Seeing that the Warlords of the Sea had temporarily settled down, Crocodile continued. "The operational targets are two: the Revolutionary Army and the Nefertari Family. We have enough intelligence to confirm that the Nefertari Family has allied with the Revolutionary Army. However, make no mistake, our primary target this time is not the Revolutionary Army, but the Nefertari Family..."
"How interesting. Mariejois chooses to move against the Nefertari Family at a time like this?" Hancock chuckled.
Spandine whispered, "That is correct. Furthermore, gentlemen, Nefertari Cobra and his daughter are the last remaining bloodline of the entire Nefertari Family. As descendants of the Twenty Kings, Mariejois is naturally reluctant to see their ancestral bloodline cut off. Therefore, I implore all of you to be merciful and hand over the living Nefertari to us."
Mihawk and Jinbe remained silent.
Crocodile continued, "This was supposed to be a simple matter, but with the intervention of the Revolutionary Army and the alliance with the Nefertari Family, capturing Cobra has become somewhat troublesome. Currently, we can confirm that the Revolutionary Army Executive Gecko Moria is within Alabasta, along with Emporio Ivankov, Belo Betty, and Lindbergh. We can essentially conclude that they are all present in Alabasta."
"Roughly half of the Revolutionary Army's major Executives have shown up?" Jinbe clicked his tongue.
"Has anyone here clashed with the Revolutionary Army? What is the strength of these people?" Hancock asked.
"Monkey D. Dragon, when he was in the Marines, he was considered the man most likely to become the next Marine Admiral, or even Fleet Admiral. His strength is extremely great, and he is suspected to be a Logia-type Wind-Wind Fruit user. He has caused chaos in multiple countries and has clashed with both the Marines and CP agencies. To this day, no one, including Marine Admiral Diarmuid, has managed to capture him. Our CP organization has seen countless powerful, top-tier agents die at his hands. Without a doubt, we must treat Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army, with the attitude reserved for the most dangerous of enemies," Spandine said softly.
After a slight pause, Spandine continued, "Gecko Moria, the former captain of the Moria Pirates, is someone who belongs to the same era as you. In fact, Mariejois had considered recruiting him as a Warlord of the Sea, but for various reasons, he somehow joined the Revolutionary Army, and our plan failed.
"According to our investigation, he once fought a fierce battle against Kaido in Wano Country. Although the Moria Pirates were completely annihilated, he himself managed to escape from Kaido, which is sufficient proof of his strength. In the many years since his defeat, he has been active on the seas as a Revolutionary Army Executive. Both his battle experience and his strength have improved significantly. Personally, I believe his power is in no way inferior to any of you here. I hope everyone will not underestimate him."
After another pause, Spandine went on, "Speaking of Moria, we must also mention one thing worth noting: he is an independent Executive under Dragon, with considerable autonomy. As such, he has gathered some powerful individuals under his command.
"Among them is a young woman, around seventeen or eighteen, who possesses a very unique ability, likely the Paramecia-type Hollow- Hollow Fruit. You must be careful if you encounter her. This ability is extremely bizarre; it seems capable of making people defeated without even fighting? We haven't been able to obtain detailed information on the specifics."
It was clear that Jinbe and Hancock were special and didn't need any commentary, but Crocodile and Mihawk obviously dismissed this information.
If Gecko Moria warranted their attention, how powerful could Moria's subordinates possibly be?
Spandine had done his duty and reported everything he knew. Whether they listened or not was out of his hands.
Therefore, he didn't dwell on the matter and continued, "Lindbergh, commander of the Revolutionary Army's Southern Army. This person is very mysterious; we haven't managed to obtain much information about him yet. He is suspected to be a Mink, and he fights using strange weapons, or rather, technological means."
Since there was no detailed information on this person, Spandine didn't elaborate. After a brief halt, his expression became serious. "Finally, Belo Betty, commander of the Revolutionary Army's Eastern Army. Her individual strength is quite excellent, and she is known as the Revolutionary Army's 'Female Monster.' Furthermore, her Devil Fruit ability, in my view, is the most threatening: the Paramecia-type Pump-Pump Fruit user.
"Four years ago, Dragon personally intercepted a transport ship heading to Mariejois in the South Blue. The Devil Fruit being transported by that fleet was precisely the Pump-Pump Fruit. Undoubtedly, this Devil Fruit possesses the power to change the course of a battle; it can greatly boost morale and incite people's spirits.
"Belo Betty has been involved in many Revolutionary Army incidents over the years. And gentlemen, don't forget the capital of Alabasta, Alubarna, and the absolute power the Nefertari Family truly holds: the Alabasta Kingdom Royal Guard, which numbers over six hundred thousand soldiers. The Pump-Pump Fruit can bring terrifying combat power to an army of that size!"
"So, are you saying we are going to start an army-level war within Alabasta?" Mihawk asked, sounding somewhat surprised.
He thought it would just be them fighting. Turns out they were playing on such a massive scale?
"Yes," Spandine confirmed.
At this point, Crocodile, who had been relatively silent, spoke up. "Two days ago, the dispersed sand pirates and rebels across Alabasta began gathering. Their strength is enough to reach one million people. They will converge at Yuba, the Oasis City not too far from the capital, Alubarna. With an army of a million, they will attack Alubarna. That is the grand decisive battle we are about to start.
"One million people besieging the royal city will prove that the Nefertari Family has lost the support of the people of Alabasta. Similarly, to resist such force, the garrison in Alubarna will likely be insufficient. The Nefertari Family is bound to use the Revolutionary Army's power. Once the Revolutionary Army gets involved in this matter, we can declare that the Nefertari Family has openly cooperated with the World's Worst Criminal Organization, attempting to destroy Alabasta.
"At that time, I will launch a judgment against the Nefertari Family under the name of the National Hero of Alabasta. And that, gentlemen, is the moment for all of you to make your move."
Spandine also nodded. "Rest assured, at that time, I will, in the name of Mariejois, strip the Nefertari Family of their rule over Alabasta, declaring it a conspiracy intended to destroy the kingdom."
"In other words, our stage is also that battlefield?" Mihawk asked.
"Exactly. Do you have any objections?" Crocodile inquired.
Mihawk paused, then shook his head. "No, none."
Spandine then added, "There is one more thing. Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral Dalmatian is currently within Alabasta. The Marines are pursuing an internal fugitive named Caesar Clown, the former second-in-command scientist of the Marine Science Unit. His individual strength may not be high, but he is highly dangerous. If any of you discover anything, please avoid clashing with the Marines; that would make things difficult for me. At the same time, I hope you can offer the Marines a certain degree of convenience."
The others' expressions remained unchanged, as it had nothing to do with them.
However, Crocodile's pupils constricted imperceptibly for an instant. He then naturally said to Spandine, "Is that so? I wasn't aware of such a thing. If I encounter this 'Caesar,' I will hand him over to the Marines..."
Spandine chuckled inwardly but outwardly smiled. "Then I thank you, Crocodile-dono."
Just then, the office door was suddenly flung open.
A waiter entered, looking extremely terrified.
Crocodile's eyes flashed with anger. Why is this underling so clueless? In this situation, an incompetent subordinate makes me, their boss, look incompetent, too!
But before Crocodile could reprimand him, the waiter contorted his body and cried out in panic, "Crocodile-sama, I can't control myself..."
Crocodile frowned, seemingly realizing something.
It was at this moment that a slightly frivolous laugh drifted in from outside the door.
"Fufufufufufufu. You really did pick a good place to hide, you know. It took me quite a while to track you down... you croc bastard."
Crocodile's expression darkened. He addressed the outside. "How utterly uncivilized, Doflamingo. After all these years, you are still so annoying."
As Crocodile's words faded, Doflamingo's tall figure swaggered in from the shadows outside the door with his arrogant, wide-legged gait.
Doflamingo was now wearing his flamboyant pink feather coat, orange sunglasses, tight pants, and loafers. A somewhat rakish white shirt completed the ensemble, making for a truly eccentric look.
Yet, somehow, when worn by Doflamingo, the outfit looked perfectly suitable, as if the damnable bastard was born to dress in such a ridiculous manner.
"Oh my, there are certainly a lot of big shots here," Doflamingo said with an evil grin as he walked in, looking at everyone.
Hancock didn't speak, only observing the so-called 'Last Warlord of the Sea' with interest.
Indeed, based on the timing of joining the Warlords, Doflamingo was undoubtedly the most junior.
Yet, he seemed to be the most arrogant of them all!?
Jinbe also remained silent, though he still wore his honest smile.
Mihawk glanced at Doflamingo and said nothing.
Crocodile finally spoke. "If I recall correctly, you already declined this summons, Doflamingo? Why are you here now, after refusing? Are you intending to challenge us?"
Doflamingo calmly rubbed his chin, then said nonchalantly, "Don't misunderstand. How could I possibly oppose all you big shots at once? It's simply that you, Crocodile, are too terrifying! You kept me up at night, worrying that I would wake up and my hard-won Warlord of the Sea title would be gone... So, I rushed to Alabasta. How about it? Would you let me... join in on your business? Fufufufufufufu..."
Spandine seized the opportunity to speak. "If Doflamingo-sama is interested in joining, that would certainly be excellent."
Crocodile glanced at Spandine, then back at Doflamingo, and finally spoke. "Don't make me angry, Doflamingo."
"Fufufufufufufu. Why would I? Let's just get along, like we used to... you bastard croc," Doflamingo said with an evil laugh.
Crocodile felt a strange sense in Doflamingo's gaze—was it pity?
Pity for whom?
Me?
Doflamingo, meanwhile, sighed inwardly. 'You can only blame your bad luck, Crocodile. Who told you to be a Logia user? The Admiral has his eyes on you... Put on your final performance, give him your last bit of amusement, and then... offer up everything you have.'