章 23: Chapter 21: Colonel Lucas olive branch
Rosen glanced at Colonel Luca, puzzled by his overly friendly manner. Seeing the large group of naval soldiers, Rosen had expected caution. However, Luca surprised him by offering a military salute upon their arrival.
As one of the Seven Warlords, Rosen couldn't understand why these naval officers seemed to ignore his pirate past. Was Colonel Luca not afraid of upsetting his men by treating a former pirate leader so warmly?
Rosen found Luca's behavior puzzling. It was unusual to receive such a warm welcome, especially from someone who didn't seem to be a timid admiral or a flatterer. Could Luca possibly know something about him? Rosen looked over at Robin, who subtly shook her head, indicating she was as bewildered by Luca's behavior as he was, confirming they had no prior connection.
"What is it that you want?" Rosen inquired after lighting a cigar and pondering the situation.
"This might not be the best place for a chat. I've arranged for the finest wines and dishes at the winery. You must be weary from your journey. How about we sit down for a meal and talk things over comfortably?" Colonel Luca proposed sincerely, with a warm, engaging smile.
Rosen felt like he was dealing with a politician rather than a navy officer. Despite this, he had no intention of accepting the invitation. Sensing Luca had a request and wanting to avoid any complications, Rosen politely declined the offer.
"Let's discuss whatever you need right here. I'm in a hurry," Rosen replied curtly.
Colonel Luca hesitated for a moment, appearing slightly taken aback. He seemed to realize that pushing Rosen too much could have negative consequences. Maintaining his plan was crucial, and he didn't want to risk alienating Crocodile.
"I've heard about your unpleasant encounters with Bam. News of your arrival has likely reached his ears. Knowing Bam, he won't let this go easily," Luca whispered, moving closer to Rosen.
Bam, the head of Bordeaux Winery, had a history with the original Crocodile. Rosen, intrigued by these past events, had previously asked Robin for details.
The original Crocodile had harshly dealt with a "child abuse incident" that had disturbed him during a meal. Reacting swiftly, he had put an end to the culprits - a decision that still resonated in the politics of Wine City.
Realizing the complexity of the situation, Rosen inwardly sighed. Dealing with the repercussions of Crocodile's past actions was going to be challenging.
It turned out that the individuals Crocodile had eliminated were important figures assigned to entertain their pirate alliance. The second-in-command of Bordeaux Winery, responsible for the incident, had decided to confront Crocodile for an explanation.
Initially, it was a matter of pride for the second-in-command, but Crocodile, in a foul mood, had engaged in a fierce confrontation, ultimately defeating the second-in-command of Bordeaux Winery.
At that time, Bam, the leader of Bordeaux Winery, was away in the New World. If he had been present, the conflict might have escalated further. Bam took the death of his brother, the second-in-command, personally.
If it hadn't been for orders from the captain, Evil Spirit Brewer, stressing the importance of producing fine wine, Bam would likely have traveled to Alabasta to settle the score with Crocodile. To Bam, the title of "Seven Warlords of the Sea" meant little beyond being a navy lackey. He had enough influence to even persuade someone like Doflamingo to temporarily lend his Warlord status for their operations in Liquor City.
This arrangement allowed them to oversee a large winery in Wine City, while paying a small tribute to Doflamingo for nominal protection. Despite this, Bam's unresolved resentment had simmered for two years, restrained only by the winery's significance and the challenge of finding Crocodile.
With other factions monitoring closely and causing distractions, Bam couldn't spare the time to hunt down Crocodile. Crocodile's return to Wine City had rekindled Bam's fury, making him consider seeking personal revenge. However, the captain's strict directives bound his actions: focusing on producing quality wine was paramount, and any misstep could cost him dearly.
Adding to Bam's troubles, recent environmental issues had severely affected the top wine production at Louis Winery and Mektor Winery. Only Bordeaux had maintained a sufficient stockpile, forcing Bam to stay vigilant at headquarters, guarding against interference from rival wineries.
Despite established operations in Wine City, the rivalry among the three major wineries had escalated. Recent clashes over market dominance and resources had strained relations further.
Colonel Luca approached Crocodile with two goals: to warn him about the impending trouble related to his past actions and to propose a mutual agreement. By utilizing Crocodile's status as a Warlord, Luca aimed to harness their combined strength to confront Bam and dismantle his influence.
"My aim is to remind you of the past issues linked to Bam and propose a collaboration," Luca continued, moving closer to Crocodile. "By using your Warlord status, we can jointly confront Bam, benefiting both parties and resolving lingering problems."
Crocodile pondered Luca's proposal with narrowed eyes. Despite his reservations about naval officers, Luca's plan intrigued him. Forming a temporary alliance with the navy could help him achieve broader objectives without getting entangled in unnecessary conflicts.
By leveraging his authority and resources as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Crocodile could address the wine inventory predicament, mitigate the negative repercussions of confronting the alliance, and possibly gain control of the winery.
However, influencing Crocodile was proving more challenging than Luca had anticipated. Using the "Warlord" title wasn't as straightforward with him.
"While there may have been an incident, it doesn't seem to concern you, Colonel Luca. If there's nothing else, please step aside," Rosen stated firmly.
With only three days until the log pose set the next destination, Rosen preferred to steer clear of complications. If Bam hadn't caused trouble before and was doing so now, it indicated how little his brother's death mattered to him. In the pirate world, personal interests always took precedence.
"Very well, I won't keep you any longer. Perhaps we'll have another opportunity to work together," Luca replied with a knowing smile. Understanding the need to give Crocodile space for future negotiations, he didn't push the matter further.
Stepping back, Luca gestured to the navy to clear a path. Some matters required discretion and timing for discussion.
"Let's go," Rosen instructed, keen on facing a challenging opponent without becoming entangled in alliances. He knew he could handle anyone with a bounty of one or two hundred million berries, as long as they weren't exceptionally powerful or tricky.
Colonel Luca watched as Rosen and his crew departed, contemplating alternative strategies: "It appears we need to consider different approaches."
Meanwhile, at Bordeaux Winery, Bam's anger intensified, his voice resonating through the estate, striking fear into the workers as he made preparations.
"Crocodile, this time I'll make sure you have nowhere to hide. Just wait," Bam growled ominously.
Bam, a top member of the Evil Spirit Brewer crew, was a notorious pirate with a bounty of 275 million berries. His devil fruit powers were shrouded in mystery, but his methods were infamous for their brutality. Known for decapitating his enemies, he was a figure of terror and dread.
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