"I'll leave things here in your hands, Robin."
Kaito looked over Robin and the others before calmly giving his instructions.
"Captain, can I come with you, meow?"
Neferpitou leaped lightly onto Kaito's shoulder and affectionately rubbed her face against his.
Although she still maintained her usual expressionless demeanor, ever since the two of them had grown closer, she had become increasingly attached to him.
Sometimes she would even sneak into his room while he was sleeping, and after spending the night with him, she would still be reluctant to leave.
"Captain, I think it would be better if the kitten stayed with you," Robin suggested. "I have complete confidence in your strength, but having her with you would give us greater peace of mind."
Kaito shrugged gently, causing Neferpitou to slide from his shoulder before catching her effortlessly with one arm, as though lifting a child.
"That won't be necessary," he replied with a smile, setting her back on the ground and gently patting her head. "My business here won't be difficult. Compared to me, you all need enough strength to protect the fleet."
Smoker, a pair of cigars clenched between his teeth, narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
"Captain... are you expecting us to watch out for Crocodile?"
Robin, Law, and the others all looked toward him in surprise.
"Crocodile?" Robin repeated.
Smoker nodded.
"Yes."
"The commander of the Marine base stationed near Alabasta is an old acquaintance of mine. She once told me that one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Crocodile, has settled here."
"He isn't just living here."
"People throughout Alabasta regard him as a hero."
Smoker's expression darkened.
"But based on what I know about him... he isn't the type of man who becomes a hero out of kindness."
"If he's staying here, then he's almost certainly hiding some kind of conspiracy."
"So even while we're in Alabasta, we should remain on guard against him."
"I didn't expect one of the Seven Warlords to be here," Law said, his brows furrowing.
The title immediately reminded him of Donquixote Doflamingo.
Then he looked toward Kaito.
"Captain... if Crocodile really is involved in some conspiracy, will it interfere with what you've come here to do?"
"If he gets in my way..."
Kaito smiled.
"...I'll kill him."
His tone was casual.
As though he were discussing something completely insignificant.
In truth, before arriving, Kaito hadn't been certain whether Crocodile was still operating in Alabasta.
After all, Robin had already joined the War Pirates.
Without Robin to translate the Poneglyphs, Crocodile wouldn't be able to uncover Pluton's secrets even if he obtained the ancient text.
That uncertainty was precisely why Kaito had originally intended to leave Neferpitou behind.
Because after splitting the fleet, their remaining combat strength was already weaker than before.
If Crocodile really happened to be in Alabasta and discovered their presence, losing Neferpitou as well would make the situation considerably more dangerous.
Now that Smoker had confirmed Crocodile's presence...
Leaving Neferpitou with the fleet became even more necessary.
Knowing there was a powerful enemy nearby, Neferpitou stopped insisting on accompanying Kaito and obediently remained behind.
After making the necessary arrangements, Kaito wasted no further time.
He left the coast alone and headed deep into Alabasta.
Alabasta was an enormous kingdom.
The endless desert concealed countless dangers.
Yet none of them posed any obstacle to Kaito.
Leaving the shoreline behind, he raced across the desert like a bolt of lightning.
The scorching heat had no effect on him whatsoever.
Whenever desert creatures appeared along his path, they were effortlessly blown away by his attacks before they even had the chance to approach.
Within a single day...
Kaito not only located Alubarna, the royal capital of Alabasta...
He walked straight into the royal palace without the slightest hesitation.
"The amount of rainfall this year has dropped even further compared to last year."
"If this continues, the people's lives will become even more difficult."
Inside the royal council chamber, King Cobra sat upon his throne, discussing the kingdom's worsening drought with his ministers.
One elderly minister sighed.
"Your Majesty, there's little we can do about the lack of rain."
"Last year we transported fresh water from neighboring countries, but doing so consumed a tremendous amount of the kingdom's treasury."
"I'm afraid we'll have to reduce those imports this year."
Another minister stepped forward.
"Perhaps we should ask Mr. Crocodile for assistance."
"With him protecting the transport routes, pirate attacks would no longer be a concern."
A third minister nodded enthusiastically.
"I agree."
"Mr. Crocodile is the hero of Alabasta."
"I'm certain he'd be willing to help us through this crisis."
Listening to the discussion, Cobra slowly nodded.
"In that case..."
He was just about to approve the proposal.
Cobra trusted Crocodile deeply.
Although Crocodile was technically a pirate...
Ever since arriving in Alabasta, he had behaved nothing like one.
Instead of causing chaos, he had repeatedly protected the kingdom.
He had eliminated pirate crews that threatened the country's waters.
He had also transformed Rainbase into one of the kingdom's most prosperous cities.
Because of those contributions...
Cobra had even considered granting Crocodile a noble title.
Boom!
Just as Cobra was about to agree...
An overwhelming pressure suddenly swept into the council chamber like a violent storm from outside the palace.
Thud!
Thud!
Thud!
One after another...
The ministers rolled their eyes back and collapsed unconscious.
Even Cobra slumped forward on his throne.
Nearly every guard inside the chamber fell to the floor without resisting.
"Your Majesty!"
"Who goes there?!"
Only two people remained standing.
They were the two strongest captains of the Royal Guard—
Pell...
And Chaka.
The sudden turn of events caused both men's expressions to change instantly.
Pell hurried toward Cobra to check his condition.
Meanwhile, Chaka drew his sword and stepped protectively in front of the king, glaring toward the entrance of the chamber.
Footsteps echoed through the palace.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Moments later...
A tall figure slowly walked through the doorway.
"Who are you?"
Chaka gripped his sword tightly, every nerve in his body on alert as he shouted at the intruder.
The man who entered the council chamber...
Was Kaito.
His gaze swept briefly across Pell and Chaka.
The two men had withstood the initial burst of his Conqueror's Haki, but Kaito showed no interest in answering Chaka's question.
Without saying a word...
He continued walking calmly toward the unconscious King Cobra.
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