Meanwhile, Aeridar and his crew had already arrived in Rainbase. Led by old Bart, their first order of business was to find an inn, rent a few rooms, and drop off their belongings. Without wasting a moment, they all rushed off to find a bathhouse—eager to wash away the dust and fatigue clinging to their bodies.
As for that discussion with Crocodile? That could wait. No rush.
By 3 o'clock that afternoon, bellies full and spirits refreshed, the Chris Pirates stood at the grand entrance of Rain Dinners. Seven of them lined up in a row, catching the attention of everyone around.
"Damn... Crocodile really is loaded," Aeridar muttered in awe, standing before the towering casino-restaurant. "One day, I'll build something just on my own turf. A landmark. Something unforgettable."
"Yeah, let's do it!" Millie and Mina chirped, nodding their heads eagerly.
"Ugh, but not with that dumb banana-on-a-head crocodile statue. What's that supposed to be?" Arlan sneered.
"Idiot, that's Crocodile's personal emblem," Dimitri retorted, rolling his eyes. "Our landmark would have our emblem."
"That's a Bananawani," Gorbo interjected helpfully. "Ferocious temperament. Feeds on Sea Kings. Meat's surprisingly tender though, pretty tasty."
"I'll catch one," Oliver said, already starting to drool.
"Alright, enough chatter," Aeridar cut in before the conversation veered even further off track. "Let's make sure Crocodile treats us to dinner tonight. C'mon, let's go."
And with that, the group made their way into Rain Dinners.
At the entrance, a few men in sleek black suits turned their heads as the group approached.
"Hey... aren't those the people Crocodile-dono told us to watch out for?" one of the guards whispered.
"Excuse me," another stepped forward, slightly bowing. "Are you with the Chris Pirates?"
That caught Aeridar off guard. He knew Crocodile was an arrogant man—too proud to lower himself for anyone. So to have his men waiting outside for them?
That's unexpected, he thought.
Still, he flashed a toothy grin. "Yeah, that's us. Take me to him."
"Right this way, sirs. Crocodile-dono is expecting you," the guard said, now even more deferential than before.
This particular guard had been with Crocodile from the very start, back when Baroque Works was first established. He knew exactly what kind of man his boss was, prideful to the point of arrogance, a former Warlord of the Sea whose power made most people beneath his notice. So for him to send people to wait at the door... to treat this group of pirates with respect?
Could they really be top-tier pirates?
The truth was: Crocodile didn't have much choice. That brief skirmish with Aeridar had left a deep impression. The man's strength wasn't something that could be casually dismissed. After that encounter, Crocodile had returned to Rainbase and dug up every scrap of intel he could find on Chris T. Aeridar and the rest of his crew.
What he learned was unsettling.
Crocodile had seriously underestimated them, not just the captain, but his entire core team. Every one of them was dangerous.
And with his original forces wiped out, Baroque Works was now a hollow shell of its former self. Even with over a thousand men, they simply couldn't match the Chris Pirates in combat prowess.
In a quiet chamber deep within Rain Dinners, Crocodile sat in contemplation when a knock broke his focus.
"Boss, the Chris Pirates are here."
Crocodile didn't look up. He took a drag from his cigar and said coldly, "Bring them in. Be respectful... or you'll end up dead."
The Baroque Works agent swallowed hard. "Y-Yes, sir!"
As the man hurried off, silence reclaimed the room.
Then came a gruff voice from behind him. "Oi, oi~ Sand Boss, aren't you overdoing it? They're just some random pirates. Why give them this much attention?"
Crocodile rolled his eyes but didn't turn around. "Iman, are you questioning my judgment?" he said flatly. "One more word and I'll kill you."
Seated lazily behind him was a powerfully built man with long chestnut hair, a black eyepatch over his left eye, and a white overcoat patterned with green swirls. His bare chest bore a crisscross of brutal scars, and beside him leaned a massive sword sheathed in black, easily over five feet long.
This was Zidani Iman, also known as One-Eyed Ogre. A notorious pirate from the North Blue with a 60 million bounty. A year and a half ago, his crew entered the Grand Line and was crushed by a Navy fleet. Iman washed ashore in Alabasta and, after looting a Baroque Works supply convoy, was defeated by Crocodile and subsequently recruited into the organization. Now, he served as one of Baroque Works' strongest enforcers.
Thud... Thud thud thud...
A flurry of footsteps echoed from the hallway.
The doors opened wide.
"Hahahaha! Crocodile, your place ain't bad, though that damned desert outside could use an upgrade!" Aeridar walked in with a swagger, grinning broadly at Crocodile.
Arlan and the others followed close behind.
With zero hesitation, Aeridar flopped down onto the couch opposite Crocodile, like he owned the place. Millie and Mina took their seats beside him, and the rest of the crew casually filled in behind him.
"Oi, Crocodile, your aquarium setup is terrible. No style at all," Aeridar remarked, squinting at the massive tank housing the Bananawanis. "If it were up to me, I'd open up the floor, reroute underground springs, and stock it with exotic pets. Way classier."
(This was a nod to the original layout from the anime.)
"Tch. Spare me the lecture," Crocodile growled, visibly annoyed. "Didn't you say you came here to talk business? Spit it out."
"Hahaha, alright, alright." Aeridar scratched his head with a sheepish grin, barely trying to look sincere. "But before that, aren't you gonna introduce the guy behind you?"
"I'm Iman. Zidani Iman. I work for the Sand Boss," the man answered bluntly, eyeing Aeridar's group with a mix of suspicion and curiosity.
Zidani Iman, a name with weight. Known across the North Blue, the "One-Eyed Ogre" had carved a path of destruction before his fall. Now, he sat as one of Crocodile's fiercest lieutenants.
T/N: This is the Author's Notes at the time he published this chap:
This is an original character, we can't always write about characters from the main story. Besides, this is the Baroque Works from eight years ago. The original Mr. 1, Daz Bonez, would only be 26 right now. Nico Robin's still just 20 and hasn't even joined yet. And Princess Vivi? She's only eight years old at this point.
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