I am the Bandit King of the East Sea.

Sieg was somewhat surprised.

His original agreement with Crocus was that Crocus would temporarily serve as their ship's doctor until Brook was rescued.

Now that things are settled, it makes perfect sense for Crocus to decide to return.

“I’m still hesitant about that,” Crocus said.

Sieg pondered for a long time.

Things have become much more complicated since my conversation with Stusi.

The World Government now knows Crocus's identity and that he has become Sig's man.

Brook or Laboon are fine, but if Crocus returns to Twin Capes, it might bring danger...

"How am I supposed to bring this up? I have an undercover agent who has already exposed your identity to the World Government. Now you're on a sinking ship, there's no turning back."

Sieg was immediately stumped.

Chapter 291 Another Piece Appears!

"Crocas, have you ever heard of CP0?"

"Sig asked."

Crocus nodded, a look of reminiscence in his eyes:

"CP0 is indeed a very difficult group to deal with."

"Many years ago, there was a great pirate on the high seas who rivaled Roger, the World Destroyer Bundy Wald."

"It is said that he was arrested and imprisoned because a CP0 agent infiltrated his pirate crew and betrayed him at a crucial moment."

Crocus's tone was somewhat wistful.

Wald was very strong. The Navy mobilized Sengoku, Garp, and others to hunt him down, showing how much importance they placed on him. But in the end, he was defeated by CP0.

"By the way, why did you suddenly bring up CP0?" Crocus asked casually.

"Kurokas, I have to tell you some bad news."

Sieg's face was full of seriousness:

"I just received a secret report that the CP organization under the World Government has learned your identity!"

"Lab and Brook are fine, but if you want to go back to Twin Capes to continue being the caretaker, it might be dangerous!"

Crocus's expression immediately turned serious.

Although he was not a combatant and was not well-known, he was indeed a member of Roger's pirate crew.

The return of former members of the Roger Pirates to the seas... this is no small matter.

For example, not long ago, the famous pirate Captain Buggy's bounty soared to 200 million just because it was revealed that he was an apprentice crew member of Roger's pirate crew.

“This is indeed a tricky situation, Sieg. I must thank you for reminding me this time.”

Crocus said seriously.

He did not question the message that Sieg mentioned.

Sigurd wields considerable power and is one of the masterminds behind the Island of Everything. It's understandable that he could obtain such secret information from the World Government.

Moreover, Sig did a great favor for him, accomplishing something that even the Roger Pirates couldn't do—helping him find the Rumbar Pirates.

Crocus wouldn't easily question Sieg, who had done him a great favor.

"Look at you, still saying such polite things. This is what I should do."

Sieg stood tall and proud.

"But what are you planning to do next?"

"I guess my old bones can only stay somewhere else?"

"Perhaps... to the Sabaody Archipelago?"

Crocus considered for a moment before speaking.

He hadn't had time to think about it after hearing such a sudden news.

Upon hearing this, Sieg's heart stirred, and he looked at Crocus with a meaningful gaze.

"The Sabaody Archipelago is indeed a good choice."

“I heard that Roger’s first mate, Raleigh, is on the Sabaody Archipelago.”

Sig has already won over Crocus enough, and might be able to use that to get close to Rayleigh.

Upon hearing Sieg's words, Crocus was completely stunned.

"Rayleigh is in Sabaody Archipelago? That old gambler is really daring..."

Despite jokingly cursing, a smile unconsciously appeared on Crocus's face.

Both he and Rayleigh were old, and given their sensitive identities, being able to meet was an immense stroke of luck.

Sieg pressed his advantage:

“Coincidentally, I am also planning to go to the Sabaody Archipelago. Since you are going there, let me give you one last ride.”

Having said all that, Crocus naturally didn't say anything more and readily agreed.

..........

The day.

Sig's armored pirate ship set sail again, leaving behind the terrifying three-masted sailing ship.

However, Sig had already designated this place as the future base for his bandit gang and had not abandoned the giant ship, leaving behind a number of bandits stationed there.

Laboon and Brook, the whales who originally planned to head to Twin Capes, decided to accompany Sig's ship to the Sabaody Archipelago first, due to Crocus's actions.

However, Kro was not in a good mood.

For Kro, setting sail meant he had to start working again.

Moreover, when he set sail this time, Sieg gave him special encouragement.

"Kro, you've developed your Devil Fruit ability quite well... It seems the Swamp-Gas Fruit has great potential."

"How about this, let's change your working hours again, change it to 12 hours a day, and give you one day off a week."

With a mysterious smile, Sieg patted Kro on the shoulder, leaving him feeling bewildered.

Why have working hours actually increased?

"Boss Sig's thoughts are truly unfathomable..."

Kro felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him.

He had clearly decided to let Sieg see his efforts and contributions, but instead it turned into working overtime.

"Looks like I still need to have a good talk with the bald guy and learn how to figure out what Boss Sig is thinking..."

Kro had an idea in mind.

................

Deep in the distant red earth continent.

In a certain mountain range, a large group of people are tirelessly digging something.

A deep pit has appeared on the ground, but there is still no trace of what they are looking for.

Doflamingo stood beside the deep pit, holding the treasure map in one hand, pacing back and forth anxiously.

This made him quite upset.

His current situation is not good. His own strength has declined, and his family's influence has also suffered heavy losses due to the previous attack on Pleasure Street.

In his mind, anotherpiece was a hope that could turn the tide.

He believed that the Angel-Angel Fruit could solve his strength problem, and the treasure and the Celestial Dragons' national treasure secrets were also things he could hope to use to become a Celestial Dragon again.

At that moment, he heard a crisp metallic clang coming from the deep pit.

"Young Master, we've found something!"

Doflamingo immediately perked up.

A moment later, a large box was carried by his subordinates to the top of the pit and placed in front of Doflamingo.

"The moment has finally come."

Without hesitation, Doflamingo sent out a semi-transparent thread from his hand, directly opening the heavy treasure chest.

It made a creaking sound.

Doflamingo eagerly peered into the treasure chest.

But what he saw made him frown.

There was no treasure in the chest; it was empty except for a yellowed parchment.

Doflamingo glanced at the treasure map in his hand, and a bad feeling suddenly welled up in his heart.

The so-called treasure was divided into five parts, which was bad enough, but now there's no treasure or angel fruit, only a piece of paper?

"Could it be that the Celestial Dragons' treasure, along with the Angel Fruit, is hidden in some other treasure? Is this parchment the secret of the Celestial Dragons' national treasure?"

Doflamingo comforted himself with this thought as he reached out and picked up the parchment from the treasure chest.

There was only one sentence written on this parchment.

"The treasure hunt itself is the greatest treasure."

Chapter 292 The Monumental Lie Comes True!

"The treasure hunt itself is the greatest treasure."

Beside the deep pit.

Doflamingo stood there expressionless, holding a piece of parchment in his hand.