More than a month had passed. It was already November, and the weather had cooled considerably.
"Finally, it's not so unbearably hot anymore," Vane sighed with relief.
The Baroque Commune had been operating in Wano for nearly a month. Under Vane's direction, their role was clear: part intelligence network, part assassination group. Its members quickly adapted, taking on contracts as killers and informants. If someone needed information, or even something as rare as a Devil Fruit, the Baroque Commune could deliver—for the right price.
When Vane acquired a Devil Fruit with strong potential, he reserved it for his subordinates. If it was weaker, he often set it aside for his [Investment System]. After all, the system rewarded him no matter what type of fruit it was.
Rubber Fruit types like Luffy's, which outsiders dismissed as strange and weak, only shined because of the protagonist's willpower and aura. Without that, they were practically useless.
That was Vane's personal belief anyway. Some even theorized the Rubber Fruit had been Roger's, but Vane doubted it. In Roger's crew, aside from Buggy's accidental consumption and Barrett—who had eaten his Devil Fruit at a young age—no one else was known to rely on such powers.
What fascinated Vane most, however, was the legendary Zoan-type—the Bat-Bat Fruit, Model: Vampire. This fruit once belonged to the Red Count, Douglas Bullet's contemporary. Known as the "Aloof Red," the Red Count was a peerless master of physical combat who only sought the fruit later in life, after Impel Down, to restore his youth and exact revenge.
If Vane could track down that fruit, there might be a chance to recruit the Red Count himself. Still, the man was notoriously arrogant and solitary. Bringing him in would be no easy task.
For now, the mission Vane set for Baroque's operatives was clear: search the New World for the Vampire Fruit. Crocodile's agents worked tirelessly. With Vane backing them, they acted boldly, confident enough that even the Whitebeard Pirates didn't seem untouchable.
Compared to Vane, Crocodile's influence was minuscule. Here in the New World, Vane's presence already felt like it stretched across half the sky.
The Commune also expanded into the underworld. The New World teemed with shadow organizations, smugglers, and assassins. Occasionally, intruders even slipped into Wano, only to be discovered by Kaido's watchful forces. Their purpose was never clear, but Vane's approach was simple: eliminate them and seize their resources.
"Crocodile, this is the New World. Out here, your men aren't nearly strong enough," Vane remarked calmly.
Back in Alabasta, Crocodile's Baroque Works had dominated. But in the New World? They were gnats among giants. Monsters roamed these seas, and survival required more than schemes.
"I've been recruiting," Crocodile replied, puffing smoke from his cigar. "Think it's fine if I use your name?"
Lately, Crocodile felt his reputation surging again. Not long ago, the Fleet Admiral Sengoku himself contacted him. Word had spread that Crocodile had defected to Vane's side. Considering Crocodile was a former Warlord of the Sea, it sent shockwaves through the world.
The Golden Emperor allying with Vane wasn't alarming—he'd always been free. But Crocodile? A Shichibukai abandoning his position was scandalous.
Crocodile's response was blunt: "I quit." He was tired of being shackled by the World Government's chains.
The result? His bounty skyrocketed to 1.08 billion Berries. From a mere 80 million before becoming a Warlord, his price now placed him among the monsters of the New World. And stamped beneath his new poster were the words: "Subordinate of Rhett Vane."
The world interpreted it as Crocodile officially becoming part of Vane's crew. For the first time, Vane's banner had gained a notorious commander.
Panic spread across the seas. Many assumed Vane was gathering forces to rival the formations of Whitebeard, Big Mom, or Kaido.
Meanwhile, Robin's presence by Vane's side troubled the Government even further. As the only person alive capable of deciphering the Poneglyphs, she was priceless. Her bounty surged to 300 million Berries, dragging attention to everyone allied with Vane.
"In my name, fine," Vane said, his voice sharp. "But Crocodile—men with rotten character, throw them out. Filthy scum don't deserve to stand under my banner. At worst, feed their corpses to the fish."
"No problem," Crocodile said without hesitation. Truth be told, he despised such people too.
"Focus on real talent. Powerhouses, or at least people with potential. We don't have enough hands yet," Vane added.
The two stood before a massive barren mountain. Vane had plans for it—a grand entertainment hub, something rivaling even the Golden City. Wano was vast, and the people needed places for culture, business, and spectacle. Still, Vane drew the line at vice; there would be no seedy pleasures here.
"Let's begin, Crocodile," Vane commanded, staring up at the towering peak.
Crocodile smirked, tossing away his cigar. "This'll be easy."
Planting his right palm against the earth, he unleashed his power.
"Desert—Eternal Erosion!"
Sand energy surged outward, engulfing the mountain. With a thunderous rumble, stone shattered, crumbling into rubble and dust. In mere moments, the once-imposing peak had been reduced to gravel, ready for use in construction.
Vane watched with satisfaction. Crocodile's power was as destructive as it was practical.
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