"Brats, some things are not as simple as what you see on the surface. I admit Little Sandy's methods may be somewhat forceful, but I do not oppose this kind of thing. He was able to reach this point because his ability is strong enough. The weak have no room to choose."
The smile on Roldy's face gradually disappeared. He looked at Vivi with calm, still eyes.
He could understand how Vivi felt. She was a princess witnessing the imminent destruction of her own country. She wanted to resist, yet she was powerless to do so.
Was that feeling painful?
That was only because she had never seen anything truly more painful.
A frog in a well, confined to one small corner , would never care about the world outside. When the movement of the clouds blocked the mouth of its well, it would think the entire world had fallen into darkness.
But this world was not a clear sky.
The light they had received had only ever come from faint moonlight.
"Brat from Whitebeard's family, for the sake of my friendship with your Pops, I won't make things difficult for you. Go do whatever you're supposed to do. This is my advice. Little Sandy doesn't have a temper as good as mine!"
Roldy looked at Ace and offered him one final piece of goodwill.
With Crocodile's personality, the two brats in the Straw Hats who had some connection to Roldy would be able to survive. As for the others, that was harder to say.
And someone like Ace, the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, would definitely die if he went.
Crocodile would naturally assume that this was a provocation from the Whitebeard Pirates toward Roldy's faction. Compared to the current Crocodile, who had been strengthened through several versions, Ace had almost no hope of victory.
"Sorry, Mr. Roldy. Having a foolish little brother is always troublesome. As his older brother, I can't just stand by and do nothing."
Ace refused Roldy's kindness, his gaze firm.
Roldy said nothing more.
He had already given as much consideration as their relationship warranted. When the time came, he would tell Little Sandy about this. Since this kid could become the Second Division Commander of that fiercely protective Whitebeard, his place in Whitebeard's heart should be quite important.
Roldy still owed Whitebeard a favor.
This boy's life should be enough to repay it.
"I'm leaving! Think carefully, brats. If you have the courage and believe you have the ability, then go ahead and resist! If you can defeat Little Sandy, then so what if this kingdom is returned to you? Don't worry. I won't interfere!"
Roldy turned and left.
But Sheen and Tiger, who followed behind him, knew that this was practically impossible.
Putting aside Crocodile's physical techniques and Haki, just his nearly awakened Suna Suna no Mi alone meant that in this desert, there were very few people who could defeat him.
After Roldy and the other two left, Vivi collapsed limply to the ground.
Her eyes were filled with despair.
Could it be that in the eyes of such great figures, the lives of tens of thousands of people in Alabasta were nothing more than a joke?
Crocodile's actions had already killed who knew how many people. Whether it was the Dance Powder he had used or the rebel army he had stirred up, both were disasters for this vast country.
And yet, to Roldy, this had somehow become something correct?
People stood in different positions, so naturally, the things they considered were different.
She was the princess of Alabasta. Naturally, she hoped her people could live in happiness.
But Roldy was an emperor of the New World. Countless people struggled to survive under his rule. His target was the World Government, and he needed a constant stream of allied forces.
Clearly, Crocodile had chosen this powerful desert kingdom.
But the king was unwilling to join their camp.
In that case, there was nothing more to say.
Since you refuse to cooperate, then I can only take it myself.
One thousand people.
Ten thousand people.
A hundred thousand people.
A million people…
So what?
In the eight hundred years since the World Government was founded, who knew how many people had suffered?
Since they wanted revolution, then they should not consider the cost.
On normal days, Roldy could be pleasant and kind toward civilians. He could consider their lives.
But in this extraordinary period, he only considered one thing.
Either submit, or accept the purge.
Even with allies, he would not trust them completely, let alone those who rejected him. Who knew whether those people would later become fence-sitters or even supporters of the World Government?
Crocodile might have killed many civilians, but Roldy would not blame him.
This was very normal.
…
"I can't do anything. I can't do anything! Crocodile… Crocodile!!!"
Vivi sat collapsed on the ground, her face covered in tears.
She angrily beat at her own head, hating her own powerlessness.
Everyone watched with complicated expressions.
It was not that they did not want to step forward. They were waiting for one person to act.
Luffy suddenly walked forward and grabbed Vivi's hand, stopping her from hurting herself.
Vivi raised her head.
Both of Luffy's eyes were hidden beneath the shadow of his straw hat. His gaze was firm, and his voice carried a trace of anger as he spoke.
"Leave it to me, Vivi. I'll definitely send Crocodile flying! No matter what kind of goal they have, the people who died were innocent!"
Luffy's decision represented the decision of the entire Straw Hat crew.
On ordinary days, the captain could be the person with the lowest status aboard the ship.
But at crucial moments like this, the captain would decide the fate of everyone on board.
Hearing Luffy's words, Vivi lost control of her emotions and hugged him.
Nami rubbed her head.
Usopp was terrified, yet he gripped his slingshot tightly.
Zoro's hand rested on the hilt of his sword.
Sanji lit a cigarette.
Chopper transformed into his human-beast form.
Ann took out a stack of Berries , slapped it onto the table, and wiped his mouth.
Although it was very irrational, making this kind of decision was exactly what made him their captain.
That was simply who Luffy was.
"Hey, sounds like there's no other choice."
Ace gave a bitter smile, but his hand landed on Luffy's shoulder.
As someone who had come to pursue the traitor Teach, he should not have gotten involved in such a difficult matter that had nothing to do with him.
But now…
Having a little brother like this really was a headache.
Yet as his older brother, he could not just watch Luffy face such a powerful enemy.
"All right! Guys, are you ready?"
"Yeah!"
"Good! Then next, let's go send Crocodile flying and return peace to Alabasta!"
The spirit of young people was always so high.
But the current Luffy still did not know what kind of enemy he was about to face.
On the other hand—
Crocodile knew perfectly well.
The importance of intelligence was displayed to the fullest at that moment.
Crocodile looked at the information before him, which covered every member of the Straw Hats. The corner of his mouth rose slightly. After laughing twice, bulging veins appeared on his forehead.
"So now every stray cat and dog thinks they can come provoke me!"
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