Crocodile halted his attack, giving King Cobra a sliver of hope. Clinging desperately to this last chance, Cobra said, "Vivi was already chosen by a great figure. In two years, when she comes of age, she will be taken away."
Princess Vivi was stunned.
She shot her father a surprised glance.
But being quick-witted, she immediately concealed her thoughts and put on a proud expression, staring at Crocodile as if proving her status as a member of the Sun and Moon Pirates.
Crocodile scrutinized Vivi for a long time, his suspicion evident.
He didn't quite believe it.
In his eyes, Vivi was nothing more than a weakling—just a woman with no combat ability, nothing more than a princess.
And who cared about royalty?
But at the same time, he couldn't be entirely certain.
She was, after all, a woman.
Crocodile had no interest in beauty, but he understood the difference between attractiveness and plainness, and Vivi was undeniably beautiful.
It wasn't impossible that Kuke had taken an interest in her.
Even if the chances were slim.
Still, Crocodile hesitated to take action.
He was about to head to the New World.
If Vivi truly had Kuke's favor and he acted against her, the consequences would be disastrous.
Crocodile feared no Marine.
But Kuke…
Anyone who had lived through the era ten years ago knew—there wasn't a single pirate who didn't fear or respect him.
Crocodile gave Vivi and Cobra a long, piercing stare.
"A lie like that won't fool me."
Cobra and Vivi's eyes widened in utter despair.
Their deception had been exposed.
But then—
Before their hopeless gazes—
Crocodile turned and left.
He let them go.
Even if the likelihood of Vivi being connected to the Sun and Moon Pirates was less than ten percent, Crocodile wasn't willing to gamble.
It wasn't worth it.
Not for someone as insignificant as Vivi.
There was no need to offend the Sun and Moon Pirates over this.
With the Poneglyph in hand, Crocodile departed.
He was gone.
Half an hour passed before Cobra and Vivi, still frozen in place, collapsed weakly to the ground, finally certain that Crocodile and his men were truly gone.
"Father, he… he…"
Vivi pointed in the direction Crocodile had left, unable to comprehend it.
Why had such a terrifying figure spared them in the end?
"Because he fears the Sun and Moon Pirates. He fears that legendary figure," Cobra said gravely.
He never expected that Alabasta's safety wouldn't come from the Marines' protection but from the sheer reputation of the Sun and Moon Pirates.
"Is that even possible?"
Vivi's eyes widened in disbelief.
She knew of Kuke.
She had learned about him.
To her, Kuke and the Sun and Moon Pirates were the strongest, most invincible pirate crew.
But Crocodile was also a monster in her eyes.
Even without the title of Warlord of the Sea, Crocodile's reputation was no less than in the original history. With a bounty surpassing 200 million, he was among the most formidable pirates in the first half of the Grand Line.
The mere mention of Kuke's name—
Had scared off Crocodile?
The thought sent shockwaves through Vivi's mind.
Her gaze turned blank, lost in thought.
"What kind of existence is he?"
A childhood memory surfaced in her mind—a fleeting glimpse from years ago.
At Mary Geoise, she had once caught sight of Kuke from a distance.
Just a single glance.
"So just the name of the Sun and Moon Pirates is enough to frighten Crocodile away. But I… I'm not really one of them… There's no way I could ever truly be connected to such a great figure."
…
One week later.
The Radiant Eclipse arrived at the Kingdom of Alabasta.
It docked casually at a secluded shore.
Kuke led his female crew members onto the massive island, engulfed in golden sands.
"Move freely."
He glanced at the excited women behind him, all showing great interest in Alabasta.
He let them explore.
To enjoy the unique culture and landscapes of the kingdom.
Then, he set off toward Alubarna, the capital, accompanied by Hancock and Nico Robin.
Meanwhile, not far from Alabasta, in an undisclosed sea region—
Crocodile had left with the Poneglyph a week ago but had not gone far.
Instead, he had concealed himself over a hundred kilometers away, lying in wait.
"How is it?"
Crocodile's sharp gaze swept over his subordinates.
He had a considerable influence and had mobilized all his forces for an entire week—
All to search across the world—
For a way to decipher the Poneglyph.
"Captain, no one can read it. We spent a fortune placing bounties in the underworld, but it was useless. Instead, it attracted the attention of several mysterious forces. Many people are now secretly investigating us."
His men all shook their heads.
Crocodile's expression darkened.
The entire underworld lacked a single person capable of deciphering it.
And now, who knew how many hidden forces were watching them?
"Cut ties with the underworld."
Crocodile issued the command.
He then turned to glare at the ancient Poneglyph, his frustration evident.
The information about Pluton was right there—
But he couldn't read it.
There was nothing more infuriating than having your life's goal within reach, yet being unable to take the final step.
"So the ancient script truly can only be deciphered by those Oharan scholars…" Crocodile cursed the Marines under his breath.
Those fools.
Why did they have to destroy Ohara?
"Only one Oharan scholar remains in the world now."
Crocodile knew the sea well.
In an instant, a name came to mind—Nico Robin.
His expression grew even more unpleasant.
Nico Robin—
A confirmed member of the Sun and Moon Pirates.
"There's no chance I can make her translate the Poneglyph for me."
Crocodile was self-aware.
Compared to the Sun and Moon Pirates, he was nothing.
His face darkened, deep in thought.
Only three paths remained.
The first—
Find the Sun and Moon Pirates and propose cooperation.
But where? He had no idea.
And if he did find them?
A veteran of the brutal seas, Crocodile understood one thing—when the difference in strength between pirates was too great, cooperation didn't exist.
If he went looking for the Sun and Moon Pirates, he wouldn't find an alliance.
He'd find his own demise.
That path was out.
The second—
Cooperate with the World Government and gamble on whether they had hidden scholars capable of deciphering Poneglyphs.
That was also a death sentence.
Another dead end.
The third—
"Bet on the Kingdom of Alabasta knowing the contents of this Poneglyph."
Crocodile's gaze turned toward Alabasta.
There was a high chance of failure.
But he had no other options.
The Poneglyph had been guarded by Alabasta's royal family for generations.
There was a chance they knew what it contained.
Against Alabasta, Crocodile held absolute power.
Here, he was in control.
Compared to the other two options, this was the only one where he held the advantage.
"There's no other way."
Crocodile thought it over again—he had no other choice.
"Even if Vivi is connected to the Sun and Moon Pirates… This time, I won't hold back."
Before, he had hoped to find another way to decipher the Poneglyph.
So he hadn't wanted to offend the Sun and Moon Pirates needlessly.
But now, he was out of options.
For his ambition—
Crocodile would take the risk.
"The possibility of Vivi being associated with them is less than ten percent."
Crocodile wasn't a fool.
When he left her alive last time, he had already been certain of that.
And even if it were true—
For his dream, he was willing to gamble.
"Turn back."
Crocodile gave the order.
Meanwhile, on a different route—
The Straw Hat Pirates, battered and exhausted, lay sprawled across their deck.
"Nami, Nami! How much longer until the next island?"
Nami checked the Log Pose and the map. "Soon. The next island is Alabasta, a well-known kingdom on the Grand Line. You all better behave and not cause trouble."
"…Oh."