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"Whoa, whoa, whoa—is that a cat?!"
On the prow of the Going Merry, Luffy was perched on the goat figurehead, staring at something that had just surfaced from the sea—a giant creature that looked kinda like a cat but was the size of a Sea King.
Sanji walked over and stared at it too, whistling.
"Never seen an ingredient like this before. Wonder if I could make something tasty outta it?"
"Ingredient?!"
Luffy's eyes lit up the moment he heard that. He immediately dropped into a fighting stance.
"Gomu Gomu no..."
POW!
Before he could finish, Vivi smacked him in the back of the head.
While he was dazed, the sea creature must've sensed danger—it dove back underwater immediately.
"Meaaatttt!!!"
Luffy groaned in frustration. Vivi crossed her arms and explained,
"That was a Sea Cat. They live around Alabasta, and we consider them sacred animals."
"Oh..." Luffy instantly lost interest.
If you can't eat it, then what's the point?
Chopper, on the other hand, was fascinated. Hearing Vivi's explanation made him realize—maybe even strange-looking "monsters" like that could earn people's respect, or even become symbols.
Sanji, meanwhile, caught the important part.
"So that means, since we're seeing Sea Cats... we must be getting close to Alabasta, huh?"
Just then, Zoro called out from the crow's nest:
"Land ahead! Looks like that's the place—"
He slowly said the name everyone had been waiting to hear.
"Alabasta."
Hearing it brought different reactions from everyone.
Luffy cracked his knuckles. "Alright—time to go beat the crap outta Crocodile."
Sanji rubbed his chin, heart-eyes glowing. "This is the exotic land Bai Ye mentioned, right? I can't wait!"
Zoro crossed his arms. "Hope I get to fight someone strong."
Usopp rubbed his long nose. "This is it—the start of my journey to become a brave warrior of the sea!"
Chopper tugged on his hat nervously. "So… we're fighting next, huh? Doctorine, I won't embarrass you!"
Nami threw an arm around Vivi, who looked a little anxious, and grinned.
"Once we beat Crocodile, you guys are giving us a reward, right? How about... ten billion?"
As for Bai Ye, he stared toward Alabasta in the distance, feeling an unexpected wave of anxiety.
It made him a little uneasy.
For some reason... he had a bad feeling this wasn't gonna be easy.
"Mr. 2 is back, isn't he?"
Inside a room, Crocodile's deep voice echoed.
"And it seems he finished his mission?"
Crocodile sat in his chair, gently stroking the massive golden crocodile at his side.
"Looks that way," Robin said softly from where she stood opposite him.
"According to his report, Mr. 3 and Miss Goldenweek have both vanished from this world—for good."
"Then it's time," Crocodile said with a satisfied nod.
"Gather everyone. The final phase of the plan is about to begin."
Robin didn't reply right away. After a short pause, she spoke.
"Are you sure this is the right time to launch it?"
She bowed her head slightly.
"Fire Fist Ace and a Marine Colonel are both on the island. Maybe we should wait a bit longer..."
"No need," Crocodile said firmly, sitting up and locking eyes with her.
"My goal was never this country. The whole plan was just a way to draw the Navy's attention."
"As for whether we'll be found out…"
Crocodile didn't show the slightest bit of concern.
"Once I uncover the secret of Pluton, I won't have to fear anyone."
"And that Fire Fist kid?"
For the first time, Crocodile's voice shifted in tone.
"He's still nowhere near that man's level."
"If he dares to get in my way, he better be ready to die."
As he finished speaking, a powerful aura suddenly burst out from Crocodile.
Even Robin was caught off guard by it.
For the first time, she felt like she didn't recognize this man.
Could someone with that kind of presence really be the same coward who operated in the shadows, relying entirely on tricks and outside forces?
Actually, Robin wasn't wrong.
Crocodile was undeniably strong — a pirate powerful enough to sail the New World.
But at the same time, he was a coward. A man who, after seeing just how vast the sky truly was, had grown terrified of ever trying to fly again.
Back when Crocodile challenged Whitebeard, what he got in return wasn't just a simple defeat.
That loss planted a seed of doubt in his heart — for the first time in his life.
And for good reason…
Whitebeard was too strong.
So strong that Crocodile developed a demon in his heart:
Can someone like that even be defeated by human strength alone?
That fear, that shadow in his heart — that's what made Crocodile obsessed with the ancient weapon, Pluton.
In his mind, only a weapon like that could kill Whitebeard.
And by killing Whitebeard, he could finally destroy that inner demon too.
That lingering fear didn't just sap Crocodile's strength — it even changed the way he carried himself.
But this time, the reason Crocodile had suddenly regained that presence—
Part of it was because he believed his plan was about to succeed. That he'd soon have the ancient weapon he'd been chasing all this time.
The other reason?
Ace.
Crocodile was desperate to prove something to himself.
Even if he couldn't beat that man, he could at least crush his son with ease.
Of course, if Crocodile found out he couldn't even beat Ace…
He probably wouldn't have any of that aura left.
Soon enough, that terrifying presence faded away — like it had never been there at all.
"Alright, go take care of it, Miss All Sunday."
Crocodile spoke again. "Go bring them here."
"Understood, Mr. 0."
Robin said nothing more and turned to leave, but White Night's face popped into her head.
She couldn't help thinking:
So even Mr. 2's joined him now?
What a surprise...
But their enemies aren't exactly simple either.
I wonder how they'll deal with it?
Robin suddenly remembered something White Night once said:
"Maybe we'll be allies someday, who knows?"
"Allies, huh…"
She muttered softly, then shook her head.
"Can I really… have real allies?"
"I WANNA EAT MEAT!!!"
Luffy's excited shout echoed through the streets of the city of Rapeseed.
BAM!
He suddenly took a blow to the back of the head from one of his teammates.
"Hey, Luffy! Did you already forget what White Night told us earlier?"
"We're supposed to keep a low profile!"
Nami — who was hiding her curvy figure under a long cloak — glared at him, clearly frustrated.
"Exactly, Luffy! I mean, there's only seven of us, one reindeer, and one duck."
Usopp chimed in too.
"If Baroque Works spots Vivi, we're gonna be in big trouble."
Chopper: I'm a reindeer, not a raccoon, you jerk!!!
Karoo (the duck): Yeah! And I'm not a duck… actually, wait, I am.
"....."