hahaha, eat, drink, and party!!"

Inside the castle, Buggy the Great, wielding the power of "Thousand Ryos Transformation," was constantly inciting the pirates in the huge hall below, where they indulged in unrestrained eating, drinking, and revelry.

The separated body parts continued to fly and participate in the celebration banquet of the Four Emperors.

At the very center below, several plates were piled high around Edward Weevil, the "Whitebeard II," forming a small mountain.

But he kept stuffing himself with food.

"Eat less, you silly son!!"

On the high platform, Ba Jin, dressed in expensive clothes and adorned with jewels, was coldly cursing at Weibur below.

"If I overeat and die, I won't be able to make any more money!!"

His words were utterly cold.

"Okay, Mom!!"

With a voice and intelligence similar to Majin Buu, Weevil immediately choked on his food.

After downing a large bucket of liquor, he quickly looked up and answered, afraid that his mother would worry.

His face had a crescent-shaped white beard that curved upwards, just like his white beard, but it was thinner and longer, and water droplets were dripping from it.

·· 0 flowers requested ··· ····

He was burly and obese, with an exceptionally ugly appearance, and snot constantly dripped from his nose, completely unlike the imposing figure of the white-bearded man.

However, his thick lips do resemble his white beard somewhat.

At the same time, he was taller than the white-bearded man, with a fleshy upper body but very thin legs.

His hair was long enough to reach his legs, and his sideburns were braided. He also had three shocking scars on his body.

It appears that Edward Weebull suffered severe injuries, including having his entire left hand and head cut off or severed.

"Utterly boring~"

Crocodile sat imposingly on a luxurious crocodile-skin chair next to him.

...... .... 0

With a cigar dangling from his mouth and stroking the gold hook in his other hand, he stared indifferently at the group of people below.

He paid absolutely no attention to them; strictly speaking, they were just a complete rabble.

At the same time, her mind was also replaying the conversation she had with that man earlier.

"Don't you believe most in your own personal strength? Why would you even think about creating an organization like this?"

"Hahahaha, that's absolutely right, and I still firmly believe in that."

The man with his right ear shattered and wearing a fixed earmuff let out an extremely arrogant laugh:

"However, the recent events at sea, as well as my previous experiences, have made me see one thing clearly."

He sat down casually in front of Crocodile and said disdainfully:

"Even if I become the strongest and achieve my own goals, I can't do everything myself."

"If I had to personally handle even the smallest matters, it would be beneath my dignity and too much trouble."

The monstrous-looking man exuded an indescribable sense of oppression, and sneered:

"Besides, with more people, there will be more voices and noise. Although I can get things done by myself, it will be much easier and more relaxed this way," said the man.

693 The so-called "cooperation" ~ "the worst warmongers", the Pirate Grand Celebration!

"For example, from the navy's perspective, which do you think is more intimidating and threatening: a single 'Devil's Heir' or a 'Devil's Successor' from a top-tier naval group that has gathered a large number of extremely powerful individuals under their command?"

"If the navy really comes to cause trouble, the latter is obviously easier, right?"

This man clearly did not regard the group of companions he recruited as his subordinates or his own people, but rather as tools that could be discarded at any time to achieve his goals.

"So, you're also planning to use me as a tool to enhance your own power, is that it?!"

Crocodile's eyes were gloomy, and his cloak billowed with sand, making it clear that he was ready to fight at the slightest provocation.

"No, if it's between us~"

The man laughed loudly, "Using the word 'cooperation' would be more appropriate."

"Cooperation?!"

Crocodile stared coldly at the other man. "This is not something someone like you should do."

"People always change, don't they?!"

The devilish fellow shrugged. "Just like when we first met, I remember it all."

"That was the real Crocodile back then—confident, powerful, ambitious, arrogant, and convinced he was the strongest!!"

"And he's one of the few guys who managed to escape unscathed after fighting me, which left a deep impression on me."

"But then I heard that you failed to challenge Whitebeard, then joined the World Government and became one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea~"

The other person's gaze swept over Crocodile from head to toe, then a sneer rang out:

"It seems that the [Sand Crocodile] of yesteryear can only live on in our memories now."

The casualness and disdain in his words were practically written all over his face.

That's a confidence that doesn't bother to hide one's expression, nor does it require any concealment, and it's about being able to read other people's expressions.

"If you came to me just to spout this nonsense..."

Crocodile's face had completely darkened, and his words were laced with anger:

"Then I wouldn't mind letting you eat some sand again!!"

"I've already said, I'm here to discuss a collaboration with you."

The burly man rose from his seat, pressing his fingers as he did so.

"Of course, when it comes to cooperation, it's essential to determine the dominant position of both parties and assess each other's capabilities to see if they are suitable partners."

The crisp sound of bones breaking through the air produced a burst of noise.

What followed was a great battle between the sand and the combined demon.

And the final outcome of this battle was exactly as the devil had predicted.

The current Crocodile is completely different from the Crocodile of yesteryear.

"Instead of fighting me to the bitter end here, why not take a longer-term view?"

The man was almost unharmed. Looking at Crocodile, whose eyes were as red as a wolf's and who was ready to fight to the death, he laughed loudly:

"I have information about ONE PIECE!!"

It was these words that caused Crocodile's pupils to shrink, and the burning anger in his heart gradually subsided.

Then he sat down here.

Because he knew that the extremely arrogant guy would never stoop to lying, much less deceive him.

"ONE PIECE...?"

Crocodile stared at his scarred face, reflected in the golden hook.

"If I could really find ONE PIECE, would I be able to get my hands on it right now?!"

Recalling the gap between himself and that man, Crocodile fell silent once again.

It seems that in some aspects, he still needs to train more diligently.

And at the very top of this ceremonial castle, at the very top of the highest tower.

A tall, straight figure in military uniform stood there proudly.

"It'll be soon!"

The man gazed at the distant sea and chuckled softly.

He has large scars on the left side of his body from the bombardment by the Buster Call.

He seems to really like military uniforms, and is even wearing a new uniform that's a modification of the old-fashioned style, with the collar insignia from his military days pinned to the collar...

On the left arm of his uniform was the insignia of the Gorz Army from the war-torn country of Jalzburg. The number 09 represented his scout number.

With striking blond hair and crimson skin, he looked like a demon crawling out of a fiery hell.

"Festa, how are the preparations going?!"

He didn't turn around, but asked in a low voice.

"Don't worry, everything will be fine!!"

With an afro, swimming goggles perched on his forehead, and a look resembling that of a deadbeat, he appeared behind him with his hands behind his back.

"Is that so?!"

"[Devil's Heir]," Douglas Barrett laughed again, "Is everything prepared?!"

"Of course!!"

A glint of fanaticism flashed in the eyes of Buena Festa, the “festival maniac” and “most heinous warmonger.”

"Everything is ready!!"

"Bounties for the Navy and invitations to the pirates' festival are all ready!!"

"I'm going to host the most extravagant celebration banquet in the world!!!"

"That's good~"

Barrett smiled with satisfaction. His partner, whom he had casually saved, was in complete agreement with him on the 3.4 aspect, and they even complemented each other very well.

"I will capture the entire ocean in one fell swoop!!"

"When that time comes, I will let the whole world prove who is the strongest!!!"

"certainly!!"

Buena Festa blurted out, "You are absolutely the strongest being in the world, Barrett!!"

He spread his hands and looked at the small treasure box in the center of the room, his eyes almost burning with ambition.

"With this, we'll definitely be able to gather all the world's strongest warriors!"

"In that case, the Pirate Expo, which is known as the 'Pirate Grand Festival,' will definitely be the most sensational one in history!!"

694 Bounty on the Navy! Past and Memories, the Strongest Man, Barrett's Ambition!!

"At that moment, this will become the most brutal war in the world!!"

"Our dreams will all come true!!"

Barrett, who challenges all formidable opponents to reach the pinnacle of power, and Buena Festa, a celebration maniac who dreams of orchestrating the world's greatest party, share the same goal despite their different aspirations.

And so, they hit it off immediately and reached an agreement on cooperation.

Buena Festa has prepared all sorts of invitations, as well as bounties for the Navy.

"Once we have this, both pirates and the navy will swarm in. We can't let the pirates bear the bounty alone!"

"It's an event held every few years. Originally, it was just a grand festival for pirates, the Pirate Expo. But with this new event, not only will all the pirates from the Grand Line gather, but the Marines will also be there."

"The total bounty of pirates throughout history easily exceeds 10 billion Berries, but if we also add the bounty to the Navy's bounty..."