Even Trash Has Its Uses

"Mr. 3, whether you and your little companion survive or not depends entirely on your performance."

Outside the prison on the warship, Rolando held a ringing Den Den Mushi, staring with deep meaning at Mr. 3 inside the cell and the little girl beside him, Miss Goldenweek.

When he last returned to Marine Headquarters to report on his duties, Rolando had not handed Mr. 3 and Goldenweek over to the headquarters, but instead had Vongolis hide them away, with the sole purpose of striking a blow against the Sand Crocodile.

If the Marine Headquarters had learned of this, given the nature of certain higher-ups, Rolando had every reason to believe they would only send someone to issue a warning to the Sand Crocodile, telling him to be a bit more careful in the future.

They would never fly into a rage and attack the Sand Crocodile the way he had.

To them, a nation's rebellion in exchange for relative stability on the seas was an absolute bargain with zero risk of loss.

Moreover, taking action against the Sand Crocodile would have too massive an impact, inevitably causing other Warlords of the Sea to doubt the Marines and shaking the foundation of their future cooperation.

Rolando was different, however. He had no such concerns; in fact, he hoped for a complete break between the Warlords and the Marines.

That way, not only could he openly deal with the pirates among the Warlords in the future, but he could also sever one of the World Government's arms before formally taking them on.

It was truly killing two birds with one stone.

Staring at the Den Den Mushi before him, Mr. 3 gazed at it for a long time before finally nodding, picking up the receiver, and placing it to his ear.

"3, what is the meaning of this? Aside from you, the top five officers of Baroque Works have all arrived in Alabasta on schedule. Why haven't you shown up yet?"

As the call connected, an extremely oppressive voice instantly echoed from the other end, making Mr. 3 tremble all over.

This fear originating from his very bones left Mr. 3 momentarily at a loss for words.

It wasn't just Mr. 3; even the little girl Goldenweek beside him was shaking uncontrollably.

With her tear-filled eyes, anyone else might have felt a twinge of sympathy for Goldenweek.

Only Rolando knew what kind of demon was hidden inside that small body.

"3, do you not dare answer me? For these past two months, you've only just answered the phone. Are you afraid I'll deal with you?"

The gloomy voice continued. Just hearing it made Mr. 3 feel the heavy murderous intent within.

Glancing up at Rolando, Mr. 3 knew that if he didn't continue to cooperate with Rolando, even if he managed to escape from here, there would be only one end awaiting him: death.

As a member of Baroque Works, he knew better than anyone just how terrifying this organization and its elusive boss were.

Steadying his breathing, Mr. 3 forced a smile and ingratiated himself, "Boss, I'm already on my way. I'll reach the Kingdom of Alabasta in ten days."

"Ten days? What on earth have you been doing for the past two months? 3, you wouldn't answer the phone, and even your subordinates in Baroque Works have all vanished."

The Sand Crocodile said in a deep voice.

"Boss, please let me explain. Two months ago, I planned to prepare a welcome gift for you, so..."

Mr. 3 suddenly seemed to panic, hastily explaining. He omitted the beginning and the end, concealing a portion of what happened on Little Garden before spewing out the rest.

This was Rolando's instruction; otherwise, it would have been difficult for Mr. 3 to gain the Sand Crocodile's trust.

After the Summit War, Old Sand's charisma indeed rose significantly.

At this stage, however, the Sand Crocodile was still a deeply suspicious individual.

If nine parts of truth were not mixed into the falsehood, Mr. 3 might be directly exposed and unable to extract the intelligence Rolando wanted from him.

"Devil Rolando?"

Clearly, after Mr. 3 uttered this name, the Sand Crocodile fell silent for a long time.

Because he was far from unfamiliar with this name.

As a collaborator of the Marines and one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, how could he possibly not know this fellow's current status and strength within the Marines?

If Mr. 3 had been targeted by this guy, then going underground for the past two months was somewhat excusable.

However, the Sand Crocodile didn't entirely trust Mr. 3, because as far as he knew, not a single pirate targeted by Rolando had ever managed to escape alive.

"If it was him, you surviving is indeed a stroke of great fortune. I won't pursue the matter further for now. Ten days from now, I expect to see you in Alabasta, 3."

The Sand Crocodile pondered for a moment and said slowly.

With that, without waiting for Mr. 3's reply, he hung up the phone directly.

Inside a gloomy room in Rain Dinners, the Kingdom of Alabasta.

The surroundings were crafted entirely from transparent glass. Through the glass, one could occasionally see crocodiles with a bunch of bananas on their heads swimming lazily around.

"Has 3 betrayed us?"

In front of the glass, a woman facing the reflective surface spoke slowly.

If Rolando were here, he would undoubtedly have recognized this woman at a glance, as she was also one of the targets he had instructed Agin to keep an eye on.

Child of the Devil, Nico Robin, with a bounty of 79 million Berries.

"Let's assume he hasn't yet. Given that Rolando's personality dictates he leaves no survivors..."

Sitting on the sofa, Crocodile pondered for a moment before fixing his gloomy gaze on Robin and speaking slowly.

"Devil Rolando?"

Robin did not answer Crocodile, merely gazing quietly at her own reflection in the glass wall, lost in thought.

...

"3, rest assured, Crocodile will surely die. After that, you can come become a Marine with me and slowly wash away your sins."

Rolando patted Mr. 3's shoulder with satisfaction and said encouragingly.

"A Marine?"

Mr. 3 looked at Rolando's departing back, chewing on those words.

For some reason, he suddenly found himself feeling a bit expectant.

If he followed Rolando, it would surely be easier than following that elusive, mysterious boss—the one Rolando claimed was Crocodile.

Legends circulating across these seas included not only tales of the Devil Rolando, but also stories of his subordinates.

Back in the East Blue, they had all been ordinary people, the most famous being merely a three-sword-style bounty hunter named Roronoa Zoro.

And now? Those fellows following Rolando had one after another become Marine Lieutenant Commanders, Master Chief Petty Officers, and Petty Officers.

How long had it been since they joined the Marines? Yet they had risen to prominence right alongside Rolando.

If he washed away his sins and started over as a new man, could he also live openly and proudly in this light of day?

Having spent so long as rats in the darkness, not everyone was willing to keep cowering in those gloomy shadows.

"Major General Rolando, are you really going to give that fellow a chance?"

Vongolis trotted up behind Rolando, furrowing his brow as he spoke.

Vongolis had investigated Mr. 3's past—how should he put it?

Not quite a villain guilty of every conceivable crime, but definitely monstrously wicked.

Including that seemingly innocent little girl, the evil deeds the two of them had committed were simply countless.

Yet for a man like this, Major General Rolando, who had always harbored a fierce hatred for evil, was actually willing to give them a second chance?

"Vongolis, you must understand that in this world, even a pile of garbage has its uses."

Rolando merely patted Vongolis's shoulder gently, offering no further explanation.

According to Nami's calculations, they would formally arrive at the Kingdom of Alabasta in about ten days.

By that time, the death knell for Crocodile would toll.

"Are you ready, Crocodile?"

Rolando stared out at the boundless ocean and muttered silently to himself.