I'm A Plunderer In The World Of One Piece. - Chapter 83: You Can Pretend I'm Not Here.

Over on Luffy’s side, after a series of blunders—including getting lost, caught in a sandstorm, and tricked out of their supplies—the group finally made it to Yuba… somewhat “smoothly.”

But upon arrival, they found the former oasis city had long been swallowed by the desert, now nothing more than a wasteland.

From the sole remaining resident—Koza’s father, who still stubbornly dug for water—they learned the Rebel Army had relocated to Katorea.

After a brief rest for the night, the crew prepared to move again.

The next morning, armed with sand-filtered water provided by Koza’s father, the group resumed their journey.

Vivi proposed they head straight to Katorea again, but Luffy firmly refused.

This disagreement escalated into a heated argument between Luffy and Vivi.

Luffy believed it was unrealistic for Vivi to think she could save a country already consumed by chaos. The desert had drained its vitality, and the people’s anger—stirred up by Crocodile’s schemes—could no longer be calmed with words alone.

Pinned to the ground by Vivi, Luffy didn’t resist. He just shouted:

“Vivi, you can’t win this with just your life! That Shichibukai and his crew won’t go down that easily!”

Tears welled up in Vivi’s eyes as she screamed in frustration:

“Then what am I supposed to fight with?! Even the Pirate-san has abandoned me… I can’t beat them alone!”

Luffy roared:

“Then let’s bet our lives together! We’re your comrades!”

“I… I…”

Vivi collapsed to the ground, sobbing.

Luffy had made up his mind—the only way to truly end this conflict was to go to Rainbase, the so-called Miracle City, and defeat the man pulling all the strings: Crocodile, the Shichibukai known as the King of the Desert.

He turned toward Vivi, gaze sharp and determined.

“Vivi, persuasion won’t stop this war. Only strength will.”

Then he added, “Shirogai already saw the flaw in your plan. That’s why he didn’t come with us.”

“You think Shirogai really stayed on the Going Merry just to watch the ship? I’m sure he’s already in Rainbase.”

“Waiting for us.”

The group was stunned.

Nami’s eyes widened. “Wait, Shirogai isn’t on the ship?!”

Sanji lit a cigarette, deep in thought. “So that’s what it was.”

Zoro crossed his arms. “He went to the enemy stronghold alone? Yeah… that sounds like him.”

Usopp nearly jumped out of his skin. “He went to face a Shichibukai by himself?! Isn’t that dangerous?!”

Chopper blinked, stunned. “So… Shirogai already made a move on the enemy.”

It was only then that everyone realized: only Luffy had truly understood what Shirogai meant when he said he’d stay behind.

When Shirogai mentioned guarding the ship, Luffy didn’t even blink—he simply smiled and said, “See you then.”

Scratching his head, Luffy asked:

“Huh? You all didn’t catch the wink he gave us? Doesn’t that mean he was lying?”

Everyone shook their heads in unison. “Not at all!”

Vivi, recalling Shirogai’s overwhelming strength, suddenly felt her anxiety lift, replaced by hope.

“Alright! Then let’s go with Luffy’s plan. We head to Rainbase! To defeat Crocodile!”

Although facing a Shichibukai was daunting, the thought that Shirogai was already there erased their fear.

After all, Shirogai had even defeated Fire Fist Ace, someone on par with a Warlord of the Sea.

Crocodile wouldn’t stand a chance.

—

The Next Day, 8:00 AM — Rainbase

Inside the underground chamber of Rain Dinners, six individuals sat in the wide secret room, having just finished lunch. Their expressions varied—impatience, unease, anticipation—as they waited for their elusive boss, Mr. 0, to appear.

But even after an hour, no one arrived.

“I’m losing my patience!” Mr. 2 Bon Clay finally snapped, slapping the table. “How long are we supposed to wait?! I need to dance! Alright, fine! I’ll give you all a show!”

He leapt onto the table and began spinning in place.

Mr. 4 clapped like a child, roaring with laughter.

The others looked on, helpless, clearly used to Bon Clay’s antics.

Miss Doublefinger folded her arms. “Mr. 2, calm down. If the boss shows up and sees you like this…”

Miss Merry Christmas pounded the table. “That’s right! Sit down already, you idiot!”

“Hmph.” Mr. 1 snorted with disdain, unimpressed.

Nearby, a man disguised as Mr. 5 casually strolled around the room, teasing the Banana Crocodiles behind the glass walls.

It was Shirogai.

He found amusement in watching the creatures smash against the glass trying to get to him, only to fail. Like teasing a dumb pet.

“Hehehe.”

A melodic laugh echoed from the stairs.

“It seems none of you are particularly close,” said Miss All Sunday—Nico Robin—as she descended with a mysterious smile. “But that’s fine. You’re not comrades, just business partners.”

Mr. 1 narrowed his eyes. “Miss All Sunday… Mr. 0’s partner. Vice President of Baroque Works.”

Robin continued down the stairs, still smiling.

“You’ve all worked hard to get here—to the city of riches, Rainbase…”

“Hey, gorgeous, skip the speech and get to the point!” Mr. 5 interrupted rudely, feet on the table.

Robin’s eyes flickered.

Mr. 5? she thought. Strange… I never summoned him for this mission.

She paused only briefly, then smiled. “Seems Mr. 5 doesn’t like long introductions.”

“Unless you plan to explain the Void Century,” Shirogai replied, still in disguise, “spare me the filler.”

That confirmed it.

Robin’s eyes sharpened. She now knew for certain—this wasn’t the real Mr. 5.

It was Shirogai Yamikuro.

She had suspected he might come after Crocodile directly… but never imagined he’d infiltrate the heart of Baroque Works so boldly.

Even with his strength, this was reckless.

Nearly all of Baroque Works’ top fighters were present. Even a Marine Vice Admiral would hesitate to attack here alone.

Robin sighed inwardly, offering no interference as she continued:

“Before we begin, let me finally introduce your true leader. Until now, I’ve given you your orders on his behalf… but that’s no longer necessary.”

The agents leaned forward, eager, their hearts pounding.

They were finally going to meet the shadowy figure behind the entire operation.

A chair at the head of the room spun slowly.

A man in a black fur coat, cigar in his mouth, had appeared without a sound.

He scanned the room with an arrogant smirk—a predator among prey.

“Everyone,” he said. “Our final operation… is called Utopia.”

“Utopia?!”

“Crocodile?!”

The room erupted in shock as the commanders realized the truth.

“The Shichibukai, Crocodile… you were the one behind it all?!”

As they tried to process this revelation, Crocodile’s eyes suddenly narrowed.

He stared straight at the fake Mr. 5.

“You. I don’t recall inviting you to this final banquet, Mr. 5.”

Still leaning back, Shirogai smiled lazily.

“Me? I’m just visiting. You can pretend I’m not here.”

—

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