In the current situation, the only way to make the citizens believe the truth would be if Crocodile himself admitted to the plot. Furthermore, rain would have to return to the other cities of Alabasta immediately. Otherwise, no matter how much they talked, it would be for nothing.
"Is there... really no other way?"
Princess Vivi's tears streamed down her face; she had become a complete mess of grief.
"Another way..."
Suddenly, Vivi recalled the scene back at Whiskey Peak. She whipped her head around, and as she gazed at Rowan's broad back, a sliver of hope involuntarily rose in her heart.
There's still Mr. Rowan!
Vivi didn't quite know why this thought occurred to her. But remembering Rowan's words when they first met, and seeing how the powerful Zoro and Vice Admiral Momousagi were so respectful toward him, her resolve hardened.
She hadn't realized it, but ever since she came into contact with Rowan, the constant sense of crisis and insecurity she had carried for the past year had vanished. She hadn't even woken up from a nightmare once last night. It was because the amiable Rowan provided a staggering sense of security.
"Mr. Rowan!"
Staring at his back, Vivi cried out, "Please, you must help us! Help my father, and help all the people of Alabasta!"
With that shout, Vivi vented a year's worth of bottled-up negative emotions, placing all her hopes on him.
Rowan, descending the stairs, paused for a moment. He shook his head inwardly and murmured, "This little girl..."
Without turning around, Rowan simply raised a hand and gave an OK gesture. He said softly, "Rest easy, girl. Leave it to me."
The heavy stone in Vivi's heart instantly dropped. She believed in him!
Crocodile's calm expression shifted slightly as he watched this. He was arrogant, but he wasn't stupid. It was obvious Rowan intended to do something to him.
Squinting, Crocodile's voice turned low and menacing. "Mr. Rowan, I am a Royal Shichibukai sanctioned by the World Government. Are you planning to ignore the regulations and lay a hand on me?"
To say he didn't fear Rowan would be a lie. Though he hadn't seen Rowan fight, a man who could defeat Mihawk, kill Doflamingo, and repel Kaido couldn't possibly be simple.
Crocodile was right—Rowan did intend to move against him. In fact, he had decided to do so before he even left Marine Headquarters. No matter what Crocodile said, it wouldn't change a thing.
Mr. 1 and Miss Doublefinger had been on high alert the moment Rowan started down the stairs. Previously, they had viewed Rowan as just a harmless-looking old man and focused their attention on Momousagi and Zoro, whose strength they could sense.
But as Rowan descended, their focus snapped to him. With every step Rowan took, the pressure in the room intensified. It felt as if his footsteps were being planted directly onto their shoulders. By the time he reached the bottom, the sheer weight of his presence nearly buckled their knees.
How is this possible?!
Rowan ignored the two elite agents who looked like they were facing a mortal enemy. He looked at Crocodile with a thin smile. "Has nobody told you? Whether you are a Shichibukai or a Yonko, in my eyes, you only have one identity."
Crocodile's face darkened. But in the next heartbeat—Swoosh!—Rowan vanished from the spot!
Mr. 1 and Miss Doublefinger's pupils constricted. "So fast!"
To them, it looked like Rowan had simply ceased to exist. They couldn't even track his movement. Amidst their shock, they felt a violent gust of wind tear past them, so sharp it felt like it was flaying their skin.
Rowan's target was the Boss!
Rowan was already at Crocodile's side. At his level of mastery over the Six Powers (Rokushiki), his speed transcended normal human perception even without using Haki. His 'Soru' was so fast that Crocodile couldn't react in time.
By the time Crocodile sensed the movement, Rowan's massive hand had already clamped onto his skull.
In the next instant, under Crocodile's horrified gaze, Rowan slammed him downward.
CRACK!!
The expensive mahogany table shattered instantly under the impact of Crocodile's head. Splinters flew everywhere. Holding Crocodile's head pinned against the floor, Rowan's expression remained terrifyingly calm.
He looked down at the disheveled Crocodile—his slicked-back hair ruined, blood beginning to pool on the floor—and smiled. "The last guy who thought his Shichibukai title would protect him... his corpse is probably starting to stink by now."
"Boss!" "BOSS!"
Mr. 1 and Miss Doublefinger spun around, their faces pale with horror. Their respected leader had been subdued so effortlessly, appearing completely powerless?!
How could this be?!
As the highest-ranking agents under the President, they knew Crocodile's strength. He was a Logia user who had been a Warlord for over a decade. Yet now...
Not only the agents, but Vivi and Igaram stood frozen in disbelief. The "Hero" of their country had been taken down by Rowan as easily as a child.
Vivi felt dazed. Igaram swallowed hard. A moment ago, they were helpless against Crocodile's status and power; now, he was being ground into the dirt by Rowan.