Freedom & Fate | One Piece x Reader

Chapter 65 | Acquaintance

"Slice open the cage first if you want to get me." Crocodile was amused by your friends. 'They get riled up so easily,' he thought while smirking. He pulled you closer and locked eyes with Zoro, waiting for a reaction. On the inside, he was furious and loathed the Shichibukai with a burning passion but he controlled his expressions to withhold the satisfaction from Crocodile.

His swords were almost drawn, however, his attention focused on you when you grabbed Crocodile's hand from your shoulder and pushed him away. Crocodile looked surprised for a second but then continued laughing. "Aha, I guess I was a bit too rash," he said playfully, "My little princess here is still shy."

"I think you're mistaken," you said sternly as you found your lost confidence. "The princess you're looking for is still out there."

The smirk on his face did not change. Suddenly you heard footsteps coming down the stairs. "Speaking of the devil..." he whispered. "Ah, welcome Vivi. The princess of Alabasta. She indeed is one but won't be for long since the country is going to die."

Vivi shook with anger, she clutched her slashers and sprinted towards Crocodile but he stayed calmly seated. The chains spun violently, piercing his neck. Even though it was a direct hit, weapons like that would never be able to hurt a person possessing a Logia type fruit. Crocodile simply turned into sand and threw Vivi to the ground.

Now it was his time to strike.

"It's just about time... for the party to begin. Am I wrong, Miss All-Sunday?"

"You are correct, it's past 7."

Witnessing how in-touch he was with his powers was frightening. You quickly checked up on Vivi, luckily, she was not badly injured.

"You're coming with me SG." Crocodile nudged your back with his hook and started walking to the exit. "Behave yourself or all of your friends will die in this room," he whispered. Shocked and speechless, you took one more look at them and quietly followed the Shichibukai. He tossed the key to the cage onto the floor but what you did not know is that as soon as you were far enough away, a giant bananawani was released into the room...

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The corridor to the outside was long and strangely intimidating. You could only hear the sounds of the footsteps. Crocodile's leather shoes were especially irritating.

"Tell me SG... do you know who you are?" he asked without looking at you.

You were a bit puzzled by his question. Considering how you regained most of your memories just hours before, you were familiar with your identity in this world. To Crocodile, you were mostly known as Silent Gunner so in the end, you answered with a short 'yes'.

He started laughing again. "Does that mean I know a side of you that you don't?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"An acquaintance told me about you," he smiled at the thought of it, "He told me your story... your darkest moments..."

Not knowing what he was talking about, you kept on silently following him.

"At first I didn't believe that crazy fool but seeing today's events, I have to admit he was correct."

"Why are you telling me this?" You held your head high. Even if what he said is true, you already found the most important pieces of your past... right? You shook your head, this was not the right time to doubt yourself.

"I'm just trying to help." He slowed down his steps to match up with yours. "There are many people after you, Y/N. If you stay with me, I can lend a hand. I know you want to find your parents again."

Hearing those words coming from his mouth irritated you immensely. This situation is something you kept to yourself, only the closest people to you should know. Who gave him this information? Ace was the only one you could remember telling but he would never do this.

The last pieces of the puzzle were still missing. It was normal to not remember everything from your childhood, you thought. Who is the person that knows your story? He must be a crucial element to everything. "What do you expect in return?" you bit your lip and asked.

That irksome smirk returned on his face. "Simple. You'll help me reach my goal too."

His goal... conquering Alabasta? No, it couldn't be just that. You were certain that he had ulterior motives.

"I see." You pretended to sound interested. "I have one more question. Can you tell me who that acquaintance is?"

Crocodile sighed. "Of course you'd be curious about him. Let's talk over dinner after all of this is over." The exit was in sight now. Once you stepped outside the large doors, a crowd of Alabasta citizens cheered for him.

He completely deceived this whole country... if only they knew what he was planning. You wanted to tell them the truth, scream it out loud, but the voice of a single individual would not be able to break the perception of the masses. They would need to see his true nature themselves.

Once you passed the crowd of people, you took a good look around the place. This casino sure looked fancy. The marble pillars, the golden accents, Sanji with glasses, butlers wearing suits... wait, Sanji? You stared at him in surprise and remembered that he did not get caught earlier. You felt relieved to know that he can help the others. With that in mind, you walked out of Rain Dinners. It was good that Sanji did not look in your direction, he would have caught Crocodile's attention.

Sanji... everyone... get out of there safely. I'm sorry I couldn't stay but I'll keep an eye on Crocodile!

// Meanwhile...

Smoker sat there calmly as the room flooded with water and a bananawani was disturbingly close to swallowing them whole.

"How can you be so calm?! Think of something to do!" Usopp confronted him.

"How much do you guys know about Crocodile's goal?" He stunned everyone with his question. "That woman with Crocodile is an outlaw who has been on the run from the World Government for 20 years. The price on her head is more than 70 million bellies."

"Hey, Smokey! Why did you capture Y/N and why was that Croco guy after her too?!" Luffy finally asked.

"So you didn't know?" he gritted his teeth against his cigars. "She is similar to that woman but wasn't an outlaw. The World Government want her powers for themselves. Rumours say she's been wanted even longer... although I don't understand how that's possible." He paused briefly.

"With their joined force, this is no longer just the takeover of a nation. If we don't do something now, this will develop into a disaster that will envelop the entire world." //

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