Grand Line, Alabasta Kingdom
It hasn't rained here for almost half a year; the dry air makes your mouth feel parched with just one breath.
The public was unaware that this was because Crocodile had used "Dance Powder." Crocodile used this time to cultivate a "national hero" persona, subtly shifting the blame for the lack of rain onto King Cobra.
The unsuspecting populace initially didn't believe it, because Cobra was a benevolent king who loved his people dearly. However, as the weather grew drier and Crocodile repeatedly saved the "country" from thugs, public sentiment gradually began to change.
Some restless forces within the country have begun to stir.
This is tragic. As Blue Star aptly put it...
A good person who has done good deeds all their life is considered to have committed a heinous crime if they do one bad thing in the end, and all their previous good deeds are negated.
But if a bad person does bad things all their life, and then does only one good thing in the end, they will be praised extensively. All the bad things they did before become a foil to their personal charm.
It would be perfect to use it on Cobra and Crocodile.
Crocodile's identity is that of Shichibukai, which is basically a pirate. When he first arrived in Alabasta, the people were afraid of and disgusted by him.
But after he first killed the mob, he became a "hero" in the eyes of many.
Cobra, who loved his people dearly, became known as a "tyrant" by many.
On this day, inside the palace,
Cobra stood alone on the balcony, gazing at the clear sky above, and sighed heavily.
Twelve-year-old Vivi arrived just then. She heard her father sigh and ask,
"Dad, you look terrible. Are you worried about the weather again?"
Upon hearing his daughter's voice, Cobra quickly composed himself, putting on a smiling face as he turned to Vivi and said,
"Dad's alright, what are you doing here?"
As a princess, Vivi was naturally much more mature than her peers. She could tell that her father was putting on a brave face, but she didn't expose him.
She obediently put her hands behind her back, tilted her head, and said...
"I just went to play with Koza."
"Koza, he's quite a nice young man!"
Cobra knew about Koza, the boy. Although he was only twelve years old, the same age as Vivi, he had already formed his own organization called "Sand-Sand Gang" and even served as its leader.
This demonstrates his strong leadership talent. Although he is a commoner, Cobra does not object to Vivi's contact with him.
However, when Koza was mentioned, Vivi's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.
Seeing this, Cobra raised an eyebrow, wondering if this Koza had bullied his daughter.
Vivi's mother died early, Cobra on his daughter immensely. If he knew that anyone dared to bully his precious daughter, he would make that person taste the wrath of the king!
He asked sternly,
"What's with that expression? Did that Koza bully you? You bastard! That kid is really audacious!"
Seeing that her father was angry, Vivi quickly explained,
"No, no, it's just that he's been acting really strange lately. I feel like there's a hint of... disgust in the way he looks at me?"
At this point, Vivi stopped talking.
In truth, she had more or less guessed why Koza had become like this.
Public opinion against her father has intensified recently, especially after someone claimed to have witnessed the Royal Army looting civilians. This has caused Koza to become hostile towards her father and, consequently, to distance herself from her, the princess.
Vivi certainly didn't believe her father would do such a thing; she trusted his character.
But Koza still had related photos, which left Vivi speechless for a moment.
Actually, it was done by Mr. Bon Clay, a member of Crocodile's crew and Devil Fruit User. Vivi, who hasn't infiltrated Baroque Works, is naturally unaware of this.
Cobra was taken aback for a moment, but he quickly understood the reason. Koza's estrangement from Vivi was most likely due to him again.
Thinking about what had happened in the kingdom during this time, Cobra couldn't help but sigh again.
Vivi stopped hiding her thoughts and spoke them directly.
"Dad, I know you didn't do those things, and the weather has nothing to do with you, but I always feel that all of this has something to do with Crocodile!"
Cobra was taken aback by his daughter's words; in fact, he thought the same thing.
These problems have been brewing ever since Crocodile arrived, and Cobra would never believe that they have nothing to do with him.
But ordinary people don't care about all that; they only see Crocodile's heroic act of dealing with the thugs.
Crocodile's reputation is currently at its peak, and his strength is terrifying. Even if Cobra wanted to investigate, he would be powerless to do so.
Thinking of these difficulties, Cobra fell silent.
Vivi then said something surprising.
"Dad, let me go! I can infiltrate his organization and gather intelligence!"
"What?! No way! How old are you?!"
Cobra was truly terrified. Although Vivi was somewhat precocious, it was still too early for her to be dealing with those pirates.
He was really afraid that Vivi would be devoured, leaving not even bones, as soon as she went in.
But Vivi was unusually stubborn today; she rarely talked back to Cobra.
"Father! Let me go! I am a princess, and I am responsible for my kingdom!"
"You..."
"Clap clap clap."
Before Cobra could speak, applause erupted from inside the palace on the balcony.
"Who goes there!?"
The sudden applause startled Cobra and Vivi. Cobra quickly turned around and looked into the main hall.
Suddenly, a figure draped in a white coat appeared on the throne in the hall.
He crossed his legs, his strange, deep purple eyes smiling as he looked at Cobra and Vivi.
The person who arrived was none other than Senga.
After arriving in Alabasta, he did not go to Crocodile immediately, but instead strolled around the streets of the kingdom first.
In a bar, he overheard the conversations of those around him and understood the current situation in Alabasta.
He knew that Crocodile was behind all of this, just a few years earlier than expected.
Of course, what Senga didn't know was that Crocodile's plan was brought forward by several years because of him.
It was because he had scared Crocodile so badly at Marine Headquarters that Crocodile felt a strong sense of crisis, which prompted him to move up his plans.
It can only be said that this blame has once again been placed on his head.