One Piece: Nobody knows Devil Fruits better than me.

Chapter 32 You're Mr. 0? Then who am I?
Alabasta, Airuma.

This city, which was filled with sorrow due to drought just over two weeks ago, has now been completely transformed.

The land, once cracked by drought, has now healed its wounds.

The vendors have set up their stalls again along both sides of the street.

Although this 'oasis city' is far from regaining its former prosperity, it is clearly beginning to be filled with hope.

The reason is self-evident—all the people of Airuma know it.

It was thanks to the rain brought by that 'rain-summoner' that Airuma survived.

On the outskirts of western Eruma, there is a coffee shop.

The simple wooden sign reads 'Spider Cafe,' and it's located in a deserted area on the western outskirts of Airuma.

It looks rather ordinary.

But at this moment.
A figure was walking towards the coffee shop.

He was wearing a sand-colored travel robe, and had just taken the hood down.

Under the hood, the man had slicked-back hair, a long scar on his face, and a cigar in his mouth.

What's most astonishing is his left hand.

His left hand was not made of flesh and blood, but a huge golden hook that gleamed with a cold metallic luster.

At this moment, his gaze was fixed on the hopeful atmosphere within the city, his expression indifferent.

He didn't like the atmosphere of the city.

It wasn't that he harbored any ill will towards the people in the city; it was simply that the hopeful atmosphere there meant his plans were being thwarted.

And the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Crocodile.
He utterly despises any obstacle that stands in his way.

However, it doesn't matter.

"call"

He took the cigar out of his mouth and exhaled a puff of smoke.

According to the information he received, the 'obstacle' had been removed.

He murmured quietly.

"I just hope that the clues Nicole Robin finds are really valuable enough."

And what he said was precisely the reason he was here at this moment.

Not long ago, he gave orders to the executives of Baroque Workshop—to kill the 'rain summoner' who was hiding in the palace and could bring rain.

Just two days ago, he received a report from Nicole Robin.

"The target has been successfully killed."

This news did not surprise Crocodile.

The executives of Baroque Works are all seasoned ability users, so it's not surprising that they would kill someone when they attacked together.

Moreover, the opponent's ability seems to be 'manipulating rainfall'—which is not a combat-related ability.

To Crocodile's surprise, Nico Robin included another piece of information with the letter.

"In the palace, I stumbled upon an important clue about 'Pluto'."

This news prompted Crocodile to temporarily return to Alabasta.

At that moment, Crocodile walked into the coffee shop.

"jingle!"

The wind chimes hanging on the door frame made a crisp "ding-a-ling" sound.

Then, Crocodile stopped in his tracks.

Because right now, right in front of him.

Two figures were sitting at the bar in the coffee shop.

One of them was someone he knew very well—a slender, beautiful woman, none other than Nicole Robin.

But another one.
"The one who summons rain."

Looking at the dragon head mask recorded in the intelligence, Crocodile exhaled another puff of smoke.

A ruthless leader like him realized the current situation almost instantly.

In Nico Robin's report, the 'Rainbow Man' who was supposed to be dead appeared here, and Nico Robin was clearly on his side.

The other cadres had all disappeared without a trace.

Its significance... is self-evident.

"Did you betray Baroque Works and lure me here?"

He exhaled a puff of smoke and spoke to Nicole Robin in a very indifferent tone.

"No wonder she's a woman who survived by constantly betraying others—Nicole Robin."

Nicole Robin looked somewhat nervous in response to his words.

But before she could speak, Crocodile heard the voice of the person next to her.

“That’s quite impolite to speak to a lady like that, Mr. Crocodile,” Chen Long said with a light laugh. “And…betrayal of Baroque Works? What makes you say that?”

He stood up, looked at the infamous pirate in front of him, and then pointed to himself.

Then he spoke slowly and deliberately, recounting the 'facts' word by word.

"Let me introduce myself. I am 'Chenlong,' this lady's partner, the president and head of Baroque Works, or you can call me—MR.0."

Even Crocodile was taken aback by what he said.

He just found it absurd.

You're Mr. 0? Then who am I?
"I see."

But in an instant, he understood.

As the person who founded Baroque Studio, he certainly knew the company's characteristics.

In the Baroque Studio, all members use code names.

From MR.1 to MR.12, and then to the grassroots members 'Million Elders' and 'Billion Elders', it's all the same.

The most mysterious of them all is Mr. 0.

No one in the entire Baroque Studio had ever seen his true face.

Almost all of his orders were relayed by his partner, 'Miss.allsunday' Nicole Robin.

The reason is quite simple.

He is one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea chosen by the World Government, so he cannot openly lead a criminal organization.

In other words...
For all members of Baroque Works, this means that as long as Nicole Robin acknowledges someone as Mr. 0.

Then the other party is undoubtedly MR.0.

Just like now.

"Chenlong."

Crocodile said thoughtfully.

"And you—Nicole Robin. Not only did you betray me, but you're also joining forces with others to seize my empire?"

After figuring out what Chenlong and Nico Robin's purpose were, Crocodile suddenly laughed.

"Good plan."

He was generous with his praise.

But there was no genuine joy in that smile; on the contrary...
"But you seem to have misunderstood something."

Only coldness.

"Buzz!"

As he grew angry, the floor beneath his feet silently shattered, turning into fine quicksand.

Countless fine sands surrounded him, like the most loyal guards.

He raised his left hand, the huge golden hook gleaming with a cold light.

"What do you think was the basis for the establishment of Baroque Studio? What do you think is the reason that it has been able to establish itself on this sea and develop to its current state?"

He raised his right hand, took the empty cigar from his mouth, and casually tossed it on the ground.

"It is because of me that it is Baroque Studio!"

"It's because of...my power!"

The cigar was instantly swallowed by the quicksand, disappearing without a trace as if it had fallen into an abyss.

then
"boom!"

The abyss-like quicksand began to gush forth in an overwhelming torrent.

Everything began to be swallowed up by the yellow sand.

Crocodile's figure blended into the yellow sand.

Only his voice echoed repeatedly amidst the sand and gravel.

"On this vast ocean, only power truly determines everything!"

　Here's a brief mention of the location of the Spider Cafe.

　　I found out through DS that it was in Rainy Day, and then I remembered that it was in Airuma according to Baidu Encyclopedia.

　　Of course, it's possible I'm mistaken, but that doesn't affect the plot. I'm just explaining this to avoid confusing readers.

　　Finally, let me talk about the Skypiea. Since so many readers have mentioned it, I'll consider this a spoiler.
　　I will definitely go to the Sky Island, and it will happen roughly two story segments later.

　　But it's conceivable that since the author included such a cheat code, they must have already planned how to handle the gold from the Skypiea.

　　I can't reveal the specific author, but I can tell you that the plot of Skypiea will be quite different from what you expect, and it will directly affect the final ending of the book (yes, the outline of this book actually goes all the way to the end, so I don't think it will fall apart).

　　As the author, I shouldn't have revealed these things beforehand, but since you guys have been asking, I'll just give you a little spoiler.

　　Finally, I'm asking for more reading and monthly votes. Also, please stop criticizing the author; I've been having terrible writer's block lately.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)