What a Good Person

Bang!

Crocodile slammed his fist on the table, forcing Lindsey to shut up, and startling everyone nearby.

To cultivate the image of a national hero, Crocodile's outward demeanor and actions had always been primarily calm and collected.

However, the people of Alabasta had noticed that ever since his return from overseas this time, Crocodile's emotional fluctuations had become particularly intense, even bordering on neurotic!

Was it due to the exhaustion from his journey?

Or was he worried about Alabasta, thus appearing somewhat impatient?

But regardless, no one in Alabasta viewed Crocodile as a "pirate."

On one hand, it was due to his official Shichibukai position; on the other, it was because Crocodile's presence genuinely deterred pirates in the surrounding areas.

"Mr. Sand Crocodile is truly a good person!"

I wish I could just kill everyone who gets in my way!

--Crocodile thought to himself.

One by one, they're all trying to disrupt my plans?

The Drum Kingdom, warmongers, underground forces...

Are they tired of living?!

If it were Crocodile's usual nature, encountering such a situation would likely lead him to charge directly to the Drum Kingdom and unleash a sandstorm to end it all.

However, he simply couldn't bear to part with Alabasta, this perfect stronghold.

Not only did it hide numerous secrets like the Poneglyphs, but it was also a rare superpower on the Grand Line, allowing Crocodile to secretly develop his influence without being detected by the Navy.

"This is all the information I have for now."

Crocodile took out a cigar and was about to light it when Lindsey, standing beside him, directly extinguished the flame.

Lindsey pointed a finger at Vivi not far away, indicating that there were children present and he should refrain from smoking.

Crocodile: "..."

Helpless, he could only put the unlit cigar in his mouth and said coldly:

"Alabasta and Drum Island are both member nations of the World Government. As a Shichibukai, I cannot interfere in the affairs between your member nations."

He then changed his tone.

"But I won't just sit idly by. Once I discover who is causing trouble, I will take action. Do not interfere."

"..."

His intention was to tell the people of Alabasta not to get in his way.

Crocodile was also curious about what kind of "warmonger" would dare to target a superpower!

What were their objectives? What methods did they use?

Learning more about the secrets involved would be more beneficial for his future plans!

However, from an outsider's perspective, Crocodile's words were far too magnanimous.

It was as if his implied meaning was:

"Don't worry, I'll take care of the trash from the underworld!"

"..."

"Alright, let's tentatively agree on this. We will analyze the current situation further."

Cobra nodded solemnly and said slowly, "The declaration of war from the Drum Kingdom is quite inexplicable, and their subsequent actions are even stranger."

He took out a sea chart, marking the recent friction points between the two nations.

"Look here."

Cobra pointed to the markers on the chart and continued, "The places where these frictions occurred are all near Alabasta's coastal routes, significantly impacting our people's lives and commerce."

"The Drum Kingdom's actions have been primarily harassment, as if deliberately trying to provoke our dissatisfaction."

A small nation attacking a large one, sustained harassment is a major taboo; the former cannot outlast the latter.

But the Drum Kingdom's actions were truly strange, as if they were deliberately trying to incite Alabasta's anger, forcing the two nations into war!

"There must be a conspiracy behind this."

Cobra stroked his chin and said, "While it may not be good to say, I don't believe the current king of the Drum Kingdom, Wapol, is skilled at devising schemes."

To put it more bluntly: Wapol's intelligence isn't sufficient for him to play mind games.

If that's the case, then it must be "someone" on his side who is causing trouble!

"..."

"Alabasta's territory is too vast for me to investigate further, but I must take action."

Cobra pondered for a moment, then finally said, "I plan to go to Nanohana myself to check on the port's situation. That's the safest way!"

"Your Majesty?"

Upon hearing this, Igaram and the other guards were greatly shocked.

Since ancient times, what king would personally go to the scene at the beginning of a war?

"Absolutely not, Your Majesty!"

Igaram, anxious, even raised his voice and quickly tried to stop him, saying, "Putting aside everything else, with the enemy hidden and us exposed, this action is far too dangerous!"

But looking at Cobra's expression, Igaram realized his persuasion was futile.

Helplessly, he could only nod in agreement, but still strongly requested that three royal guards, including himself, accompany Cobra.

"No."

Cobra shook his head. "Igaram, you stay in the royal capital to handle internal affairs and also guard against 'that matter'."

That matter—referring to the Poneglyph buried beneath the secret chamber!

"This... alright!"

Igaram nodded.

He also believed the existence of the Poneglyph was too dangerous and had to be guarded against. Moreover, with the two "Guardian Gods," Bepo and Jaka, present, Cobra's safety was guaranteed.

"..."

Crocodile watched this scene and shook his head in boredom.

He really wanted to say that it didn't matter even if those two Zoan ability users didn't follow.

His gaze shifted to the Evan Lindsey beside him.

After all, they had a "monster" level Mythical Zoan on their side...

After a night's rest.

Subsequently, the group of six embarked on their journey to Nanohana.

Yes—

Six people.

It wasn't until they were about to depart that Crocodile noticed a little blue-haired girl riding on Lindsey's neck.

Vivi?!

Crocodile couldn't help but be stunned, wondering why the little princess of Alabasta had come to join the fray.

But seeing the expressions of Cobra and the other two, Crocodile already understood; they likely couldn't refuse her.

"..."

Oh well.

Evan Lindsey's presence had slightly reminded Crocodile.

Sometimes, thinking too much only brought annoyance upon oneself; it was better not to think about it.

Crocodile temporarily gave up thinking.

On the other hand, Bepo and Jaka repeatedly assured Cobra that they would protect the princess's safety with their lives.

"..."

"Heh heh..."

After giving up thinking, Crocodile actually felt a sense of long-lost amusement.

Safety?

Of course, it was safe!

She was currently riding on a head worth six hundred and fifty million Beli!

This was truly a rare sight...

As royalty of Alabasta, they kept some peculiar creatures for convenient transportation.

The group rode on a moving crab. Although their speed was not as fast as Lindsey and Crocodile moving freely, they still reached Nanohana within a single day.

This port city was just like before; everyone appeared to be on high alert, but their brows showed a hint of exhaustion.

"We can't keep this up any longer."

Cobra's brow furrowed, realizing that the people's "psychology" was also a factor that had to be considered. Their overly tense nerves would eventually lead to major chaos!

It was evening, and the group planned to rest in the stationed barracks first.

But at that very moment, piercing alarm bells suddenly rang out.

It's from the docks!

The residents were drawn to the commotion, and Cobra and the others hurried over.

They saw a fast ship approaching from a distance, sails full, with no intention of stopping!

"Enemy attack? It's an enemy attack!"

The King's Army stood ready, while also dispersing the residents near the docks.

"It's a ship from the Drum Kingdom!"

"It's not planning to stop?"

"It's going to crash, it's going to crash into the docks, get out of the way!"

"..."

WHOOSH!

A black shadow shot out and stood on the dock about to be hit.

He was extremely tall and powerfully built, grinning with an eager expression.

But what was even more noticeable was a little girl with blue hair riding on his neck.

The wind was strong in the desert, and fearing for her safety, Lindsey had let Vivi ride on his back the whole way.

The little princess was indeed brave; even with a high-speed warship bearing down on them, she remained unfazed.

She just curiously asked, "Mr. Lindsey, should I get down?"

"Whatever you want."

"Yay!"

"..."

Lindsey cracked his knuckles, producing a series of crisp pops, then let out a low growl as he activated his Devil Fruit ability--

Earth Demon Form!

The dark green Demon Horns grew out once more.

Except this time, two tiny hands were gripping them.

The extreme contrast between the little princess and the Demon highlighted an unspeakable tension!

"Hold on tight!"

"Okay!"

Lindsey strode forward. The instant the full-sailed warship slammed into the dock, he placed his hands against it and pushed with all his might.

"Haaah!"

With a mighty roar, most of the warship's momentum was canceled out. However, it still smashed through part of the dock and forced Lindsey back several meters.

"Hoo..."

Lindsey steadied himself and let out a breath.

Fortunately, the ships docked in the harbor were unharmed, and the damaged sections could be repaired quickly.

As for Vivi, who was riding on Lindsey's neck, she only felt a jolt and nothing more.

The little princess recovered and then looked past the ship's railing, her gaze traveling upward to a strange sight.

Standing on the deck was a "wild bull" covered in wounds.

Upon realizing the warship had finally stopped, the "wild bull" seemed to finally breathe a sigh of relief, trembled as it transformed back into human form, and then collapsed with a thud.

"What are you looking at?"

Lindsey noticed Vivi's unusual reaction and stretched his neck to look as well, realizing the abnormality of the situation.

He recognized the heavily injured "wild bull."

It was Dalton, the captain of the Drum Kingdom's guard, anผม Zoan-type Devil Fruit user who had eaten the Ox-Ox Fruit!

At this moment, Dalton couldn't even open his eyes. He used his last bit of strength to let out a low growl:

"Save... save the Drum... people..., it's a trai..."

Then, he fainted.