" No, but tell me it's a joke. " Roared Mr 2.

As he had been seated at a table for over an hour with the other officers of Baroque Works, the man was starting to get angry.

" How long will we have to wait? Am I the only one who wants to know the identity of the boss? I'm warning you, I'm going to dance if I don't have an octopus sorbet. "

" Disgusting. " Miss Halloween said.

" What? I don't accept the criticism of a person who eats chili for breakfast. "

" It's excellent soaked in milk. " Retorted the young ninja.

" Let's try to keep calm. " Cried Mr 6.

" Exactly. " Roared Miss Merry Christmas. " Hearing you hurts my back! Mr 4, a massage now. "

" Good to see that you are all here. "

Turning immediately, the seven officers turned to a person who had just arrived.

" Miss All Sunday ? " Recognized her as Mr 2.

" I want to thank you for coming from so far! Hello everyone. "

" Dismiss the solemnities, and come to the facts, Miss All Sunday. " Cried Mr 1.

Despite his tact, Miss All Sunday agreed.

" You are right ! Let's get straight to the heart of the matter. "

" That's true. " Approved Miss Merry Christmas. " Hurry up! We don't have to do that ! Go ! "

" We will do things in order! First of all, I want you to meet someone! The man who is none other than the boss of the organization of Baroque Works: Mr 0. "

" The time has finally come. " A male voice approved.

Immediately, a sandstorm raged throughout the room.

" But what ...? " Miss Doublefinger wondered.

" Hey ? I have sand in my eyes. " Miss Halloween complained.

Swirling, the sand continued to roam the room. Then, finally, he walked over to an empty seat and began to cram into it. Then, little by little, the sand took the shape of a human silhouette. And, finally, all the officers saw a man at the other end of the table.

" Hello to you. "

" Cro… Cro… CROCODILE ? " All the people in front of him were surprised.

" I guess each of you is in a hurry to be able to accomplish the ultimate Baroque Works plan. " Cried the man, seeming to appreciate the surprised and frightened looks of his officers. " Please excuse the delay, I was waiting for the arrival of a last guest. "

" I see that you have already recognized the face of the boss. " Miss All-Sunday remarked. " Perfect ! So I wouldn't waste time presenting it to you. "

" What man from Grand Line does not know the face of this scoundrel ? " Wanted to know a voice.

Losing his smile, Crocodile saw a person come into the room, while having his body hidden under a huge black cloak.

" Mr X… " Cried Crocodile. " I find you very rude to someone who has the audacity to arrive late. "

Just smiling at him, Noscula pulled the hood off his head, screaming.

" Crocodile, being the person who asked me personally to join the ranks of the Navy, you must know that eclipsing me at night is extremely complicated! Especially since I was in the company of Smoker! If anyone ever finds out I'm gone, I'm in serious trouble. "

" Not my matter. " Cried Crocodile. " Please take a seat. "

" The Navy ? " Mr 2 wondered, recognizing the man. " What is a vice admiral doing here ? "

" Mr X is one of my associates. " Crocodile simply assured. " If I was able to deceive the Navy during these two years, it is thanks to him. "

" Oh, you seem to me in a very good mood, Boss. " Noscula remarked, falling into a chair.

Daring to smile slyly, he cried out.

" Despite knowing that Nefertari Vivi still represents a risk for Baroque Works. "

" Nefertari Vivi ? " Said Mr 6. " A moment, ! In my last report, it was said that Mr 3 had murdered him. "

" It seemed to me to have the same thing. " Approved Mr 1.

" It looks like we had some problems on Little Garden. " Miss All Sunday asserted.

" Oh ? So that's why you wanted me to kill him. " Supposed Mr 2.

" These are just details. " Retorted Crocodile. " Alive or not, I doubt this princess can bother us. "

" And the pirate accompanying him ? " Asked Noscula. " Monkey D. Luffy. "

" A pirate whose head is worth 30 million berrys ? It's just a mosquito! Mr 2 could easily defeat him. "

" And Portgas D. Ace ? "

" Him, if he decides to continue to bother me, I'll take care of it myself! Since he belongs to the Whitebeard crew, I make it personal. "

Not giving a damn about that, Miss Douflefinger cried out.

" If I may, could I know why a shichibukai, a pirate protected by the Navy, is interested in taking control of a country like Alabasta? Why did you found such an organization ? "

" If this is what you want to know, it is not fortune and honors that interest me! But military might. "

" Military ? " Mr 1 repeated.

Lighting a cigar, Crocodile cried out.

" I will reveal to you my true purpose, as well as the details of the ultimate Baroque Works plan. "

" A moment, Boss. "

Again, someone came into the meeting room. However, unlike Noscula, Crocodile could not remember inviting the newcomer.

" Mr 3 ? "

" Boss ... I have come to teach you information of the utmost importance. "

" How did you find our secret lair ? " Wanted to know Miss All Sunday, really surprised to see the man here.

" Mr 3. " Roared Mr 2. " May I know where you came from? You may not know it, but the boss gave me a mission to kill you! And I never fail a mission. "

" A moment, Mr 2. " Crocodile stopped him. " Let him speak. "

" You want to know where I come from ? " Asked Mr 3. " It's simple ! I just followed you from the Spiders Café! I climbed in the back of the cart that brought you here. "

Bowing then, he cried.

" Good to meet you, Boss! I came here to ask you for a second chance. "

" Second chance ? " Repeated Crocodile. " Mr 3… if my memory serves me correctly, I had entrusted you, Mr 5 and you, with a major mission, of which you had promised me success! And yet you had failed! Worse still, I only heard the news of this failure for ten days. "

Throwing a hateful look at Mr 3, he roared.

" If I had been warned of your defeat, the same day, I could have called on Mr 2 to eliminate Nefertari Vivi ! But, instead, I had to give up this idea, for lack of time! In addition, in the meantime, the princess is now escorted by the famous pirate, Portgas D. Ace! What are your excuses to justify such a debacle ? "

Starting to swallow his saliva, Mr 3 stammered.

" P… Por… Portgas… D… Ace ? I… I'm sorry, Boss ! But the information I received was wrong! For starters, Monkey D. Luffy's crew consisted of at least three times as many people as expected and most had Devil Fruit powers! Also, in Little Garden, besides Broggy and Dorry, a person with strange powers was on the island and managed to beat Mr 5 in an instant! And finally, in Drum, when they beat me up a second time, they… "

Suddenly falling silent, Mr 3 immediately placed his hands over his mouth. Too late.

" Wait a minute. " Roared Crocodile. " What do you mean "to Drum"? Are you telling me that you fought these pirates twice and failed ? "

" Euh ... I ... "

" May I know why I had not received your report after your first loss? "

" Huh… I just wanted… I just wanted to correct my mistake… "

" Hey, what happens at the end ? " Wanted to know Mr 2. " This guy had to kill the princess, right? But he failed! What I would like to know is how Mr. X can know it. "

" I ran into him ten days ago. " The vice-admiral told him. " If Portgas D. Ace hadn't intervened, I could have killed her myself! And without counting this damn Mugiwara… "

Rummaging under his cloak, he pulled out three wanted notices.

" Here is the identity of three of them ! Raynare, the fallen angel ! Gin, the demon ! And Monkey D. Luffy. "

Immediately grabbing Luffy's wanted poster, Mr 2 felt his eyes leave their sockets as he cried out.

" But… this guy… I have already met him. "

" What ? " Crocodile wondered.

Immediately, Mr 2 put his hand on his cheek, and changed many times. So he showed the faces of Luffy and all of his crew except Raynare, Sanji, Vivi and Neni.

" Here is the face of our enemies. " Affirmed Mr 2. " And it seems to me that I saw this woman named Raynare! And that's not all. "

Taking again the aspect of Lucy and Bruno, Mr 2 finally affirms.

" These two people have powers! They must have eaten a devil fruit. "

" It is true that I lacked information on them. " Approved Crocodile, looking at Noscula. " The person who told me of their existence was unable to give me any information about them. "

" You really thought I had memorized all of their faces in seconds ? "

Sighing, Crocodile asserted.

" I must grant it to you, Mr 3 ! Our information was wrong! However, this does not exclude the fact that you did not contact me after your first loss. "

" B… Boss! Listen to me, please ! Let me take care of the pirates and Vivi ! This time, I promise to… "

Mr 3 suddenly fell silent, while Crocodile left his seat before yelling.

" Silence, incapable. "

Gripping the man by the neck, he squeezed the man enough to keep him from fleeing.

" Mr 3… I have to admit something! From the start, you were nothing but an understudy. "

" What ... What ? "

" Yes ! I have never had the slightest regard for you and Mr 5, for the simple reason that I had decided, from the start, to replace you with people much more competent than you. "

With a simple nod, he pointed to Mr 6 and Noscula.

" Do you understand, instead of having an idiot like Mr 5 and an incompetent like you, I decided to replace you with a man who managed to reach the rank of vice-admiral, and by a man who belonged to the crew of one of the yonkos. "

" What ? " Said Mr 3. " Yon… Yonko ? "

" Nevertheless, do you know why I entrusted this important post to you? You are a weak officer in combat, so much so that Mr 4 can easily beat you! However, I must admit that I appreciated the intelligence, tenacity and perfidy you displayed in order to succeed in your missions! At times, I even thought about including you in my final plan! Pity ! "

At that moment, as Mr 3 struggled in vain, his body began to dry up.

" What .. ? " Miss Merry Christmas wondered, rising from her chair.

" He becomes a mummy. " Miss Halloween remarked.

" The power of a Shichibukai. " Noscula simply remarked.

Then, remaining silent, all the small group could see the killing of Mr 3, while the body of the latter fell to the ground, before disappearing in a trap door which led to the entrance of the aquarium of the small animals. of Crocodile companies.

Being able to hear a cry of fear, followed by a long silence, the shichibukai took the time to light his cigar again before declaring.

" I hope for you that I made you understand enough what would happen if one of you had the bad idea to fail. "

With a simple nod, most of the officers nodded.

" Some water. " Usopp pleaded.

" I will die. " Yosaku asserted.

" It's hot. " Menma complained.

" You just have to get back on the sled. " Zoro cried, seeing her walking beside him.

" Chopper decided to walk! So me too. "

" This is not a contest, idiot. " Zoro cried, giving her a little punch on the top of the head. " Don't complain if you have sunstroke. "

" What a pleasant walk. " Cried Loke, who didn't seem to be suffering from the heat at all.

Then, like a prince charming, he positioned himself in front of Lucy before presenting her with a bottle of water.

'' Here, Lucy! Don't hesitate to hydrate yourself with this. "

Seeing the rest of her friends suffering from the heat, Lucy politely declined the bottle.

" It will be Loke! I could hold on to Rainbase. "

" Lucy-san, it's important to drink. " Loke assured.

" It will be fine. " Lucy assured.

And before Loke could insist, he felt several hands grip the water bottle.

" Sucker, did you get some water without telling us ? " Usopp cried.

" Let me take a sip. " Johnny pleaded.

" Just a drop. " Cried Neni.

Finding himself defending the water against the trio, Loke let Lucy go forward.

However, Lucy seemed to be breathing with difficulty, while her forehead was covered with a layer of sweat. Suffering from the heat, the young mage was beginning to show signs of fatigue, as her face grew more and more red. She even had the impression that her vision was blurred.

"I feel so tired ! And the sun is so hot… "

She was suddenly surprised, feeling a cool object touch the top of her head.

" What ? " She wondered.

" Idiot. " Raynare growled.

Having made a small bag of ice cubes appear with his magic, the fallen angel had placed it on Lucy's head.

" I remind you that you have just recovered from an infectious disease! Do you really think you can keep pushing your body like this ? "

Then turning to Matsuge, where Vivi and Nami were sitting, the fallen angel cried out.

" Hey, Nami! Leave your place to Lucy! A little bit of walking couldn't hurt you. "

" What are you insinuating ? " The redhead got angry.

" It will be fine, Ray-chan. " Lucy assured.

" Shut up and get on that camel. " Raynare ordered her.

And while Nami and Lucy exchanged places, Bruno was content to make his neurons crawl in his head.

"The Shichibukais are powerful pirates! So Crocodile must have a mighty power! But what devil's fruit could he have eaten ? "

Staring at his companions, he noticed.

"From what I understand, there are three categories of devil fruit! The Paramecias like Luffy, the Zoans like Chopper and the Logias like Ace! And from what I could see, it is this last group that seems to be the most powerful! So, logically, it wouldn't be surprising if several Shichibukais had eaten fruit granting them Logia powers. "

Seeing him think, Ace then asked him.

" A problem, Bruno ? "

" Ace ... I have a question! Does your power make you invincible ? "

" Invincible? In theory, yes! A logia is able to transform its body into a material that prevents a normal person from touching it! However, I must admit that there are two possibilities for you to attack me! I imagine you are asking me this to defeat Crocodile! Do you know his power ? "

" No ! But I want to anticipate all the possibilities! If he's a Paramecia or a Zoan, we can count on a good strategy to defeat him! However, this will only be possible if it is a Logia! You, do you think we can beat him ? "

" As I just told you, there are two possibilities for attacking a Logia! However, the first requires learning a technique that you can only prove after months of training! It's called the Bushoshoku Haki. "

" Haki ? "

" Rather than talking about this, I'll teach you the second way to remove the powers of a Logia. "

Walking thus in the desert for a whole day, the pirate crew finally saw a city in front of them, as the sun began to set.

" Rainbase. " Vivi announced.

" Crocodile. " Cried Neni.

" Some water. "

Pushing the others, Luffy, Usopp, Yosaku and Johnny started running towards the city.

" Come back here. " Nami roared.

" Abandoned. " Gin advised her. " Plus, it's great for us! It is they who will bring us water. "

" With what money ? " Sanji questioned.

" Ah, I forgot this detail. "

" And Luffy too. " Zoro remarked.

Arriving in town, the pirates collapsed near a fountain, where Matsuge and Chopper began to quench their thirst.

Sitting on the ground, Nami affirmed.

" I'm exhausted. "

" You're kidding me ? " Gin roared. " You only walked five hours! We walked eleven days in all! Even Menma walked longer than you. "

" I am dead. " Menma announced, who was lying on the ground, face down.

" Great ! Stay here until we leave Alabasta. " Zoro advised her.

" You're mean. "

For her part, wiping her forehead, Raynare ended up removing the outfit she had put on to walk in the desert. So she then managed to remove all the heavy armbands she had on her since the start of the walk and let them fall at her feet.

" What … ? " Lucy wondered, seeing her do it. " How long have you been wearing this ? "

" Hum? Since we left Nanohana, why? "

" You are completely crazy. " Cried Neni, weighing one of the armbands. " Each must weigh at least five kilos. "

" I carried forty kilos. " Raynare assured him. " It was for training. "

Smiling, hearing this, Zoro cried out.

" A problem with your power? Yet I thought you kept bragging about being a supreme being. "

" Shut up, gorilla! Do you want a confession? Ok, if I want to become the most powerful woman in the world, I will surely have to train a lot! Wanna make fun of me ? "

" Not at all. " Zoro asserted. " On the contrary, I tend only to respect people who make an effort to achieve their goals. "

Surprised, Raynare was about to say something when Bruno questioned her.

" Raynare, are you the one handling the crew's money ? "

" Me ? No, it's Nami! She makes me have to give her some of the hard-earned money. "

" Stolen, you mean. " Said Nami.

" No comment from the queen of thieves. "

" I don't care about that. " Cried Bruno. " I need money ! Who can give me ? "

" Money ? " Raynare wondered. " What do you want to do with it ? "

" Maybe I have a plan to defeat Crocodile and I could potentially need the money. "

Staring at him Raynare showed her skepticism about giving Bruno any money. However, unlike Luffy, she knew she could trust him not to stupidly spend money. If Bruno had a plan, he deserved the chance to implement it.

" Virgo… give him money. "

" Well, Raynare-sama. " Cried the maid, disappearing.

Coming back sooner, she gave a bag full of coins to Bruno, who slipped it under his clothes.

" Thank you very much. " Thanked the man, before leaving. " And if you will allow it, I must now make a purchase. "

" A purchase ? " Nami wondered.

" Wait, Bruno. " Cried Chopper, following him. " If you go, you'll have a hard time finding us! I am coming with you. "

" As you wish. "

Seeing the duo leave, Vivi then turned to Ace, who seemed to be watching everyone who passed by the small group.

" Ace… I know you didn't come here to help us defeat Crocodile but… do you think you need our help to defeat Teach ? "

" Sorry, but I am forced to decline any help from you. " Retorted the Whitebeard commander. " It's my duty to fight Teach, alone! And even Luffy knows he shouldn't interfere in my fight."

Then trying to put on a confident smile, he asked.

" And you, what are you going to do with Crocodile ? "

" First, we'll let Luffy come back to us and then we should come up with a plan. " Nami asserted. " I hope he doesn't get noticed. "

" That won't change much, unfortunately. " Sanji retorted. " Let's not forget that a large part of our group is known by Baroque Works! Even though Luffy keeps a low profile, he could easily be recognized by someone. "

" By the way, I have a question for you. "

Suddenly sitting at the edge of the fountain, Loke crossed her hands in front of her face, and showed a very serious expression.

" Even if I do not know exactly the size and the number of powerful groups spread across the world, I understood something: the Shichibukais are the allies of the World Government! However, even if we prove to all that Crocodile is a monster ready to destroy a country, to attack him is to declare war on the Government. "

Staring at each of the pirates in front of him, he wanted to know.

" Even if you manage to defeat Crocodile, do you think you really can cope with the consequences of this act ? "

Looking more amused than afraid by his question, Zoro retorted.

" Baka! You forgot something! We are pirates! And we are not afraid of anything. "

" Moss Head is right. " Sanji approved. " No matter what the consequences, we must save Vivi-san's country! Then we'll see what will happen! And for Luffy, in my opinion, he's barely given any thought to this. "

Listening to them, Loke let out a weary sigh before saying.

" Why am I worried? You are a bunch of crazy people. "

" I'm afraid of being attacked by all the forces of the world government. " Nami retorted.

" Me too. " Said Lucy and Neni, raising their hands.

At the Sand Cafe, a trio were seated in front of the bar.

" Colonel Smoker, why do you think Monkey D. Luffy will be going to Rainbase ? "

" I don't know ! An intuition ! "

Choking on his beer, Noscula seemed surprised by his comrade's response, as his body was hidden under several layers of clothing.

" How's an intuition? Wait, do you realize that we wandered a whole day in the desert and fought an intense light to get here? All this for a simple intuition ? "

" Stop complaining like it's torture. "

" This is torture. " Roared Noscula. " I hate this country and its light! I hate light and you know it very well. "

" Calm down and let's think about a way to catch Mugiwara instead! Also, if I'm here, it's because I know he came to Alabasta to meet Crocodile. "

Thinking back to Lucy's words, Smoker bit the end of his cigar.

"Heartfilia… why do I trust her words, when she told me that Crocodile wanted to destroy Alabasta ? It's nothing but a pirate. "

Resuming his beer, Noscula mentally approved of Smoker's words.

"Crocodile wants Monkey D. Luffy dead. However, the same goes for us, if Smoker catches him. At least he'll stop bothering us! However, there will be two problems! Princess Vivi who may be able to make a deal with Smoker, explaining the situation to her, as well as Smoker himself! Knowing him, he will surely take advantage of his presence in Rainbase to dig a little into Crocodile's business! And it's me who will be yelled at. "

Lost in his wits, Rainbase didn't hear a quartet suddenly enter the bar and sit down right next to him.

" Some water ! Some water. " Luffy shouted.

" Yeah! Give us some water. " Usopp adds.

" Forget the glasses! Give us barrels directly. " Yosaku advised.

" Yeah! Four barrels. " Johnny finished.

Immediately, the bartender brought them their barrels and they began to drink, while Smoker asserted.

" There is something very strange in Alabasta! The country is on the verge of civil war, and as luck would have it, Mugiwara arrives here and appears to be accompanied by Nefertari Vivi, who has been missing for two years. "

" For you, what does that mean ? " Tashigi asked.

" I don't know, but I don't like coincidences. "

"This is not a coincidence. " Thought Noscula, continuing to drink his glass! Mugiwara is there to kick Crocodile's butt, and I am in charge of killing him, and doing the same with Nefertari Vivi! That damn Crocodile… does he really think I can find these pirates so easily in such a big country? I have no idea where they may be. "

" Ah, finally water. " Cried Johnny, after having drunk the equivalent of half of his barrel. " I have a full throat, me. "

Suddenly turning his head to his left, he met the gaze of Noscula, who had imitated him. Looking at each other for a few seconds, the two men blinked, before looking at the remains of the people in front of the bar. Thus, Noscula saw Luffy, while Johnny recognized Smoker.

Immediately, the man patted Yosaku on the shoulder.

" What? What's the matter ? "

Simply pointing to Smoker, Johnny nearly killed him with a heart attack.

" Uh ... Smoker ? " Called him Noscula.

" A moment, I think. "

" Uh ... Luffy-aniki ? "

" A moment ... glou ... I drink ...!

" Smoker… " Nosucla insisted, pulling his sleeve.

" Luffy-aniki…" Yosaku insisted, imitating him.

" What ? " The two men cried, annoyed.

Then they looked at each other, before Usopp and Tashigi did the same. So, the seven people remained surprisingly stoic, shocked at what they saw.

Finally, Luffy and Usopp spat out all of the water they had in their mouths. Then the four pirates fled.

" What ? " The Navy trio were surprised.

Suddenly they saw Usopp and Luffy come back and grab the four barrels of water they had left behind.

" Thank you ... goodbye ! " They cried, before running away.

" What … ? "

Coming to their senses, Yosaku and Johnny bowed to the bartender, apologizing.

" We do not have money ! Excuse us. "

Then they fled.

" You're dead. " Smoker roared, chasing them. " Gather our men, Tashigi. "

" Yes. "

Leaving the bar behind Smoker, Noscula conjured bat wings on his back, before soaring into the sky. Then he drew a machine gun from under his clothes, and started aiming at the fugitives.

" You will not go further. "

However, discreetly, he rolled up his sleeve, where there was a bracelet with a mini den-den mushi!

" Hey, Crocodile, can you hear me? I found them. "

Who will join Luffy's crew?

Before Shells Town: Raynare - 9 million - (Highschool DxD) / Lucy Heartfilia (Fairy Tail)

Arc Shells Town: Roronoa Zoro

Kuro Arc: Usopp

Arc Baratie: Sanji / Gin - 13 million -

Arlong Arc: Nami / Johnny / Yosaku

Bow Drum: Chopper

Alabasta Arc: Nico Robin /? /? /? /?

Skypiea Arc:?

Arc Enies Lobby: Franky

Arc Post Enies-Lobby :?

Thriller Bark Arc: Brook

Punk Hazard Arc:?

Tesoro Arc :?

Dressrosa Bow : ? / ?

Wano Kuni Arc: Jinbei / ?

Post Wano Kuni Arc:?

Arc Battle Teach :?

With other characters:

Buggy: Magi (OC), Bull (OC), Kuro, Morgan, Megumim -23 million- (Konosuba)

Arlong: Syra (OC)

Milhawk: Alice (OC)

Wapol: Musshuru

Crocodile: Noscula (OC), Mr 6 (OC), Miss Halloween (OC)

Garp: Sakura (Zombieland Saga)

Gold D. Roger: Igneel - 1.380 billion - (Fairy Tail), Acacia (Toriko), Bardock (Dragon ball Z)

Individual: Bruno (Jojo's Bizarre Adventure); Shinichi Kudo (Detective Conan); Menma (Anohana); Neni (Mr 9), Reiner ( Shingeki no kyojin ), Eevee (Pokemon)