"Robin, have you discovered any clues regarding Pluton?"
Inside a hidden chamber deep within Rainbase, the Shichibukai Sir Crocodile sat comfortably in a luxurious chair, cigar smoke curling lazily through the air.
Having just returned from another display of heroism in the eyes of Alabasta's citizens, he now focused on the matter that truly interested him.
Across from him sat the newest and most valuable recruit of Baroque Works.
The woman he trusted more than anyone else within the organization.
Nico Robin.
"Crocodile, Pluton is one of the Three Ancient Weapons."
Robin calmly crossed her legs and leaned back in her chair.
"Do you truly expect me to locate something that has remained hidden for centuries after only one month?"
Her blue-black eyes reflected a mixture of amusement and exasperation.
"You've spent years searching for it yourself."
"Yet somehow you expect me to find it immediately?"
Crocodile scratched his head and laughed.
"Hahaha, fair enough."
"Still, I hope we find it sooner rather than later."
His expression gradually darkened.
"I don't intend to waste the rest of my life buried in a desert kingdom."
Robin raised an eyebrow.
"You've already waited this long."
"A few more years shouldn't make much difference."
She sounded indifferent.
However, unlike countless organizations before Baroque Works, Crocodile had accepted her despite knowing exactly who she was.
The Devil Child.
The sole surviving scholar of Ohara.
A woman the entire world had hunted since childhood.
For the first time in years, she had found a place where her knowledge was valued rather than feared.
That alone made Baroque Works worth staying with.
"Come."
Crocodile stood and walked toward the concealed window.
"Take a look outside."
Robin followed him.
Beyond the hidden opening stretched the growing city of Rainbase.
The streets bustled with activity.
Construction continued everywhere.
Workers carried lumber.
Merchants negotiated contracts.
Ships entered and departed from the harbor.
"Rainbase."
Crocodile spread his arms dramatically.
"A city born in the desert."
"A city that will never dry up."
Robin stared at him for several seconds.
Then she sighed.
"That's impossible."
"Even I know deserts don't work that way."
For a brief moment, she wondered if Crocodile had finally lost his mind.
After years of surviving betrayals, conspiracies, and endless pursuits, she had met every type of madman imaginable.
Perhaps Crocodile was simply another one.
Then she noticed the confidence in his expression.
Suddenly, realization dawned on her.
"Wait."
"You aren't talking about rainfall, are you?"
Crocodile grinned.
"Hahaha!"
"Now you're starting to understand."
He pointed toward the city below.
"I'll pour all my wealth into this place."
"The greatest entertainment city in Alabasta will rise here."
"The largest casino in the entire kingdom."
"People will come from every corner of the Grand Line."
"Nobles."
"Merchants."
"Pirates."
"Kings."
"They'll all bring their money directly to me."
His eyes gleamed with ambition.
"Then that wealth will become armies."
"It will become weapons."
"It will become power."
"And eventually…"
His grin widened.
"It will become a kingdom."
Robin listened silently.
This was the first time she had heard him speak so openly about his ambitions.
"Rain Dinners."
Crocodile suddenly declared.
"That will be the name of my casino."
"The feast where the world is divided."
"The first step toward my throne."
His laughter echoed through the chamber.
Robin shook her head.
Even after everything she had experienced, she still found Crocodile's ambitions astonishing.
"You truly are an ambitious man."
She could not help admitting it.
Among all the people she had encountered throughout her life, few possessed dreams on this scale.
Crocodile chuckled.
"I'll take that as praise."
He leaned back against the wall.
"When Pluton is finally mine, the era of hesitation ends."
"Gol D. Roger conquered the seas."
"Whitebeard dominates the New World."
"But in the end…"
"I'll surpass them all."
"I'll obtain everything they possessed."
Robin remained silent.
Partly because she knew arguing would be pointless.
Partly because she had learned long ago that ambitious men often revealed their true nature when allowed to speak freely.
After a moment, she decided to redirect the conversation.
"There's something more important."
Crocodile frowned.
"What is it?"
Robin retrieved several intelligence reports.
"The Kingdom of Alabasta has become unusually active recently."
She placed the documents on the table.
"Princess Vivi is about to celebrate her tenth birthday."
"At first, I thought it would be a normal royal celebration."
"However, the scale of preparations is growing larger every day."
Crocodile immediately became interested.
Robin continued.
"King Cobra has personally sent invitations across the kingdom."
"Several neighboring rulers have reportedly received invitations as well."
"Nobles, merchants, and influential figures are all expected to attend."
She tapped the documents lightly.
"Doesn't that seem unusual?"
Baroque Works had gradually expanded its intelligence network under Robin's management.
As a result, information from throughout Alabasta arrived faster than ever before.
Crocodile studied the reports briefly.
Then he snorted.
"Cobra?"
"You think that fool is plotting something?"
Robin shrugged.
"I'm simply reporting facts."
After a few moments of thought, Crocodile stood.
"Interesting."
A smirk appeared on his face.
"In that case, this hero of Alabasta will attend personally."
"Invited or not."
…
Far out at sea.
A warm desert wind swept across the horizon.
Despite it being January, the climate surrounding Alabasta remained scorching.
Such was the strange weather of the Grand Line.
"We should enter Alabasta's territorial waters within an hour."
Kuina leaned casually against the railing after completing her daily training.
Her gaze remained fixed on the distant horizon.
"I've heard Alabasta is nothing but endless sand."
"The Kingdom of Sand."
"An entire nation covered by deserts."
She smiled excitedly.
"I wonder what it looks like."
"It has to be amazing."
Riva approached carrying several glasses filled with chilled fruit juice.
"The scenery is beautiful."
"But deserts also mean a lack of water."
"Yet somehow Alabasta supports millions of people."
He handed one glass to Kuina.
"The kingdom is quite remarkable."
Kuina immediately grabbed it.
The icy drink felt heavenly beneath the scorching sun.
Riva glanced toward the storage compartments of the warship.
"Honestly, Rear Admiral Seraphina's abilities are incredibly useful."
The warship possessed limited refrigeration facilities.
Most of their ice reserves existed because of Seraphina.
Recently, he had even learned that her mysterious abilities allowed her to create fresh water.
That alone greatly reduced logistical concerns during long voyages.
"Riva!"
Kuina instantly turned toward him.
"Why do you always ruin the mood?"
She pointed accusingly at him while drinking her juice.
"I was simply stating facts."
Riva sighed.
Over the past few weeks, Kuina had become increasingly competitive.
Arguing with her rarely produced good results.
Besides, he was an adult.
There was little dignity in fighting with a child.
"I already know all that!"
Kuina puffed out her cheeks.
"And stop acting like you know everything!"
Having recently learned several new sword techniques from her teacher, she was eager to challenge him at every opportunity.
"What's happening here?"
A familiar voice interrupted them.
Saint Roselith Seraphina emerged from the communications room.
She had just concluded a Den Den Mushi conversation with King Cobra, informing him of their imminent arrival.
The moment Kuina spotted her, her expression changed instantly.
"Teacher!"
She rushed forward.
Then, without hesitation, she threw herself into Seraphina's embrace.
"Riva bullied me!"
The accusation came so naturally that even Riva nearly admired it.
"Again?"
Seraphina smiled helplessly.
She gently stroked Kuina's back.
Although Kuina had become increasingly irritable toward everyone else lately, she remained exceptionally affectionate whenever Seraphina was nearby.
Then Seraphina noticed the half-finished drink in her hand.
Her expression immediately changed.
"Kuina."
The tone alone made the swordswoman freeze.
"You drank ice water again?"
"Oops."
Kuina's eyes widened.
Flick.
A finger struck her forehead.
"Ow!"
Kuina immediately crouched down and covered her head.
"That hurt!"
"It definitely didn't."
Seraphina laughed softly.
She knew exactly how much force she had used.
Then she turned toward Riva.
"And you."
Riva instantly straightened his posture.
"Why did you give it to her?"
Riva looked utterly defeated.
"Rear Admiral…"
He clasped his hands together.
"Please spare me."
"I can't afford to offend either of you."
For a moment, silence filled the deck.
Then even Seraphina couldn't help smiling.
The warship continued sailing toward the golden shores of Alabasta.
Unbeknownst to everyone aboard, events throughout the kingdom had already begun moving toward a convergence that would soon shake the entire nation.
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