Chapter 32: The Secret Beneath the Royal Tomb
Clap. Clap.
The slow, deliberate applause from beside him made a vein throb in Crocodile's temple.
"Quiet!" he snapped into the Den Den Mushi.
On the other end, King Cobra was confused. "What?"
"Not you," Crocodile muttered, rubbing his forehead. Dealing with Vergil was giving him a genuine headache. His relationship with Cobra was that of a trusted "old friend," which made conversation easier, but required focus. "We'll discuss everything once I reach Alubarna."
"I understand. Be safe on your journey."
Click.
Cobra hung up.
Instantly, Crocodile swung his right hand, forming it into a scimitar of solid sand aimed at Vergil's head.
Vergil's arm shot up, shifting into the stony, scaled texture of his Chīguǐ form, and crushed the sand-blade into harmless dust.
"Hah!"
Vergil's eyes gleamed with excitement, a fierce grin on his face. "That move is getting predictable! Try something new!"
"…"
"Tch."
Crocodile dismissed the remaining sand, not out of calm, but from a chilling realization that had settled in his gut.
He'd only used the "Desert Spada" on Alvin Vergil a handful of times. The results were different every single encounter. The first time, it had barely scratched him. The second, Vergil had blocked it without injury. Now, he could crush it with a partially transformed bare hand, barely even using his full Zoan power.
Had he already completely dissected and neutralized the technique?
It was… terrifying.
Crocodile rarely used that word. Even facing the "Strongest Man in the World," Whitebeard, he'd only thought him difficult.
But Alvin Vergil evoked genuine dread. The bottomless potential. The horrifying, adaptive learning curve. To defeat someone like that, you had to kill them in one shot, utterly and completely. If they survived, if they had a chance to learn and adapt, the outcome became a terrifying unknown.
So Crocodile resolved not to reveal any more of his techniques to Vergil. The Desert Spada was a basic, disposable move. Using it to vent frustration was harmless enough.
And while Vergil clearly saw through his lies to Cobra, he hadn't interfered. That meant the ancient being was also interested in the Poneglyph.
That was all Crocodile needed for now.
...
Vergil indeed had no intention of stopping Crocodile.
The reason was simple: he was curious. A trip to Alabasta wouldn't be complete without seeing the kingdom's deepest "secret"!
Besides, a strange, unexplainable sensation had been tugging at him ever since they set course for the capital. Something in the direction of Alubarna was… calling to him.
As for how Crocodile knew the Poneglyph's location… that was likely another ripple from the butterfly's wings.
In the normal flow of time, Crocodile wouldn't learn its exact whereabouts until Luffy's arrival. Nico Robin would be the one to decipher the underworld whispers and pinpoint it.
But now, Crocodile had obtained the information early, likely from his own underworld contacts during his recent voyage—a voyage that must have happened before Vergil's awakening, or else Crocodile wouldn't have been so obsessed with him.
Another thread of fate, twisted.
Vergil just didn't know what twist of fate would make a fool like King Wapol dare to provoke Alabasta…
...
Their travel speed was extraordinary. A journey of several days was completed in half of one.
Soon, the white domes and spires of Alubarna, the royal capital, rose from the desert haze.
The atmosphere here was different from Nanohana. There was less panic, more a simmering, collective anger. The people were ready to defend their homeland. It was a testament to how deeply King Cobra had won their loyalty.
Walking past the residential districts to the palace's main gate revealed the reason for that loyalty. For a royal palace of such a vast kingdom, the decorations were remarkably austere, consisting mostly of historical relics. The rest was simple, functional, no more lavish than a wealthy merchant's home.
This was Nefertari Cobra's way. A king who loved his people would rather cut the royal family's expenses to ensure aid reached disaster-stricken regions.
...
"Sir Crocodile. We've been expecting you."
They were greeted by the captain of the Alabasta Royal Guard, a serious middle-aged man with a great puff of curly hair: Igaram.
With him were his adjutants and two individuals who radiated a distinct power—the guardians of Alabasta, both Zoan-type Devil Fruit users:
Falcon-form "Pell."
Jackal-form "Chaka."
The Bird-Bird Fruit, Model: Falcon, and the Dog-Dog Fruit, Model: Jackal. Both were renowned, the patron saints of the desert kingdom.
"Hm."
Crocodile gave them a curt nod. As the national hero, he maintained an excellent, if superficial, relationship with the trio. Formalities were unnecessary.
"Where's Cobra?"
"His Majesty is in the conference hall," Igaram replied, leading the way. Pell and Chaka fell in step beside them.
But something was off. Both powerful Zoan users felt an inexplicable chill run down their spines, a primal shudder they couldn't suppress.
Why?
Crocodile was gloomy, but he'd never inspired this kind of instinctive dread.
The source, therefore, had to be the other man. He was tall, muscular to perfection. His expression was one of open, almost tourist-like fascination with the palace. Why would such a man trigger their animalistic senses into screaming danger?
Regardless, he was Crocodile's guest. Courtesy was required.
...
Conference Hall.
Accompanied by the three guards, Vergil and Crocodile met the king.
Cobra was in his prime, vigorous, but worry lines etched his face from recent events.
They also met another, smaller presence—the little princess of Alabasta:
Nefertari Vivi.
At around four years old, Vivi already carried the poise of a royal raised with heavy responsibility. Her blue hair was tied up neatly. She had been helping her father organize documents, looking every bit a miniature adult. Upon their entry, she offered a flawless, formal bow.
"Welcome back safely."
Cobra nodded to Crocodile, then his eyes drifted to Vergil. "And this is…?"
"A… friend," Crocodile forced the word out, then swiftly changed the subject. "Alabasta seems troubled."
"As you've seen. The Drum Kingdom has made provocative moves. Public sentiment is… inflamed," Cobra sighed, a weighty sound. "But as king, I cannot rush to war over pride. That only leads to unnecessary death. We must understand the situation first."
To charge blindly into war after a provocation was the mark of an incompetent ruler. Cobra was far from that.
After a moment's thought, Cobra cut to the heart of the matter. "This 'Poneglyph' you mentioned. What is it?"
Crocodile glanced around the room. Matters related to the World Government's taboos were risky with too many ears present.
But Cobra shook his head. "It's fine." He trusted his guards implicitly, and Vivi knew the importance of discretion.
Seeing this, Crocodile began his explanation—a masterful blend of truth and lies.
...
"As one of the Seven Warlords, I have certain… channels in the underworld," Crocodile began, his tone grave. "Over a month ago, I received word that a certain faction had instigated the Drum Kingdom to seek something hidden here in Alabasta."
"Alarmed, I set sail immediately to gather more precise intelligence. And I found it."
He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "It concerns a secret buried deep within your royal catacombs. A stone slab… inscribed with what is known as a Poneglyph."
"…"
...
Cobra, Igaram, Pell, Chaka—even little Vivi—stared in stunned silence. They had lived their entire lives in Alabasta and had never heard of such a thing.
"There's something like that in our tombs?" Cobra breathed.
"Heh heh heh… The underworld's knowledge runs deep," Crocodile chuckled darkly, the unlit cigar bobbing between his lips. "Even a king of a World Government nation cannot know everything."
He then revealed his true purpose. "To uncover the aims of this unknown faction, I need to see this Poneglyph."
"This…" Cobra hesitated, conflicted.
Crocodile spread his hands in a show of reason. "Don't worry. I merely seek clues. I have no intention of deciphering it. The ancient language is lost to me, after all…"
"…"
After a long, thoughtful pause, Cobra finally nodded. "Very well."
Truthfully, he cared little for the "Poneglyph" itself. The people were Alabasta's greatest treasure. He needed to know why Drum was acting this way. Moreover, the World Government's extreme stance on Poneglyphs was known. Cobra needed to confirm if such a "dangerous" object truly existed within his borders.
...
After further discussion, the group prepared to depart for the royal tombs. In addition to the original five, Vivi asked to accompany them.
Cobra considered it, then agreed. He was reluctant, but Vivi's expression was resolute. She would one day bear the weight of the entire kingdom. Facing difficult truths early was not necessarily a bad thing.
...
Soon, guided by Crocodile's underworld information, they found the hidden entrance near the tombs. They descended a long, dusty stairway, and a secret chamber, untouched for who knew how long, opened before them.
And at the far end of the chamber sat a massive, square block of dark stone—the Poneglyph.
"So this is it…"
Crocodile murmured, taking a slow, reverent step forward. Unlike the carved slab Caesar had salvaged, this was his first time seeing a true, intact Poneglyph. The pictographic script covering its surface was the fabled ancient language.
He was about to move closer for a detailed inspection when another figure stepped past him.
Alvin Vergil.
His face was a mask of pure, intense curiosity. He reached out slowly and laid his palm flat against the cold, indestructible surface of the Poneglyph.
A perfectly normal action.
But in the next heartbeat, the impossible happened.
Vergil's fingers… sank into the stone. One by one, they slid into the supposedly impervious rock as if it were water, followed by his entire hand and wrist, immersing themselves within the Poneglyph's dark mass.
Crocodile's pupils constricted to pinpricks, his mind reeling.
What was this?
A fortunate discovery?
Or…
Had something catastrophic just been unleashed?
(End of Chapter)
✨Enjoying the story? You can support me on Patreon —
Patreon.com/MizuSan
✨ Patreon members get early chapter access, bonus content! 🥰
🎉 Plus, I'll release 1 extra chapter for every 5 reviews!💎 Or grab 1 bonus chapter for every 50 Power Stones you send my way! 🥳
🌊 Let's reach 20 Patreon members to unlock 5 extra chapters together!