After making a wide sweep from Reverse Mountain and rounding up several unlicensed pirate crews, the Beatrice finally dropped anchor in the Kingdom of Alabasta.
Alabasta—a sprawling desert nation on Sandy Island in the first half of the Grand Line. Its aesthetic, with its vast dunes and ancient architecture, leaned heavily toward an Egyptian motif.
In the original story, this was where the Straw Hat Pirates would engage in a massive struggle against one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Sir Crocodile, and his secret criminal organization, Baroque Works.
Luffy and his crew would eventually thwart a conspiracy to topple the monarchy, but as far as the current timeline was concerned, that was a tale for the distant future.
Krieg had come here for two reasons: to scout Crocodile's movements now that he had officially established himself in the country, and to set a "minor trap" of his own.
"But seriously... is there nothing we can do about this heat?" Krieg groaned.
"I can see why a Sand-Logia like Crocodile picked this place," Gin replied, wiping sweat from his brow.
The two had ventured into the outskirts of the port town for a bit of sightseeing, but their enthusiasm had evaporated within minutes under the relentless, oppressive sun.
Sandy Island was a brutal environment where the sun sapped a person's willpower with terrifying efficiency.
In this land, rain was a miracle reserved almost exclusively for the royal capital, Alubarna—a fact that Crocodile would later exploit to devastating effect.
"…Gin, let's head back. Now."
"Understood, Boss. This isn't a place for a casual stroll."
As they retreated toward a shaded rest area, an Alabastan soldier approached them. He informed Krieg that King Nefertari Cobra had an opening in his schedule and was ready to receive the Marine delegation.
From what Krieg had gathered by talking to the locals, Cobra was a true "Benevolent King." He was a rarity in this world: a monarch who genuinely cherished his people.
The only "bad" rumors about him were that he was a bit of a doting, overprotective father.
Krieg and Gin followed the soldier into the royal palace. In the center of a grand hall stood a dignified man with sharp eyes and curly black hair—the 12th King of Alabasta, Nefertari Cobra.
To his right stood a massive man with a black bob cut—Chaka, the Captain of the Royal Guard. To his left was a man with white skin and distinctive markings around his eyes—Pell, known as "The Strongest Warrior in Alabasta."
Both were Devil Fruit users (the Jackal and Falcon Zoans, respectively). In the original timeline, they were formidable warriors who unfortunately met a bad elemental matchup in Crocodile.
"Pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty. I am Krieg, commander of the Marine Independent Guerrilla Unit. Thank you for making time for us today."
"I am Nefertari Cobra. I have heard much of the 'Red Seagulls.' It is an honor to meet the man behind the rumors."
Cobra stepped down from his throne to offer a handshake, a gesture of humility that Krieg appreciated.
"The honor is mine, Your Majesty. It's rare to meet a King so highly spoken of by his own people."
"So," Cobra said, getting straight to the point. "What brings the Marines to our desert shores?"
Krieg kept his cards close to his chest regarding the Crocodile investigation.
He claimed he was on a routine patrol of 'Paradise' to crack down on illegal piracy and asked for permission to stay in the kingdom for a short duration. Cobra not only agreed but offered them a wing of the palace to use as a temporary base.
Before leaving, Krieg decided to drop a pointed question.
"By the way, Your Majesty... what is your impression of Sir Crocodile, the Warlord currently residing in Rainbase?"
Cobra paused, looking thoughtful. "He has been a great help. Just recently, we received word that he intercepted a pirate crew before our own Royal Army could even arrive. Since he settled here, he has been nothing but a guardian to our shores."
I see... the 'Hero' persona is already firmly in place, Krieg thought.
"…If I may offer a word of advice, Your Majesty? Do not place too much faith in him. His power is attractive to a nation under siege, and I understand the gratitude, but if you're going to bring a predator into your home, I recommend making sure his 'spirit' is thoroughly broken first. Otherwise, you might find he's the one holding the leash."
The atmosphere in the throne room turned awkward. Krieg offered a polite, somewhat stiff bow.
"Pardon my bluntness. I'll return to my ship now. Good day, Your Majesty."
Krieg beat a hasty retreat from the room, leaving Cobra and his guards to ponder the strange warning from the Marine who was supposedly just "passing through."
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