Rainbase.
Aside from the royal capital, this was the only city in the country untouched by drought and war.
At its center stood a massive pyramid-shaped structure. At the very top crouched a banana crocodile with bared fangs—its entire body forged from pure gold. Inside, the décor was even more extravagant: gold, silver, jade, jewels, and diamonds piled in obscene abundance.
This was the greatest casino in the nation—Rain Dinners.
Those who passed through its doors were either wealthy or powerful. The elites of Alabasta all gathered here.
Within Rain Dinners, a tycoon could lose everything overnight, while a modest businessman could rise to sudden fortune in a single evening.
If Rainbase was the City of Dreams, then Rain Dinners was its heart.
Countless hopes were born—and shattered—here.
Yet no matter how rich the guests were, they only ever met the casino's manager. No one knew who truly stood behind this colossal enterprise.
Below Rain Dinners
The underground level was eerily silent.
An enormous hall stretched out before them. On both sides were staircases inlaid with gold and silver, each handrail embedded with night pearls worth hundreds of thousands, casting a faint, ghostly glow.
At the center sat a long rectangular table. Aside from three slowly burning candles, it was completely bare.
Eight people were seated around it.
They were all high-ranking officers of Baroque Works.
Every one of them held their breath, backs chilled, sitting as if on needles.
Because seated at the head of the table was—
One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Sir Crocodile — Sand Crocodile, Crocodile.
The Seven Warlords were pirates whose overwhelming strength had been acknowledged by the World Government, granting them legal authority to plunder.
Only now did these elite agents finally learn their boss's true identity.
Fear spread across their faces.
"I concealed my identity before because the plan required it," Crocodile said calmly as he lit a cigar.
"But today, we've reached the final step."
"It's time you knew who you've been working for."
"M-Mr. Zero…" Bon Clay asked carefully, his voice trembling.
"What… is the final plan?"
Crocodile narrowed his eyes.
"The final operation is codenamed—Utopia."
"Failure is not an option."
"Your individual assignments are written on the slips in front of you."
"As long as none of you make a mistake—this country will become ours."
A faint, cold smile crept onto his face.
"But if anyone fails…"
"Heh. I will kill you myself."
Silence.
No one dared argue.
They each glanced at their slips of paper, then wordlessly placed them over the candle flames. The paper curled, blackened, and turned to ash—disappearing as though no orders had ever existed.
"Bon Clay—come with me," Crocodile ordered.
The flamboyantly dressed man stiffened and followed him. Only when they reached the stairs did Bon Clay gather the courage to whisper,
"Boss… where are we going?"
Crocodile replied flatly,
"The palace."
"You're going to become the king."
His voice wasn't loud—
But the underground hall was so silent that everyone heard it.
The air froze.
Only after Crocodile left and the door shut did the remaining officers finally dare to breathe again, exchanging stunned looks.
No one spoke.
Alubarna — Royal Capital of Alabasta
A golden cloud streaked across the sky and descended directly in front of the palace gates.
A journey that normally took three days on foot had taken less than half a day aboard the Flying Nimbus.
"Big Brother Logan, this cloud is incredible!" Vivi exclaimed, eyes wide with amazement.
"Flying in the sky… it's even faster than running!"
Logan nodded lightly, surveying the surroundings.
"As expected of Alabasta's capital."
"It's truly prosperous."
The streets were spotless, with no trace of sand. Lush greenery lined both sides of the road.
An elderly woman smiled as she watered flowers. Two children played behind her, splashing around. Annoyed, she sprayed them with water—but instead of crying, the children laughed triumphantly and continued pestering her until she burst into laughter herself.
The streets were crowded with people, all well-dressed, their faces filled with happiness and ease.
Compared to the ruined cities Logan had seen along the way—
This place felt like paradise.
Two palace guards in white uniforms crossed their spears in front of the gate.
"Who goes there?"
"The royal palace is not a place anyone may enter."
Vivi removed her hood.
Blue hair fluttered in the wind as her beautiful face was revealed.
The guards froze.
Then, in unison, they dropped to one knee, faces flushed with emotion.
"Princess Vivi!"
"The princess has returned!"
"We're saved!"
Cheers erupted throughout the palace.
Logan chuckled. "Looks like you're pretty popular."
Vivi lowered her head, cheeks red.
"I only did what I should."
At that moment, a cold voice sounded from behind them.
"Your Highness is far too modest."
"I doubt there are many princesses in the world willing to risk their lives as undercover agents just to uncover the truth."
Logan turned.
A tall, middle-aged man approached.
He wore a sharp suit beneath a black coat. One arm ended in a golden hook, while the other hand glittered with jeweled rings. His slicked-back hair shone unnaturally, and a horizontal scar cut across his face—giving off an unmistakably sinister aura.
Behind him followed a thin man caked in heavy makeup.
Logan's eyes narrowed, focusing on the golden hook.
So it's you.
The guards immediately saluted, right hands pressed to their chests.
"Sir Crocodile!"
Vivi watched in disbelief as the kingdom's soldiers showed reverence to the greatest villain of the nation.
Anger surged uncontrollably.
She could no longer suppress it.
The Peacock Slasher chains whipped out violently as she charged at Crocodile like a madwoman.
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