Mihawk and Issho refrained from commenting on Don's actions, walking alongside him toward the Rip-Off Bar.
Meanwhile, Crocodile received Robin's message.
Hearing what she reported, he wasn't surprised.
The news of Dark King Rayleigh appearing in Sabaody Archipelago was the ultimate excitement for most pirates.
At this point, at least half of the pirates on the seas had taken to the ocean inspired by Roger's words back in Loguetown.
Pirates are primarily after treasure.
And according to Roger, the One Piece—the final island—contained all his life's wealth.
But where was this final island?
No one had found it after all these years.
And Rayleigh, as a former member of Roger's crew and the Pirate King's right-hand man, was invaluable.
Defeating Rayleigh would bring immense fame, and perhaps he even knew the location of the legendary treasure island.
Don had considered leveraging this news to boost the reputation of the soon-to-be-established Hunter's Guild.
And then Robin contacted him.
He and his crew quickly headed to District 13.
Although Crocodile had already heard Robin mention it, seeing half a street filled with charred corpses still shocked him.
"Clear them out and confirm who these people are."
Crocodile said this, straightened his coat, and walked toward the Rip-Off Bar.
Rip-Off Bar
Crocodile pushed the door open and immediately saw Don and his group seated around a table, drinking.
Rayleigh sat at the counter with Shakky, the bar owner.
After scanning the room, Crocodile approached Don.
"Morgans contacted me. Tomorrow's report will add the title President of the Hunter's Guild before your name."
"Oh? All ready?"
Don tilted his head in surprise.
"This is your Hunter's Guild. You could at least pay some attention!"
Crocodile quipped.
"Of course, that's because I trust you. I'm handing everything over to you."
Don replied.
"I appreciate it!"
Crocodile stiffened and managed to say through clenched teeth, "No thanks needed. I'm just doing what I should."
Don waved his hand dismissively.
"I'm beginning to wonder if my earlier choices were wrong."
Seeing Don like this, Crocodile turned and sat at a nearby table.
"Just like your choices before," Don glanced at him with a smirk.
Crocodile recalled the events in Alabasta—he supposed there really hadn't been any choice.
"All the responsibilities are yours. My job is to act when necessary; everything else is up to you."
Don said, waving his hand.
"I understand. I'll try to speed things up. How long do you plan to stay here?"
Crocodile asked after a pause.
"Not too long. Why, is there a problem?"
Don replied casually.
"Hmm… I just received word. A group of slave traders captured a large number of merfolk. They're holding a major auction in Sabaody Archipelago. Quite a stir."
Crocodile explained.
"Isn't that normal? These things happen here all the time, right, Rayleigh?"
Rayleigh, sipping his drink while listening to Don and Crocodile, turned his head in mild confusion when Don called him.
"Well… after losing all your gambling money, you would auction yourself off anyway."
"I know, but this time it's different. The commotion is unusually large," Crocodile frowned.
He continued, "I've been tracking Sabaody's news. While slave auctions here happen frequently, they are usually scattered. This time, it seems someone deliberately gathered them here."
"Deliberately?"
Don touched his chin thoughtfully.
"Could attract the Celestial Dragons," he muttered.
Seeing Don deep in thought, Crocodile warned, "And then?"
Don nodded, acknowledging, and asked, "And then?"
"What do you mean? Isn't it obvious? The Celestial Dragons' presence in Sabaody would trigger massive chain reactions and could affect our plans," Crocodile explained seriously.
Though ambitious and bold, Crocodile understood one thing: it's best not to provoke the Celestial Dragons casually.
Even if they are incompetent, bothering them guarantees immense trouble.
"So that's what you were worried about," Don said.
"No problem. As long as they don't appear before me, I won't intervene," he waved off.
Although he despised these parasites, out of sight, out of mind. Killing them now wouldn't be feasible and might harm the Hunter's Guild's reputation.
But if they do appear…
Don thought silently.
He wasn't sure if he could restrain himself.
He fully understood the chaos that killing Celestial Dragons would cause—but should they come face to face with him, he might just act.
"If something goes wrong, it could affect our plans," Crocodile added with a nod.
"It won't. Even if what you fear happens, the plan won't be interrupted," Don chuckled lightly.
"Defeating Dark King Rayleigh or capturing several notorious pirates will bring me huge fame… but killing a few Celestial Dragons might do the trick too."
The bar fell silent.
All eyes turned toward Don.
"You've got guts to say that," Rayleigh muttered.
Saying such things so casually?
"I understand!"
From Don's words, Crocodile realized his bottom line: he had none.
To say killing Celestial Dragons so lightly…
Crocodile had never even considered this.
The trouble far outweighed the reward.
"When does the auction start? Let me know," Don said thoughtfully.
Issho and Mihawk both turned to look at him.
"You really plan to do that?"
Mihawk's expression turned serious.
Even anarchists have limits, right?
"I just realized… I've never experienced a true life-or-death battle," Don replied, looking at Mihawk.
"Perhaps this is the opportunity for me to increase my strength again. So, Rayleigh, you'd better step up."
Rayleigh: "…"
What does that have to do with me?
He stared at Don dumbfounded.
"This place… we really can't linger," Shakky said, snuffing out her cigarette with a sigh.
"Sky Island awaits you, Miss Shakky!"
Don smiled at her words.
If Shakky and Rayleigh went to Sky Island, they could serve as NPCs for the Hunter Exam.
Both were more than qualified, able to provide a delightful surprise for future examinees.
END OF CHAPTER
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