Angel investor in the One Piece world

"Historical text?"

Looking at the enormous rock in front of her, Kuina raised her eyebrows with interest. "Damian, is that the one you were talking about? The rock that records the truth of the blank century of history?"

During his time at the Shimotsuki Dojo, Damian would tell them many stories about the sea in his spare time.

This includes the legendary historical texts.

I'd only heard about it, but seeing it with my own eyes was a first for me.

Of the four people present, only Robin had ever seen the Poneglyphs with her own eyes.

"Don't brag about seeing this stone."

Damian walked up to the huge stone, looked up at the incomprehensible writing on it, and his gentle voice echoed in the empty space, "The government will not let anyone who is involved with the Poneglyphs go unpunished."

Unless you possess power so great that even the world government has to take notice.

"That's what you're saying,"

Kuina narrowed her eyes. "Does the World Government have any powerful swordsmen under its command?"

"Among the Navy's high command, Admiral Kizaru is considered skilled in swordsmanship, but his primary fighting style is also based on his abilities."

Damian really went along with it, saying, "If we're talking about powerful swordsmen, Izanbaron V. Nasujuro, one of the Five Elders, shouldn't disappoint you."

"Oh?"

Kuina's eyes showed anticipation.

Crocodile, who was somewhat engrossed in gazing at the Poneglyph, immediately twitched his lips upon hearing their conversation.

Being a naval admiral is one thing, but does he really want to provoke the Five Elders?

That's truly commendable courage.

"Enough with the nonsense, Damian."

Crocodile looked at the stone before him. "You mean, what I want to know is recorded on this stone?"

"Why don't we just have Miss Robin translate it?"

Damian turned around and saw Miss Robin staring intently at the Poneglyph, carefully reading the text.

Seeing this, Crocodile didn't disturb her. He even softened his breathing, as if afraid of disturbing Robin and causing her to make mistakes in her translation.

Even someone as cunning as him couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation when his ambition, which he had been planning for over a decade, was now within reach.

After a brief silence, Nicole Robin finally looked away and let out a slow sigh of relief.

"How's it going, Nico Robin!"

Crocodile's attitude could be described as urgent: "Where exactly is Hades?"

Hades?

Kuina raised an eyebrow slightly.

Is it one of the three legendary ancient weapons that Damian mentioned? It is said to possess the power to destroy the world?

Is the location of ancient weapons recorded on this stone?

So that's how it is. Damian used this information to complete the deal with Crocodile?

"...on this surface,"

Nico Robin hesitated for a moment, then said softly, "It records the history of the Nefertari family, telling the story of this family during that blank century."

There is no record of Hades.

"What did you say?"

Crocodile's face froze instantly, and his mind went completely blank.

If that's the case, then what was the purpose of his planning all these years?

Is it a joke?

"That doesn't make sense."

But then, Damian said with a smile, "Doesn't this say that Hades is buried in Wano Country?"

"What?"

Crocodile, who had been pale just moments before, instantly turned bright red, and he instinctively looked at Damian.

How did this guy know he could read ancient texts?

Or is he lying?

Crocodile immediately looked at Nico Robin.

He saw the woman's expression change drastically; now, her exquisite face was filled with disbelief.

"How did you know!"

That's what women say.

"You dare lie to me!"

Crocodile instantly realized the situation.

It's not that Hades' whereabouts aren't recorded in the official historical texts, but rather that this woman didn't want him to know!

Without any hesitation, Crocodile, now transformed into yellow sand, instantly appeared in front of Nico Robin, his left hand's golden hook aimed directly at Robin's chest.

dead!

Unfortunately, the golden hook was caught by a hand halfway through.

Damian smiled and said, "Don't get excited, Crocodile. We agreed before, right? She's mine."

Crocodile paused, then withdrew his left hand with a cold laugh. "Since you also understand ancient writing, what meaning does this woman hold for you?"

"I like beautiful women."

Damian said nonchalantly, "Isn't it a shame that such a beauty as Robin died here like this?"

"I'm the kind of person who, if I like a flower, I'll definitely pick it."

Even if this flower is covered in thorns?

Crocodile sneered.

Just as Damian said, once this woman's identity is exposed, the World Government will not be lenient.

"It has a unique charm, doesn't it?"

Damian chuckled softly.

Nicole Robin's expression was complicated.

There was a sense of relief at surviving the ordeal, but also a sense of sadness at Damian's remarks.

Next, am I going to become this man's plaything?

"Whatever makes you happy."

Crocodile snorted. "And then?"

"Then?"

Damian raised an eyebrow.

Where is Hades in Wano Country?

Crocodile asked, "As far as I know, that country is quite large."

Damian looked at Robin.

Robin shook her head. "It just means that in Wano Country, as long as Wano Country opens its borders, Pluton will naturally appear."

"Founding the nation?"

Crocodile's brow furrowed instantly.

"How is it?"

Damian laughed and said, "Go and take down that guy Kaido. As long as we deal with the Beasts Pirates, we can open Wano Country to the world."

"..."

Crocodile didn't say anything.

Are you kidding me!

Why do you want Hades?

It was because he was defeated by Whitebeard and witnessed the power of people at the top of the world that he placed his hopes on ancient weapons after his defeat.

He hopes to obtain the ancient weapons, then defeat those monsters and seize the throne.

But now, to obtain the ancient weapon, you must first defeat a monster of the same level as Whitebeard!

What a paradox!

"That's why I said, Crocodile,"

Damian said slowly, "Our friendship will flourish after that rain."

Amid Crocodile's astonished gaze, he smiled and said, "Of course I'm also very interested in Hades."

"An alliance?"

Crocodile pondered for a moment, then nodded without hesitation, "Not bad either."

This guy in front of me is very strong; he's definitely a qualified ally.

Moreover, what if this kid leaks information about Hades to others if we refuse?

"It's a pleasure working with you."

Damian smiled and narrowed his eyes.

It's not just because a partnership was reached, but also because the seed on Crocodile's head has grown into a tree and is now bearing fruit.

[Ding! You have received a rebate: Nature-type Cloud Fruit (extractable)!]

Did Crocodile, a Logia-type Devil Fruit user, provide Logia-type Devil Fruits?

Not bad at all.

After all, Logia-type Devil Fruits are indeed very rare, even rarer than the rarest Mythical Zoan types.

The Cloud-Cloud Fruit—the name itself sounds quite fitting for a meteorologist like myself, but unfortunately, I can't eat a second Devil Fruit.

"So, Damian, what are your plans?"

Crocodile asked somewhat eagerly.

"plan?"

Damian couldn't help but chuckle. "Are you kidding me, Crocodile? What kind of plan do you think we could possibly devour a beast like Kaido with our current strength?"

Moreover, I'm also very curious: what level of investment target is Guy, one of the four emperors of the new world, whom even the World Government fears?

Crocodile's anxious expression vanished in an instant.

Kaido, that guy who can only be described as a monster, is entrenched in Wano Country!

"What you need to do now is very simple."

Damian patted Crocodile on the shoulder and said earnestly, "My friend, first go back to the you who roamed the world twenty years ago."

Crocodile was slightly taken aback.

The man from the past?

I can hardly remember what he looked like back then.

"Accumulating strength is what we should be doing right now."

Damian said, "If you take back your past power, I will also become stronger. Then, perhaps we can try to win over more people. For example, I remember that a certain Shichibukai also had a deep-seated hatred with Kaido."

Crocodile's lips curled into a smile. "Moria, huh? Not bad!"

If that's the case, they might be able to form an alliance strong enough to stand up to the monsters of the new world!

"Then I'll leave this matter to you."

Damian laughed, "And now, go and clear Guina's name."