Starting from the pirates, pushing the world.

Chapter 2574 The Sand Crocodile's Ambition and Scheme!

In Aizen's eyes, Soul Society, Hueco Mundo, and the Human World certainly possess profound histories and numerous powerful individuals.

But the overall atmosphere is more like a stagnant pool that has been silent for too long.

To be complacent and stagnant.

It lacks real vitality and variability.

But this 'Top 100 Competition' in front of us is like a miniature melting pot of all worlds.

It not only showcases the amazing diversity of individual strengths.

It also subtly reveals the unfathomable depths of the World Government.

To be able to host such a large-scale, cross-world event and mobilize so many resources.

It can attract the participation of almost all the powerful players in the franchise world.

Its organizational and control capabilities, as well as its understanding and application of 'government'.

All of this gave Aizen, who was sitting alone in the Star Council, a sense of awe and enlightenment.

He watched more than just the game.

Furthermore, this competition allows us to glimpse the power of the world government and the ecosystem of civilizations under its rule.

"What a magnificent sight," Aizen murmured to himself.

A barely perceptible curve appeared at the corner of his mouth, a mixture of admiration and ambition.

His role as an administrator, combined with Perona's sharing, provided him with an excellent observation window.

The sky above Soul Society now seems too low.

The scenery of these heavens is what he should explore even more.

Even held in the palm of one's hand.

The four images on the starlight screen are still playing continuously.

The light from the image shone on Aizen's calm face.

Only the gaze behind the glasses seemed ever more profound.

It's as if I've seen through the scene before me and glimpsed the vast universe that will belong to me in the future.

at the same time.

Deep in the golden sands of the vast western peninsula of Alabasta.

A magnificent and bizarre architectural complex, perfectly complementing the desert landscape, rose from the ground.
It proclaims the master's supreme power and wisdom.

This is the territory of the 'Tailed Beast' Shukaku, and also Crocodile's private residence.

At the heart of the territory is a magnificent ancient city with a rugged style and a predominantly circular layout.

Its architectural concept bears the unique imprint of Sunagakure.

Its earthy yellow hue blends seamlessly with the desert, as if it has stood here since ancient times.

Centered on the ancient city.

Various unique buildings extend and expand outwards.

Numerous domed houses constructed of dense sandstone are arranged in an orderly fashion.

Five massive pyramids stand majestically in the middle.

But they are not the tombs of the old men, but rather highly efficient biological factories.

It maintains a constant internal temperature and draws energy from the earth's veins.

Careful breeding of the Nether Crystal Dragon and the Tail Crystal Scorpion can produce Nether Crystals and Brilliant Crystals.

Even more striking are the strange towers scattered throughout the area.

A huge crystal disc floats atop the tower, greedily absorbing the scorching sunlight.

Transform it into the immense energy needed for the territory to function.

And on the outermost edge of the entire territory.

A 50-meter-high yellow Great Wall, like a giant dragon, coils around and firmly guards the interior.

The guards on the city walls are not soldiers made of flesh and blood.

Instead, they are sand soldiers created by Crocodile by combining alchemy with the Sand-Sand Fruit's power.

They are clad in armor, wielding sharp spears, or standing motionless at their posts.

Or they patrol silently through the streets and alleys, marching in unison.

It was noon.

Outside, the sun blazes down on the sand, and the heatwave distorts the air, but inside the castle, it is cool and tranquil.

The living room is decorated in a luxurious yet warm style.

Crocodile sat alone on the large, comfortable sofa.

Bare feet tread on soft, expensive carpet.

He wore a loose silk robe, revealing a rare air of leisure.

But he still wore that confident yet slightly mocking smile on his face.

On the low table in front of him were exquisite dishes.

The main course is banana alligator ribs, carefully grilled by the Lynx family chefs.

The meat is charred and fragrant, with a unique aroma of fruit and wood.

Next to it was a plate of fresh-colored vegetable salad drizzled with bright tomato sauce.

And high-end red wines from the world of Food Wars.

The bright red wine swirls gently in the crystal glass, releasing its rich aroma.

however.

His attention was more focused on the air in front of him.

Two Den Den Mushi (snail phone) dressed as Shukaku (a type of Japanese denial-of-the-land) are lying side by side on the table.

Large eyes projected clear beams of light, forming two virtual screens in the center of the living room.

Simultaneously, live footage of two highly anticipated contestants from the 'Top 100 Competition' is played.

The image on the left shows a young man who is only seventeen years old.

Daz Bonis.

He had a monk's scalp shaved, his face was resolute, and his eyes were as calm as an ancient well.

However, the abilities he displayed had nothing to do with compassion.

The power of the Paramecia-type Cut-Cut Fruit allows his arms, and indeed any part of his body, to instantly transform into gleaming, incredibly sharp blades.

now.

He is engaged in a fierce battle with a strange man known as 'Infinite Kelp' in a dilapidated, abandoned city street.

Each strike carried the resolute determination to sever everything.

Daz Bones' fighting style is simple, efficient, and destructive.

The person on the right is a young man in his early twenties.

Gardino.

Born in the South China Sea, he considers himself resourceful and cunning, and sometimes resorts to any means to achieve his goals.

But when it comes to fighting, they are absolutely fearless.

He wielded the Paramecia-type Wax Wax Fruit power in a variety of creative ways.

Candle barriers for defense, candle shackles to bind opponents, candle clones to confuse enemies, and wax with sticky and fast-setting properties.

His fighting style is clearly biased towards control and strategy.

While seemingly less flamboyant than Daz Bones, they often manage to subtly trap their opponents in dire situations.

In his opinion, both of them were capable, strong, and had good personalities.

Crocodile cut off a piece of crocodile meat and put it in his mouth.

While chewing, my eyes moved between the two screens on the left and right, and I calmly assessed the situation in my mind.

His attention to these two people was not accidental.

After defeating nine challengers in the previous Battle of Marineford, he successfully solidified his position and dignity as an army general.

Crocodile's ambitions began to extend beyond the military.

He believed that great strength and a high status were certainly important.

But wealth, resources, and intelligence are equally indispensable aids.

Therefore, Crocodile plans to establish his own businesses and influence outside the region.

A business empire centered on casinos, mineral trading, and high-end security has already taken shape in his mind.

This would not only bring him enormous wealth, but also allow him to build a secret and efficient intelligence network.

This would allow him to have his own informants and leverage on the chessboard of the starfish, or even across countless worlds.

Talent is the foundation of all these plans.

He needs capable and reliable subordinates to help him manage these affairs.

Daz Bones' focus and perseverance, as well as his ability to directly attack with the Slash-Slash Fruit.

Gardino's quick wit and the versatility of the wax fruit.

All of this made Crocodile see the value that made it a worthwhile investment.

Perhaps this is some kind of fate.

This will help him notice these two promising talents among the vast number of contestants.

"I'll try to contact them after the tournament ends," Crocodile murmured.

He believed that with his strength and status, recruiting two promising young people would not be difficult.

In addition, there are the three outside who were cultivated using artificial human-human fruits: 'Tail Crystal Scorpion King' Akula Vassim, 'Nether Crystal Dragon King' Desri Kristo, and 'Sand Sea Dragon King' Balahala.

His cadre team was thus initially established.

(End of this chapter)