Red handed the Suna Suna no Mi back to Nami with an expression of awe, though the delighted curl at the corner of his lips simply wouldn't go away.
He had originally been conflicted—such an incredibly useful Devil Fruit, yet he couldn't keep it for himself.
But to think… it would reincarnate right here in Alabasta.And even more unexpectedly, it would be triggered by Nami's Pickup ability.
It was practically divine favor.
However—
"Now the real question is… who should use the Suna Suna no Mi?"
Red couldn't help sinking into thought.
Unlike the Slip-Slip Fruit—one of those Devil Fruits that seems useless until you realize it's actually absurdly strong—the Suna Suna no Mi, among the Logia types, wasn't considered all that powerful.
Red even felt it wasn't as good as the Swamp-Swamp Fruit that would appear two years later.
The only reason it ever displayed such terrifying power was because its wielder, Crocodile, was already a formidable monster in his own right.
Which meant that in truth, the fruit itself was… awkward.
If he held onto it, well—wasting a Logia felt wrong.
But if he let his crew eat it, the power level simply wouldn't justify the slot.
After pondering for a moment, a strange light flickered in Red's eyes.
He lifted his gaze toward Nami and asked:
"Nami… would you be interested in turning this Devil Fruit ability into something that earns you far more than simply eating it yourself?"
Nami froze."Meaning what?"
…
…
One week later.
The Holy Capital of the Alabasta Kingdom — Alubarna.
Citizens from every corner of the kingdom crowded around the massive public square, staring in confusion and anticipation at a gigantic screen erected in the center.
Some wore tattered clothing, gaunt from hunger, leaning shakily on worn wooden staffs.
Others stood in elegant robes, flanked by guards, occupying the best vantage points.
It was clear at a glance: people of every social strata, every region, had gathered here.
Within the crowd were even several mysterious figures wrapped tightly in cloaks despite the blistering heat.
If Vivi were here, she would immediately recognize them with startled eyes—
These hidden people, unwilling to show their faces, were none other than—
the Rebel Army, the greatest internal threat to Alabasta, whose goal was to overthrow Cobra's "incompetent" rule.
Why were they here instead of at their base in Yuba?
To explain that, we must look back to the event that shook the entire kingdom one week ago—Cobra's sudden announcement of a "Self-Condemnation Edict" delivered nationwide.
Because most regions suffered from long-term drought and lack of water, the entire kingdom had spiraled into unrest.
The Rebel Army grew stronger and stronger.
Under the secret manipulation of Baroque Works agents, a full-scale assault on the capital could happen at any moment.
Just when Rebel leader Koza was preparing to march on the Holy Capital, Cobra suddenly proclaimed—
He had found the true cause of the drought and chaos.
And he presented overwhelming evidence.
Only then did the people of Alabasta learn—
The so-called "hero of the desert," Crocodile of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, revered in newspapers…
was the true mastermind behind all their suffering.
With Robin's assistance, Cobra's evidence was impeccable—so thorough that one could topple another nation with it.
Yet despite Crocodile being the architect of Alabasta's disaster, Cobra refused to shirk his own responsibility.
He admitted that he failed to identify the internal threat sooner.
He failed to quell rumors.
He believed kindness alone could strengthen a kingdom…
And so, in his Self-Condemnation Edict, Cobra sincerely repented and promised the people that he would never allow such negligence again.He begged for their trust—one last time.
Thus—
Under subtle guidance from Red, the Baroque Works agents still hidden throughout the kingdom quietly pushed public opinion.
More and more people began to believe Cobra.
And so countless citizens came to attend this Royal Announcement Ceremony unveiling the kingdom's Reform Plan.
As the scorching sun moved directly overhead, bathing the square in golden light—
A sudden gust of sand whipped across the high platform.
The giant screen flickered, powering on, broadcasting the stage to every corner of the kingdom.
"Apologies for keeping you all waiting."
A voice filled with remorse echoed from the central speakers.
The sound spread through the currents of electricity, reaching every city square in Alabasta.
And then—
Before a stunned audience, the swirling sand condensed into the elegant silhouette of a blue-haired princess dressed in noble attire.
"Is that…?"
Koza's eyes widened in disbelief as Vivi appeared through that unmistakable method.
As leader of the Rebel Army, his intelligence network was robust.
He instantly recognized it.
The ability Vivi just used was unmistakably the power once belonging to Crocodile—
the Logia-type Suna Suna no Mi.
"How could this be…?" Koza muttered in shock.
He wasn't alone—many in the crowd recognized the technique.
Everyone immediately understood—
This announcement would not be simple.
And indeed—
The princess in the spotlight strode toward the microphone, took a deep breath, and spoke with sorrow:
"Citizens of Alabasta… I am deeply sorry that this announcement comes only today."
"During this time… all of you have suffered."
In front of millions watching through the camera transponder snails, Princess Vivi bowed deeply.
Countless citizens instantly teared up.
True—
Cobra had failed to bring prosperity and security.
But as a gentle king, he had earned boundless love from his people.
Even in three years of drought, even as many starved, innumerable citizens still believed in him.
The Nefertari royal family was more than royalty—It was a faith.
"Princess Vivi! None of this was your fault!"
"That's right! Everything was Crocodile's doing! It has nothing to do with you!"
"We will always support you!"
Voices from all classes and ranks rose together, comforting their princess.
"Thank you… thank you, everyone…"
Tears fell from Vivi's eyes.
But when she lifted her head again, her gaze had hardened.
"Everyone, I'm grateful that even after the Nefertari royal family's grave mistakes, you still choose to trust us."
"But a mistake… is still a mistake."
Her tone rose, her expression sharpening into steel.
Before all of Alabasta, she declared:
"The truth is clear: my father's policies were not enough to protect our kingdom."
"Therefore, to atone for the errors of the royal family—and to ensure such failures never occur again…"
"Our kingdom must undergo REFORM!"
"Reform!?"
The unfamiliar word spread across the square, stirring curiosity.
The entire crowd fell silent, all eyes fixed on the platform.
And then—
Before their stunned gazes, Vivi reached to her collar—
And tore it away.
Silken fabric fluttered through the air.
Beneath it—a gleaming sky-blue set of knight's armor reflected the blazing sun.
Clear.Cold.Unshakeable.
Clang!
A royal longsword flashed as Vivi unsheathed it.
The gentle princess the kingdom knew now carried the aura of a warrior forged in fire.
Sunlight glinted along the blade in brilliant gold.
Vivi spoke again:
"Yes. This is reform."
"For too long, Alabasta has been gentle. Too soft. Too kind."
"So soft… we failed to notice the rot within our walls."
"So gentle… we had no power to defend ourselves."
"After three years of suffering, I finally understand—"
"Evil will never disappear from this world!"
"And weakness and kindness alone only invite more evil to target us!"
Her voice thundered:
"When friends arrive, we welcome them with wine.When enemies arrive, we greet them with rifles!"
"Only then can we protect our families and deter all who would harm us!"
"Thus—by decree of the Alabasta royal court—I will create the FIRST great turning point in our kingdom's history!"
"I will forge a NEW ALABASTA!"
"And let the world know—anyone who dares invade our kingdom will meet THIS fate!!!"
Swish—
A corpse suddenly dropped into view, suspended upside down from a high platform, hair cascading lifelessly.
When the citizens recognized the body, terror washed across the square.
"Cro… Crocodile!?"
Shock rippled through the crowd.
"The newspapers… he's identical!"
"Didn't King Cobra say last week that he used Dance Powder to cause the three-year drought!?"
"Wasn't he a Warlord of the Sea? How is he like THIS!?"
The crowd trembled in disbelief.
Even Koza was frozen, speechless.
Just then, Vivi's voice rang again:
"As you can all see…"
"The corpse before you belongs to Crocodile—the Warlord of the Sea acknowledged by the World Government."
"He is also the architect of all our suffering."
"And THIS… is what I mean by reform."
"From this moment forth, anyone who dares trample Alabasta's sovereignty or harm its people…"
"WILL SHARE HIS FATE!"
A soft pink radiance flickered in Vivi's eyes.
The rope holding Crocodile's corpse snapped, sending the body flying toward her.
Splurt!!!
Her longsword pierced straight through Crocodile's chest, lifting him high in the air.
Frozen for preservation, the corpse looked eerily lifelike.
Cold blood splashed across Vivi's armor and face.
Though the brutality sickened her gentle heart—
She only needed to remember the countless citizens who had suffered or died because of this man…
And the disgust was devoured by rage.
Red had been right.
The Nefertari royal family could no longer afford to be gentle.
Huu—
A veil of sand rose from Vivi's body, wrapping around the corpse.
Under the sand's moisture-draining power, Crocodile's body shriveled rapidly—
Until nothing remained but bone.
A pulse of psychic force—Psychic—shattered it into fine powder that drifted into the sky.
Koza's suspicion was correct.
Vivi had indeed eaten the Suna Suna no Mi Nami had picked up.And the price she paid was signing a series of tax exemptions with Nami in the name of the Nefertari family.
In Vivi's eyes, it was essentially a gift from the Straw Hats.
After all, she had neither the right nor the desire to tax them.
And perhaps… the greatest stroke of luck in her life—
Was being abducted onto the Going Merry by the Straw Hats that day.
With Crocodile's body fully disposed of, Vivi recalled Red's instructions, then shouted to the world:
"THIS—IS THE FATE OF ALL WHO OFFEND ALABASTA!!!"
In that instant—
The entire square fell silent.
No one could believe what they had witnessed.
And beyond the shock of Crocodile's death—
One truth became unmistakably clear:
Alabasta was changing.
(End of Chapter)