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As soon as those words left Alex's mouth, Crocodile's eyes filled with murderous intent.
"What exactly do you want by coming here?"
Crocodile wasn't a fool. He knew full well that Alex and Bullet hadn't traveled all the way to Alabasta just to cause trouble over some pocket change.
And judging from the way Alex had acted so brazenly, he clearly knew whose territory he was stepping into. That only made their motives even more suspicious.
"Oh, nothing much. I just happen to like you," Alex said with a smirk. "So, I came all the way to Alabasta to make a bet with you. What do you think?"
"Hah! A bet? Fine by me. But tell me, what are you trying to take from me?"
Crocodile sneered coldly.
"Nothing too big. I just happen to be short on manpower," Alex said nonchalantly. "You're a Logia-type Devil Fruit user, so why don't you come work for me?"
The moment those words left his lips, Crocodile froze for a second before bursting into laughter.
"You think that's funny?" Alex asked calmly.
"Alex, you want me to be your underling? And why, exactly? Just because you defeated Shanks and his crew?"
As a Logia-type Devil Fruit user, Crocodile never considered himself weaker than any pirate from the New World.
Even though he had heard rumors that Alex had taken down Shanks and even stolen his flagship, Crocodile still showed no fear.
"You wouldn't want me to start exposing all the dirty deeds you've done here in Alabasta, would you?" Alex said, his voice steady. "If I beat you here and now, I could reveal how you and Baroque Works framed the king of this country.
That would completely ruin your chances of obtaining the ancient weapon Pluton, and the World Government would strip you of your Warlord status.
When that happens, the next time we meet, it'll probably be in Impel Down's Level 6—Eternal Hell."
Alex spoke each word slowly and deliberately.
Crocodile's forehead was already starting to sweat.
Even Douglas Bullet, standing beside Alex, looked at him in surprise.
What stunned them wasn't the threat itself but rather the fact that Alex had mentioned Pluton.
Pluton was one of the three ancient weapons in the world of pirates, carrying the title of "god."
It wasn't just any ordinary weapon—it was the most fearsome battleship in history, designed in Water 7.
Its firepower was so immense that a single shot could obliterate an island.
Currently, it was said to be lying dormant somewhere in the world, and only those who could read Poneglyphs would be able to locate it.
"So, you're after Pluton as well?"
Crocodile's expression darkened as his right hand slowly ran over the poisonous gold hook on his left arm.
Now that Alex had brought up Pluton, there was no way this confrontation wouldn't end in bloodshed.
"Pluton? I couldn't care less about that," Alex said with a smirk. "In this day and age, who still relies on battleships? Wouldn't that just be embarrassing?"
"Like I said, I came here for you. So, are you going to take my bet or not?"
"Hah… Well, looks like I don't have much of a choice," Crocodile chuckled. "I have to admit, it's been a long time since I've met someone as interesting as you.
And judging by what I've seen so far, you're no ordinary pirate. Otherwise, Douglas Bullet wouldn't be willing to follow you."
Crocodile's words were laced with mockery, clearly aimed at provoking Bullet, hoping to create division between them.
But Bullet remained unfazed.
Ever since Alex had personally defeated Shanks right in front of him, Bullet had developed a deep respect for him.
After all, he had once fought Shanks himself and knew firsthand how terrifyingly strong he was.
If Alex hadn't taken down Shanks, Bullet knew that facing the entire Red-Haired Pirates alone would have ended in his own defeat.
"Alright, let's keep this simple," Alex said casually. "I'll spin the wheel, and you guess the number."
"And the stakes?"
"If you lose, you follow me.
If you win… well, I'll defeat you anyway and expose all your dirty secrets to the world. How's that?"
Hearing the terms of the bet, Crocodile's killing intent surged even further.
How the hell did Alex know so much?
Crocodile was a master strategist. He had built Baroque Works from the ground up, ensuring that all members operated under codenames rather than real identities.
That meant even people within the organization couldn't easily betray or expose one another.
So how the hell did this guy—who had only just escaped from Impel Down—know so much about his plans?
It made no sense.
And what was even more concerning was that Alex seemed fully prepared for this encounter.
Facing Bullet alone was already a challenge. After all, the two had fought before, though their battle had ended without a clear victor.
But now, Alex seemed even stronger than Bullet. And with Crocodile's own subordinates spread out across the region, he would have to face both of them alone.
"Well? Are you in or not?" Alex pressed. "This is a one-time offer."
"…Fine. I'll take your bet."
Crocodile's gaze turned ice-cold. "I'll bet on 7. Spin the wheel."
"Alright. Once the bet is placed, no take-backs! That's the rule of your own casino, right?" Alex grinned as he grabbed the roulette wheel.
With a powerful motion, he sent it spinning rapidly.
All eyes locked onto the wheel as it whirled.
At that exact moment—
Crocodile lunged at Alex like a lightning-fast shadow!