The Kingdom of Alabasta.
Within the royal palace, a scene of bloodshed unfolded.
Countless guards lay on the ground, drained dry like withered corpses.
Boom!
The kingdom's two strongest royal guards, Chaka and Pell, both wielders of Zoan-type Devil Fruits, were sent flying by Crocodile's overwhelming powers of the Sand-Sand Fruit.
These two were the mightiest protectors of the kingdom.
Their simultaneous defeat meant that Alabasta had no resistance left.
King Cobra stood in front of Princess Vivi, shielding her with his own body, his face filled with despair as he watched Crocodile stride in.
This man—this tyrant—was the very source of Alabasta's suffering for the past ten years.
Puffing on a cigar, Crocodile looked down at them with an air of supremacy.
For more than a decade, he had visited Alabasta time and again, searching for the whereabouts of the ancient weapon, Pluton.
His investigations had been ruthless, leaving a trail of blood in their wake.
Through tireless efforts, Crocodile had finally confirmed that Alabasta must possess ancient records related to Pluton. He was also certain that King Cobra knew something.
Today, he had lost his patience.
The first half of the Grand Line was growing more perilous by the day.
So today, he launched a direct assault on the king to take what he desired.
"Crocodile, what exactly do you want?" King Cobra forced himself to stay composed. "Alabasta bears no grudge against you. If you desire wealth, take it, but do not harm my people."
"Wealth? I have no interest in that."
Crocodile's cold gaze fell upon Cobra. "I want Pluton. Hand it over."
Cobra's pupils contracted sharply.
Pluton—Alabasta's greatest secret.
He stared at Crocodile in horror. How did he know?
Had all these years of turmoil been solely for the sake of finding Pluton?
Cobra tried to conceal his fear, but Crocodile caught it instantly.
That only reinforced his certainty—Cobra knew something.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I've never heard of any Pluton. Alabasta has no such thing. You've come to the wrong place." Cobra denied it firmly.
Pluton was the royal family's most guarded secret.
He would rather die than reveal it.
Crocodile narrowed his eyes.
He could see that Cobra was unyielding, unafraid of death.
"You can keep pretending. But are you prepared to watch your beloved people die? Or perhaps… your daughter?"
Crocodile's words sent a chill down Cobra's spine.
With a single glance, Crocodile signaled to his subordinates.
Boro, a bounty hunter with the Thorn-Thorn Fruit and a bounty of over 30 million berries, immediately took action.
Cobra was no match for him and was powerless as Vivi was forcibly taken from his grasp.
A sharp, thorn-like blade extended from Boro's hand, pressing against Vivi's throat. A slight push, and she would die.
Cobra glared at Crocodile in fury—how despicable.
"Father, I am not afraid," the sixteen-year-old princess said, holding herself strong despite being captured.
But Cobra could not bear the thought of watching his daughter die before his eyes.
"I've also prepared a bomb right here. Ten seconds. If you don't speak by then, this entire city will be reduced to nothing." Crocodile continued his threats.
He didn't care what means he had to use, as long as he got what he wanted.
Cobra trembled, his face filled with anguish. "You… you…"
"I'm a pirate," Crocodile sneered coldly.
There was no hope.
Cobra knew that Crocodile, infamous and ruthless, was capable of anything.
The king slowly unclenched his trembling fists. He was not afraid of death—but he could not watch his innocent people be slaughtered, nor could he see his young daughter perish.
"I'll tell you, but you must promise not to harm anyone else."
"As long as I get what I want, these worthless people don't interest me." Crocodile waved his hand, signaling for Daz Bones to restrain King Cobra.
Vivi remained in captivity.
Powerless, King Cobra led Crocodile to the underground chamber where the Poneglyph bearing Pluton's information was kept.
In the underground palace…
Crocodile's eyes gleamed with exhilaration as he gazed upon the Poneglyph, his hands trembling as he traced the ancient script.
He had never seen one before, but he had heard of them.
He knew that every Poneglyph contained secrets of the world's greatest mysteries.
There was no need for doubt—this was real.
"You have what you wanted. Now leave," Cobra said, shielding Vivi behind him, his body tense with apprehension.
Their fate rested entirely in Crocodile's hands.
Crocodile swept his gaze over them, filled with murderous intent.
"To ensure you don't expose that I obtained the Poneglyph… you'll have to…"
Cobra clenched his teeth in anger and helplessness.
"Despicable! You're breaking your word!" Vivi shouted, her voice filled with rage.
"Hah! You're calling a pirate despicable?" Crocodile laughed mockingly. "What a joke."
"Crocodile, aren't you afraid of the Marines?" Cobra knew how ruthless the seas were, but he had no choice but to place his hopes on the Marines.
Alabasta was a member of the World Government. If its royal family were to be wiped out, the Marines would not sit idly by.
"If an admiral were here now, I wouldn't want to start a fight with the Marines. But unfortunately… Marine Headquarters is too far away." Crocodile remained unfazed. "As for the future? The Marines wouldn't dare to come after me."
He was planning to head for the New World.
From what he could see, the current state of the world suggested that the balance between the Marines, the World Government, and the Sun and Moon Pirates was holding everything in check.
With such monstrous figures in the New World…
Crocodile had little fear of the Marines.
Cobra's heart sank in utter despair.
Even the Marines wouldn't deter him.
What could possibly make Crocodile hesitate?
Was he truly going to watch Vivi die before his eyes?
Just as Crocodile's golden hook swung down toward Cobra and Vivi…
At the last moment—
Cobra blurted out, "You can't harm Princess Vivi! She… she is a crewmember personally recognized by the legendary Kuke of the Sun and Moon Pirates!"
Cobra had heard of Kuke's legendary feats.
He had even seen him in person at the Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
To him, the Sun and Moon Pirates were the most formidable force in the entire sea.
For Vivi's sake, he could only pray that their name alone would be enough to save her life.
Crocodile had initially scoffed, unimpressed.
But the moment he heard the name 'Kuke'—
The moment he heard the words 'Sun and Moon Pirates'—
His hand stopped.
The poisoned golden hook, mere inches from Cobra's head, suddenly froze in place.
"…Her?"
Crocodile narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Vivi with suspicion.
Was she really a member of the Sun and Moon Pirates?
He was stunned.