Alabasta · Southern Border · Desert Entrance
The setting sun dyed the golden sand sea blood red.
The group walked to the edge of the oasis to rest and rehydrate. Vivi took off her headscarf, her face showing an anxious expression. Finally, she whispered:
"...I can't hide it anymore."
Everyone turned to look at her.
She took a deep breath and finally said:
"I am not an ordinary traveler."
"I am Nefert D. Vivi, the princess of Alabasta."
"And the purpose of my return is to prevent a civil war that could destroy the entire country."
The atmosphere froze in an instant.
"The initiator is none other than Crocodile, one of the current Seven Warlords of the Sea."
Her voice trembled slightly. "He entered Alabasta as a 'hero,' but secretly controlled the Baroque Works. By spreading desert spice, inciting riots, and manipulating intelligence... he stirred up distrust among the people towards the royal family, leading the entire country to collapse."
Nami gasped, Usopp's mouth opened wide enough to fit a watermelon, and even Zoro raised a brow.
"Crocodile is a government-certified Shichibukai." Sanji said gravely, "The government won't care about him?"
"They only look at the results." Vivi's eyes dimmed. "And on the surface, he has brought 'stability' to the country."
"I see."
Luffy stood up, brushed the sand off his butt, and smiled freely, "Then let's just beat that guy down."
Everyone: "…"
Alabasta, the Rain City, at the City Gate
As night fell, the Straw Hat Pirates sneaked into the city from the sandy path.
The group dispersed and before they could settle down, they were surrounded by the rebels at the entrance of an alley.
"Stop! Identify yourself!"
Vivi took off her hood and shouted:
"I'm Vivi! The princess of Alabasta! I want to see Kosha!"
There was a commotion, and Kosha arrived in armor, his eyes cold. After a while, he said in a deep voice:
"You dare to come back?"
Vivi gritted her teeth: "Kosa, you have to listen to me! The war is not what you think, it is Crocodile who is manipulating——"
"You think I don't know he's suspicious?!"
Kosha interrupted her, his eyes filled with hidden anger and sadness, "But you want me to tell the people of this country that their 'hero' is a conspirator?!"
"During the years he's been here, he's wiped out bandits, pacified the border residents, and restored trade in the desert... The people trust him more than your father!"
Vivi was speechless for a moment.
What she didn't know was that everything had changed since Crocodile met Rogge in the New World and was warned.
That person's murderous aura and oppression made him understand—
Unless he is ready to die completely in the sand, otherwise... he can only "pretend to be a good guy" in Alabasta.
He did not dare to act rashly to manipulate the country, but quietly sought another goal:
——Pluton's clue.
[Rain City·Yuyan Building·Basement Hall]
Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji sneak into the Rain Banquet.
In the gorgeous yet strange hall, a passage with a strong armed atmosphere is hidden under the water curtain.
"Baroque Works headquarters..." Zoro whispered.
Just then—
"Click."
Suddenly, a faint, distorted sound came from under their feet.
"You are too noisy." A female voice sounded elegantly.
Just as the three of them reacted, bundles of pale arms were wrapped around their backs.
Robin sat at the top of the stairs, expressionless. "My name is Nico Robin, you can call me Miss All Sunday."
Her Flower-Flower Fruit ability locked down all three of them, but she suddenly slowed down her strength at the critical moment.
"You guys, it's too early."
However--
The next second, a heavy and violent aura suddenly emerged from deep underground.
Click——
The water curtain shattered, and the underground sand-sealed hall suddenly shook. An aura as thick as a howling sandstorm rolled in from the depths!
Crocodile.
His black cloak fluttered, his golden claws gleamed with a cold light as he slowly walked into the hall. His hawk-like eyes swept over the three invaders in the field, his brows full of contempt and murderous intent.
"Straw Hat...kid?"
His voice was as low and hoarse as wind-dried gravel, and the corners of his mouth slowly curled up, "So it's you?"
"Tsk, this really shows me the spirit of the 'Unknown Pirates'."
The biting and cold voice from a few days ago emerged in his mind:
"If you are defeated by a group of unknown pirates, I will personally deal with you."
Rogge's warning is still ringing in my ears, and the "enemy" in front of me now is actually this group of yellow-haired devils?
A feeling of shame washed over me.
"Robin, let them go." Crocodile whispered.
Robin's eyes changed slightly, as if he wanted to say something.
"I want to show them the price of challenging a 'hero'."
Crocodile took a step forward, and Haki was like a gust of wind and sand pressing down on his head, as if the entire hall had become dry and heavy!
Robin raised his arm, and the power of the fruit was released. Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji rolled to the ground, barely stabilizing themselves.
"Ahem...you really don't give me face." Sanji frowned and stood up.
Zoro drew his knife, his eyes stern, "This aura is not easy to deal with."
Luffy clenched his fists. "You're Crocodile? Great—"
"I'm here to knock you away!!!"
Before he could finish his words, Crocodile's figure had already twisted and disappeared into the air, turning into yellow sand!
Next moment!
"Desert Diamond Blade - Pierce Through!!!"
The ground suddenly exploded, and a huge sand blade slashed out from the ground. Luffy barely dodged it, but was swept ten meters away by the aftermath of the tail, hitting the stone pillar and coughing up blood.
"Quicksand Scythe."
He raised his hand and waved it, and the sand flow condensed into multiple spinning sickle blades, sweeping towards Sanji and Zoro rapidly!
Sanji leaps up and spins and kicks—
"Head meat kick!"
But after kicking it, he found that Crocodile had no substance!
"Sand-Sand Fruit...physical attacks are ineffective?" Sanji's eyes darkened.
"idiot."
Crocodile snorted coldly, dust rising behind him. "A mere scrap that can't even use Haki dares to challenge Shichibukai?"
The next second, the hook flashed with black light, clearly wrapping around Armament Haki!
——"Sand Prison: Deep Devouring Slash!"
Bang!!
Sanji's right arm was hit and paralyzed instantly, and was swept into the stone wall by the sand waves!
Zoro immediately drew his sword to counterattack, but was pushed back step by step by Haki's strong pressure. A sand shock struck him and sent him flying half a pillar high!
Luffy rushed forward again, swinging his rubber fist violently.
"Rubber rubber—machine gun!!"
"Stop it!!"
But Crocodile turned into sand and flashed over, and a [Sandstorm Hook] penetrated Luffy's abdomen. Under the impact of Haki, blood splattered!
"Straw Hat kid...you haven't even learned the 'basics' yet, and you dare to touch me?"
Crocodile growled, "I will crush you and teach you that this sea is not a place where you can roam freely on your dreams!"
The three were pinned to a corner, bleeding and unconscious.
At this moment, Robin stood on a high place, watching Crocodile suppress the Straw Hat Trio, but he did not feel any joy, but instead a hint of... pity.
"You're too early..." she whispered.
"But maybe—that's just how fate works."
Between the broken bricks, the water vapor was cold and grains of sand were floating quietly in the air.
Crocodile lowered its claws, the sandstorm surrounding it slowly receded, and its footsteps pounded like heavy hammers on the stone ground beside the three men.
Luffy collapsed to the ground, his body charred and blood hanging from his mouth and nose;
Zoro knelt on one knee, his two swords broken by the pressure of the sand, and he coughed up a fishy-sweet mouthful;
Sanji's face was half covered in blood, his left arm was broken and he couldn't lift it up, but he staggered and managed to hold on without falling down.
But there was still a glimmer of fighting spirit in the eyes of the three men.
Crocodile looked down at them, a hint of sneer on his lips:
"Heh...you don't know what's good for you."
"Robin."
Without even turning his head, he said, "Put them in the West Prison."
"Send more people to capture all their accomplices."
"But don't kill."
Robin frowned slightly and her eyes fell on Luffy. The young man was obviously covered in bruises, but there was still a hint of mischievous smile on the corner of his mouth, just like a disappeared legend in her memory.
She was silent for a moment, and finally responded softly:
"Understood."
"Leave it to the Marine alive. I will do it."
"But...are you sure?"
Crocodile sneered, his eyes like sand: "Of course."
"Since 'that person' reminded me not to be defeated by the little Pirates..."
"I will personally cripple these 'little pirates' and hand them over to them."
"Let everyone see—"
"I, Crocodile, remain unshakable even in the face of the 'New Era'!"
He turned around suddenly, the wind and sand swirled, and his cloak fluttered!
Behind him, the three defeated figures were dragged by several Baroque Works assassins and slowly disappeared into the dungeon.
In the darkness, only Luffy's voice still faintly echoed:
"I want to be...the King of Pirates..."
At this time, Nami, Chopper, Vivi, and Usopp were gathering from the outside and rushing over.
But they didn't know that a hunt had already begun quietly.
Baroque Works' hunting network has begun to set up its net and wait.