Crocodile's threat was practically written all over the snail's face.
Yet Chiyu paid it no mind.
"You seem very confident."
Crocodile snorted.
"Uchiha Chiyu, I don't know your background, but… If you think that leveling a measly East Blue gives you the right to run rampant in the Grand Line, your fate will be nothing but a miserable death! You have no idea who you've made your enemy!"
Chiyu replied coolly,
"Isn't it just a crocodile?"
Crocodile's eyes narrowed.
"Trying to provoke me? Don't bother. I won't lose my temper over a few childish taunts. I've seen plenty of fresh‑minted Marines, full of hot blood and self‑styled justice. Without exception, they either fall into darkness or die quickly! And you—what end awaits you?"
Chiyu said, "I doubt you'll live long enough to find out."
Crocodile burst into laughter.
"Uchiha Chiyu, you really are brimming with self‑confidence… Planning to save the whole of Alabasta? Do you know whose pocket Alabasta is in now?! I won't even have to lift a finger—Alabasta's own forces will crush you!"
Chiyu answered flatly, "Sit tight and wait for death."
With that, he hung up the Den‑Den Mushi.
Crocodile trembled with rage and smashed the table to pieces with a single punch.
Nico Robin smiled sweetly.
"Mr. 0, didn't you say you wouldn't let him get under your skin?"
Murder flashed across Crocodile's face.
"Nico Robin, are you looking to die?"
Robin shrugged, unconcerned.
"Then no one would decipher the Poneglyphs for you—or lead you to Pluton."
Crocodile knew she was right and could only snort.
"Don't hide behind that. You know my patience has limits."
Robin's smile remained.
"Understood."
Suppressing his anger, Crocodile muttered,
"Uchiha Chiyu… He actually thinks he can topple me—how naïve. He believes Baroque Works is all I have? I'll show him what real power is."
Robin's brow twitched; her eyes flickered with schemes of their own. As the so‑called Demon Child, she had drifted through dark powers since childhood and would never truly trust Crocodile. She had her own plans.
…
After the battle on Little Garden, Chiyu's party finally set their course for the ultimate destination—
The Kingdom of Alabasta.
There are many kingdoms in East Blue—Goa, Flevance, Oykot, and so on—but none can compare with Alabasta.
Vast in territory, mostly desert yet still home to nearly ten million people, it is a true super‑kingdom in the One Piece world.
More importantly, Alabasta was one of the original twenty kingdoms that founded the World Government.
While the other royal families became Celestial Dragons—arrogant and indulgent—Alabasta relinquished that privilege. Its strength and significance, however, are beyond dispute.
Crocodile chose this land not only to obtain the secret of the ancient weapon Pluton, but also to seize the throne itself. That is why, in his call, he confidently declared that Chiyu would meet his death the moment he set foot here.
…
Chiyu's flagship finally approached Alabasta's port city—
Nanohana.
Odd name aside, it was bustling and prosperous.
But just as they were about to dock, every cannon on the pier swiveled toward the Uchiha.
Alabastan soldiers stood ready, eyes sharp, fingers on triggers. The Marines aboard instantly entered battle stations. A single spark would ignite war.
Colonel Hina stepped forward, brow knitted.
"Alabasta forces, what are you doing?! This is Rear Admiral Chiyu's warship! We filed entry papers in advance—dare you open fire on a Navy vessel?!"
A stern officer strode out.
"I am Chaka, vice‑captain of the Royal Guard.
Yes, we received notice of the Rear Admiral's arrival. However, every ship entering Alabasta must be inspected—especially yours.
Rear Admiral Chiyu, since entering the Grand Line you've killed many, not all of them pirates—some were bounty hunters allied with us, even innocent civilians.
Under such circumstances, even the Navy cannot be freely admitted inland; it would create needless trouble."
Hina's face darkened.
"Who says the Rear Admiral killed bounty hunters and innocents? All we slew were Baroque Works scum!"
Chaka's expression twitched.
"Baroque Works? The shadow organization growing in our waters? Yet you have no solid proof, while our information comes from the most trustworthy source."
Hina instantly realized who that "source" was—and why Crocodile had boasted that Chiyu would meet annihilation upon landing. Alabasta's standing army numbered six hundred thousand. Pitted against them, even Chiyu could not prevail.
"Damn it! Your 'trustworthy source' is that so‑called national hero, Sir Crocodile Crocodile, isn't it?!"
Chaka neither admitted nor denied.
Hina snapped,
"Do you realize that the mastermind behind Baroque Works… is Crocodile himself?!"
The soldiers gasped, stunned and incredulous.
Chaka blanched but barked, "That's a grave accusation! What proof do you have?!"
Hina answered,
"Plenty—documents from Whiskey Peak link those fake hunters with Baroque Works. Evidence from senior agents all points inside Alabasta. The puppet master is hiding here!"
Chaka retorted, "Even if so, how can you prove it's Crocodile-sama? He's our hero!"
Hina's cheeks flushed with anger but she had no ironclad evidence; Crocodile had covered his tracks too well.
Chaka said gravely, "Rear Admiral, your reputation precedes you, and I admire your purge of East Blue. But I am a royal guard—without clarity, I cannot let you pass. Alabasta is already beset by turmoil…"
At last Chiyu spoke.
"You know I hold summary authority to judge and execute pirates and dark forces, without waiting for Marine HQ."
Chaka broke into a cold sweat.
"Yes… the world knows your name… but—"
Chiyu cut him off.
"No buts. Alabasta is part of the World Government. Defy me and you defy the world. Will you trust a so‑called hero's rumor and set yourself against the Navy and Government?
Can you shoulder that?"
Chaka's face turned ashen; his body trembled. Alabasta, for all its might, was nothing beside the World Government.
"Rear Admiral—please—don't force our hand!"
Chiyu asked, "Blocking my landing—your decision, or King Cobra's order?"
Chaka hesitated.
"There was no time to consult His Majesty, but as a guard I must protect the kingdom from risk…"
Chiyu warned,
"Keep standing in my way and Alabasta will face true catastrophe. That is my final word."
He signaled, and the Uchiha sailed straight at the docks.
"Commander Chaka, what now?!"
Cold sweat poured down Chaka's back.
"…If we fire, we truly become enemies of the Government.
…Let them dock!"
The order given, the Uchiha moored. Chiyu led a detachment ashore. Chaka hurried over.
"Rear Admiral, forgive our earlier discourtesy.
However, entering inland will require our escorts—for your protection."
Hina frowned—clearly surveillance—but Chiyu said simply, "Fine."
Chaka was stunned, then relieved, arranging lodgings and supplies with meticulous care. At least there would be no open war—for now.
…
In Chiyu's quarters
He regarded the guilt‑ridden Chaka.
"How is King Cobra?"
Chaka's face changed.
"W‑which aspect does Your Excellency mean?"
Chiyu spoke plainly.
"Spare me evasions. I know Alabasta's plight: years of drought everywhere but the capital, public outrage, rumors that the king abused Dance Powder, rebellions ready to explode."
Chaka's admiration showed.
"They say you know everything; it seems true.
Yes—Alabasta is rife with unrest. Though I trust the king, many citizens do not. Rebel forces grow daily…"
Chiyu asked,
"Then why do you trust King Cobra?"
Chaka answered firmly,
"Because he never did those things. I'm sure of it."
Chiyu smiled faintly.
"Then you must realize someone's fanning the flames."
Chaka lowered his head.
"Even if you say so… there's no trail to follow…"
Chiyu said,
"Besides the capital, only one place escapes drought and war—you know it."
Chaka paled.
"Y‑you mean… Rainbase, the Dream City?!"
Chiyu neither confirmed nor denied.
"One of the kingdom's most prosperous cities, and—"
Chaka dared not finish.
"Speak."
Chiyu's tone was icy.
Chaka quavered,
"Also the base of our hero, Warlord Sir Crocodile Crocodile."
Chiyu fell silent. Guards exchanged uneasy glances.
With a few key points, Chiyu had opened their eyes:
—No rain anywhere but Alubarna and Rainbase.
—Rumors smearing the king.
—Rainbase is Crocodile's stronghold.
The culprit was obvious.
Yet belief was hard; Crocodile's disguise was perfect, and admitting the truth meant facing a foe they could not defeat.
"Rear Admiral, your charge is serious…"
Colonel Hina scoffed.
"You're fools! Lay the facts out and the truth is clear, but you bury your heads in the sand.
A pirate poses as a hero by killing other pirates, wins the people's hearts, founds Baroque Works to raise money and troops, smears the king with the Dance Powder rumor, stirs revolt, throws the land into chaos—then seizes the throne.
You let him manipulate you and distrust Rear Admiral Chiyu—a man who hates evil and fights to restore order!"
Her words hit like thunder; the guards trembled, speechless.
"We—we could inform the king at once!"
Chiyu said coolly,
"Too late. Crocodile has likely taken King Cobra under control already."
"H‑how?!" Chaka gasped.
Chiyu asked softly,
"You think he couldn't?"
Chaka clenched his fists—knowing it was true. Crocodile's power was now unstoppable. Finally he dropped to his knees.
"Rear Admiral! Only you can save Alabasta—please!"
The guards knelt in unison.
"Please save Alabasta!"
Nami snorted,
"Isn't that why Chiyu-sama came? What a bunch of blind fools."
Chaka, chastised but relieved, said,
"If the Rear Admiral will act, Alabasta can still be saved! Command us—we'll face any peril!"
Hina added, "However strong Crocodile is, he alone can't depose King Cobra. His plan must ignite a full rebellion—make the people hate the king utterly…"
Chaka asked anxiously,
"Then how do we stop him?"
Hina bit her lip; the rebellion was already a powder keg, and Crocodile would surely fan the flames. All eyes turned to Chiyu.
"Chiyu-sama, what shall we do?"
Chiyu had already decided.
"Baroque Works has an agent codenamed Mr. 2—Bon Clay. He holds the Clone‑Clone Fruit and can copy anyone's appearance."
Hina and Chaka were still blank, but Nami's eyes sparkled.
"Chiyu-sama! I get it—fight fire with fire, turn his own tricks on him! Brilliant!!"
~~~
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