One of Roxing's reasons for participating in the operation against Zephyr was to personally confirm the true power of Dyna Stones.
From what he had observed, the explosive stone Zephyr threw was indeed capable of leveling a mountain.
But compared to the Ancient Weapons, which were said to annihilate entire nations in a single strike, the gap was still significant.
The World Government understood this as well.
Dyna Stones alone could not close the technological gap between them and the Beasts Pirates.
Thus, their attention inevitably turned toward the Ancient Weapons.
Roxing could not allow that.
As a traveler who knew the original course of history, he was well aware that the World Government had already planted CP9 agents in Water Seven.
But Water Seven only held Pluton's blueprints.
The real Pluton lay elsewhere.
More precisely—
the Poneglyph recording Pluton's location was hidden in Alabasta.
The World Government did not know this.
If they did, Alabasta would have been erased long ago.
They would never have allowed Crocodile to operate freely there for years.
Nor would they have tolerated Nico Robin, the "Devil Child," remaining in the country.
All signs pointed to one conclusion:
The World Government was completely ignorant of Alabasta's true secret.
That was why Roxing chose to move first.
His plan was simple:
Secure Alabasta.
Then move on to Water Seven.
Obtain Pluton's blueprints.
And eliminate CP9 entirely.
That was why he brought Who's Who with him—
a former CP9 agent who understood their methods all too well.
After hearing Roxing's plan, Who's Who wore a savage grin.
"CP9… those government dogs."
"I'll peel their skins off one layer at a time."
His hatred for the World Government ran deep.
After losing the Nika fruit to Red-Haired Shanks—a situation beyond his ability to stop—the World Government had punished him regardless.
Imprisonment.
A death sentence.
From that moment on, hatred had taken root.
Two days later.
Roxing, Jack, and Who's Who arrived in Alabasta.
All three wore wide-brimmed hats.
Partly to shield themselves from the desert sun.
Partly to keep a low profile.
Jack and Who's Who were already well known to the Marines.
As for Roxing—
Though his true face remained unknown, his live-capture bounty had reached fifty billion Beli.
Being cautious was simply practical.
However—
While Roxing's group moved discreetly, another group entered Alabasta openly and without restraint.
The Blackbeard Pirates.
They had come to claim Crocodile's position among the Seven Warlords.
Alabasta Royal Palace
The throne that should have belonged to King Cobra was now occupied by a man with a golden hook for a left hand, a cigar clenched between his teeth, and a contemptuous expression.
King Cobra knelt at his feet.
On both sides of the hall stood the elite officers of Baroque Works:
Miss All Sunday — Nico Robin
Mr. 1 — Daz Bones
Mr. 2 — Bon Clay
Mr. 3 — Galdino
All had been summoned by their leader.
Sir Crocodile.
Since consuming a Monster Cell, Crocodile's power had grown dramatically—
and with it, his ambition.
The New World was becoming unstable.
The Beasts Pirates were rising uncontrollably.
Whitebeard was stirring once more.
And Doflamingo—
dead.
The signs were unmistakable.
A new era was approaching.
Crocodile refused to be left behind.
He would not merely survive the era.
He would dominate it.
To do that, he needed Pluton.
That was why he had hidden in Alabasta for years.
Yet despite all that time, he had never even seen the Poneglyph.
His patience was gone.
Now, he ruled through force.
Crocodile exhaled smoke and spoke coldly:
"Cobra. Tell me where the Poneglyph is."
"You know what happens if you don't."
Cobra was battered, bloodied, but unbroken.
He raised his head.
"I will never let a monster like you obtain an Ancient Weapon."
"Even if I die, you'll get nothing from me."
Crocodile laughed.
"Die? Don't be ridiculous."
"Killing you would be boring."
"Your royal army and the rebel forces are about to clash."
"That's far more entertaining."
"And your daughter—Vivi."
"She's trying to stop both sides right now."
"She must feel utterly powerless."
His smile sharpened.
"And it gets better."
"I'll play with Alabasta's people… and then I'll kill her too."
"Tell me, Cobra."
"Isn't that far crueler than death?"
With every word, Cobra's face drained of color.
Finally, his eyes turned bloodshot.
"You devil!"
"Take it out on me!"
"Leave my people alone!"
"Leave my daughter alone!"
Crocodile's expression was that of a predator amused by a trapped animal.
He had used Dance Powder to steal rain from the entire country.
Millions had suffered.
Rebels were born from despair.
They blamed Cobra.
Civil war followed.
Vivi had infiltrated Baroque Works to stop him.
Crocodile had known all along.
He let it continue—
because watching hope break was enjoyable.
Cobra was close to breaking.
Crocodile could feel it.
But at that moment—
A low-ranking Baroque Works agent burst into the hall, panicked.
"Boss! Pirates have entered Alabasta!"
"They're heading for the palace!"
"They're— they're the Blackbeard Pirates!"
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on P@treon if you're interested:
patreon.com/ZoroTL442