dmims Chapter 69 Let's have a one-on-one fight!
Chapter 69 Let's have a one-on-one fight!
Chapter 69 Let's have a one-on-one fight!
The deck of the White Pearl was bathed in a cold silver light under the moonlight in the dead of night. Five chief agents of Baroque Works were bound by seastone chains and left in the middle of the deck, the chains gleaming with a dark luster under the moonlight.
"Captain, shall we interrogate him?" Kro pushed up his glasses and stepped forward, holding a notebook and pen in his hand.
Norton shook his head.
"Need not."
Kro paused for a moment, but didn't ask any more questions. He closed the notebook and stepped aside.
Norton gestured to the pirates beside him: "Lock them up, but don't let them die."
This utter disregard was more humiliating to these agents than any form of torture.
The pirates stepped forward, two at a time, and dragged the agents up by the chains. The chains scraped against the deck, making a screeching sound. They were dragged toward the bottom hatch entrance, like they were dragging bags of cargo.
Mr. 1 looked back at Norton one last time before being dragged down the stairs.
The silver-haired man had already turned around and was talking to Zoro, completely ignoring what was happening here.
The specially designed cells in the lower deck, originally used to store valuable goods, have now been converted into prison cells.
Wahlbo, Jess, and Cromarimon were locked in the innermost cell, and were currently peering out through the iron bars.
"A new cellmate has arrived!"
Valpo shouted gleefully, even though he himself was a prisoner.
The five agents were each locked in one of five adjacent cells.
The iron gate slammed shut, the sound of the lock turning echoing in the confined space. The cell contained only a straw mat and a bucket of water, the walls were thick wooden planks, and the only ventilation opening was no bigger than a fist.
Paula leaned against the wall, carefully adjusting her breathing to ease the pain in her ribs.
The next morning, sunlight streamed in through the ventilation openings, casting narrow patches of light on the cell floor.
The pirates opened the cell door and re-handcuffed the agents with lighter handcuffs. Their wounds were re-bandaged and they were given clean clothes, but their faces remained deathly pale.
They were taken onto the deck.
The morning sun was dazzling, and the sea breeze carried a salty smell. Norton was already standing at the bow of the ship, looking at the coastline of Alabasta in the distance.
As the night passed, Norton changed into a clean black wolf fur coat, his silver hair almost turning white in the morning light. Zoro, Sanosuke, and Dalton stood behind him.
"Lead the way." Norton turned around and said only two words.
The agents looked at each other in bewilderment.
Mr. 1 asked hoarsely, "Where to?"
"Rainy Land".
Pora sneered, "You think we'd obediently take you there?"
Norton didn't answer. He walked up to Paula, the two of them less than half a meter apart. Paula could clearly see the color of his eyes.
"You will," Norton said.
The agents fell silent.
The group disembarked, and their expressions clearly showed they had given in.
Norton only chose Zoro, Sanosuke, and Dalton to accompany him.
Nami chased after them to the diving board: "I'm going too! I'm the navigator, I can—"
"You can stay on the ship."
The group set off aboard a medium-sized speedboat.
The ship was long and slender, with ten oars on each side. Ten Ivanki warriors, the strongest of the men, rowed with synchronized and powerful strokes. Five agents were stationed at the stern, guarded by Dalton.
The ship left the rapeseed flower port and entered the waterway connecting to the inland. This river is the lifeline of Alabasta. The river water is turbid and yellow, and the banks are covered with drought-resistant shrubs and scattered date palms.
Occasionally, villagers could be seen fetching water, but when they saw the boat and the people on it, they would hurriedly move away.
The voyage was quiet. Norton spent most of his time standing at the bow, watching the scenery rushing past on both banks. Zoro sat in the cabin cleaning his sword, Sanosuke crouched on the mast on guard, and Dalton kept a close eye on the five agents.
Around noon, they stopped to rest on a shallow spot by the river. The Aivenki soldiers made a fire and grilled fish for a simple lunch.
Mr. 2 couldn't help but whisper to Sanosuke sitting next to him, "Hey, just how strong is your captain?"
Sanosuke glanced at him, said nothing, and continued to eat the grilled fish in his hand.
Dalton did answer, though, as he was examining the wound on his leg, without looking up. "I don't know. But I do know he could shatter a thundercloud with a single punch."
The agents fell silent.
In the afternoon, the river gradually widened, and the outlines of towns began to appear on both banks. Houses changed from adobe to brick and stone buildings, docks became more numerous, and boats became more frequent.
The air became dry, and the wind carried the smell of sand.
As evening approached, the outline of the rain-soaked land appeared on the horizon.
rain.
This city is like a mirage that appeared out of nowhere in the desert.
The towering buildings reflected golden light in the setting sun, the streets were wide and orderly, and the streetlights had already been turned on.
The most eye-catching things are the casinos, which can be found on almost every street, with neon signs flashing incessantly and waiters in formal dresses and scantily clad dancers standing at the entrances.
Music drifted out from inside the door, mixed with the sound of roulette wheels spinning, dice rattling, and the excited or frustrated shouts of gamblers.
Norton and his party disembarked at the dock outside the city, where all sorts of vessels were moored, from luxury yachts to dilapidated fishing boats. Their arrival attracted quite a few glances.
It's not because there are many people; nineteen people in Rain Land isn't a big deal. The number of people entering and leaving Rain Land every day is in the tens of thousands.
It wasn't just because of their strange attire; all sorts of oddballs could be found there: mercenaries in full armor, secret agents wrapped in black robes, dancers with exaggerated makeup, and even animal trainers leading rare and exotic animals.
It's because of Norton's face.
The silver hair stood out in the setting sun. The black wolf-fur coat, though dusty, was clearly of high quality in terms of texture and cut. And then there was that face—the face that had appeared repeatedly in the newspapers for the past few months.
"That's... silver-haired Norton?"
A businessman who had just come out of the casino rubbed his eyes and whispered to his companion.
His companion glanced at him, nearly dropping his glass: "The one with the 1 billion bounty? What's he doing in Rain Country?"
Whispers spread like a plague.
The dockworkers carrying goods stopped in their tracks, the waiters at the casino entrance forgot to greet their customers, and even the street vendors selling roasted scorpions forgot to turn over the food on their wire mesh.
All eyes were focused on the silver-haired man walking at the front of the group.
Norton completely ignored these stares. Zoro followed half a step to his right, his hand still on the hilt of his sword, while Sanosuke stood to his left, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily. Dalton followed behind with five agents.
Passing through the dock area and entering the main street of the rain-soaked place, the number of pedestrians increased. Many were gamblers, their faces flushed with excitement or dejected from losing money. There were also businessmen, tourists, prostitutes, and bodyguards—the rain-soaked place never sleeps; there is no concept of day or night here.
The crowd automatically parted to make way.
It wasn't out of politeness, it was out of fear.
The noise would briefly cease as Norton walked through the streets, then resume behind him, but at a much lower volume.
Where is he going?
"Could it be that we're going to Rain Banquet? That's Lord Crocodile's territory—"
"A billionaire versus a Shichibukai —"
Norton stopped at an intersection and turned to Mr. 1, who was being held captive by Avenki warriors: "Which casino?"
Mr. 1 was silent for a few seconds, then finally raised his hand and pointed ahead, where there was a seven-story building, the tallest and most luxurious on the street.
The exterior walls are covered with gold mosaic tiles, and eight waiters in black suits stand at the entrance. They are tall, sharp-eyed, and clearly well-trained bodyguards.
The building's sign is made up of huge neon tubes: Rain Banquet.
Norton glanced at it and continued walking.
The waiters had obviously received the message and did not stop them; they simply stood in two rows and bowed slightly.
Norton walked through the door.
The hall of the Rain Banquet is at least ten meters high, with crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, a deep red velvet carpet on the floor, dark gold wallpaper on the walls, and expensive oil paintings and sculptures hanging on the walls.
The most eye-catching things were the gambling tables.
Roulette, blackjack, Texas Hold'em, baccarat, sic bo—every table was packed with people.
When Norton and his group walked in, the gambling tables near the entrance were the first to quiet down.
Norton walked through the automatically parting crowd to the center of the hall, where the gamblers at the tables hurriedly stood up and stepped aside.
The dealer was a middle-aged man, and cold sweat was beading on his forehead.
Norton glanced at the chips on the table, then at the dealer: "Where's Crocodile?"
The dealer's lips moved, but no sound came out.
Norton asked again, his voice not loud, but crystal clear in the deathly silent hall: "Where is Crocodile?"
Still no answer.
Just then, footsteps came from the second floor.
It was the sound of high heels clicking on the marble stairs, slow and steady.
Everyone looked up at the stairs.
A woman in a deep purple dress descended the steps. She had long, black hair, fair skin, a mysterious smile on her face, and carried a thick, ancient book in her hand.
Nicole Robin walked to the center of the hall, stopped three steps in front of Norton, and bowed slightly: "Captain Norton, the president requests that you come to the VIP room for a chat."
Norton nodded and said to Zoro and the others behind him, "You guys wait here."
After saying that, Norton followed Robin up to the second floor.
The VIP room was located at the deepest part of the casino, its heavy solid wood doors providing excellent sound insulation. Robin pushed open the door and gestured for him to enter.
The room was large and luxuriously decorated. There was a deep red carpet, a crystal chandelier, genuine leather sofas, and famous paintings hanging on the walls. At the far end was a huge mahogany desk, behind which was a high-backed leather chair.
At this moment, a person is sitting in the leather chair.
Crocodile.
He was scrutinizing Norton as he walked in with his sharp eyes.
Robin closed the door, stood by it, leaned quietly against the wall, still holding the book in his hand.
Norton walked to his desk, pulled out a guest chair, and sat down.
The two stared at each other from three meters apart.
"How did you know I was here?" Crocodile spoke first, his voice low.
"That's none of your concern!" Norton said. "All you need to know is why I'm here—Crocodile, become my subordinate! My dream is to build a great nation!"
The room was silent for a few seconds.
Crocodile stared at Norton, then slowly exhaled a puff of smoke. The smoke swirled between the two men.
"Your dreams have absolutely nothing to do with me!" Crocodile's voice turned cold. "If you know what's good for you, get out of my territory!"
"No," Norton said.
Crocodile clenched his left hand, his cigar crumpled in his grip: "Did you think that the failure of those few pieces of trash would make me submit? I admit you're strong, but this isn't a place where you can act recklessly!"
Norton leaned forward, muttering to himself, "Become my subordinate, Crocodile! That way, you'll be the first in line to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!"
"No way! How many times do I have to tell you! You arrogant rookie!" Crocodile's forehead veins bulged.
"How about this, let's have a one-on-one duel between men! The winner decides everything!" Norton remained unconvinced.
"Who wants to play such childish games with you!"
"It's a deal!" Norton stood up. "You don't want me to cause a scene here, do you? I'll be waiting for you in the desert north of the Rainlands! I believe you'll come! Crocodile!"
After saying that, Norton turned and walked towards the door.
"Wait," Crocodile called out to him.
Norton stopped, but did not turn around.
"Take those useless guys outside with you!"
Crocodile's voice came from behind.
Norton chuckled. "It's all the same! You'll all be my subordinates anyway!"
After saying that, he pushed open the door and went out.
"What are you so sure about, you bastard!" Crocodile roared furiously before the door closed behind him.
In the VIP room, Crocodile stood rooted to the spot, his chest heaving with rage. The cigar in his left hand was completely crushed, tobacco and tobacco leaves leaking from between his fingers and falling onto the carpet.
Robin looked at the cigar remnant, then at Crocodile's ashen face, and finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Crocodile whirled around, his poison hook pointed at her: "What's so funny!"
"It's nothing," Robin said, covering his mouth, but the smile in his eyes was unmistakable. "I just think—this Captain Norton is quite an interesting man. He seems convinced that you will definitely keep your appointment."
"Only an idiot would pay attention to that guy!"
Crocodile slammed the cigar remnants to the ground, crushed them with his boots, walked to the liquor cabinet, opened the door, took out a bottle of whiskey, and without even using a glass, took a big gulp straight from the bottle.
Wine dripped from the corner of his mouth and onto his coat.
Robin walked over, took two glasses from the liquor cabinet, and placed them on the coffee table. She took the bottle from Crocodile, poured half a glass, and handed it back.
"Are you going?" Robin asked.
Crocodile took the glass, staring at the amber liquid inside with a complex expression.
"What are you talking about!" Crocodile finally said. "Let him sunbathe in the desert until he's a dried-out corpse!"
Crocodile downed the glass of wine in one gulp, slammed it down on the coffee table, and turned to walk into the inner room.
"I need to rest. Don't bother me unless it's important."
"Yes." Robin bowed.
The door to the inner room was closed abruptly.
Robin stood there, looking at the door, then at the darkening sky outside the window. She walked to the window and opened it. The desert night wind blew in, carrying sand and a chill.
The next morning, the sky over the rainy area was just beginning to lighten.
Crocodile woke up with a headache—he had drunk too much the night before.
He sat up in bed and rubbed his temples.
A knock came at the door.
"Come in."
Robin came in, carrying a tray with coffee and breakfast. She placed the tray on the bedside table and then stepped aside.
"Boss, Norton spent the night in the desert," Robin said. "He's been waiting in the desert north of Rainfields ever since he left the casino last night."
Crocodile's hand, which was holding the cup, stopped.
Robin stopped talking and just stood there quietly.