Chapter Eighty: The Utopian Project

Crocodile and Robin did not appear to greet Buffon and his crew, for the five senior agents who had been abandoned in the desert yesterday by Buffon's group had finally arrived.

Now, a crowd was gathered in the underwater secret chamber beneath the casino, awaiting Mr. 0's summons!

Guided by Robin, Mr. 0 finally appeared. The moment the five senior agents laid eyes on Crocodile, they were utterly stunned.

Mr. 1 spoke, "Are you really our boss? Crocodile!"

Miss Double Fingers exclaimed, "Why would a pirate who is one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea..."

Mr. 2 chimed in, "So, we are actually subordinates of a pirate?"

Miss Christmas murmured, "...He truly is a formidable figure!"

Mr. 4 simply breathed heavily, "Huff... huff..."

Seeing their reactions, Robin smiled and said, "It seems you all know Mr. 0's public identity."

"Knowing is one thing, but isn't a Warlord a pirate recognized by the government? Why create the Baroque Works organization?" Miss Double Fingers asked in confusion.

Crocodile did not answer directly, but replied calmly in a deep voice, "What, are you dissatisfied?"

Upon hearing this, the five immediately pressed their backs against their high-backed chairs, silent and terrified.

Seeing this, Crocodile lit a cigar and continued, "What I desire is not money, nor status. What I want is military power. Let me reveal to you, piece by piece, my true purpose and the full scope of Baroque Works' final operation..."

After he finished, the five agents erupted again.

Mr. 2 exclaimed, "Is that really in Alabasta? Just hearing it gives me goosebumps!"

Mr. 1 said, "So our mission this time is to fulfill this grand plan?"

"All your previous actions have been preparation for this plan, ensuring it can be carried out flawlessly. I have named this plan 'Utopia.'"

After Crocodile finished, Robin distributed copies of the operation's plan to each of the five.

As they read, Crocodile spoke solemnly, "This is your ultimate assignment!" As he spoke, his thoughts drifted: "The time to destroy Alabasta has finally arrived..."

Moments later, the five placed their copies of the plan onto the candle stand in front of them and burned them.

Crocodile nodded with satisfaction, then continued, "As long as each of you completes your assigned task, Alabasta will collapse on its own, and the nation will fall into the hands of Baroque Works.

In just one night, this country will become our Utopia!"

Seeing the solemn expressions of the others, Crocodile continued, "The operation is set for seven o'clock tomorrow morning. I wish you success!"

"Understood!" the five responded in unison.

But at that moment, a discordant voice came from the staircase at the entrance to the chamber: "I hope the Utopia operation can be postponed."

Everyone turned toward the source of the voice to see the haggard Mr. 3 standing at the stairway.

"Mr. 3, how did you get here?" Robin was the first to speak.

Robin knew Buffon's plan was to hand the group over to the Navy, and given Buffon's terrifying strength, Mr. 3 could not possibly have escaped from the Juventus. The only possible explanation was that something had happened on the Navy's side.

When she returned earlier, Robin had told Crocodile that she hadn't found Mr. 3 in Little Garden, which matched Mr. 2's later report. Yet with Mr. 3's appearance, everything Buffon did in Little Garden would be exposed. But Robin was unconcerned; in her eyes, a man who could fight Mihawk to a draw could not be defeated by Crocodile, even with every advantage.

"Mr. 3, where did you come from? I'm about to execute the order to take you out!" Mr. 2 said excitedly, preparing to act.

"Wait, Mr. 2!" Crocodile barked, stopping him.

Mr. 3 then continued, "Boss, it's our first meeting. I've come hoping you'll give me another chance. Failing the mission and being hunted by Mr. 2 is only natural..."

Before he could finish, Crocodile demanded, "What do you mean by 'mission failed'?"

"I let the Straw Hat crew and Princess Vivi escape!"

Mr. 2's words were like a bomb, detonating the entire chamber.

"You let them escape? So they're still alive?"

Crocodile paused and continued, "You bastard, what did you tell me through the Transponder Snail? Didn't you say the Straw Hats were eliminated?"

Mr. 3 hesitated, then replied, "Uh... Transponder Snail? I didn't use one in Little Garden!

After I poisoned Dorry, Brogy, and the Straw Hat boy, I was about to clean up when a mysterious figure defeated me in a single blow!"

"A mysterious figure took care of all of you alone?" Crocodile questioned sharply, his mind filled with questions.

"Yes! After all six of us were captured, this person fought Mihawk at sea! Then he handed us over to the Navy, and I was the only one who escaped. His name is Casti Buffon! The ones who hijacked Binge yesterday were also his crew..."

As Mr. 2 described Buffon's battle, his fingers trembled involuntarily.

Mr. 3 chose to hide the fact that the other five also escaped, hoping to keep a backup plan. If Crocodile refused to spare him, the others could still come to his aid as agreed.

"Buffon! That magician doctor Buffon—his strength rivals Mihawk's?" Crocodile's roar echoed through the chamber.

After Crocodile's outburst, Robin felt the situation was becoming more interesting. With Buffon's abilities, it was unlikely he hadn't noticed Mr. 3 hiding under the car. Since he didn't expose him, perhaps he had a plan—or maybe he simply didn't care.

"They're already in the casino. We can deal with them after the meeting, if necessary," Robin suggested "seriously," eager to learn Buffon's true motives.

As Crocodile grew angry, Mr. 3 retreated, waving his hands in explanation: "Wait, it's not entirely my fault! If that monster Buffon hadn't appeared, I definitely could have taken care of the Straw Hat crew and the two giants! And the pirate hunter and the long-nosed sniper—they're also part of the Straw Hats..."

Before Crocodile could speak, Mr. 2 interjected, "Explain yourself—what exactly happened?"

After Mr. 3 filled in the details, Mr. 2 placed five photographs generated from his Mimic-Mimic Fruit abilities onto the table.

He declared loudly, "I ran into this person on the way back! As for Princess Vivi, I didn't see her. Are you saying she's Miss Wednesday?"