CHAPTER II: On a Whim
Patience was never really Sir Crocodile's forte, and yet when necessary, he could be remarkably patient. Like he was for the past two decades, ever since his humiliating defeat in the New World. But that was something he tried to put behind him until the right day came along. He always had his revenge after all.
No, right now Operation Utopia was his primary goal. Why else would he even bother to bring his precious self to this dump Nanimonai?
Well at least those imbeciles managed to cover the fish crapped "land," he thought.
Brushing off the dry mixture of sand, sea salt and cigar ash, he walked on the red carpet, the whole time feeling like he was watched.Either this is Nico Robin's ability, or there is a rat in my organisation. He always trusted his instincts, and he had a hunch it was the latter.
Nevermind, he will deal with it later. He did not expect his right-hand woman to murmur: "I would love to see how this plays out." After all the years Nico Robin worked for him, he still didn't fully trust her. Who would?
Knowing her reputation, he was continually assessing her loyalty. No one could deny that she was a level-headed woman, so this uncanny behaviour put his guard on alert. Not wasting any more time, Crocodile snatched open the tent flap and stepped inside.
"What exactly?" he growled. To her credit, Nico Robin maintained her calm and smiled at him.
"Mr Zero, you came here early! I trust your trip went smoothly?" she inquired.
"Could have been better, now answer my question." he barked.
"Oh my you're quite impatient aren't you, I was just-" before -Sunday could continue her excuse, Crocodile grabbed her wrist and pulled her upward, forcing her to stand up.
"Nico Robin, I hired you because I value your intelligence and your expertise, but do not for a second think that you are irreplaceable. If you lie to me, I will kill you on the spot. We both know this. Now answer me, what is it that you are so eager to see?" Crocodile looked down on her.
For an instant Robin almost lost her trademark poise as Miss All-Sunday, he put her on the spot. If she lies about Miss Wednesday's little "expedition" and knowledge of Mr.0's identity, he will find out the truth sooner or later and kill them both.
The Unluckies diligently patrolled all the areas between Alabasta and other Baroque Works bases. They will eventually discover Miss Wednesday's unsanctioned travels and then Robin will be accountable for this oversight as well.
I will just say it as it is.
Mentally counting to three, Robin looked Crocodile in the eye.
"You see it appears we may have a spy in our midst, I have zeroed-" she smirked at her own pun, Crocodile/Mr.0 rolled his hooded eyes "-in on several potential suspects and I am now waiting for Mister 5's report on this matter." she responded quietly.
By stripping the truth down to its basics, Robin bought Vivi some time, but why did she do that?
Argh, that conscious of hers just has to activate at times like this. No this is my ultimate goal, for Ohara and our work, Robin thought determinedly.
"What?!" Crocodile roared. He jerked his head back, letting the scarf fall off his head. Of course, even at times like these, he'd rather be dead than take off his fur coat and cover up with a plain cloak.
Aesthetics seemed to rule his sense sometimes, Robin mused to herself.
"Have you thought of telling me this sooner? Woman, you are starting to annoy me, why did I even hire you? But never mind that! I was beginning to have my suspicions about them anyway" he continued.
"Mr.0, we both know why you hired me and why you still need me. And what triggered these 'suspicions' of yours?" she asked him in an agitated tone.
"Well, aren't you demanding Nico Robin! I walked by your desk the other day and saw some interesting files on our number agents and their partners. I decided to have a look and was surprised to see a few familiar faces!" Crocodile paused to take the cigar out of a box next to him.
"You see last week I was in Alubarna, dealing with that moping Cobra and noticed two interesting things. One that his brat was still missing and two I happened to chance upon his deceased wife's portrait..." He put his fresh cigar back into his pocket and continued.
"Cobra said that the Princess was the image of her mother. I thought it useless blabbering of a grieving idiot who is about to lose his throne. But when I decided to check your work and opened a folder on your desk, it contained a photo of a certain Miss Wednesday who looks astonishingly like the dead queen." Crocodile finished his "analysis" and adjusted his rings.
So he still snoops on my work. Robin often wondered how Crocodile came to be so paranoid at times.
"Blue hair certainly isn't that common in Alabasta, but surely the appearance alone wasn't the only thing that made you think so?" Robin decided to test him as well.
Crocodile gave her an incredulous look as he poured himself a drink.
"She just happened to join two years ago along with Mr.8, in the same year that Cobra reported his beloved brat as missing along with the Captain of the Royal Guard of Alabasta. A convenient coincidence perhaps? Now tell me NICO ROBIN, why was THAT particular folder on your desk?" Crocodile demanded imperiously.
Saving that girl was pointless now, Robin thought. Well, this time it was not of her own doing; the sharp mind of her cold-blooded boss did all the work.
"We agreed that you would not call me by that name anymore." She sighed and continued, "I noticed her following me on a few occasions and decided to have Mr.5 and Miss Valentine investigate her and Mr.8. But frankly, I did not expect this turn of events. You are a very insightful man. I was simply doing my job hence the folder on my desk." she lied.
This partnership is becoming too dangerous.
"Hmph, it better be as you say Miss ALL-SUNDAY. Anyhow, send someone to deal with her, she is a strong symbol of hope for her people, and we can't have that in our operation. But do not kill her just yet, I need Cobra's cooperation too. She can be a useful pawn for us, so have them bring her to me. I suggest you see to that personally..." Crocodile said cooly.
He was about to continue when Robin interrupted: "And what do we do about Mr.8?"
Visibly annoyed, Crocodile responded, "Kill him."
Lighting the cigar, he took out of his pocket again; he continued, "Now I trust the Dance Powder I requested is all here? I instructed Daz to collect it from here and take it to Alabasta in 48 hours." Crocodile looked up at Robin with a questioning look.
"Of course it's all here, we disguised it as bags of gunpowder, flour and cement. Depending on the delivery location." Miss All Sunday was back to her usual self.
The duo proceeded to discuss the plan and its costs. When she thought Crocodile wasn't looking she would steal careful glances at the exit of the tent; wondering what the Princess was going to do now
Vivi was in a state of shock. She did not dare move from her hiding spot behind a large wooden chest. It took her a second to realise that the so-called client of Baroque Works was the cocky warlord that resided in Alabasta! Sir Crocodile.
It had to be him, that golden hook, immovable fur coat, cigar smoke and of course how he just appeared out of the sand and landed on the red carpet.
His head was covered with a dark, cashmere scarf, but Vivi would recognise that man from anywhere.
His face was plastered all over the media in Alabasta and beyond; people hailed him as a hero and saviour. Even her father bestowed numerous honours upon him, citing the debt their country owed him.
But she never trusted that man, and for a good reason, it seems.
Now she had to find out why he was purchasing weapons from Baroque Works; his pirating days seemed to be over.
Wasn't he a casino mogul now?
What if he is the man behind growing unrest back home? Vivi had a hunch that this is most likely the case. But how can she prove it? Trying to regain her composure, she hugged herself for warmth and tried to think about her next step.
At that moment the tent flap flew open, all Vivi could see was the tip of an expensive looking leather shoe and the hem of black slacks.
"Miss All-Sunday, be sure to send out the orders throughout the organisation. I want you to gather all the top number agents and brief them about our strategy for the next six months. I will be heading to Mariejois for that annual idiot meeting. Take care of the impostors as soon as possible, but do NOT do anything rash. Do I make myself clear?" Crocodile stopped in his tracks.
Vivi tensed.
Miss All-Sunday followed him out of the tent.
"Certainly, it will all be taken care of. Have a wonderful trip, Mr Zero. " Miss All Sunday stressed his codename and smirked.
"Pfft, keep your sarcasm to yourself. And never pick this island for our meetings again." Crocodile grumbled and dissipated into thin air using his devil fruit power.
Miss All Sunday lingered outside for a moment before stepping back inside.
Vivi heard the sound of stacking books and the clink of glass or metal.
Vivi bit down on her bottom lip to stop herself from gasping, this was bad. Very bad. She will have to stand up to a Shichibukai! There is no way she could do that alone, even if she gathered all the generals and an army of Alabasta it will result in unnecessary bloodshed.
My people have suffered enough already; the rebels are growing in power and father's reputation falls with each passing day.
She had to act fast; her cover may be blown any minute now if Crocodile's talk of impostors was anything to go by. The Unluckies will be after her soon. She will have to wait until Miss All Sunday has left the island before she could contact Igaram.
He must be so worried by now, Vivi thought, holding back her tears. Control yourself. This is not the time nor the place for weakness.
Suddenly all the lights in the tent went out at the same time, Miss All Sunday must be a devil fruit user too.
The brunette stepped out of the tent and looked around.
Robin held an eternal log pose in her hand, as she deliberated her next actions. Sometimes her actions were hard to explain because she afforded herself the occasional luxury to act out on her whims.
Today was just one of those days,she mused.
"Look, Princess, I know you are here. Come on out; you have nothing to lose." Robin said pragmatically.
A/N: I tried my best to describe Crocodile and Robin's interaction. Any tips will be much appreciated! I also want to apologise for my grammar and punctuation, these can be all over the place but I hope I can improve it in the coming chapters. Oh and I forgot to mention in the previous chapter that I named Vivi's grandfather after the Egyptian Pharaoh Khafre to keep in line with the Egyptian influence on the Alabasta environment.
Till next time!
-Whateveria