Chapter 149 Crocodile: I Don't Want to Be the Pirate King Anymore
More than half a year is just a ripple in the long river of history.
However, for the Kingdom of Alabasta, this was a revolutionary change.
Jinan remained in the Kingdom of Alabasta during this process, carefully guiding every step of the country's transformation.
Under his mediation, the original conflicts of interest between Crocodile and Cobra disappeared like smoke, and were replaced by efficient and solid cooperation.
Their cooperation seemed to bring prosperity to the kingdom.
This desert country has become completely different from before in just half a year.
The treasury is full, the people live in peace, and the overall national strength of the Kingdom of Alabasta has steadily increased, reversing its past decline and becoming stronger.
During this period of time, the Crocodile Pirates were transformed into a giant on the sea.
However, they did not expand in strength, but gradually evolved into a group similar to a revolutionary army.
This transformation, under Jinan's supervision and planning, is no longer for personal greed and abuse, but has become a real force for fighting for the welfare of the people and upholding justice.
During this change, Crocodile sometimes put forward different opinions, but unfortunately he was completely unable to convince Jin'an, and was instead confused by Jin'an's theories.
From then on, he often stopped on the terrace of the camp, looking at the increasingly powerful country and the increasingly large pirate group.
There was no longer the impetuousness and ambition of the past in his eyes, but instead deep thought and planning for the future.
Perhaps, under Jin'an's influence, he has begun to realize the true value of power - not conquest and plunder, but protection and creation.
In this wild world, the Great Route stretches like the backbone of the sky. Traffic and communication along it are ravaged by treacherous waves and ruthless reefs, restricting many islands and countries that rely on sea routes for prosperity.
However, for the Kingdom of Alabasta, this became a rare isolation, an opportunity to rise quietly.
The kingdom made full use of the peculiarity of this world and hid its own brilliance, just like the treasures deep in the desert that were not fully revealed to the world.
They store up their strength and develop in secret, until one day, their power will be like a dormant beast king, and they will finally leap out and shock the world.
And that day, the whole world will go crazy about it.
Jinan's strategy and Crocodile's power, together with the resources of Kobra's kingdom, are interwoven into a huge network that connects every corner.
There will come a time when the sky will darken, and then the brightening light of Alabasta will dawn, as dazzling as a new star.
Their fleets will break through the waves, their caravans will traverse the oceans, their technology and strategy will fill the great routes, and the sky and sea will echo with their voices.
Crocodile leaned on the cushioned sofa in an elegant and comfortable posture, with a cigar between his fingers, bringing out a puff of delicate smoke from time to time.
His well-defined face was filled with an unprecedented satisfaction and contentment.
"Now I know what it feels like to have all the power and status in one person."
He took a deep puff of his cigar, closed his eyes, and reveled in the almost tangible heaviness of power.
As the smoke rings rose, his pupils seemed to expand in focus, extending from personal satisfaction to future ambitions.
"This kind of life is much more comfortable than the fighting and killing before."
The tone revealed a kind of contempt for the chaotic life in the past and the cherishment of the peaceful life now.
His gaze shifted towards the balcony.
Jin An stood quietly in the intersection of sunlight and shadow, overlooking the prosperous scene ahead.
Crocodile's voice pierced through the flowing smoke, with a hint of temptation: "We are limited to the Kingdom of Alabasta for now, which is enough. It's time for us to expand outward."
He paused briefly, the red light and smoke of his cigar particularly conspicuous, "We should spread the new concept to the whole world!"
On the balcony under direct sunlight, Jin An's figure cast a long shadow, and a barely perceptible smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
The smile seemed to contain sarcasm towards Crocodile's ignorant remarks.
"Do you think the world government is just there to eat and do nothing?"
Jinan's words were full of joking, and he found Crocodile's naivety amusing.
Then, he raised his voice slightly and looked directly at Crocodile.
"Believe it or not, if you dare to publicize what we are doing, the world government will directly deprive you of the title of Shichibukai in the next moment."
In the reception room, Crocodile's expression froze for a moment.
"Hahahaha!"
Then it was as if I heard a trivial joke.
His laughter could be heard far away, and the people busy working downstairs could hear it clearly.
He slowly stood up from the sofa and strode towards Jin'an, an air of "no one else can do it better than me" gradually spreading over him.
"What can the world government do to me?"
His voice was calm and proud, as if he was answering Jin An's question, or asking and answering himself. Every word seemed to be a challenge to the world government.
He paused, a sneer flashed from his lips holding the cigar, "If they really had the ability, would there be so many pirates on the sea? Would they also make me one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea?"
Jin'an's gaze was vague, as if he had penetrated through layers of clouds and was gazing at the high blue sky.
"So you pirates have too narrow a vision."
"The world government has far more power than you think."
Crocodile showed a hint of displeasure when he heard this, and his deep eyes stared at Jin An.
After a moment of silence, his voice rang out in a low voice.
"I'm a former pirate, but I'm not a pirate now."
He emphasized his own identity, as if this would make Jin An re-evaluate his position.
"Maybe I'm not as knowledgeable as you."
Crocodile continued, speaking a little slower,
"But I believe that you are not doing so many things in the Kingdom of Alabasta just to support the rule of the World Government."
Jin An tilted his head slightly, and his silence seemed to give Crocodile a silent response.
"..."
“So, if we work together, we can achieve great things in this world.”
Crocodile's words were full of expectations.
His ambition is not limited to the empty title of Pirate King. What he longs for is a deeper journey, a stage where he can realize his ambitions and rewrite the world situation.
Jin An shook his head and smiled gently, "Aren't we already cooperating?"
"Now we just have to wait."
After half a year of development, the South China Sea has been completely under his control.
On the Grand Line side, his power is also slowly growing.
“Waiting for the perfect moment.”
...
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