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Crocodile was taken aback by Jason's bold statement. He didn't expect Jason to bring up the topic of history, a subject he thought only he knew about.
"Then let me remind you," Jason began, his tone unwavering, "isn't the reason you're here because there's a Poneglyph in Alabasta? And doesn't that Poneglyph contain clues to the Ancient Weapon Pluton?"
The moment Jason spoke those words, both Crocodile and Nico Robin's eyes widened in shock. Robin, who had spent her life studying ancient texts and knew about the Ancient Weapons, never imagined that one of the three fabled weapons—Pluton—would have its clues hidden here.
"Boy! How do you know that?" Crocodile's eyes darkened, his demeanor shifting dangerously as if he were prepared to strike at any moment.
Robin, too, was eager to ask the same question, but it was clear that this wasn't the right time.
"Don't get worked up! I know things, that's all. Don't worry about how I know it. Now, are you interested in the cooperation I mentioned?" Jason spoke with a calm authority, as if he had the upper hand. If there had been a sofa nearby, he would have lounged on it, legs crossed, with the air of someone who had everything under control.
"You know?" Crocodile's voice was low, laced with threat. "If I kill you right now, I can keep this secret to myself!"
Jason responded with a dry chuckle. "Oh? You think you can take me on? How about we test that first, and then we can talk about cooperation afterward?"
Jason wasn't one to be easily intimidated, nor was he the type to let ignorance go unchecked. As he spoke, a wave of Conqueror's Haki began to emanate from him, the supreme sword Yuhun in his hand now coated in Armament Haki.
Seeing Jason's readiness to fight, Crocodile felt a cold sweat trickle down his forehead. He hadn't expected Jason to be this prepared for combat.
"Fine! Let's hear what you've got in mind for cooperation," Crocodile said, swallowing his pride for now. While he had no problem challenging Whitebeard due to a personal grudge, he wasn't foolish enough to pick a fight with a strong opponent without reason, especially when Jason seemed ready to act.
Jason, sensing Crocodile's reluctance, eased back and began to explain. "The cooperation is simple. We'll help you interpret that Poneglyph, tell you what's recorded on it. You already know who the person next to me is—a scholar from O'Hara. The only person left in the world who can accurately decipher these historical texts. If we were interested in taking the weapon for ourselves, we would have done it already. But we're not interested in Pluton. That's why we're offering to cooperate rather than rob you."
Crocodile pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Fine, I accept. I was planning on finding people to decipher the text anyway. But it's different now. With you involved, I won't have to worry about killing Robin afterward to keep the secret. But know this: if you betray me, there will be consequences."
Jason's lips curled into a slight smile. "Alright then, our cooperation is set. We'll help you decode the Poneglyph… assuming you survive long enough to use the information."
"Survive? What a joke! I'm Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea! A Logia-type Devil Fruit user! Who in the first half of the Grand Line could possibly kill me?"
"As long as you believe that, sure. Now, where is this Poneglyph?"
Crocodile hesitated before replying. "The Poneglyph isn't in my possession yet. I've searched for it many times but failed to locate it. The only thing I know for sure is that it's hidden within the Royal Tomb. I'll only find out its exact location once I become the king of Alabasta."
Jason was silent for a moment, then sighed. "So, basically, you've got nothing except your plans for a rebellion?"
"As much as I hate to admit it, that's the case," Crocodile muttered.
"Goodbye, then." Jason turned, pulling Robin by the hand as he made to leave. He had stayed in One piece world for over 20 years, and some details of the plot had slipped his mind. His initial plan had been to cooperate with Crocodile, wait for Luffy and the others, and then hop on their ship. But with Crocodile's search for the Poneglyph still incomplete, Jason decided it was time to find another way. He wasn't interested in dragging out this cooperation any longer, especially not when there was a risk of Luffy misunderstanding his intentions.
"Wait! Just because I haven't found it yet doesn't mean the cooperation is off!" Crocodile called after him.
"We'll continue when you've found it," Jason replied casually, not bothering to look back as he continued to walk out with Robin. Jason knew Crocodile would eventually find the Poneglyph, but by then, Luffy would already be here to deliver a beating.
"This isn't a place where you can just come and go as you please! Sables!" Crocodile summoned a small sandstorm, hurling it toward the pair.
Jason's eyes narrowed. He let go of Robin's hand, drew Yuhun, and with a single slash, sent a wave of sword energy that not only dispersed the sandstorm but continued hurtling towards Crocodile.
Crocodile barely managed to dodge, his heart racing. Even though he was a Logia user, he knew that Jason's attack could hurt him.
But Jason wasn't done. In a flash, he was upon Crocodile, delivering a powerful kick to his side.
"So fast!" Crocodile managed to utter before the force of the kick sent him crashing through a wall and down from a high place, demolishing another building in the process.
Jason glanced at the destruction, then turned back to Robin, taking her hand once more as they walked out.
"He really is a tough one," Jason mused. Crocodile had challenged Whitebeard before, and even during the war, he had the guts to go up against formidable opponents. Jason had no doubt that Crocodile had just been testing his strength. If Jason had shown weakness, Crocodile would have continued the fight or tried to launch a sneak attack.
"Ahem... that bastard!" Crocodile groaned as he sat up amidst the rubble, clutching his side in pain. Jason hadn't intended to kill him, just to inflict a little pain.
Meanwhile, Jason and Robin left the Baroque Works building with little concern for who might notice.
"Where are we headed next?" Robin asked.
Jason scratched his head, thinking for a moment before replying, "The palace."
"Ah? Oh!" Robin was momentarily surprised, but quickly realized Jason's intention. If Crocodile hadn't found the Poneglyph, it had to be still in the possession of the royal family.
"But! There's no rush. The king won't just let us waltz into the Royal Tomb. But we can get close to him first."
"And how do you plan on doing that?"
"Ahem, I've got a plan! Just follow me."
"Alright."
The two strolled towards the palace, with Robin occasionally glancing at Jason's confident stride. Eventually, they reached the palace in a manner that could only be described as Jason's Conqueror's Haki at work.
Upon encountering King Nefertari Cobra, Jason and Robin revealed their identities and their purpose: to help the king reclaim his country in exchange for access to the Poneglyph. They also assured Cobra that they were friends of Princess Vivi.
The palace staff were skeptical, especially since Princess Vivi had never mentioned these two. However, given the situation, they chose to believe them for now, albeit with caution.
Meanwhile, Luffy and his crew were on Drum Island, chasing down Tony Tony Chopper to treat Nami, who had fallen ill after being bitten by a strange insect. Their journey to Alabasta was delayed by two days due to this detour. Otherwise, they would have already arrived.
As expected, Luffy's infectious personality won over Chopper, and soon after, they set sail for Alabasta with Princess Vivi in tow.
Two days later, the crew finally arrived in Alabasta. Disguised initially, they quickly discarded their disguises upon landing, ready to stop the rebel forces as Princess Vivi suggested. But, as usual, Luffy rushed ahead, getting himself separated from the group and lost outside the city.
Meanwhile, Jason was already comfortably seated in the same restaurant where Luffy and Ace would soon meet, enjoying a hearty meal. He had left Robin back at the palace, confident in her abilities after years of training in Haki. He knew that in the first half of the Grand Line, there wasn't anyone who could pose a serious threat to her.
As Jason continued to devour his meal, Ace entered the restaurant and sat beside him. The two had never met as children, so Ace didn't recognize him. However, Ace couldn't help but notice the striking similarity in their massive appetites, which reminded him of his two brothers. With a smile, Ace ordered his own mountain of food, ready to dig in.
Ace had barely finished his last bite when, without warning, he stuck his head into the plate and fell asleep mid-meal. Jason nearly choked on his rice, stunned by the sight. "There are actually people who can eat and sleep at the same time!" he thought, astonished.
But after a brief moment of disbelief, Jason simply shrugged and continued eating. The table around them was crowded with empty plates, a testament to their ravenous appetites. Onlookers, drawn by the spectacle, murmured amongst themselves, convinced that Ace was dead. They couldn't fathom how someone could eat so heartily while being so close to death.
Jason, unfazed, focused on finishing his meal. He took a final gulp of juice, savoring the feeling of fullness, then leaned back with a contented sigh. "Huh! Hiccup~ Feels good!" he exclaimed, before casually pulling out a toothpick and picking his teeth.
Suddenly, Ace "resurrected" from his food-induced slumber, startling the crowd around him. After a few incoherent words from Ace, the crowd, now realizing he wasn't dead, lost interest and dispersed. There was nothing particularly interesting about someone who wasn't actually dead.
After dinner, Ace pulled out a wanted poster and showed it to the restaurant owner, asking if he had seen the person depicted on it. But before the owner could respond, a voice rang out from behind them.
"You're pretty bold, eating in a place like this! The captain of the second division of the Whitebeard Pirates, Portgas D. Ace!"
"White... Whitebeard Pirates?!" gasped a civilian nearby.
"That stupid little brother is actually a member of the Whitebeard Pirates?"
"What would a world-famous pirate want here?" another bystander wondered aloud.
The surrounding civilians were filled with fear and awe, while Smoker, the Marine captain who had entered the restaurant unnoticed, spoke up, his voice carrying authority. Ace, however, remained calm and unbothered by the sudden attention.
"I'm looking for my brother," Ace said calmly, locking eyes with Smoker. "What do you want?"
"Being obediently captured and taken to Impel Down is your only destination!" Smoker declared.
Before Ace could respond, Jason burst out laughing, a deep, hearty sound that echoed through the room. "Pfft...hahahaha!" His laughter caused a vein to bulge on Smoker's forehead, the Marine clearly irritated.
"Boy! What's so funny—Wait, who did I think it was? It's the Devils guardian! This store really is full of surprises. You're not a pirate, so I have no interest in you. Portgas D. Jason!"
Hearing his name, Ace froze in surprise. "Jason?" he thought. "Is this the Jason that Luffy often talks about? What's he doing here?" Just as Ace was about to ask something, a familiar voice shouted from outside, getting closer.
"Rubber Rocket!"
A loud crash followed, and before Smoker or Ace could react, Smoker was sent flying by the impact, smashing through several walls in succession. The onlookers' jaws dropped in disbelief.
Jason couldn't help but laugh even harder, barely able to contain his amusement at the scene. ꉂꉂ◟(˃᷄ꇴ˂᷅ ૂ๑) "Hahahaha!"
"Ah-ho! It's a hotel! We finally found a hotel! Hurry up! Eat, eat, eat! I want food! Boss, hurry up and serve the food!" Luffy's cheerful voice rang out as he barged into the restaurant, immediately knocking on the table to urge the owner to bring him food. He was completely oblivious to the two people he had just sent flying or the presence of Jason. His entire focus was on the impending meal.
The restaurant owner, despite the confusion caused by the large hole in his wall, quickly began to serve Luffy, who wasted no time in stuffing his face.
"Hey! Luffy!" Jason called out softly, trying to get his attention.
Luffy, still chewing, slowly turned his head. His eyes widened as he recognized the voice, and a surprised expression quickly spread across his face.
"Jason!!! You're here! Why are you here? This is great! Hahahaha!" Luffy shouted in delight, jumping up and rushing towards Jason, arms open for a bear hug. Jason, however, quickly raised his hands to block the incoming embrace.
"Finish your meal first! We can talk after," Jason insisted.
"Ang! Okay!" Luffy agreed, immediately returning to his food and devouring it with even more enthusiasm.
The restaurant owner opened his mouth to mention that Luffy had just knocked someone through several walls, but Jason shook his head, signaling that it wasn't a big deal.
Meanwhile, Ace and Smoker, still recovering from the unexpected hit, rubbed their sore heads as they got back on their feet.
"Which bastard did that?! What's going on?" Smoker muttered, bewildered.
Ace, apologizing as he made his way back into the restaurant, spotted Luffy happily eating at the table. His expression changed to one of surprise as he opened his mouth to shout, but before he could, Smoker lunged forward, pushing Ace aside and tackling Luffy to the ground.
"Straw Hat Luffy! You're not getting away this time!" Smoker growled, pinning Luffy down.
Luffy stared up at Smoker, his hands still moving food to his mouth as his mind worked furiously. After a moment, he finally remembered who this persistent Marine was.
"It's you?"
"Do you finally remember me?" Smoker asked, ready to take Luffy in.
"Wait a moment!" Luffy suddenly exclaimed.
Smoker paused, confused by the unexpected request. Luffy seized the opportunity to grab everything edible within reach, shoving it all into his mouth before jumping to his feet and bolting for the exit.
"Thanks for the meal! See ya!" Luffy shouted as he dashed out the door.
Everyone in the restaurant was stunned by the scene that had just unfolded. Even Smoker took a moment to process what had just happened before yelling in frustration and giving chase. Ace, realizing that both his brother and Smoker were on the move, quickly followed them out.
Jason, meanwhile, paid for the meal and left a generous tip to cover the damage before hurrying after them.
Luffy ran at full speed toward the beach, cheeks bulging with food. Smoker was hot on his heels, barking orders to Tashigi as they passed her, instructing her to track them down. Jason, moving swiftly with the use of Soru, headed directly for the ship where he knew Luffy would eventually end up.
As Smoker's "White Blow" was about to strike Luffy, Ace intervened with a fiery attack, blocking Smoker's punch with his Sun Flame. The two brothers exchanged a few quick words, with Ace telling Luffy and the others to go on ahead while he dealt with Smoker.
Luffy, without hesitation, turned and sprinted towards the ship, with the rest of his crew following close behind.
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