"Daddy…"
Vivi was still only a ten-year-old child. Faced with Crocodile's imposing presence and scarred visage, she instinctively shrank behind Cobra, clutching the back of his robe.
Kuina-neechan… Seraphina-neechan… help me…
"Don't be afraid."
Cobra gently patted Vivi's head.
"That's Sir Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. He has helped Alabasta many times. He won't hurt you."
At least, that was what Cobra believed.
Over the past few years, Crocodile had repeatedly driven away pirates threatening Alabasta. Whether out of genuine goodwill or personal motives, his actions had undeniably benefited the kingdom.
"Really?"
Vivi slowly peeked out from behind her father and nervously looked at Crocodile again.
"Of course."
Crocodile smiled faintly.
Although the expression softened his features slightly, the long scar across his face still made him appear intimidating.
"I did not prepare anything elaborate."
As he spoke, he reached into his coat and produced a brilliant crimson gemstone roughly the size of a pigeon's egg.
The gem shimmered under the palace lights with a mesmerizing radiance.
"Consider this a birthday present."
The surrounding nobles immediately gasped.
Such a jewel was worth a fortune.
Not wishing to embarrass anyone present, Vivi carefully accepted it.
"Thank you, Mister Crocodile."
"You're welcome, Princess."
While maintaining his courteous demeanor, Crocodile's eyes casually swept across the banquet hall.
Where are the Marines?
That was the true reason he had come.
Ever since learning that Marines had arrived in Alabasta during Vivi's birthday celebrations, he had been suspicious.
The timing was simply too coincidental.
The Marines rarely involved themselves in royal celebrations within member nations.
Yet now they had suddenly appeared.
No matter how he analyzed the situation, something felt wrong.
Could Cobra have discovered something?
Impossible.
His plans had not progressed that far.
Even Baroque Works was still operating from the shadows.
And yet…
Something about the situation disturbed him.
His gaze continued searching the hall.
No Marine officers.
No white justice coats.
No sign of Rear Admiral Saint Roselith Seraphina.
No sign of Kuina.
No sign of anyone.
Lieutenant Commander Riva had chosen not to attend the banquet, believing he could better spend his time reviewing reports and resting.
Kuina had disappeared somewhere with Seraphina.
As a result, not a single Marine was present.
This only made Crocodile more suspicious.
Could it truly be a coincidence?
He did not believe in coincidences.
Not anymore.
"Well then."
He exhaled a stream of cigar smoke.
"I shall take my leave."
His body dissolved into swirling sand.
A moment later, the desert wind carried him away from the banquet hall.
However, Crocodile had no intention of leaving the palace grounds just yet.
The royal palace remained the only place in Alabasta he had never fully investigated.
If secrets existed anywhere, they would be here.
Outside the banquet hall.
The palace gardens were quiet beneath the moonlight.
The cool evening breeze rustled the trees.
Not far from a decorative fountain, Saint Roselith Seraphina sat beside Kuina while watching Vivi's beloved Super Spot-Billed Duck peck at food from the ground.
The duck happily waddled around the garden.
Its ridiculous behavior was entertaining enough that even Seraphina occasionally glanced toward it.
Then
Her Kenbunshoku Haki detected movement.
Sand.
Approaching rapidly.
"Crocodile."
Seraphina quietly spoke his name.
She had reviewed information on all current Seven Warlords of the Sea after her encounter with Donquixote Doflamingo.
Among them, Crocodile was particularly interesting.
A former New World pirate.
A Logia user.
Ambitious.
Dangerous.
And far more intelligent than many people realized.
A moment later, grains of sand gathered nearby.
Crocodile materialized beneath the moonlight.
He immediately noticed Kuina.
"Well, if it isn't the little Marine from earlier."
His tone was relaxed.
Then his attention shifted toward the silver-haired woman beside her.
For some reason, he had not sensed her presence immediately.
That alone made him cautious.
He casually stepped closer.
"May I ask who "
Crocodile reached out, intending to lightly tap her shoulder and get her attention.
Before his fingers could make contact
A small hand seized his wrist.
Instantly.
Firmly.
The grip was absolute.
Crocodile's expression froze.
His arm stopped completely.
No matter how much strength he applied, it would not move even a single inch.
The hand holding him felt like a pair of iron shackles.
His pupils narrowed.
What kind of monster is this?
He immediately transformed part of his body into sand and slipped free.
Several steps later, he reformed completely.
For the first time that evening, genuine caution appeared on his face.
"You are…?"
The silver-haired woman slowly rose to her feet.
Moonlight illuminated her flawless features.
Long silver-white hair.
Closed eyes.
An expression of calm indifference.
"You are Crocodile?"
Her voice was gentle.
Yet somehow, the simple question carried overwhelming pressure.
"Yes."
Crocodile answered carefully.
"Who are you?"
"The Marines."
Seraphina replied calmly.
Crocodile nearly rolled his eyes.
Obviously.
Anyone standing beside Kuina was likely connected to the Marines.
Still, he kept those thoughts to himself.
"I see."
For a brief moment, silence filled the garden.
Then Seraphina asked another question.
"So."
"Are you a pirate?"
The atmosphere instantly changed.
Crocodile narrowed his eyes.
"No."
"I am a member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
"A legal pirate recognized by the World Government."
"I am not the same as ordinary pirates."
His answer came smoothly.
After all, that was technically true.
"Good."
Seraphina nodded slightly.
"I know who you are."
"The Hero of Alabasta."
"The man who has protected this kingdom from countless pirate attacks."
For a second, Crocodile thought the conversation was going well.
Then her next words shattered that illusion.
"Which is why I am willing to overlook tonight's trespass."
The temperature around them seemed to drop.
Kuina immediately grinned.
She knew exactly what tone her teacher was using.
It was the tone she used before crushing someone.
"I don't care what legal status the World Government granted you."
Seraphina's voice remained calm.
"But remember this."
"You entered the royal palace without permission."
"You approached the royal family."
"You investigated government property."
Her words struck like invisible blades.
"I am overlooking this because of your contributions to Alabasta."
"Only once."
"Whatever your intentions may be, abandon them."
"Because if there is a second time…"
The pressure of a supreme swordsman radiated outward.
It felt as though an invisible blade had been placed against Crocodile's throat.
"…I will personally escort you to Impel Down."
For a brief instant
Crocodile felt the same pressure he had experienced many years ago.
The pressure of a true monster.
The pressure of someone standing at the summit.
A memory surfaced.
A massive figure.
A white crescent moustache.
The strongest man in the world.
Edward Newgate.
Whitebeard.
The sensation lasted only a moment.
Yet it was enough.
"The Marines, huh…"
Crocodile forced a smile.
He had no intention of fighting here.
Not now.
Not when his ambitions were so close.
His plan could not be jeopardized by a reckless battle.
"The name."
He asked quietly.
"What is your name?"
"Saint Roselith Seraphina."
The answer drifted through the night air.
Crocodile committed it to memory.
Then he transformed into sand and vanished into the darkness.
After he left, Kuina folded her arms.
"Sensei."
"We're really just letting him go?"
"That guy definitely isn't a good person."
Her dislike of Crocodile had only increased.
Especially after seeing his arrogant attitude throughout the day.
"Of course he has ulterior motives."
Seraphina replied without hesitation.
In her perception, Crocodile's ambition was impossible to conceal.
Everything about him screamed calculation.
Everything about him suggested long-term planning.
"So why let him leave?"
Kuina asked.
"If he's suspicious, shouldn't we arrest him?"
Seraphina smiled faintly.
"No."
"If I arrest him now, I only catch one fish."
She looked toward the distant desert beyond the palace walls.
"But if I let him swim…"
Her smile deepened.
"…he may lead me to the entire school."
Through Kenbunshoku Haki, Crocodile's presence remained firmly locked within her perception.
As long as he remained within range, escape was impossible.
In her eyes, someone as intelligent as Crocodile would never act alone.
There had to be subordinates.
There had to be an organization.
There had to be a greater objective.
And once she discovered it
She would uproot everything at once.
What amused Seraphina most was the irony.
To ordinary people, Crocodile appeared heroic.
To the kingdom, he appeared trustworthy.
To the World Government, he appeared cooperative.
By standing beneath the brightest spotlight, he had successfully concealed himself within the shadows.
A dangerous strategy.
A clever strategy.
And perhaps
The strategy of a truly ambitious man.
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