"Crocodile is actually dead."
In the World Government, the Five Elders gathered. Some frowned, some looked surprised, and some were angry.
"Crocodile was the longest-serving Shichibukai, and he's actually dead."
"He's been a Shichibukai for over twenty years, and things have been relatively stable. For the last seven or eight years, he's been in Alabasta, running a casino, and hasn't done anything out of line." (Note)
"Not only that, but he also became Alabasta's hero, protecting Alabasta from pirates, perfectly fulfilling the purpose for which we established the Shichibukai."
"Although no body was found, the report states that his office was broken through with a large hole, and the passage at the end was damaged, flooding with lake water. Crocodile is a Devil Fruit user, and being attacked in such an environment, the possibility of survival is slim."
"It seems someone was targeting Crocodile."
"Investigations show that a woman with a giant beast approached the casino. The woman entered the casino, the giant beast entered the lake, and then the woman and the giant beast left, disappearing without a trace. Unless there's an accident, she is the killer."
"The woman was seen entering and exiting with Crocodile, so this must have been planned for a long time."
"The people sent out made several sketches based on eyewitness descriptions. After comparison by the intelligence department, it's possible it was Nico Robin, that Devil Child, the survivor of Ohara."
"But Nico Robin is a Devil Fruit user and cannot operate underwater. She herself can't do much. She can't possibly have the giant beast she brought do so many things alone, unless someone cooperated."
"A Shichibukai has been killed, and a survivor of Ohara has appeared. This matter needs to be investigated. Also, why did Crocodile meet with Robin?"
"But regardless of the investigation's outcome, this matter needs to be quickly classified. At least Crocodile had a high public reputation and was a model Shichibukai. Since he was a hero, it's not good to tarnish his name and use the Marines."
"Then let's conclude that he was too trusting of others, was approached, had their trust gained, and was then killed. We can increase Nico Robin's bounty and then pursue her."
"Also, the Shichibukai is missing one member. We need to quickly assess a new Shichibukai."
"A small hole, if not patched, will eventually become a large one."
"Once the balance of the three major powers collapses, it will directly impact the world. We must maintain the balance of power."
"Then let Sengoku be responsible for selecting the successor."
...
"Bounty increased, a bounty of 100 million, her identity exposed. The severity of the situation is beyond my imagination."
Nico Robin sat at a round table by the coast, looking at the wanted poster in her hand and the information on the newspaper with an extremely grim expression.
The newspaper read: "Shichibukai Crocodile assassinated by the Devil Child Nico Robin."
Robin's bounty had also increased from 79 million to 100 million.
"It is indeed a rather bad outcome."
Xia Qiu had considered the potential consequences before implementing the plan.
The worst-case scenario was, of course, the attack failing and Crocodile escaping. The possibility wasn't high, or rather, if he could have escaped, Xia Qiu wouldn't have chosen to attack.
If he escaped, Xia Qiu would be fine, but Robin would definitely die.
The second worst outcome was Robin's identity being exposed.
After all, Robin had appeared in the casino, and Crocodile's death was no small matter; an investigation would surely follow.
The intelligence department had information on Robin. After all, Lucci and the others had been undercover in Water 7 for five years and were able to recognize Robin.
So, it was possible she could be discovered, depending on the accuracy of eyewitness descriptions and the extent of the intelligence department's information.
But now, it seemed this outcome had occurred.
It was foreseeable that there would be an in-depth investigation, and even a pursuit.
However, calling it a bad thing was somewhat inappropriate. This was actually a double-edged sword.
If used well, it would only bring benefits to him, with no drawbacks.
Xia Qiu naturally thought of the answer and wrote a few words on the ground: "I can protect you."
"Thank you, Little Qiu. But the Marines have many strong individuals, and you alone can't protect me," Robin said with a bitter smile.
Xia Qiu immediately wrote a few words: "Underwater, I am very strong."
"Underwater?"
Robin's eyes lit up when she saw this. "That's right. Although the Marines have many strong individuals, their effectiveness is limited in the sea. But your strength increases greatly underwater. Only Vice Admirals or higher can fight you in the water, and many of them are Devil Fruit users who can't enter the water, and their combat power is weakened in the water. Of course, Aokiji's ability can affect seawater, which is a threat, but an Admiral is unlikely to personally pursue me."
"Exactly."
Xia Qiu nodded. Currently, only Vice Admirals and above could harm him.
Rear Admirals could defeat him on the surface, but underwater, they would only become his food.
Vice Admirals mastered Haki. Even if their strength was reduced underwater, they could still easily harm him.
For officers above Vice Admiral, except for Aokiji, other Devil Fruit users couldn't go into the water, so a large portion of strong individuals could be eliminated.
Aokiji generally wouldn't pursue Robin. In the original story, he pursued her once mainly to repay the Straw Hat Pirates for saving Smoker.
As for non-Devil Fruit users, as long as they weren't strong individuals like Garp, Momousagi, or Chaton, Xia Qiu even planned to strengthen himself a few more times and then proactively attack Vice Admirals, hunting them to obtain Haki.
Robin frowned. "But considering the Marines' power, Little Qiu, you might get hurt, and we might not be able to break through a Marine warship. If we encounter a few warships surrounding us, it will still be difficult to escape."
Xia Qiu immediately wrote a few words: "From underwater."
"You mean take me and leave from underwater? But I can only stay underwater for a limited time, and it will be difficult to escape a great distance."
Robin thought of this and suddenly said, "But I can create a sealed chamber that can store a large amount of air. No, I can directly use underwater vehicles. The Sabaody Archipelago can coat ships, allowing them to go underwater. Oh, and there are submarines, which can travel underwater. They carry fewer people, but once I'm proficient, I can operate one by myself. The shipbuilding companies in Water 7 can do it."
"If we encounter Marines, we'll escape underwater and try to avoid exposing our identities on land."
Robin had thought of a plan and then said, "The current priority is Baroque Works. If nothing unexpected happens, they should have discovered that Miss All Sunday is me. I don't know what their plans are, or if they have other ideas. So, I need to make contact in a few days, starting with Little Feng."
Xia Qiu immediately wrote, "I'll go with you."
"Mm."
Seeing the writing, Robin suddenly felt a sense of resolve. With Little Qiu still by her side, she felt unconsciously more at ease.
Xia Qiu shook his head and looked at Robin, an idea forming in his mind.
Robin's identity had been exposed, and he had become Robin's marker. Perhaps he could use this to his advantage.
If he landed in another location, he could not only help Robin draw the Marines' attention away but also attract Marines to him, gaining a large amount of energy.
But where should he choose?
Oda had replied in SBS that Crocodile became a Shichibukai in his early twenties. Between the ages of 20 and 25. By the start of the original story, he had been a Shichibukai for at least 21 years, and at most 26 years. He became one earlier than any of the current Shichibukai, at least five years, perhaps even ten years earlier. He might have been the very first Shichibukai.
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