Kingdom of Alabasta, Now.
Because of Crocodile's scheme, it hasn't rained anywhere in the Kingdom of Alabasta for three years—except in the capital, Alubarna. The people, misled by false evidence, believe that King Cobra used Dance Powder in secret, causing the drought. Tension built up across the country, rebellions broke out, and civil war erupted, leaving the kingdom teetering on the edge of collapse.
To resolve the crisis, the first step is clear—eliminate Crocodile, the true source of Alabasta's suffering.
Only then can rain return to the kingdom. Without it, the war will never end.
After two days of travel, Kairos Flint and his companions finally arrived in Alubarna. But the moment they entered the capital, someone blocked their path.
"Nico Robin," Kairos said, recognizing the woman instantly.
"What is it? Do you think I'm so desperate for cash that you've come here to turn yourself in for the bounty?" he quipped, eyes locked on hers.
Robin smiled coolly. "Are you saying Kairos Flint would surrender just to save his own neck?"
She kept smiling, but her words were sharp.
"From what I've heard, none of the pirates you've hunted ever made it back alive."
Her tone made it clear—she knew his reputation. She was well aware of the ruthless bounty hunter who never left targets breathing.
"I'm a compassionate man," Kairos replied, smirking. "I'd never raise a hand against a beautiful woman like you."
The air behind him turned icy cold. Two overwhelming waves of killing intent flared up—Nami and Vivi, glaring daggers into his back.
Oops. He'd said that out loud in front of them.
He let out a silent sigh. Too late to take it back.
Robin ignored the tension and continued, "Mr. Flint, your current strength isn't enough to face the man behind me. Turn back now, while you still can. If you dive into these waters just for the sake of your little girlfriend, you're going to drown."
Kairos chuckled and raised a finger, wagging it slowly.
"You make a fair point," he said, then grinned. "But I don't like being told what to do by people who think they've got it all figured out. So, no—I refuse."
He stepped forward.
"Crocodile may be strong, but he's just a man with a Logia fruit. If I'm afraid of a mere Shichibukai, how will I ever go toe-to-toe with the Yonko?"
"Don't underestimate me, Nico Robin."
His voice echoed with power.
Back in Little Garden, when Kairos awakened his Conqueror's Haki, it had marked a turning point—a manifestation of true ambition. Fear? That wasn't in his nature.
Robin met his gaze, her sharp eyes studying him.
Compared to the pirates she had encountered over the years, this bounty hunter stood out—not because of strength alone, but because of his will. He wasn't bluffing.
"If that's all you came to say, then step aside," Kairos continued. "Once I'm done trading with the red-haired one, I'll lop off your boss's head. Not for a bounty—because now that he's a Shichibukai, it's been revoked. Pity, really."
He sighed, disappointed.
Had Crocodile not joined the Seven Warlords, his head would've easily fetched hundreds of millions of Beli. But now, the bounty had been frozen. Killing him wouldn't pay—but Kairos didn't care.
He had his eyes on the Sand-Sand Fruit.
If he could fuse Logia and Paramecia powers with an animal-type base, his Devil Fruit arsenal would become terrifying.
"I'll be watching, Mr. Flint," Robin said as she stepped aside, her graceful figure shifting with ease.
"If you ever want to join my bounty hunting crew," Kairos added with a wink, "you're more than welcome."
Suddenly, the killing intent behind him exploded again. Stronger. He sensed three murderous glares now—Nami, Vivi, and one more. He groaned inwardly.
Why do I say these things out loud?
Elsewhere, Crocodile was losing his mind.
"The red-haired one? You're telling me that monster came all the way from the New World to Alabasta?!"
When his informant first told him, Crocodile had laughed. But after confirming it, his blood ran cold.
He'd once dared to challenge Whitebeard. He knew exactly what kind of power a Yonko held.
The red-haired man hadn't earned his title from headlines or hero worship—he'd fought and conquered his way to the top.
Why had someone of that caliber come to Paradise, the first half of the Grand Line?
"Did he get an invitation from Cobra?" Crocodile muttered, narrowing his eyes.
But that didn't make sense. King Cobra had no known ties to the Yonko. Why would Shanks suddenly show up and take residence in the royal palace?
Crocodile's purpose in Alabasta was simple: Pluton, the ancient weapon.
Now, with Shanks in the picture, his carefully laid plans were in serious jeopardy.
"Tch. Whatever. If he's just here to visit, fine."
He shoved the thought aside.
"What's the status with Mr. 1? Has he dealt with those intruders yet?"
Not long ago, intelligence reported that someone who'd attacked Whiskey Peak had appeared in Alubarna. Crocodile sent Mr. 1 and his partner to intercept them.
Back at the capital gates, Kairos Flint and his group encountered another blockade.
This time, it wasn't Robin—it was Mr. 1 (Daz Bones) and his partner, Miss Doublefinger (Sarah).
"Seriously," Kairos sighed, "Baroque Works is like a never-ending parade of fools."
"You're the one who attacked Whiskey Peak, aren't you?" Mr. 1 demanded.
"If that's what you're wondering, then yes—I did," Kairos replied casually.
Miss Doublefinger chuckled, "Such a shame. A handsome man like you, and you had to mess with Baroque Works."
"As if you've caught me," Kairos said, shaking his head. "You showed up, which means I don't need to feel guilty about killing you."
They were enemies, after all—and enemies meant loot.
"Nami," he said over his shoulder, "what are the bounties on these two?"
"One's worth 70 million. The other's at 35 million," Nami answered. "We're taking them both."
"Got it," Kairos replied.
And then—he vanished.
His blade, the Third Generation Demon-Slasher, surged with ghost energy and Haki. Like thunder, he reappeared behind Mr. 1.
"Thanks for coming."
SLASH.
A gush of blood erupted from Mr. 1's chest. His eyes went wide—he hadn't even seen the blade move.
He collapsed.
"Your Devil Fruit is decent," Kairos said as he walked past the body, "but only when your enemy's on your level."
It wasn't even a contest.
"Daz Bones!" Miss Doublefinger screamed.
Her body transformed, erupting into a spiked form thanks to her Thorn-Thorn Fruit.
But Kairos raised his blade again—ghostly energy and Armament Haki wrapped tightly around the steel.
One-Sword Style: Spectral Strike.
He thrust the blade forward, sending a compressed wave of slashing energy flying toward her.
SHING!
The slash pierced through her needle-covered form. Her power broke instantly.
Lying on the ground, blood pooling beneath her, she looked up at him.
"You're... a cruel one," she muttered, barely breathing. "No compassion for women at all…"
"We're enemies," Kairos said flatly. "That's all that matters."
She nodded faintly. "Fair enough…"
And then she died.
The precision of his thrust had struck her heart. She had just enough life left to speak.
At that moment, the familiar voice of Goldfinger echoed in Kairos's mind.
[Items detected. Pick up?]
"Pick up," Kairos replied.
[Ding! Acquired: Excellent Physique Crystal x2, Perfect Physique Crystal x4, Excellent Soul Crystal x2, Perfect Soul Crystal x3, Perfect Talent Crystal x2, Legendary Talent Crystal x1, Excellent Physical Technique Crystal x3, Perfect Taijutsu Crystal x2, Perfect Kendo Crystal x4, Legendary Paramecia-Type Quick Slash Fruit Crystal x1, Legendary Paramecia-Type Thorn Fruit Crystal x1. Stored in inventory.]
The haul was massive.
With the Perfect Physique Crystals alone, he could now boost his body to General-Level strength.
Without hesitation, Kairos drank three of them.
He felt the power flood through him—his physique leveling up, strengthening rapidly.
Not only that, but with the Perfect Kendo Crystals, he advanced from a swordsman to a Great Swordsman.
The gap was immense. As a regular swordsman, cutting a ship in half like Hawkeye or Zoro had once seemed impossible.
Now?
He could do it effortlessly.
His Haki had also evolved thanks to notes he'd swiped from Smoker—adding experience to both Armament and Observation Haki.
Even his Conqueror's Haki had grown through constant training.
"Let's move," Kairos said calmly, wiping his blade clean. "Red-Hair's already waiting for us at the palace."
He stored the corpses in his inventory and turned to Nami and the others.
Together, they made their way toward the Royal Palace of Alabasta.