As a user of the Logia-type Suna Suna no Mi (Sand-Sand Fruit), Sir Crocodile's strength was undeniable. Without real power, he couldn't have maintained his status as the "Guardian Deity" of a superpower like Alabasta, nor would he have been headhunted by the World Government to join the Royal Shichibukai.
He was also a master strategist. In the original course of history, his meticulous planning allowed him to bring Alabasta to its knees with almost no effort. Though his ultimate goal wasn't the throne itself, but the location of the Ancient Weapon "Pluton"—information held only by the Alabasta Royal Family.
He was a man of cold, towering ambition. But compared to his tactical genius, Crocodile had one fatal flaw: excessive self-confidence that bordered on pure arrogance.
It was because of this arrogance that he didn't show even a flicker of panic upon seeing Rowan and the others barge into his secret sanctuary. Instead, he maintained a composed, almost mocking smile.
"I wonder what brings Vice Admiral Rowan and Princess Vivi to my humble abode?" Crocodile asked, dabbing his mouth with a napkin as he swallowed the last bite of his steak.
Before Rowan could speak, Vivi lunged forward, her voice trembling with rage. "Crocodile! Why are you secretly using Dance Powder in Alubarna and framing my father for it?! Do you have any idea how much suffering you've caused our people?!"
She had heard his conversation with Miss Doublefinger loud and clear. Seeing the top agents of Baroque Works—Mr. 1 and Miss Doublefinger—standing there in submission confirmed everything. As Rowan had said, he was the boss of Baroque Works, Mr. 0. Every tragedy currently unfolding in Alabasta was a scene directed by him from the shadows. Even the weapons fueling the Rebel Army came from his coffers.
Faced with the princess's near-hysterical interrogation, Crocodile's expression didn't change. He simply tilted his head and asked, "Princess Vivi, one can eat whatever they like, but one shouldn't say whatever they like. I haven't used any 'Dance Powder' in Alubarna."
"Don't lie! I heard everything just now! You're the one behind it all!" Vivi's youthful face was flushed with fury.
"Oh? And does the Princess have any evidence?" Crocodile countered smoothly.
"Evidence?! My ears are the evidence!" Vivi couldn't understand how he could be so brazenly defiant when his secrets had just been exposed to her.
"Since the Princess has 'evidence,' why stay here chatting with a criminal like me? You're free to go back and announce the truth to the public." Crocodile shrugged indifferently, pulling out a cigar and lighting it slowly. He acted as though he were the innocent party being slandered by a confused child.
"Little girl, I suggest you stop wasting your breath on this guy."
Beside Vivi, Rowan glanced at the girl's reddened face and chuckled. In this arena, Vivi was far too green; she was no match for an old fox like Crocodile.
"Why?! He's the culprit ruining our kingdom! I'm going to tell everyone! I'll have Father send Uncle Pell and Uncle Chaka to arrest him!" Vivi shouted, her frustration boiling over.
She really is just a child...
Watching Vivi pout with her fists clenched, Rowan exhaled a puff of smoke and shook his head. He turned his gaze to Igaram. "Boy, Vivi doesn't get it, but you should. Explain it to her."
Rowan was too lazy to do the talking, so he dumped the "educational" task on the Captain of the Guard. He stretched his back, tucked away his pipe, and began walking down the stairs into the center of the hall.
"Igaram, why did Grandpa Rowan say that?" Vivi asked, glaring at Rowan's back. To her, it felt like Rowan was taking Crocodile's side.
Igaram stepped up to her side, his eyes fixed on Crocodile, who was now lounging with one leg over the other. "Princess Vivi... even if you spread the news, no one will believe you. In fact, it might make things worse."
"Why?" Vivi's brows shot up. "He's the one doing it! If Father arrests him, it's over!"
"Because..." Igaram sighed heavily. "Princess, the country already believes the King is the one stealing the rain. Meanwhile, Crocodile has the title of National Hero. If we broadcast this now, the people won't see the truth. They'll think the King is framing a hero to cover his own tracks. It will only deepen the hatred and... accelerate the civil war."
Igaram, as a seasoned veteran, thought much further ahead than a fourteen-year-old. This was why, despite knowing the truth, he felt even more hopeless. If the enemy were just a pirate with a high bounty, he'd know how to fight. But Crocodile was a hero. In terms of strength, he didn't fear the Royal Army; in terms of prestige, he currently outranked the King.
Igaram didn't know what to do. As he spoke, the realization hit Vivi like a physical blow.
"How can this be... how can it be like this..."
Tears began to fall uncontrollably. Her entire worldview was being shattered. Why did her father work so hard for the people only to be cursed as a tyrant, while the real villain sat here in luxury, adored by the masses?
Igaram felt a pang of heart-wrenching pity for her. She was so young to be facing such cold reality. But she was the Princess—the future of the nation. She had to grow up faster than her peers.
He patted her shoulder gently. "Princess... this is reality. People don't listen to the words of a single person. They only believe what they see on the surface."