With their plans in place, Dante and his crew set off.
Kuma, as their heavy hitter, was essential for this mission. It was his first job for his new boss, and he took it seriously, following Dante's orders without question. He couldn't shake the worry that if he failed, he'd lose the only chance he had to heal Bonney.
Since her treatment was still ongoing, Bonney had to stay behind with Crocus. Kuma wanted nothing more than to remain with his daughter, he hadn't left her side once since they fled the Sorbet Kingdom. This would be the first time, and he had to fight down a wave of reluctance and fear. For Bonney's sake, he promised he would finish the job quickly and come right back.
Bonney, for her part, was brave. Though she didn't want him to go, she put on a bright smile and told her father to be careful. She promised she would be good, follow the doctor's orders, and that once she was all better, they would travel together and see parts of the world they'd only dreamed of.
The heartfelt farewell was enough to bring a tear to anyone's eye. It also made Dante groan internally, feeling like some cartoon villain forcing a man to work while his child was sick.
'Seriously?' he thought. 'Alabasta is a ways off, but with Kuma's ability, it's a quick couple minutes trip. Why are they acting like this is goodbye forever?'
Of course, ever the "kind-hearted" boss, Dante had enthusiastically arranged for someone to look after Bonney while her father was busy... That someone was Kuro, who had been a model of good behavior on the journey. The man had been practically invisible, keeping to himself and asking no questions. Dante felt comfortable leaving him behind, even promising him a permanent spot on the crew if he did a good job.
Once the goodbyes were over, the group boarded the Dreadnaught Sabre. Powered by the Kuma-brand engine, they set a course for Alabasta. They had to bring the ship, of course. It was the Mock Pirates' vessel, and Mock was the one who needed to take the fall for this. What would the so-called "Overlord of the East Blue" be without his signature ride?
--**--**
*Peru Peru... Peru Peru...*
Dante was lounging comfortably on a beach chair when a call came in on the Den Den Mushi.
"Hey, the money transferred?" It was Crocodile. "As expected of a Shichibukai! You're generous. Don't worry, you know my character, right? Bro Crocodile, you can rest assured! What Seastone debt? What's the point of talking about that now? That's all in the past, we need to look forward! Why be obsessed with past."
Crocodile was clearly not amused.
"Relax, relax," Dante continued smoothly. "I'm already on my way to the Grand Line, I guarantee it. There's just one little thing... I had to use the World Government's special elevator to cross the Red Line. You'll have to reimburse me for the two hundred million Beri travel fee."
He paused, letting the silence hang.
"You are asking, what kind of elevator costs that much?" Dante pressed on. "Come on, you know who I brought with me. It took a lot of effort to keep that under wraps from the World Government. You wouldn't want them finding out about this, would you, Bro Crocodile?"
The Den Den Mushi's face went still. It was clear from its strained expression that Crocodile was furious, but after a moment, he let out a slow breath.
"Two hundred million," he said, his voice a low, cold hiss. "I'll get the cash ready. A black-market transfer will take a few days. Why don't you come pick it up yourself?"
"You're too generous, Bro!" Dante exclaimed with admiration, without second thought. "No problem at all! Like I'd miss a payday like that? Don't worry, I'll be there before you know it."
"This is the last time," Crocodile growled.
"The absolute last time, I swear. You can trust me. You know I'm a Marine who upholds justice!"
The Den Den Mushi's face twisted. 'Justice?' Crocodile thought. 'You wouldn't know justice if it bit you.'
With a final, cold snort, Crocodile hung up.
Dante lowered his own Den Den Mushi with a sigh. "A Shichibukai, all right. Generous to a fault. Didn't even argue. I feel like I asked for too little."
He put the snail down and turned to Mock and Kuma. "The rest is up to you two."
"Yes, boss!" they replied in unison.
--**--**
Meanwhile, in Rainbase, Crocodile's headquarters...
"That bastard!" Crocodile, having slammed the receiver down, still clenched it in his hand, his expression exceptionally grim.
He knew the kid felt he had him cornered.
'But it doesn't matter,' he thought. 'Once he gets here, we'll settle the score for good.'
A flicker of cold malice crossed his eyes. He took a harsh drag from his cigar and sneered. "Justice? A disgraced Marine dares to talk to me about justice?"
He waved a hand at Daz Bonez, who stood nearby. Daz understood immediately: pay the man.
However, Daz Bonez hesitated for a moment. "That Marine..."
"I have a plan," Crocodile cut in, flicking ash from his cigar. A cruel smile touched his lips. "I'll give him one last chance. If he dares to refuse me again, I'll make him understand I'm a Pirate!"
With those words, Daz understood.
Daz nodded, a glint of steel in his eyes. The boss meant to recruit the Marine one last time. If he refused, he would have to be silenced to protect their secret. Daz was about to volunteer to test the man's strength himself when another sound interrupted him.
*Peru Peru... Peru Peru...*
The Den Den Mushi on the table began to ring. This one was for official business.
Crocodile's brow smoothed over as he answered, his expression becoming a carefully constructed mask. He listened for a moment, then looked at Daz. "A pirate crew has arrived. I'll go deal with them. Get the money ready. That sly little Marine won't make a move until he sees the cash."
"Yes, boss."
As Daz spoke, Crocodile dissolved into a swirl of sand, vanishing toward the location the call had indicated.
Soon, he arrived at the shore. He played his part as the kingdom's hero, offering a calm smile and a few encouraging words to the adoring citizens of Alabasta. Then he turned his gaze to the massive pirate ship slowly approaching the coast, and his brow furrowed.
It wasn't the ship's size or value that gave him pause, nor the skull-and-crossbones flag flying from its mast. It was the bright red banner unfurled across its bow.
'Master of My Own Tides...'
'Challenge Me and Drown...'
Even for a seasoned Grand Line pirate like Crocodile, the arrogance of the slogan with such extravagant and opulent ship was startling. 'So brazen,' he thought, before a disdainful sneer crossed his face. 'What an idiot. Is he trying to get himself killed?'
He had no idea that on board that very ship, Kuma was staring at the same banner in silence. He opened his mouth, turning to Mock, who stood proudly with his arms crossed, but the words wouldn't come.
"What are you looking at, Kuma?" Mock asked, noticing his gaze. He glanced at his banner and grinned. "Not bad, huh? The boss designed it for me. Said as long as I fly this, I'll grab everyone's attention. I'll be the most dazzling pirate on the seas! The aura of the East Blue's Overlord will have them shaking in their boots!"
Kuma offered no reply.
'It certainly grabs attention,' Kuma thought. 'It also makes you a prime target.'
But hearing it was an order from the boss, Kuma said no more. He just looked toward the shore.
'Let's get this over with,' he thought. 'I need to get back to Bonney.'
===============
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