One Piece: Transmigrated as Crocodile

Rosen was obsessed with *One Piece*. He often dreamed of living in the Grand Age of Pirates, where he could dominate the seas, skies, and earth. His favorite Devil Fruit? Kizaru's Glint-Glint Fruit. That iconic moment on the Sabaody Archipelago, where Kizaru's abilities shone brilliantly, had left an indelible impression. 

That moment can be described in one word, cool. 

Rosen loved many characters in the story. For female characters, Nico Robin was his favorite; her intellectual beauty, coupled with a sly hint of mischief, was irresistibly charming. As for the men, there were too many to count—Hawkeye, Aokiji, Bartholomew Kuma, and so on. He had a special fondness for Crocodile, the first Shichibukai Luffy defeated. Crocodile, often labeled a victim of "plot armor," had left a lasting impression. 

Crocodile was undeniably powerful. He defeated Luffy multiple times, and his eventual loss was, arguably, due to Luffy's unwavering will shaking his own resolve. In his youth, Crocodile was a rising star, battling figures like Douglas Bullet from the Pirate King's crew in fights so intense they became legendary. Though their battles ended in stalemates, it was clear that young Crocodile was brimming with ambition and potential. 

However, his failed attempt to challenge Whitebeard led to his decline. Disillusioned and desperate for power, Crocodile sought external sources of strength instead of honing his abilities. This ultimately led to the Alabasta saga and his ill-fated quest for the Pluton. 

Rosen believed Crocodile's defeat by Luffy stemmed from seeing in him the fearless, relentless ambition he once had. It rekindled something deep inside him. This idea was supported by Crocodile's later redemption arc, where he re-entered the New World, reigniting his old drive. 

But Rosen never imagined that one day, he would wake up *as* Crocodile. 

Looking down at his left hand, he saw the infamous golden hook. He knew it contained a deadly blade coated in poison. "This thing is dangerous," he thought. "One slip, and without the antidote, I'm done for." 

Touching the long scar across his face, smoothing back his slicked-back hair, and pulling his black fur coat tighter, he took in his reflection. He looked every bit the mob boss. It took him a long time to accept this strange reality. 

"Why Crocodile, though?" Rosen sighed at the mirror. "Why not Hawkeye? Or Aokiji? I'd even settle for Akainu." 

Crocodile's story was anything but smooth sailing. When Luffy encountered him, he was a shadow of his former self—a fallen villain who ultimately ended up in Impel Down. "No way am I starting my journey in prison!" 

Rosen scanned his surroundings, trying to figure out where he was. Based on the giant banana-gators swimming in the aquarium, this had to be Rainbase, Crocodile's base of operations in Alabasta. 

Just then, the Den Den Mushi on his desk began to ring. Rosen hesitated before picking it up. 

"Hello?" 

The words came out naturally, as though he'd been speaking the language his whole life. It was a strange but welcome surprise. 

"Boss." A soft, feminine voice came through the line. 

"Nico Robin?" 

"Is that you, Nico Robin?" Rosen asked, testing the waters. If memory served him right, she managed most of Baroque Works' operations. 

"Yes." 

"What's the matter?" 

"Preparations for the Alabasta operation are nearly complete. The agents are—" 

"Hold on." Rosen interrupted, pausing to think. "Put everything else on hold for now. Come to my office—I need your input on something." 

He had three reasons for calling Robin over. First, he wanted to see her in person. Second, he needed a clearer understanding of the current timeline. Third, if he ever planned to set sail, having Robin's vast knowledge would be invaluable. 

But Robin was also a double-edged sword. In the original story, her betrayal played a crucial role in Luffy's victory. She had provided critical intel that tipped the scales against Crocodile. Without her, even ten tries wouldn't have been enough for Luffy to win. 

Rosen had no intention of pursuing Crocodile's original dreams—obtaining Pluton or building a utopia. He doubted Robin would reveal anything about those plans anyway; the story made it clear that she'd rather die than do so. 

Besides, knowing how things played out, Rosen doubted an external weapon like Pluton would hold much weight in a world where Haki users were as common as weeds, and Logia users were everywhere. True strength had to come from within. The Sand-Sand Fruit might not be top-tier, but with enough training in Haki, it could become a force to be reckoned with. 

As a Shichibukai, Rosen knew he wouldn't be able to avoid the coming storm. The looming war at Marineford was a prime example. If the Shichibukai system wasn't abolished by then, he'd likely be forced to participate. 

"Things are going to get complicated," Rosen muttered, rubbing his temples. Still, since fate had brought him to this world, why not stir up some chaos and witness its wonders firsthand? Was Laugh Tale truly filled with treasure, or was it something more abstract—a symbol of willpower and dreams? 

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. 

"Come in." 

The door opened, and a tall, elegant woman entered. Despite her darker complexion, she carried herself with a sharp, professional grace. Her long black hair framed her face, and she wore a floral-patterned hat, a lace-edged skirt, and a fitted blouse. 

Rosen blinked. 'She's taller than I expected.' Nico Robin stood about 6'2", and even that seemed petite compared to his own towering 8'1" frame. It was then he fully grasped the exaggerated proportions of people in this world. 

Still, their heights didn't seem out of place. In this world, someone under 5'6" was practically considered stunted. 

"Boss, is there something urgent?" Robin asked, her tone polite but distant. Her soft smile masked any hint of unease, but Rosen could sense the underlying wariness. 

Of course, she had every reason to be cautious. The Crocodile she knew was a ruthless tyrant who wouldn't hesitate to feed underperforming subordinates to his banana-gators. It was through sheer strength and fear that Baroque Works had become such a formidable organization. 

"Brief me on anything noteworthy," Rosen said, forcing himself to look away from Robin's stunning presence. 

"Everything is proceeding as planned," Robin began. "However, Mr. 5 failed his mission to eliminate the princess. Additionally, three unknown individuals interfered. These are their portraits." 

She placed three hand-drawn sketches on the desk. 

Rosen's heart sank. Luffy, Zoro, and Nami. "Not only has Luffy set sail, but he's already reached my doorstep?" 

Based on the timeline, Whiskey Peak was likely already behind them. Next would be Little Garden, then Drum Island to recruit Chopper, and finally, the Alabasta arc—where Rosen would meet his fate. 

"This is bad." 

"Boss, how should we proceed?" Robin asked cautiously, misinterpreting Rosen's silence as anger. 

"Proceed? We're toast," Rosen muttered, letting his frustration slip. 

And with that, the commanding aura of the Shichibukai vanished in an instant. 

(End of Chapter)