<div>
<div>
Crocodile was stunned for a few seconds when he heard Noir call him "Sandman," but he quickly regained his composure.
<div>
<div>
His cold voice came through the transponder snail: "How do you know my identity? Did Miss All-Sunday tell you?"
<div>
<div>
Noir chuckled, "It has nothing to do with her. I knew your identity from the beginning."
<div>
<div>
"What is your purpose?" Crocodile asked, his tone uncertain.
<div>
<div>
"I''m just here for the show..." And to steal Robin, Noir added mentally.
<div>
<div>
Crocodile sneered, "So you never intended to become my subordinate."
<div>
<div>
Noir nodded and replied naturally, "Of course not. I just came to cause you some trouble."
<div>
<div>
"Kid," Crocodile said contemptuously. "Do you think I would bother with a weak ant like you?"
<div>
<div>
"Is that so?" Noir replied nonchalantly. "The mighty Shichibukai stealing a land and scheming for an ancient weapon... What if the World Government finds out?"
<div>
<div>
On the other side, Crocodile, who had been relaxed, suddenly looked grim.
<div>
<div>
Stealing a country, Pluton - how did he know about such things?
<div>
<div>
With anger brewing like a volcano ready to erupt, Crocodile demanded, "How do you know? Are you threatening me?"
<div>
<div>
If Noir really told the government or the Marines about this, Crocodile''s plan would definitely be ruined. Not to mention the World Government''s taboo on ancient weapons.
<div>
<div>
Crocodile gradually calmed down and decided to buy some time. He said, "Actually... we can cooperate."
<div>
<div>
Raising an eyebrow, Noir asked, "Cooperate on what?"
<div>
<div>
Crocodile said slowly, "Once we have the information on Pluton and Alabasta is secured, I can make you king of a country!"
<div>
<div>
Noir couldn''t help but laugh, "That sounds very tempting.
<div>
<div>
Crocodile''s voice, like a seductive spell, continued, "You can take over Baroque Works right now. My people will be at your disposal."
<div>
<div>
"You''re very reliable," Noir said, dismissing Crocodile''s empty promises. He handed the transponder snail to Robin.
<div>
<div>
When Crocodile heard Robin''s voice, he instructed, "Miss All-Sunday, go to the capital and check on the progress of the Dance Powder plan. Let Noir take over here. There will be subordinates to hand over to him soon."
<div>
<div>
He couldn''t leave Noir and the ancient text expert Robin together; it was too dangerous. So he used the pretext of a mission to separate them.
<div>
<div>
What he didn''t know was that this was perfectly in line with Noir and Robin''s plans.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
<div>
<div>
Robin smiled slightly and said, "Got it, boss."
<div>
<div>
After giving the order, Crocodile quickly hung up, then got up and walked out.
<div>
<div>
As he plunged into the desert sands, Crocodile''s body turned to dust, kicking up countless grains of sand as he flew in one direction.
<div>
<div>
Cooperating with Noir was just a stall tactic.
<div>
<div>
He just needed to get to the Spider Cafe and kill the kid! Then everything would be fine.
<div>
<div>
As Crocodile raced towards the café:
<div>
<div>
Robin calmly hung up the phone and looked at Noir. "He''s coming to kill you."
<div>
<div>
Noir nodded and said helplessly, "Is Crocodile''s brain full of water?"
<div>
<div>
"Does he really think I believe what he said?"
<div>
<div>
Robin sat on the table and laughed softly, "He doesn''t care if you believe him or not, as long as he can keep you here temporarily."
<div>
<div>
Noir grinned mischievously, "I don''t plan on sitting here waiting for him."
<div>
<div>
Robin asked curiously, "What are you going to do?"
<div>
<div>
Noir clenched his fist and smiled maliciously, "While he''s out, I''m going to raid his lair."
<div>
<div>
Robin gasped and said, "Aren''t you afraid of his retaliation?"
<div>
<div>
"Retaliation?" Noir chuckled. "I already said I''m not afraid of him."
<div>
<div>
Then he remembered something and asked Robin, "When you infiltrate the capital and see the story in the underground shrine, will you go with me?"
<div>
<div>
Robin didn''t answer. She went out the back door of the cafe.
<div>
<div>
At the entrance, Robin had a thoughtful look on her face, followed by a graceful smile.
<div>
<div>
"Let''s talk about this later."
<div>
<div>
With that, Robin stepped into the yellow sand.
<div>
<div>
Noir watched her go and shrugged helplessly.
<div>
<div>
Would Robin go with him? Rationally, probably not.
<div>
<div>
Given Robin''s cautious nature, she wouldn''t trust anyone until she had achieved her goal.
<div>
<div>
But despite her tragic childhood and dark background, her heart remained bright.
<div>
<div>
So she devoted all her energy to finding the poneglyphs.
<div>
<div>
Maybe that''s why he was willing to help her.
<div>
<div>
While Robin went to the capital to find the Poneglyph, Noir had to make a plan of his own.
<div>
<div>
He left the secret room and returned to the front hall of the café.
<div>
<div>
Paula was still sitting there, watching Noir with interest.
<div>
<div>
From what Miss All-Sunday had said, this seemingly flirtatious young man was their new member and his strength was not to be underestimated.
<div>
<div>
Paula adjusted her glasses, resting her chin on her hand, and teased in her sexy, smoky voice:
<div>
<div>
"Handsome, Miss All-Sunday has left. Would you like to have a drink with your big sister?"
<div>
<div>
Noir looked at Paula and suddenly an idea popped into his head.
<div>
<div>
Smiling, Noir walked over and sat down in front of Paula.
<div>
<div>
"Big sis, you''re also a senior agent of Baroque Works, right?"
<div>
<div>
Paula frowned and asked, "Did Miss All-Sunday tell you?"
<div>
<div>
Noir remained noncommittal. Paula''s expression relaxed slightly as she said:
<div>
<div>
"Since she told you, I won''t hide it. My code name is Miss Doublefinger and I''m Mr. 1''s partner."
<div>
<div>
Noir nodded, silently noting her name, and smiled, "I''ll remember that. Thank you."
<div>
<div>
With that, Noir reached out and touched Paula''s face.
<div>
<div>
Paula blushed.
<div>
<div>
Is he in such a hurry?
<div>
<div>
Noir''s big hand gently caressed Paula''s face, his handsome face coming closer.
<div>
<div>
Warm breaths swept over her. Paula wanted to push him away, but seeing his face, she couldn''t bring herself to do so.
<div>
<div>
Such a handsome young man; a little indulgence should be in order, right?
<div>
<div>
After all, staring at Mr. 1''s bald head every day, Paula hadn''t seen a handsome man in ages.
<div>
<div>
But while Paula was lost in her fantasies, Noir''s magnetic voice sounded:
<div>
<div>
"Big sis, take a good look at who I am."