A few seconds later, Crocodile picked up the Den Den Mushi with a grim expression. His low voice rumbled out, "This is Crocodile."
Sakazuki's cold voice came through from the other end. "Enjoying the hero act?"
Crocodile narrowed his eyes slightly. "What do you mean?"
The emotionless voice continued from the snail, "What do I mean? The purpose of the Seven Warlords is to suppress the growth of piracy, not to hole up in Alabasta playing the hero. Figure out a way to go on the offensive and wipe out pirates. I'll give you one year. If you can't prove your worth, then don't bother keeping your head. Trash."
Click.
The call was cut.
That feeling of being scolded like a dog washed over him, and Crocodile's teeth clenched so hard they almost cracked. The snail in his hand also creaked under the mounting pressure, nearly bursting apart.
Bang!
With a loud crash, the desk in front of him shattered under his fist. He then flung the half-dead Den Den Mushi to the floor, his body dissolving into sand as he shot out of the room.
That day... the winds and sandstorms in Rainbase and the surrounding cities were especially fierce.
* * *
Evening.
Crocodile returned to the office of the Rain Dinners casino. By now, the broken desk had already been replaced with a brand-new one.
All of his men were nervously waiting outside the door. After all, it was the first time they'd seen their boss that furious. No one dared to even breathe loudly.
Ignoring them, Crocodile pushed open the door to the office. "All of you, come in."
One by one, his subordinates filed into the room.
Crocodile sat in the spinning boss leather and lit a cigar. The curling smoke veiled his face and expression. "If I wanted to suppress the growth of piracy, what's the best way to do it? Whoever comes up with something gets rewarded."
The subordinates exchanged looks, completely at a loss. With their current strength, they could barely keep Alabasta safe from pirates. Suppressing pirates in other regions? That was a pipe dream...
They didn't know why the boss suddenly wanted to do this, but none of them were willing to speak up and tempt fate.
Not a single sound was made for a long while.
Bang!
The newly replaced desk nearly fell apart again as Crocodile's tone grew colder. "Trash. What the hell am I keeping you for?"
As he spoke, a gust of wind and sand started to swirl inside the office, growing stronger and stronger...
A subordinate in a black suit gritted his teeth and stepped forward. "Boss! I have an idea."
Crocodile looked at him expressionlessly. "Speak."
The man in black began, "Our strength alone isn't enough to suppress pirates elsewhere, but we can make use of bounty hunters. If we build a town near the entrance to the Grand Line, then provide free food and lodging, we can attract bounty hunters. They'll hunt down pirates and hand them over to us.
"We offer bounties slightly lower than the Marines', but with the perks of free food, lodging, and safety, they'll likely agree. And with more of them together, they'll feel more secure.
"Then, we turn in those captured pirates to the Marines for full bounty payout. We'll lose money at first, but over time we'll profit from the difference. And if it runs long enough... we could even turn this into our own external organization."
Crocodile listened to the plan, stared at him for a moment, then suddenly laughed. "Very good. You've got a brain. Whose subordinate are you?"
The man in the black suit replied nervously, "I'm one of Supervisor Scrooge's men."
Scrooge was the general manager of Rain Dinners. He oversaw everything inside, effectively acting as the top administrator.
Crocodile said calmly, "You'll take charge of this matter. If it goes well… his position will be yours."
Among the several men standing at the front of the group, a middle-aged man in a black suit visibly flinched, his pupils narrowing sharply.
Meanwhile, the young subordinate who had made the suggestion was flushed with joy. "Thank you, Boss. I'll make sure this is done right! You can count on me!"
Crocodile let out an unreadable smile. "You're all dismissed."
Before long, the silent office was once again filled only with the sound of smoke swirling in the air.
After venting all day, Crocodile had finally calmed down, but his desire for "that item" only burned more fiercely now...
* * *
Alabasta, inside the royal palace.
To outsiders, King Nefertari Cobra always appeared calm and kind, but now he was pacing anxiously outside the Queen's chamber.
Captain Igaram, with his odd, curly hairstyle, couldn't help but speak up, "Don't worry too much, Your Majesty. Her Highness will be fine. The best doctors in the country are here."
Cobra stopped in his tracks and sighed. "That may be so... but still... sigh..."
Just then, the sound of a baby's cry rang out from within the palace.
"Waahhh!"
Everyone outside froze for a second, then came a wave of joy. It meant the royal heir had been born!
Cobra's face lit up with excitement as he rushed toward the Queen's chambers. But two female doctors stepped out, their expressions heavy.
One of them said, "Your Majesty, your child has been safely delivered. A beautiful princess. But as for the Queen..."
At those words, Cobra felt dizzy and stumbled backward. Thankfully, Igaram caught him just in time.
Waving weakly, he was helped back to his feet. His voice trembled. "The Queen... what happened to her...?"
The previous female doctor struggled to speak, "Her Highness suffered greatly during childbirth. Her strength is nearly gone, and there was massive blood loss. She doesn't have much time left..."
Unable to bear the clash of joy and despair, Cobra collapsed.
"Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty!"
"Doctor! Quick! Someone help!"
* * *
That night, inside the royal palace.
Cobra awoke with a start after two hours of unconsciousness. He sat up abruptly.
"Titi!"
The moment before he fainted came rushing back. He threw off the blanket, not caring about the nightclothes someone had changed him into, and sprinted out of the room.
Igaram, standing guard outside, heard the cry. Just as he was about to open the door, Cobra burst out and bolted toward the Queen's chambers.
"Wait! Your Majesty!"
He chased after him.
* * *
The Queen's chamber, glowing with lamplight.
Cobra raced to the doors, his pace picking up when he saw the scene ahead.
He shoved the doors open and shouted, "Titi!!!"
Nefertari Titi, the blue-haired woman reclining weakly on the bed, her features strikingly similar to the Vivi of the future, looked gently at the sleeping blue-haired baby girl beside her.
She raised a finger to her lips and softly whispered, "Shh."
Overwhelmed with emotion, Cobra rushed to her side and embraced her, his body trembling.
Titi gently patted his back and spoke softly, "It's all right, Cobra. Right now… I'm truly happy..."
**
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