On a ravaged long street, residents fled in panic, children ran breathlessly with fear on their faces.
In front stood a burly, towering pirate with a big beard, who in Vivi's eyes looked like a mountain of flesh.
Behind this pirate was an even more chaotic mob of hundreds of other pirates, grinning menacingly as they chased after terrified women.
The pirates were carrying bags full of loot, their faces filled with satisfaction.
"If you want apples, come with uncle to the ship. Uncle has lots of apples there—you can eat them every day, eat until you're full."
Sotok enjoyed the fearful gazes of the people around him.
He looked at the small, cute girl in front of him with the gaze of someone eyeing a pet, smiling.
Though the little girl wasn't as mature as the dancing girl in his arms, she was undoubtedly a budding beauty, destined to grow into a stunning woman in the future.
But the next second, Sotok's smile froze.
"Who would go to your ship, you damned pirate?! You evil guy, get out of Alabasta!"
The girl holding the apple wasn't afraid as Sotok had expected—instead, she pointed at his nose and shouted angrily.
Her crisp and defiant voice rang out loudly in the chaotic street.
For a moment, the large, chaotic street fell into a strange silence.
Dozens of eyes focused on Vivi, who had just shouted at Sotok.
"You... disrespectful brat!"
Feeling the many strange gazes around him, Sotok's old face turned beet red.
He couldn't tolerate being humiliated like this by a little girl in public.
"Die, you little shit!"
He grabbed his massive single-bladed axe and swung it at the girl with a vicious expression.
"No! Vivi!"
The children running from a distance screamed in horror.
The sharp axe blade rapidly expanded in Vivi's pupils.
She wanted to escape, but Sotok's rage-fueled strike was too fast—a little girl simply couldn't dodge it.
In Sotok's arms, the desert dancer he had captured had already crossed her arms in preparation.
From a nearby street corner, a freckled youth's fingertip sparked with a flicker of flame.
The hundreds of pirates wore sinister grins.
The chaotic crowd on the street looked on with pained expressions.
Whoosh!Just as the cold blade gleaming with death was about to slice into the girl's face, a violent gust of wind suddenly surged across the street.
The ground beneath Sotok and Vivi rapidly turned to sand. Wisps of yellow sand spiraled upward, brushing past the girl's ear and forming a giant sandy hand that firmly caught the falling axe blade.
Then, a deep, powerful voice echoed through the street.
"Hey, pirate. What are you trying to do to the country I protect?"
"Who?!"
Sotok looked up sharply and saw a tall man standing in the middle of the street—draped in a black cloak, a cigar in his mouth, and a golden hook on his left hand. He had somehow appeared unnoticed, now holding up his right hand, catching the axe just above the girl's upturned face.
"You caught my sharp axe with one hand?! Who the hell are you?!"
Sotok's expression turned grim.
He knew full well that he hadn't held back—his intention had been to kill Vivi in one blow.
Yet this man had suddenly appeared and effortlessly stopped his attack.
He tried to pull his axe back, but it was useless. The man's fingers were like iron clamps, gripping the blade tightly.
"Crocodile!"
Suddenly, the residents on the street shouted excitedly.
"Alabasta's national hero, the guardian deity of the desert, the great Shichibukai Mr. Crocodile has arrived! We're saved!"
The once-panicked residents immediately calmed down upon seeing Crocodile. Faces full of awe and joy emerged from houses and gathered around him.
"You…" Sotok's face twisted.
He shoved the desert dancer aside, gripped his axe with both hands, muscles straining as he tried to yank it free.
He gritted his teeth and pushed against the ground with his feet.
But the axe felt fused to Crocodile's hand—completely immovable.
"That's Mr. Crocodile, the Guardian of Alabasta."
Vivi's beautiful eyes sparkled slightly as she looked up at the tall man who had appeared so suddenly.
There was a horizontal scar across his face, but instead of making him look fierce, it gave an odd sense of security.
"Captain Sotok!"
"Let's go together! Kill him!"
The pirates behind him raised their weapons and charged at Crocodile.
Unhurried, Crocodile lowered his head and gave Vivi a gentle smile."Little girl, please get to safety. I need to deal with these despicable pirates first."
"Mm… okay!"
Blushing, Vivi ran back to her companions.
Crocodile exhaled a puff of smoke onto Sotok's face, his expression turning cold."Alabasta is the nation I, Crocodile, protect. This is my homeland—I won't allow anyone to run wild here."
As soon as he finished speaking, swords and spears slashed at him from all directions, piercing his body.
Some pirates fired flintlock pistols at him.
Gunshots rang out along the street. Crocodile's tall body was riddled with gaping holes.
A spinning bullet blasted through the left half of his head, making a bloody mess.
"Mr. Crocodile!" Vivi screamed in horror.
"Hahaha! Serves you right, arrogant bastard! You damn Shichibukai!"
The pirates roared with laughter.
But Sotok couldn't laugh.
His face turned pale, sweat pouring down his forehead.
Because in front of him, Crocodile, despite being riddled with bullet holes and sword wounds, still stood indifferently.
There was no blood or flesh in the gaping wounds—only thick sand.
Sand drifted up from the shattered side of his head, slowly reforming it piece by piece.
"A Logia… Devil Fruit user!" Sotok's mind went blank. He opened his mouth to beg for mercy.
But in the next moment, Crocodile moved—his right arm swept out, sending streams of yellow sand flying from his hand. The sand formed a crescent-shaped blade over ten meters long, instantly slicing through dozens of surrounding pirates.
"Crescent Sand Dune!"
Crocodile shouted deeply.
Where the sand blade passed, one pirate after another screamed in horror.
Under the worshipful gazes of the residents, the previously ferocious pirates shriveled into withered husks and fell one by one.
Even Sotok, with a bounty of 55 million Berries, was no exception.
His once-burly body was rapidly drained of moisture, turning him into a skeletal, shriveled husk that collapsed at Crocodile's feet.
His unsupported neck drooped.
Crocodile's sand blade didn't stop. It swept once more across Sotok's emaciated neck.
Snap!
A skull-like head flew into the air, then rolled across the street.
At this moment, Crocodile stood tall in his black cloak, yellow sand swirling around him, exuding a calm and powerful aura.
He removed the cigar from his mouth and looked up at the gathered residents with a smile.
"Everyone, there's no need to be afraid. As long as I, Crocodile, am here, no pirate will ever run wild in Rainbase or the Kingdom of Alabasta!"
"Woooah! Long live Mr. Crocodile!"
"So dependable! Mr. Crocodile!"
The residents were moved to tears, shouting his name loudly.
The crowd surged forward like a tide, gathering around Crocodile like stars around the moon.
Some brought him fresh fruit in gratitude.
Crocodile smiled the whole time, nodding kindly at the people.
In the distance, the freckled youth watched the scene in surprise.
"Didn't expect Crocodile to be so different from other pirates. Not ruthless, but a protector who truly loves the people."
The desert dancer who had been captured by Sotok also silently stood aside, hands no longer crossed, watching as Crocodile was swarmed by the joyful crowd.
At the corner of the street, Vivi handed the apples she had picked up to her companions, then turned her head to watch the scene, a gentle smile blooming on her face.
"Look—though Alabasta has suffered years of drought and unprecedented hardship, there are still people silently protecting this country. Crocodile, the desert's guardian deity… I wonder when I'll be able to protect this nation like he does…"
After the excited crowd dispersed, Crocodile still wore his warm smile as he followed the desert dancer into the Rainbase casino, arms full of apples and bread.
As he stepped inside, his smile vanished instantly, his expression turning cold.
He threw the apples and bread into the trash bin in the corner without a second glance.
Following the woman into a room at the end of the hallway, Crocodile sat on a leather sofa behind a desk and lit another cigar.
"Nico Robin, how's the latest shipment of Dance Powder coming along?"
He spoke casually, reaching for the red wine on the table—only for the woman beside him to take the bottle and pour it for him.
As Crocodile took a sip, Robin smiled faintly and said softly, "Everything's ready. The shipment is on its way, being transported by a rookie pirate crew fresh from the Four Blues. No one will suspect a thing."
"Good. Once that Dance Powder arrives, we can officially begin the Ideal Nation operation. Have Mr. 2 head to the capital and impersonate Cobra."
Crocodile put down his wineglass with satisfaction.
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
Robin quickly walked over, peeked outside, and opened the door.
"Miss All Sunday, there's a new paper from the World News. And… the front page…"
The messenger's face was pale with panic, making Robin frown slightly.
"You may leave."
Robin took the newspaper, shut the door, and walked toward Crocodile.
Her eyes scanned the paper quickly. She skimmed past the news about Rorschach, but when her eyes reached the death list in the corner, her pupils suddenly contracted.
"Has something big happened recently? Did one of the Four Emperors in the New World finally clash…?"
Crocodile held a thick cigar between his lips, swirling a glass of red wine leisurely in his right hand, while taking the newspaper Robin handed him with his left.
As he clearly read the contents of the newspaper, the smile on his face gradually froze.
Crash!
A sharp sound of glass shattering rang out as the wine glass in his right hand was crushed by his fingers.
Blood-red veins appeared in Crocodile's eyes, and he suddenly clenched the newspaper tightly in his hand.
A low growl of anger burst from his throat, making Robin, standing beside him, involuntarily tremble.
"Mr. 1! He's dead!"
Boom!
The table in front of him was violently flung forward, smashing into pieces against the wall, turning into a pile of wood shavings.
Crocodile stood up with a terrifyingly dark expression, staring hard at the contents of the newspaper in his hand.
"...Under the command of Rear Admiral Rorschach, the brave navy soldiers successfully repelled an invading pirate fleet of twenty thousand. Among the pirates killed were: the 12th pillar of the Happo Navy, Don Chinjao; the former Vice President of the Bounty Hunter Guild, the shapeshifter Glievor; senior officer under Gecko Moria, Absalom; and Baroque Works senior member, West Blue assassin Daz Bonez, codename Mr. 1…"
Daz was dead.
He had only been sent to Spring Queen City to make a symbolic appearance, yet he ended up dying there.
Even though Crocodile had gone to great lengths to establish Baroque Works, he never really cared about most of the people he recruited—except for Daz Bonez, whose strength was just barely enough to earn his acknowledgment.
Many of the agents had Devil Fruit powers, but they were all useless trash in his eyes.
Even if the entire organization was wiped out, he wouldn't care in the slightest.
Only Mr. 1—Daz Bonez—had earned his recognition for his calm demeanor and loyalty. He was Crocodile's sole trusted subordinate.
And now, he saw news of Daz's death in the newspaper.
"Damn Glievor! You said it was a sure thing! You bastard who should rot in hell! And that damned Bounty Hunter Guild! And this navy Rear Admiral Rorschach!"
Crocodile erupted into a frenzy, his bloodshot eyes turning fiercely toward Robin.
A murderous aura swept over her, making Robin's heart tremble with cold.
"Pass down the order. Tell that useless Mr. 2 to get to the capital immediately. The Ideal Land operation plan—I want it activated now! Also, send others to Whisky Peak. I want the heads of every last one of those bounty hunters—leave no one alive!"
"But Mr. 0, the final batch of Dance Powder hasn't arrived yet…"
Before Robin could finish her words, a dry, withered hand grasped her slender, pale neck, lifting her into the air.
Crocodile held her by the neck, his voice cold as ice:"I said, start the Ideal Land operation now. I'm done waiting."
"…Yes." Robin nodded with difficulty.
Thud.
Crocodile casually tossed her to the ground and turned his attention back to the newspaper.
Suddenly, the Den Den Mushi in his coat started ringing urgently.
With a dark expression, Crocodile answered it.
"Crocodile, it's Moria."
Gecko Moria's eerie voice came through the Den Den Mushi, causing Robin—still coughing and clutching her throat—to tremble.
Gecko Moria, another of the Shichibukai!
Crocodile frowned. His voice was low:"Gecko Moria? Why are you contacting me? We don't have any business together…"
"Kehihihihi, not for business. I want to propose a joint effort. Something big."
Moria's terrifyingly fanged face was vividly mimicked by the Den Den Mushi.
"Then you've found the wrong person. I don't cooperate with anyone."
Crocodile exhaled a puff of cigar smoke, expression indifferent, about to hang up.
"Wait! Don't you want revenge for your subordinate?"
"What do you mean?"
Crocodile paused mid-motion.
"You've read the news, haven't you?"
Moria's face twisted in rage, his tone gnashing with fury.
"My subordinate Absalom was killed by that navy bastard! You lost a valuable subordinate too, right? That West Blue assassin, Daz Bonez."
Crocodile said nothing, simply staring coldly at the Den Den Mushi.
Very few people knew he was the mastermind behind Baroque Works.
Even the members themselves didn't know who they were truly working for.
Crocodile had always remained hidden, giving orders through Robin, codenamed Miss All Sunday.
So the fact that fellow Shichibukai Moria knew didn't surprise him much.
Despite living in the Florian Triangle, Moria had his own intelligence network and business connections.
"I don't cooperate with anyone. It's just a Rear Admiral—a mere navy brat. If he dares step foot on my turf, I'll make him wish he were dead." Crocodile still refused.
"Not a Rear Admiral—he's now a Vice Admiral. Kehihihihi. I know you're proud, Crocodile—I am too. But we need to face the truth. This young Navy Vice Admiral Rorschach is becoming a major threat."
"I don't know how strong Don Chinjao was, but you know Glievor's power, don't you?"
Crocodile fell silent.
He had indeed fought Glievor once.
Years ago, Glievor had come to Alabasta to spar with him.
That time, he'd been pushed to the edge.
If not for the battle taking place in Alabasta's vast desert—his home terrain—he would've lost.
"Glievor is dead. If we still underestimate this Vice Admiral Rorschach, we're just fooling ourselves. The paper said he's also a Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit user. You know what that means."
Even Robin could hear the fury in Moria's voice.
After a long silence, Crocodile finally asked:"What do you propose?"
"Simple. A three-way alliance. We find the perfect place to ambush him and crush him with overwhelming force!"
"Three-way?" Crocodile frowned.
"Kehihihi. You forgot? Don Chinjao of the Flower Country also died in Spring Queen City. They contacted me first. The Flower Country from West Blue has dispatched their two strongest naval forces and is heading for the Grand Line."
Moria's grotesque grin spread wide as if already seeing Rorschach's corpse.
This time, he didn't want to capture Rorschach's shadow.
He wanted to kill Rorschach, avenge Absalom, and turn Rorschach's corpse into a zombie.
"The Flower Country's pirate navy, huh?" Crocodile thought for a moment and nodded slightly."Fine. But it'll take time."
"How long?" Moria didn't ask why.
"Two months."
"Alright. The Flower Country's main forces will also take a while to arrive."
Florian Triangle, on the Thriller Bark.
Moria hung up the Den Den Mushi. A vicious grin spread across his face, revealing rows of sharp teeth, as he looked down at Hogback.
"Hogback, set sail. I need to find a strong enough shadow to revive Oars!"
"Yes, Lord Moria!" Hogback responded promptly.
Perona, hugging her teddy bear, ran to Moria with teary eyes."Lord Moria… is Absalom really… dead?" she asked, voice choked with sobs.
"Dead, yes! That damned Glievor disguised as me and tricked him into that ambush. Then the damned navy finished him off! But don't worry, Perona. I'll avenge Absalom. Go get some rest, I'll have Hogback make you some more stuffed zombie dolls."
Moria reached out a massive hand and gently patted the crying Perona. His usually creepy tone became surprisingly gentle.
"Okay…" Perona pouted, tears streaming down her face, then floated away from the castle.
Once the towering castle's rooftop was empty, Moria let out a long sigh.
His bloated figure collapsed onto the floor, leaning against the wall, his eyes revealing a trace of loneliness.
Tears welled in his bloodshot eyes, and he clenched his fists, pounding the ground with a heavy thud.
Drip. Drip.
Large teardrops fell from his eyes, shattering on the ground.
Absalom, Hogback, and Perona had been with him for many years.
Of them, Absalom had followed him the longest.
In order to become stronger, Absalom had even asked Hogback to modify his body.
But just like ten years ago, his useless self had lost another companion.
"Damn you… Navy Rorschach! You dared kill my comrade… I will never, never, NEVER forgive you!"
In the gloomy castle tower, a beast-like, heart-wrenching roar echoed.
(End of Chapter)
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