Crocodile casually scanned the crowd, but his gaze suddenly stopped on a figure wearing a Marine cloak.
A Marine?
Why would Marines be in Alabasta?
In previous years, the Navy had never shown any particular interest in the royal family's celebrations. Yet this time, Marines had arrived precisely during Princess Vivi's birthday festivities.
The timing was far too convenient.
Far too deliberate.
It immediately put him on guard.
Could Cobra have discovered something?
Impossible.
His plans had barely begun to take shape.
There was no way anyone could have uncovered them already.
Still, the sight of Marines in Alabasta left an unpleasant feeling in his chest.
"Hey, pirate! What are you doing here?"
Kuina finally managed to push her way through the crowd while holding Vivi's hand.
Standing directly in front of Crocodile, she raised her head and stared fearlessly at one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Unaware of the danger she was inviting, she spoke exactly the way her teacher would have.
After all, she had spent far too much time around Saint Roselith Seraphina.
"Oh?"
Crocodile lowered his eyes toward the young girl.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"I am one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
"A pirate officially recognized by the World Government."
"Of course I have every right to be here."
His sharp eyes narrowed slightly.
"But you…"
"You aren't from Alabasta, are you?"
His instincts immediately picked up something unusual.
The girl carried herself differently from ordinary civilians.
There was confidence in her posture.
Discipline in her movements.
She looked more like a soldier than a child.
"That's because I'm a Marine!"
Kuina proudly declared.
Since she wasn't wearing her uniform, most people would never have guessed her identity.
"Oh?"
"A Marine?"
Crocodile's interest increased immediately.
"Then perhaps you can answer a question for me."
"What exactly brings the Navy to Alabasta?"
His tone remained calm, but hidden beneath it was a subtle accusation.
The timing was simply too suspicious.
The royal family was holding an unusually grand birthday celebration.
At the same time, Marines arrived.
No matter how one looked at it, the coincidence seemed questionable.
The surrounding citizens immediately began whispering among themselves.
"The Navy came all the way here?"
"That's unusual…"
"Do you think something happened?"
"His Majesty wouldn't hide anything from us, would he?"
"Don't say nonsense! King Cobra isn't that kind of person!"
Although questions arose, the people of Alabasta still trusted their king deeply.
Cobra's reputation among his citizens remained impeccable.
"Why should the Navy report its movements to you?"
Kuina replied immediately.
To her, Crocodile already resembled another arrogant Warlord she disliked.
Naturally, her attitude wasn't particularly friendly.
"Hm."
Crocodile's smile widened slightly.
"Is it because you don't want to answer?"
"Or because you can't answer?"
"Did King Cobra personally invite the Marines?"
His words continued to stir the crowd.
The implication was obvious.
"You!"
Kuina's cheeks puffed up in irritation.
"I'm Vivi's older sister!"
"Why can't I attend Vivi's birthday party?"
She proudly placed both hands on her hips before patting the blue-haired princess standing beside her.
Her expression practically screamed triumph.
Having a princess as a little sister was amazing.
"That's right!"
Vivi immediately nodded in support.
"Why can't they come?"
She looked at Crocodile with visible dissatisfaction.
Even though she was still young, she instinctively disliked the way he spoke.
If she had to choose sides, she would unquestionably choose Kuina.
"Sister Kuina!"
"Princess Vivi!"
A familiar voice called out.
Riva finally pushed his way through the crowd.
The moment he noticed the two girls had disappeared earlier, he immediately began searching for them.
Fortunately, the disturbance was impossible to miss.
"Lieutenant Commander Riva!"
Vivi waved happily.
The moment Crocodile saw the Marine officer approaching, his eyes narrowed.
The white Marine cloak fluttering behind Riva was particularly eye-catching.
For a brief moment, silence fell.
A Marine officer.
A Shichibukai.
Both stood facing one another.
Neither moved.
Neither looked away.
The atmosphere became noticeably tense.
Then suddenly
"Hahaha!"
Crocodile laughed.
The tension vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
"A spirited little Marine."
"A lively princess."
"We'll meet again."
His gaze briefly swept over Kuina and Vivi.
Compared to Riva, these two were far more interesting.
One was a student of the Navy.
The other was the future queen of Alabasta.
Both could potentially become obstacles in the future.
Those were the people worth remembering.
Without another word, Crocodile slipped both hands into his pockets.
His body dissolved into countless grains of sand.
The wind rose.
Golden sand scattered through the air.
Then he vanished completely.
Only a faint trail of drifting sand remained behind.
"That guy…"
Kuina clenched her fists.
For some reason, she found Crocodile extremely irritating.
That evening.
The Royal Palace of Alubarna was brilliantly illuminated.
Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling.
Musicians played elegant melodies.
Nobles from across Alabasta gathered inside the grand banquet hall dressed in luxurious formal attire.
Merchants, ministers, military officers, and foreign guests all filled the palace.
Security was tighter than ever.
Palace guards stood watch at every entrance.
"Vivi!"
"Over here!"
Kuina waved energetically from a corner of the hall.
Dressed in formal clothing for the occasion, she looked noticeably more refined than usual.
"Sister Kuina!"
Vivi immediately ran over.
"Look at all the food!"
"There are so many dishes I've never seen before!"
Her eyes sparkled as she pointed excitedly at the banquet tables.
The royal family rarely held extravagant celebrations.
Even as a princess, Vivi seldom enjoyed such lavish meals.
"What we eat isn't important."
Kuina lowered her voice.
"Remember what I told you."
"Teacher likes to keep a low profile."
"When you see her later, don't make too much of a fuss."
Kuina knew Saint Roselith Seraphina's personality well.
Although she possessed overwhelming strength and extraordinary status, she never enjoyed drawing attention to herself.
Especially not because of her background.
"Okay!"
Vivi nodded obediently.
Then she smiled brightly.
"But Sister Seraphina is amazing!"
"She came all the way here for my birthday!"
The little princess's excitement was impossible to hide.
Kuina couldn't help laughing.
"Yes."
"She really did."
"And that's why you should treasure today."
As the grand celebration continued, neither of the two girls noticed a pair of calculating eyes quietly observing the palace from afar.
Far beyond the lights and music.
Far beyond the laughter.
The gears of a conspiracy had already begun turning within the Kingdom of Alabasta.