Chapter 338

Hmm, it's rather mediocre; tasteless to eat but a pity to discard.

If it were changed to a forest or a city, this skill would be invincible, but as for the desert, there aren't many desert climates in the entire ocean; it can only be of some use in Alabasta.

Still, it's a skill obtained for free, so might as well take it.

Karl waved his hand: "Don't be so agitated. You should feel fortunate, because today I didn't come to hold you accountable, otherwise you wouldn't even have the qualifications to stand and talk to me."

Crocodile revealed a cruel smile: "Oh? Such big talk. You're just a Navy Hero, do you think I'm afraid of you?"

After speaking, a sand vortex appeared in Crocodile's palm, and he looked at Karl with malicious intent.

Karl glanced indifferently at the sand vortex in Crocodile's palm and said in a low voice: "The person looking for you isn't me, it's the World Government. I'm just here to give you a reminder. Someone will naturally come to contact you in a moment."

After speaking, Karl drew Raven and stabbed toward Crocodile like lightning. By the time Crocodile reacted and wanted to counterattack, Karl had already retracted Raven.

Karl walked toward the wall behind Crocodile, where a human-shaped cutout had just fallen out of the wall. Karl stood at the opening and looked back at Crocodile: "Nice ability, unfortunately, tsk tsk tsk..."

"You!"

Before Crocodile could finish, Karl had already departed.

Crocodile swallowed a mouthful of saliva. Only then did he discover that his back had long been soaked with cold sweat, and bean-sized drops of sweat were dripping onto the floor along his cheeks.

"Damn Navy... one day..." "Brrr brrr brrr..."

Crocodile turned his head to look at the desk not far away; that Den Den Mushi, it seemed to be...

"I am Crocodile. What business do you have with me?"

"Vice Admiral Karl has already spoken with you just now. He told us that the series of events in Alabasta were all orchestrated by you, right?"

"Heh, you believe him just because of his words? What, are you trying to find an excuse to strip me of my Warlord position?"

"No, no, no, you've misunderstood. We just have a small matter we'd like to ask for your help with..."

As the voice on the other end of the Den Den Mushi spoke, Crocodile's gaze became increasingly solemn.

The Alabasta royal family was actually the descendants of the twenty kings who founded the World Government! He had never heard of this!

No wonder the Navy showed up at his door just as he started executing his plan.

"What do you mean by telling me this? So what if they are descendants of the twenty kings? What does that have to do with me?"

"Heh, fine. Regardless of who stirred up the rebellion in Alabasta, our only requirement is to make it a bit more lively and put some pressure on King Cobra. Do you understand?"

"And if I don't understand?"

"Crocodile, you must understand that if you don't sit in the Warlord position, there are plenty of people who want to. You'd better think it over carefully!"

Subsequently, the call ended. Crocodile stared fixedly at the Den Den Mushi, falling into deep silence.

After all that, they just wanted him to be a pawn?

"Hahahaha, hehehahahaha..."

"Ding! Series task 【Don't Hit Your Own People 5/7】 completed, obtained 【Desert Affinity】."

Not to mention, after having this skill, Karl immediately felt much more comfortable; the hot climate seemed unable to have any effect on him anymore.

As for the attribute bonus provided by 【Desert Affinity】, Karl felt it was also very obvious. After all, at his level, every 1% increase was a huge improvement, let alone 5%.

"Pity, if only it could be permanent."

If only Aokiji were also a Warlord, maybe then he could get 【Polar Affinity】?

After returning to Tamalisk, the next steps were simple: board the ship, set sail, and return to Navy Headquarters.

It was just that during the journey home, Karl received an unexpected call. It turned out that Dragon was ready to put the Holy Light Shells and Holy Healing Shells on the market and invited him to attend the auction at Sabaody Archipelago, which would be tomorrow night.

Karl calculated the time; it would take exactly one day to get back to Navy Headquarters from Alabasta, so he could just stop by Sabaody Archipelago on the way.

One day later, Sabaody Archipelago.

"You all go back to Navy Headquarters to rest. I have some business at Sabaody Archipelago."

"Very well, sir. We'll head back first. You take care... uh, have fun."

Karl nodded, turned, and left, heading straight for the Lawless Zone of Sabaody Archipelago.

Compared to the last time he came, this place had become much more dilapidated. It seemed the disappearance of a large number of wealthy patrons had a significant impact on Sabaody Archipelago's business; he didn't see many people along the way.

"My lord, do you want to buy slaves? Buy one get one free! Don't miss this opportunity, it won't come again!"

Karl touched his face again. Oh, he was wearing a mask, so that was fine.

"Oh? How come slaves aren't selling now? Still buy one get one free?"

The peddler sighed: "It's all because of that God Enel. If it weren't for him attacking Mary Geoise, how could our slaves be unsellable?"

"Unsellable?"

"Yes! Now the demand for slaves in Mary Geoise has decreased significantly. In the past, slaves weren't enough to meet the demand!"

"These slaves have to eat and drink while locked in the cells. Every day they stay is money lost. We really have it hard! My lord, buy some slaves! Help us out!"

Karl was suddenly torn between laughter and tears. Did the loss of a few dozen Celestial Dragons really have such a big impact?

In fact, it was indeed so. The impact of the Mary Geoise attack was far more profound than Karl had imagined.

Take this year's Heavenly Tribute, for example. In the past, a large portion of the Heavenly Tribute was handed over to the World Nobles for their enjoyment. After the Mary Geoise attack, many Celestial Dragons died, so the money that needed to be distributed to them decreased.

The amount distributed to the Navy as military funds increased. No wonder Sengoku had been smiling much more since the last collection of the Heavenly Tribute.

Then there were all the downstream black industries related to the Celestial Dragons, such as rare treasures, human trafficking, contraband, etc. Business was almost cut in half. Even the auction house on Grove 1 wasn't doing well. One can imagine how much the lack of wealthy patrons affected these black industries.

This just confirmed Karl's previous statement: without buying and selling, there is no harm. When buying and selling decrease, the harm naturally decreases as well.

Wanting to completely abolish it wasn't realistic at the moment, but Karl was already very satisfied with achieving this level.

Karl drew the Thunder Rain at his waist and held it against the peddler's neck, taking off his mask in the process: "I am Navy Headquarters Vice Admiral Karl. You are under arrest for the crime of human trafficking."

"But you still have a chance to make amends..."