One Piece: Marine to Warlord to Conqueror

"Boss."

A low, faintly eager voice echoed from within the sealed cage.

Seastone cuffs were locked around his wrists and shackles on his ankles, yet Crocodile looked as if he were merely resting in his own room, not a prisoner. He slowly lifted his head. When he saw Daz Bonez standing outside the bars, he frowned slightly.

"Why are you here?" he asked indifferently. "Did you get caught?"

"Boss..."

Seeing Crocodile again, Daz seemed to let out a silent sigh of relief. He reverted to his usual calm self, offering no explanation as he lowered his head.

But Daz had been his subordinate for years, the only one who knew his true identity. Seeing him like this, Crocodile had a good idea of what had happened.

"Fool," Crocodile said, his tone cold. He stared at Daz, his face a mask. "That crooked Marine brought you? Ridiculous."

'What's the use of him coming now?'

He'd thought his ambitions were finally within reach... but he'd gotten a call that morning, and by the afternoon, he was in a cell. The thought soured his mood. If his hands weren't cuffed, he'd be lighting up a cigar for a long, hard drag.

He sneered. "That corrupt Marine has some nerve. He catches me, then has the gall to let you visit."

He looked up at the silent Daz. "So, what was his price this time?"

"Your treasure vault in Rain Dinners," Daz said, his head bowed in shame. "And... all of Baroque Works."

Crocodile fell silent.

He'd expected the greedy bastard to demand a steep price, but this... He'd just been cleaned out. Years of painstakingly accumulated wealth, gone.

'And that 800 million...'

A muscle in Crocodile's jaw twitched. He thought of how that man had duped him three times in a row. He'd planned on settling the score the next time they met, but he never imagined it would end like this. 'I'm locked up, and that Marine has cleaned out my entire fortune.'

Seeing the shame on the face of his usually stoic subordinate, Crocodile let out a cold laugh. "A foolish, greedy Marine, collecting a bunch of useless tools. I suppose I overestimated him." He calmly closed his eyes, sitting upright in the cage. "Get lost," he ordered.

"Boss, I'm here to get you out! After much convincing..." Daz said quickly, remembering why he'd snuck in. "That Marine Captain lured the Hero of the Marines and the Admiral away. If we can get this cage open, you can slip out unnoticed."

It was part of the deal he'd struck. The Captain had intended to just take the money and run once the Admiral and the "Hero" arrived. But in exchange for Crocodile's entire fortune, and Daz's own promise to help him gain full control over all of Baroque Works' agents, the Captain had agreed to let him see his boss. Ostensibly, it was just a secret visit. In reality, it was a rescue. As for what punishment the Dante would face for it later? Who cared.

They were pirates, after all.

"Slip out unnoticed?" Crocodile slowly opened his eyes, a flicker of disdain on his lips as he glanced at Daz.

"Right under the noses of the Marine Hero and an Admiral? Don't be ridiculous. Especially not with that Marine. He's not the type to keep his word."

"Besides," Crocodile said, turning his head away, his gaze going distant and hollow for a moment. He looked back at Daz, his voice like ice. "I'm not in the mood. Who do you think you are? You're just my tool. Now get out!"

"Boss..." Daz looked stunned. He clearly hadn't expected Crocodile to refuse so bluntly, or such harsh words.

But when Crocodile simply ignored him, turning to sit cross-legged in his cell, Daz fell silent. After a moment, he lowered his head and sat cross-legged on the floor outside the bars, saying nothing more.

The two of them sat in silence.

A few moments passed.

Sensing Daz was still there, Crocodile opened his eyes again, his voice sharp with impatience. "What are you still doing here? Hurry up and get out!"

'If this guy hadn't been so quiet and obedient back then, I wouldn't have let him run Baroque Works at all. As if I'd ever trust anyone completely!'

"Don't bother me anymore!"

"I'm not in the mood either, Boss," Daz replied, his voice returning to its usual deadpan. "If you're staying, then I'll just stay and get caught with you."

"Tch, your loss," Crocodile said, a cold smile touching his lips. He closed his eyes again, pointedly ignoring him.

More time passed.

Finally, Crocodile lifted his head. "Get out of here."

Crocodile's eyes narrowed, the scar across his face seeming to sharpen his gaze, restoring his usual intimidating aura. "Look after my treasure for me," he said flatly. "Tell that Marine I will return one day!" His tone hardened. "I'll come take it back from him."

"Boss, I..."

"Go!"

"Yes, Boss. I'll keep an eye on him for you." This time, Daz didn't argue. A faint smile touched his otherwise impassive face. 'This was the only man worthy of my loyalty.'

"When you return, Boss, we'll start the plan over."

With that, he turned and walked away without looking back. Just as he was about to round the corner, a cold voice came from behind him.

"Don't you dare die before then, you idiot!"

Daz's steps faltered for a half-second, but he didn't stop. A moment later, his stride was as determined as ever as he walked away, until he finally disappeared from Crocodile's sight.

"Start again?" Crocodile scoffed, shaking his head. He stared expressionlessly at the ceiling. "As if," he muttered. "That was a boring plan anyway."

Then, as if remembering something, his eyes narrowed into a ferocious grin. "A mere upstart from East Blue... dares to mock me."

He would never forget it. He'd had the man on the ropes, beaten him bloody, yet somehow the upstart had turned it around. He'd never forget him standing there, looking down at him and saying those words. 'Is this the power of a Warlord? Just like the boss said... guys who rely on trinkets and titles have forgotten what real ambition is.'

'How ridiculous.' Crocodile's eyes glinted. "Mock of the East Blue," he muttered. "We'll meet again."

--**--**

"Achoo!" Mock rubbed his nose, a serious expression on his usually amiable face. "I think I caught a cold. Why do I suddenly feel so chilly?"

Kuma, standing beside him, was silent. He reached out, placing a hand on Mock's shoulder for a moment. "No," he said, his voice as impassive as ever. "You are perfectly healthy."

"Huh? Really?" Mock scratched his head, eyeing Kuma doubtfully. "Maybe your medical skills just aren't good enough to tell."

"..."

"Never mind," Mock said. "I'll go back and ask old Crocus to take a look!"

"...It's Crocus-san," Kuma corrected, a hint of helplessness in his tone. He looked back toward Alabasta, his brow furrowed. "The Marine Hero and an Admiral have both arrived. Are you certain your boss doesn't need our help?"

Having survived God Valley and served in the Revolutionary Army, Kuma knew better than most what an Admiral and the "Hero" were capable of.

"Nah, no need," Mock waved a dismissive hand. "The boss is a Marine, too. What's to worry about? Besides..."

Seeing Kuma's persistent frown, Mock leaned in conspiratorially. "I'll let you in on a secret," he whispered. "Vice Admiral Garp and Admiral Kuzan... they're on our side."

'Vice Admiral Garp? Admiral Kuzan? On our side? What is he talking about?' Before the astonished Kuma could respond, Mock went on.

"Shhh!" Mock winked. "You can't tell anyone. I promised Admiral Kuzan I wouldn't go blabbing about it!" He puffed out his chest proudly. "You know me. I'm the most tight-lipped man on the seas!"

Kuma gave him a blank look and made a mental note to never, ever tell this man a secret.

Still, Mock's words did bring him a sliver of relief. He glanced back in the direction of Alabasta, now far out of sight, and his brow furrowed once more.

"The Hero of the Marines... and an Admiral..." he muttered to himself. "Could it really be true?"

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