One Piece: Starting with Sign-in Naruto Character Cards

After they began drinking inside the tavern, Crocodile finally couldn't hold back and spoke up.

"Captain Rikuya, this guy you mentioned—Bartolomeo or whatever—does he really warrant such a big fuss?"

After all, the three of them had stirred up such a massive commotion in Loguetown that even an idiot would know it must've reached the World Government and the Marines already.

And right now, Sakazuki's fleet was active in the East Blue, searching for their whereabouts. If they happened to be nearby, they'd likely end up facing an admiral head-on.

"He's just a minor pirate, but his Devil Fruit is pretty interesting. His strength may be average, but if we can recruit him, he'd at least be far more loyal than you."

Rikuya spoke in a calm, distant tone.

Crocodile merely snorted at the jab about his loyalty.

There was no way he was genuinely willing to become Rikuya's subordinate—not yet, anyway. He still wasn't used to taking orders from someone else. In fact, what Smoker had said earlier had stirred some rebellious thoughts in him.

Still, he knew the gap between his strength and Rikuya's was significant. So for now, he had no choice but to bide his time and wait for an opportunity.

"What kind of Devil Fruit does that guy have?"

Douglas Bullet asked curiously after hearing Rikuya speak so highly of him.

"He has the Barrier-Barrier Fruit, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit.

Don't underestimate that power. It allows him to create absolute barriers that can't be broken by any force and can also be used offensively.

In other words, even the strongest enemies would struggle to shatter his defenses.

That makes it incredibly effective during group battles. If he's with us, it'll be a huge advantage when we eventually clash with the New World forces or the Marines."

Rikuya explained.

"Tch, an indestructible Barrier Fruit?"

Crocodile blew a smoke ring and scoffed in disbelief.

He'd seen plenty in his time, and he didn't believe there was such a thing as an unbreakable defense.

"You'll see for yourself soon enough."

Rikuya didn't argue further—he simply took another swig of whiskey.

By evening, just after the crew had finished dinner in the tavern, the tavern doors were suddenly kicked open with a loud BANG.

The man who walked in matched the exact description Rikuya had given earlier—Bartolomeo.

Behind him followed a few thug-like men with fierce expressions.

Bartolomeo's appearance was exactly as Rikuya had described earlier, down to the smallest detail, as if Rikuya had seen him in advance.

This stunned both Crocodile and Douglas Bullet.

They had been with Rikuya all day—how the hell did he know what Bartolomeo would look like?

"Bartolomeo, you're a bit later than I expected."

Rikuya swirled his whiskey glass and spoke nonchalantly.

"Hmph, I heard from those Marine punks that someone was looking for me… and even claimed I wouldn't live to see the sunrise.

I'm scared of a lot of things—but death ain't one of them. So here I am, wanted to see who's got the balls to say that!"

Bartolomeo sneered.

At the same time, the men behind him began drawing their weapons.

"What, you brought your little street thugs along to collect your corpse?"

Rikuya glanced at the gangsters and asked mockingly.

"So you do know who I am, huh?"

Bartolomeo frowned slightly.

"Born in Loguetown, currently rules the underworld here. You're also the user of the Paramecia-type Barrier-Barrier Fruit. Did I get that right?"

"And even knowing my Devil Fruit power, you still came here to die?"

"I'll give you a chance to rephrase that—because standing before you is someone who just broke out of the world's most secure prison, defeated a major pirate crew from the New World, and recruited a Warlord of the Sea and a legendary pirate from the Roger era.

I came here to offer you a spot in my crew. But if you insist on acting tough, I've got no problem making sure you never leave this tavern alive."

Rikuya's expression suddenly turned serious, his once-playful demeanor replaced by cold authority.

Upon hearing this, Bartolomeo's body visibly flinched for a moment.

He had recognized the trio the moment he entered—they were the pirates causing a global uproar recently.

Even with his so-called "absolute defense," there was no guarantee he could take on all three of them.

But Bartolomeo was arrogant, brash, and wildly unrestrained. So even faced with Rikuya's threat, there was no way he'd simply back down.

"I'm walking out that door right now. If you've got the guts, go ahead and try something!"

With that, Bartolomeo turned around and started walking toward the exit.

Rikuya hadn't spoken yet—but Crocodile had already run out of patience.

He was already pissed that they'd gone out of their way for some nobody.

And now this punk dared to act like they were nothing?

He was already itching to kill someone, and this guy just gave him an excuse.

Seeing that Rikuya seemed ready to make a move, Crocodile didn't wait.

In an instant, he raised his poisoned hook and darted toward Bartolomeo like the wind, intent on ending him on the spot—and testing just how strong that so-called Barrier Fruit really was.

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